Зов Ктулху
The Tale of Inspector Legrasse
Thematterofthecultstillremainedtofascinateme,andattimesIhadvisionsofpersonalfamefromresearchesintoitsoriginandconnexions. IvisitedNewOrleans,talkedwithLegrasseandothersofthatold-timeraiding-party,sawthefrightfulimage,andevenquestionedsuchofthemongrelprisonersasstillsurvived. OldCastro,unfortunately,hadbeendeadforsomeyears.WhatInowheardsographicallyatfirst-hand,thoughitwasreallynomorethanadetailedconfirmationofwhatmyunclehadwritten,excitedmeafresh; forIfeltsurethatIwasonthetrackofaveryreal,verysecret,andveryancientreligionwhosediscoverywouldmakemeananthropologistofnote. Myattitudewasstilloneofabsolutematerialism, asIwishitstillwere, andIdiscountedwithalmostinexplicableperversitythecoincidenceofthedreamnotesandoddcuttingscollectedbyProfessorAngell.
OnethingIbegantosuspect,andwhichInowfearIknow,isthatmyuncle’sdeathwasfarfromnatural. Hefellonanarrowhillstreetleadingupfromanancientwaterfrontswarmingwithforeignmongrels,afteracarelesspushfromaNegrosailor. Ididnotforgetthemixedbloodandmarinepursuitsofthecult-membersinLouisiana,andwouldnotbesurprisedtolearnofsecretmethodsandritesandbeliefs. Legrasseandhismen,itistrue,havebeenletalone;butinNorwayacertainseamanwhosawthingsisdead. Mightnotthedeeperinquiriesofmyuncleafterencounteringthesculptor’sdatahavecometosinisterears? IthinkProfessorAngelldiedbecauseheknewtoomuch,orbecausehewaslikelytolearntoomuch. WhetherIshallgoashedidremainstobeseen,forIhavelearnedmuchnow.
