Випадок Чарльза Декстера Варда

           Heexhibitedacuriousinterestintheweather,andmadeoddinquiresaboutthedateofthespringthawingoftheground.OnenightlateinMarchheleftthehouseaftermidnight,anddidnotreturntillalmostmorning;whenhismother,beingwakeful,heardarumblingmotordrawuptothecarriageentrance.Muffledoathscouldbedistinguished,andMrs.Ward,risingandgoingtothewindow,sawfourdarkfiguresremovingalong,heavyboxfromatruckatCharles’sdirectionandcarryingitwithinbythesidedoor.Sheheardlaboredbreathingandponderousfootfallsonthestairs,andfinallyadullthumpingintheattic;afterwhichthefootfallsdescendedagain,andthefourreappearedoutsideanddroveoffintheirtruck.

           ThenextdayCharlesresumedhisstrictatticseclusion,drawingdownthedarkshadesofhislaboratorywindowsandappearingtobeworkingonsomemetalsubstance.Hewouldopenthedoortonoone,andsteadfastlyrefusedallprofferedfood.Aboutnoonawrenchingsoundfollowedbyaterriblecryandafallwereheard,butwhenMrs.Wardrappedatthedoorhersonatlengthansweredfaintly,andtoldherthatnothinghadgoneamiss.Thehideousandindescribablestenchnowwellingoutwasabsolutelyharmlessandunfortunatelynecessary.Solitudewastheoneprimeessential,andhewouldappearlaterfordinner.Thatafternoon,aftertheconclusionofsomeoddhissingsoundswhichcamefrombehindthelockedportal,hedidfinallyappear;wearinganextremelyhaggardaspectandforbiddinganyonetoenterthelaboratoryuponanypretext.