Випадок Чарльза Декстера Варда
Chapter 1
Heseemedtohaunttheresortandcanoe-houseofRhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet,andsubsequentinquiriesbyDr.Willettatthatplacebroughtoutthefactthathispurposewasalwaystosecureaccesstotheratherhedged-inriver-bank,alongwhichhewouldwalktowardthenorth,usuallynotreappearingforaverylongwhile.
LateinMaycameamomentaryrevivalofritualisticsoundsintheatticlaboratorywhichbroughtasternreprooffromMr.WardandasomewhatdistractedpromiseofamendmentfromCharles.Itoccurredonemorning,andseemedtoformaresumptionoftheimaginaryconversationnotedonthatturbulentGoodFriday.Theyouthwasarguingorremonstratinghotlywithhimself,fortheresuddenlyburstforthaperfectlydistinguishableseriesofclashingshoutsindifferentiatedtoneslikealternatedemandsanddenialswhichcausedMrs.Wardtorunupstairsandlistenatthedoor.Shecouldhearnomorethanafragmentwhoseonlyplainwordswere’musthaveitredforthreemonths’,anduponherknockingallsoundsceasedatonce.WhenCharleswaslaterquestionedbyhisfatherhesaidthattherewerecertainconflictsofspheresofconsciousnesswhichonlygreatskillcouldavoid,butwhichhewouldtrytotransfertootherrealms.
AboutthemiddleofJuneaqueernocturnalincidentoccurred.Intheearlyeveningtherehadbeensomenoiseandthumpinginthelaboratoryupstairs,andMr.Wardwasonthepointofinvestigatingwhenitsuddenlyquieteddown.
