Поворот гвинта
Chapter 9
Theapparitionhadreachedthelandinghalfwayupandwasthereforeonthespotnearestthewindow,whereatsightofme,itstoppedshortandfixedmeexactlyasithadfixedmefromthetowerandfromthegarden.HeknewmeaswellasIknewhim;andso,inthecold,fainttwilight,withaglimmerinthehighglassandanotheronthepolishoftheoakstairbelow,wefacedeachotherinourcommonintensity.Hewasabsolutely,onthisoccasion,aliving,detestable,dangerouspresence.Butthatwasnotthewonderofwonders;Ireservethisdistinctionforquiteanothercircumstance:thecircumstancethatdreadhadunmistakablyquittedmeandthattherewasnothinginmetherethatdidn’tmeetandmeasurehim.
Ihadplentyofanguishafterthatextraordinarymoment,butIhad,thankGod,noterror.AndheknewIhadnot—Ifoundmyselfattheendofaninstantmagnificentlyawareofthis.Ifelt,inafiercerigorofconfidence,thatifIstoodmygroundaminuteIshouldcease—forthetime,atleast—tohavehimtoreckonwith;andduringtheminute,accordingly,thethingwasashumanandhideousasarealinterview:hideousjustbecauseitwashuman,ashumanastohavemetalone,inthesmallhours,inasleepinghouse,someenemy,someadventurer,somecriminal.Itwasthedeadsilenceofourlonggazeatsuchclosequartersthatgavethewholehorror,hugeasitwas,itsonlynoteoftheunnatural.IfIhadmetamurdererinsuchaplaceandatsuchanhour,westillatleastwouldhavespoken
