Випадок Чарльза Декстера Варда
Chapter 1
TherewerecrypticformulaeanddiagramsinhisandotherhandswhichWardnoweithercopiedwithcareorhadphotographed,andoneextremelymysteriousletterinachirographythatthesearcherrecognizedfromitemsintheRegistryofDeedsaspositivelyJosephCurwen’s.
ThisCurwenletter,thoughundatedastotheyear,wasevidentlynottheoneinanswertowhichOrnehadwrittentheconfiscatedmissive;andfrominternalevidenceWardplaceditnotmuchlaterthan1750.Itmaynotbeamisstogivethetextinfull,asasampleofthestyleofonewhosehistorywassodarkandterrible.Therecipientisaddressedas"Simon",butaline(whetherdrawnbyCurwenorOrneWardcouldnottell)isrunthroughtheword.
Providence,1.May
Brother:—
Myhonour’dAntientFriende,dueRespectsandearnestWishestoHimwhomweserueforyreternallPower.IamjustcomeuponThatwhichyououghttoknowe,concern’gtheMatteroftheLasteExtremitieandwhattodoeregard’gyt.Iamnotdispos’dtofolloweyouingo’gAwayonacct.ofmyYeares,forProuidencehathnotyeSharpenessofyeBayinhunt’gouteuncommonThingsandbringingetoTryall.Iamty’dupinShippesandGoodes,andcou’dnotdoeasyoudid,besidestheWhichemyFarmeatPatuxethathunderitWhatyouKnowe,andwou’dnotwaiteformycom’gBackeasanOther.
ButIamunreadieforhardeFortunes,asIhauetoldeyou,andhauelongework’duponyeWayofget’gBackeafteryeLaste.