Випадок Чарльза Декстера Варда

           Oncemorethelightersgrewwonttoputoutfromtheblack,silentdocks,andthistimetheywouldgodownthebaysomedistance,perhapsasfarasNamquitPoint,wheretheywouldmeetandreceivecargofromstrangeshipsofconsiderablesizeandwidelyvariedappearance.Curwen’ssailorswouldthendepositthiscargoattheusualpointontheshore,andtransportitoverlandtothefarm;lockingitinthesamecrypticalstonebuildingwhichhadformerlyreceivedthenegroes.Thecargoconsistedalmostwhollyofboxesandcases,ofwhichalargeproportionwereoblongandheavyanddisturbinglysuggestiveofcoffins.

           Weedenalwayswatchedthefarmwithunremittingassiduity;visitingiteachnightforlongperiods,andseldomlettingaweekgobywithoutasightexceptwhenthegroundboreafootprint-revealingsnow.Eventhenhewouldoftenwalkascloseaspossibleinthetraveledroadorontheiceoftheneighboringrivertoseewhattracksothersmighthaveleft.Findinghisownvigilsinterruptedbynauticalduties,hehiredataverncompanionnamedEleazarSmithtocontinuethesurveyduringhisabsence;andbetweenthemthetwocouldhavesetinmotionsomeextraordinaryrumors.Thattheydidnotdosowasonlybecausetheyknewtheeffectofpublicitywouldbetowarntheirquarryandmakefurtherprogressimpossible.Instead,theywishedtolearnsomethingdefinitebeforetakinganyaction.Whattheydidlearnmusthavebeenstartlingindeed,andCharlesWardspokemanytimestohisparentsofhisregretatWeeden’slaterburningofhisnotebooks.