Випадок Чарльза Декстера Варда

           TheCharleswhoneverdidactualevil,andwhowillhavepaidwithhislifeforhis"squeamishness".

           Thatisall.Charleswillhaveescaped,andayearfromnowyoucanputuphisstone.Donotquestionmetomorrow.Andbelievethatthehonorofyourancientfamilyremainsuntaintednow,asithasbeenatalltimesinthepast.

           Withprofoundestsympathy,andexhortationstofortitude,calmness,andresignation,Iamever

           Sincerelyyourfriend,MarinusB.Willett.

           SoonthemorningofFriday,April13,1928,MarinusBicknellWillettvisitedtheroomofCharlesDexterWardatDr.Waite’sprivatehospitalonConanicutIsland.Theyouth,thoughmakingnoattempttoevadehiscaller,wasinasullenmood;andseemeddisinclinedtoopentheconversationwhichWillettobviouslydesired.Thedoctor’sdiscoveryofthecryptandhismonstrousexperiencethereinhadofcoursecreatedanewsourceofembarrassment,sothatbothhesitatedperceptiblyaftertheinterchangeofafewstrainedformalities.Thenanewelementofconstraintcreptin,asWardseemedtoreadbehindthedoctor’smask-likefaceaterriblepurposewhichhadneverbeentherebefore.Thepatientquailed,consciousthatsincethelastvisittherehadbeenachangewherebythesolicitousfamilyphysicianhadgivenplacetotheruthlessandimplacableavenger.

           Wardactuallyturnedpale,andthedoctorwasthefirsttospeak.’More,’hesaid,’hasbeenfoundout,andImustwarnyoufairlythatareckoningisdue.’

           ’Diggingagain,andcominguponmorepoorstarvingpets?’wastheironicreply.