Chapter 7

           YetallthiswasonlytheprologueoftheactualDunwichhorror. Formalitiesweregonethroughbybewilderedofficials,abnormaldetailsweredulykeptfrompressandpublic, andmenweresenttoDunwichandAylesburytolookuppropertyandnotifyanywhomightbeheirsofthelateWilburWhateley. Theyfoundthecountrysideingreatagitation,bothbecauseofthegrowingrumblingsbeneaththedomedhills,andbecauseoftheunwontedstenchandthesurging,lappingsoundswhichcameincreasinglyfromthegreatemptyshellformedbyWhateley’sboarded-upfarmhouse. EarlSawyer,whotendedthehorseandcattleduringWilbur’sabsence,haddevelopedawoefullyacutecaseofnerves. Theofficialsdevisedexcusesnottoenterthenoisomeboardedplace; andweregladtoconfinetheirsurveyofthedeceased’slivingquarters,thenewlymendedsheds,toasinglevisit. TheyfiledaponderousreportatthecourthouseinAylesbury,andlitigationsconcerningheirshiparesaidtobestillinprogressamongsttheinnumerableWhateleys,decayedandundecayed,oftheupperMiskatonicvalley. 

           Analmostinterminablemanuscriptinstrangecharacters,writteninahugeledgerandadjudgedasortofdiarybecauseofthespacingandthevariationsininkandpenmanship,presentedabafflingpuzzletothosewhofounditontheoldbureauwhichservedasitsowner’sdesk.