Тінь над Іннсмутом
Chapter 4
Ontherighttheblackgashoftheriver-gorgeclovethepanorama;abandonedfactoriesandrailwaystationclingingbarnacle-liketoitssides.BeyondittherustedrailwayandtheRowleyroadledoffthroughaflatmarshyterraindottedwithisletsofhigheranddryerscrub-grownland.Ontheleftthecreek-threadedcountry-sidewasnearer,thenarrowroadtoIpswichgleamingwhiteinthemoonlight.IcouldnotseefrommysideofthehotelthesouthwardroutetowardArkhamwhichIhaddeterminedtotake.
IwasirresolutelyspeculatingonwhenIhadbetterattackthenorthwarddoor,andonhowIcouldleastaudiblymanageit,whenInoticedthatthevaguenoisesunderfoothadgivenplacetoafreshandheaviercreakingofthestairs.Awaveringflickeroflightshewedthroughmytransom,andtheboardsofthecorridorbegantogroanwithaponderousload.Muffledsoundsofpossiblevocaloriginapproached,andatlengthafirmknockcameatmyouterdoor.
ForamomentIsimplyheldmybreathandwaited.Eternitiesseemedtoelapse,andthenauseousfishyodourofmyenvironmentseemedtomountsuddenlyandspectacularly.Thentheknockingwasrepeated—continuously,andwithgrowinginsistence.Iknewthatthetimeforactionhadcome,andforthwithdrewtheboltofthenorthwardconnectingdoor,bracingmyselfforthetaskofbatteringitopen.Theknockingwaxedlouder,andIhopedthatitsvolumewouldcoverthesoundofmyefforts.Atlastbeginningmyattempt,Ilungedagainandagainatthethinpanelingwithmyleftshoulder,heedlessofshockorpain.
