Случай Чарльза Декстера Варда

           TherewerecrypticformulaeanddiagramsinhisandotherhandswhichWardnoweithercopiedwithcareorhadphotographed,andoneextremelymysteriousletterinachirographythatthesearcherrecognizedfromitemsintheRegistryofDeedsaspositivelyJosephCurwen’s.

           ThisCurwenletter,thoughundatedastotheyear,wasevidentlynottheoneinanswertowhichOrnehadwrittentheconfiscatedmissive;andfrominternalevidenceWardplaceditnotmuchlaterthan1750.Itmaynotbeamisstogivethetextinfull,asasampleofthestyleofonewhosehistorywassodarkandterrible.Therecipientisaddressedas"Simon",butaline(whetherdrawnbyCurwenorOrneWardcouldnottell)isrunthroughtheword.

           Providence,1.May

           Brother:—

           Myhonour’dAntientFriende,dueRespectsandearnestWishestoHimwhomweserueforyreternallPower.IamjustcomeuponThatwhichyououghttoknowe,concern’gtheMatteroftheLasteExtremitieandwhattodoeregard’gyt.Iamnotdispos’dtofolloweyouingo’gAwayonacct.ofmyYeares,forProuidencehathnotyeSharpenessofyeBayinhunt’gouteuncommonThingsandbringingetoTryall.Iamty’dupinShippesandGoodes,andcou’dnotdoeasyoudid,besidestheWhichemyFarmeatPatuxethathunderitWhatyouKnowe,andwou’dnotwaiteformycom’gBackeasanOther.

           ButIamunreadieforhardeFortunes,asIhauetoldeyou,andhauelongework’duponyeWayofget’gBackeafteryeLaste.