Тінь над Іннсмутом

           AfteratimeIseemedtohearthestairsandcorridorscreakatintervalsasifwithfootsteps,andwonderediftheotherroomswerebeginningtofillup.Therewerenovoices,however,anditstruckmethattherewassomethingsubtlyfurtiveaboutthecreaking.Ididnotlikeit,anddebatedwhetherIhadbettertrytosleepatall.Thistownhadsomequeerpeople,andtherehadundoubtedlybeenseveraldisappearances.Wasthisoneofthoseinnswheretravelerswereslainfortheirmoney?SurelyIhadnolookofexcessiveprosperity.Orwerethetownsfolkreallysoresentfulaboutcuriousvisitors?Hadmyobvioussightseeing,withitsfrequentmap-consultations,arousedunfavorablenotice.ItoccurredtomethatImustbeinahighlynervousstatetoletafewrandomcreakingssetmeoffspeculatinginthisfashion—butIregrettednonethelessthatIwasunarmed.

           Atlength,feelingafatiguewhichhadnothingofdrowsinessinit,Iboltedthenewlyoutfittedhalldoor,turnedoffthelight,andthrewmyselfdownonthehard,unevenbed—coat,collar,shoes,andall.Inthedarknesseveryfaintnoiseofthenightseemedmagnified,andafloodofdoublyunpleasantthoughtssweptoverme.IwassorryIhadputoutthelight,yetwastootiredtoriseandturnitonagain.Then,afteralong,drearyinterval,andprefacedbyafreshcreakingofstairsandcorridor,therecamethatsoft,damnablyunmistakablesoundwhichseemedlikeamalignfulfillmentofallmyapprehensions.