Вбивство на вулиці Морг
Theadvertiserdesignatesmeasthepossessorofthebeast.Iamnotsuretowhatlimithisknowledgemayextend.ShouldIavoidclaimingapropertyofsogreatvalue,whichitisknownthatIpossess,Iwillrendertheanimal,atleast,liabletosuspicion.Itisnotmypolicytoattractattentioneithertomyselfortothebeast.Iwillanswertheadvertisement,gettheOurang-Outang,andkeepitcloseuntilthismatterhasblownover.
Atthismomentweheardastepuponthestairs.
“Beready,”saidDupin,“withyourpistols,butneitherusethemnorshowthemuntilatasignalfrommyself.”
Thefrontdoorofthehousehadbeenleftopen,andthevisitorhadentered,withoutringing,andadvancedseveralstepsuponthestaircase.Now,however,heseemedtohesitate.Presentlyweheardhimdescending.Dupinwasmovingquicklytothedoor,whenweagainheardhimcomingup.Hedidnotturnbackasecondtime,butsteppedupwithdecisionandrappedatthedoorofourchamber.
“Comein,”saidDupin,inacheerfulandheartytone.
Amanentered.Hewasasailor,evidently—atall,stout,andmuscular-lookingperson,withacertaindare-devilexpressionofcountenance,notaltogetherunprepossessing.Hisface,greatlysunburnt,wasmorethanhalfhiddenbywhiskerandmustachio.Hehadwithhimahugeoakencudgel,butappearedtobeotherwiseunarmed.
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