Випадок Чарльза Декстера Варда

           Andalwaysinthenightthoserhythmsandincantationsthundered,tillitbecameverydifficulttokeepservantsorsuppressfurtivetalkofCharles’smadness.

           InJanuary,1927,apeculiarincidentoccurred.Onenightaboutmidnight,asCharleswaschantingaritualwhoseweirdcadenceechoedunpleasantlythroughthehousebelow,therecameasuddengustofchillwindfromthebay,andafaint,obscuretremblingoftheearthwhicheveryoneintheneighborhoodnoted.Atthesametimethecatexhibitedphenomenaltracesoffright,whiledogsbayedforasmuchasamilearound.Thiswasthepreludetoasharpthunderstorm,anomalousfortheseason,whichbroughtwithitsuchacrashthatMr.andMrs.Wardbelievedthehousehadbeenstruck.Theyrushedupstairstoseewhatdamagehadbeendone,butCharlesmetthematthedoortotheattic;pale,resolute,andportentous,withanalmostfearsomecombinationoftriumphandseriousnessonhisface.Heassuredthemthatthehousehadnotreallybeenstruck,andthatthestormwouldsoonbeover.Theypaused,andlookingthroughawindowsawthathewasindeedright;forthelightningflashedfartherandfartheroff,whilstthetreesceasedtobendinthestrangefrigidgustfromthewater.Thethundersanktoasortofdullmumblingchuckleandfinallydiedaway.Starscameout,andthestampoftriumphonCharlesWard’sfacecrystallizedintoaverysingularexpression.

           FortwomonthsormoreafterthisincidentWardwaslessconfinedthanusualtohislaboratory.