Ужас в музее
Chapter 1
Waxenarms,legs,heads,andtorsoslayingrotesquearrayonvariousbenches,whileonhightiersofshelvesmattedwigs,ravenous-lookingteeth,andglassy,staringeyeswereindiscriminatelyscattered. Costumesofallsortshungfromhooks,andinonealcoveweregreatpilesofflesh-colouredwax-cakesandshelvesfilledwithpaint-cansandbrushesofeverydescription. Inthecentreoftheroomwasalargemelting-furnaceusedtopreparethewaxformoulding,itsfire-boxtoppedbyahugeironcontaineronhinges,withaspoutwhichpermittedthepouringofmeltedwaxwiththemeresttouchofafinger.
Otherthingsinthedismalcryptwerelessdescribable—isolatedpartsofproblematicalentitieswhoseassembledformswerethephantomsofdelirium. Atoneendwasadoorofheavyplank,fastenedbyanunusuallylargepadlockandwithaverypeculiarsymbolpaintedoverit. Jones,whohadoncehadaccesstothedreadedNecronomicon,shiveredinvoluntarilyasherecognisedthatsymbol. Thisshowman,hereflected,mustindeedbeapersonofdisconcertinglywidescholarshipindarkanddubiousfields.
NordidtheconversationofRogersdisappointhim. Themanwastall,lean,andratherunkempt,withlargeblackeyeswhichgazedcombustivelyfromapallidandusuallystubble-coveredface. HedidnotresentJones’sintrusion,butseemedtowelcomethechanceofunburdeninghimselftoaninterestedperson. Hisvoicewasofsingulardepthandresonance,andharbouredasortofrepressedintensityborderingonthefeverish. Jonesdidnotwonderthatmanyhadthoughthimmad.
