Острів доктора Моро
A Catastrophe.
Myshadowgrewshorter.Iwatchedthedistantfigureuntilitwentawayagain.WouldMoreauandMontgomeryneverreturn?Threesea-birdsbeganfightingforsomestrandedtreasure.
ThenfromfarawaybehindtheenclosureIheardapistol-shot.Alongsilence,andthencameanother.Thenayellingcrynearer,andanotherdismalgapofsilence.Myunfortunateimaginationsettoworktotormentme.Thensuddenlyashotcloseby.Iwenttothecorner,startled,andsawMontgomery,—hisfacescarlet,hishairdisordered,andthekneeofhistrouserstorn.Hisfaceexpressedprofoundconsternation.BehindhimslouchedtheBeastMan,M’ling,androundM’ling’sjawsweresomequeerdarkstains.
"Hashecome?"saidMontgomery.
"Moreau?"saidI."No."
"MyGod!"Themanwaspanting,almostsobbing."Gobackin,"hesaid,takingmyarm."They’remad.They’reallrushingaboutmad.Whatcanhavehappened?Idon’tknow.I’lltellyou,whenmybreathcomes.Where’ssomebrandy?"
Montgomerylimpedbeforemeintotheroomandsatdowninthedeckchair.M’lingflunghimselfdownjustoutsidethedoorwayandbeganpantinglikeadog.IgotMontgomerysomebrandy-and-water.Hesatstaringinfrontofhimatnothing,recoveringhisbreath.Aftersomeminuteshebegantotellmewhathadhappened.
Hehadfollowedtheirtrackforsomeway.
