Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 19
Itisadifficultmatterforaprisonerinsolitarytocommunicatewiththeoutsideworld.Once,withaguard,andoncewithashort-timerinsolitary,Ientrusted,bymemorization,aletterofinquiryaddressedtothecuratoroftheMuseum.Althoughunderthemostsolemnpledges,boththesemenfailedme.ItwasnotuntilafterEdMorrell,byastrangewhirloffate,wasreleasedfromsolitaryandappointedheadtrustyoftheentireprison,thatIwasabletohavethelettersent.Inowgivethereply,sentmebythecuratorofthePhiladelphiaMuseum,andsmuggledtomebyEdMorrell:
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“Itistruethereissuchanoarhereasyouhavedescribed.Butfewpersonscanknowofit,foritisnotonexhibitioninthepublicrooms.Infact,andIhaveheldthispositionforeighteenyears,Iwasunawareofitsexistencemyself.
“ButuponconsultingouroldrecordsIfoundthatsuchanoarhadbeenpresentedbyoneDanielFoss,ofElkton,Maryland,intheyear1821.Notuntilafteralongsearchdidwefindtheoarinadisusedatticlumber-roomofoddsandends.Thenotchesandthelegendarecarvedontheoarjustasyouhavedescribed.
“Wehavealsoonfileapamphletpresentedatthesametime,writtenbythesaidDanielFoss,andpublishedinBostonbythefirmofN.Coverly,Jr.,intheyear1834
