Случай Чарльза Декстера Варда

           Hehadhadaterribleexperienceandhadmadeaterriblediscoverywhichhedarednotrevealtohisskepticalcolleagues.Willett,indeed,presentsaminormysteryallhisowninhisconnectionwiththecase.Hewasthelasttoseethepatientbeforehisflight,andemergedfromthatfinalconversationinastateofmixedhorrorandreliefwhichseveralrecalledwhenWard’sescapebecameknownthreehourslater.ThatescapeitselfisoneoftheunsolvedwondersofDr.Waite’shospital.Awindowopenaboveasheerdropofsixtyfeetcouldhardlyexplainit,yetafterthattalkwithWilletttheyouthwasundeniablygone.Willetthimselfhasnopublicexplanationstooffer,thoughheseemsstrangelyeasierinmindthanbeforetheescape.Many,indeed,feelthathewouldliketosaymoreifhethoughtanyconsiderablenumberwouldbelievehim.HehadfoundWardinhisroom,butshortlyafterhisdeparturetheattendantsknockedinvain.Whentheyopenedthedoorthepatientwasnotthere,andalltheyfoundwastheopenwindowwithachillAprilbreezeblowinginacloudoffinebluish-greydustthatalmostchokedthem.True,thedogshowledsometimebefore;butthatwaswhileWillettwasstillpresent,andtheyhadcaughtnothingandshownnodisturbancelateron.Ward’sfatherwastoldatonceoverthetelephone,butheseemedmoresaddenedthansurprised.BythetimeDr.Waitecalledinperson,Dr.Willetthadbeentalkingwithhim,andbothdisavowedanyknowledgeorcomplicityintheescape.