Случай Чарльза Декстера Варда
Chapter 5
Awailingdistinctlydifferentfromthescreamnowburstout,andwasprotractedululantlyinrisingandfallingparoxysms.Attimesitbecamealmostarticulate,thoughnoauditorcouldtraceanydefinitewords;andatonepointitseemedtovergetowardtheconfinesofdiabolicandhystericallaughter.Thenayellofutter,ultimatefrightandstarkmadnesswrenchedfromscoresofhumanthroats—ayellwhichcamestrongandcleardespitethedepthfromwhichitmusthaveburst;afterwhichdarknessandsilenceruledallthings.Spiralsofacridsmokeascendedtoblotoutthestars,thoughnoflamesappearedandnobuildingswereobservedtobegoneorinjuredonthefollowingday.
TowarddawntwofrightenedmessengerswithmonstrousandunplaceableodorssaturatingtheirclothingknockedattheFennerdoorandrequestedakegofrum,forwhichtheypaidverywellindeed.OneofthemtoldthefamilythattheaffairofJosephCurwenwasover,andthattheeventsofthenightwerenottobementionedagain.Arrogantastheorderseemed,theaspectofhimwhogaveittookawayallresentmentandlentitafearsomeauthority;sothatonlythesefurtivelettersofLukeFenner,whichheurgedhisConnecticutrelativetodestroy,remaintotellwhatwasseenandheard.Thenon-complianceofthatrelative,wherebythelettersweresavedafterall,hasalonekeptthematterfromamercifuloblivion.CharlesWardhadonedetailtoaddasaresultofalongcanvassofPawtuxetresidentsforancestraltraditions
