Случай Чарльза Декстера Варда

           Themorbidlisteningofhismotherinthenightbroughtoutthefactthathemadefrequentsalliesabroadundercoverofdarkness,andmostofthemoreacademicalienistsuniteatpresentincharginghimwiththerevoltingcasesofvampirismwhichthepresssosensationallyreportedaboutthistime,butwhichhavenotyetbeendefinitelytracedtoanyknownperpetrator.Thesecases,toorecentandcelebratedtoneeddetailedmention,involvedvictimsofeveryageandtypeandseemedtoclusteraroundtwodistinctlocalities;theresidentialhillandtheNorthEnd,neartheWardhome,andthesuburbandistrictsacrosstheCranstonlinenearPawtuxet.Bothlatewayfarersandsleeperswithopenwindowswereattacked,andthosewholivedtotellthetalespokeunanimouslyofalean,lithe,leapingmonsterwithburningeyeswhichfasteneditsteethinthethroatorupperarmandfeastedravenously.

           Dr.Willett,whorefusestodatethemadnessofCharlesWardasfarbackaseventhis,iscautiousinattemptingtoexplainthesehorrors.Hehas,hedeclares,certaintheoriesofhisown;andlimitshispositivestatementstoapeculiarkindofnegation:’Iwillnot,’hesays,’statewhoorwhatIbelieveperpetratedtheseattacksandmurders,butIwilldeclarethatCharlesWardwasinnocentofthem.Ihavereasontobesurehewasignorantofthetasteofblood,asindeedhiscontinuedanemicdeclineandincreasingpallorprovebetterthananyverbalargument.Wardmeddledwithterriblethings,buthehaspaidforit,andhewasneveramonsteroravillain