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           WithWillett,especially,thecapacityforreceivingfreshimpressionsofawewaswell-nighexhausted;andbothmensatstillandhelplesstilltheclosingofthelibraryforcedthemtoleave.ThentheydrovelistlesslytotheWardmansioninProspectStreet,andtalkedtonopurposeintothenight.Thedoctorrestedtowardmorning,butdidnotgohome.AndhewasstillthereSundaynoonwhenatelephonemessagecamefromthedetectiveswhohadbeenassignedtolookupDr.Allen.

           Mr.Ward,whowaspacingnervouslyaboutinadressing-gown,answeredthecallinperson;andtoldthementocomeupearlythenextdaywhenheheardtheirreportwasalmostready.BothWillettandheweregladthatthisphaseofthematterwastakingform,forwhatevertheoriginofthestrangeminusculemessage,itseemedcertainthe"Curwen"whomustbedestroyedcouldbenootherthanthebeardedandspectacledstranger.Charleshadfearedthisman,andhadsaidinthefranticnotethathemustbekilledanddissolvedinacid.Allen,moreover,hadbeenreceivinglettersfromthestrangewizardsinEuropeunderthenameofCurwen,andpalpablyregardedhimselfasanavatarofthebygonenecromancer.Andnowfromafreshandunknownsourcehadcomeamessagesayingthat"Curwen"mustbekilledanddissolvedinacid.