,! ,case ( ,*>les ,dext] ,w>d           
,by ,h4 ,p4 ,,lovecraft                 
,transcrib]'s ,note3 ,?is etext 0       
produc$ f                        ,weird 
,tales ,may1 ,july #aida                
,ext5sive rese>* did n uncov] any       
evid5ce t           ! ,u4,s4 copyright  
on ?is publication 0 r5ew$4      ,"h is 
,,! ,,case ,,( ,,*>les ,,dext] ,,w>d--! 
la/1 & _m ?9k  ! be/1 ! mo/ excit+--(   
all ,h4 ,p4 ,lovecraft's sup]b weird    
fantasies4    ,discov]$ aft] ye>s (     
difficult se>*--& piec$ toge!r )  z mu* 
c>eful pati5ce z ,*>les ,w>d puts into 8
 t]rify+  rese>*es 9 ! /ory--,augu/     
,d]le? & ,donald ,w&rei at long la/  _h 
all ! scatt]$ pages ( ,lovecraft's novel
 complete4    ,! manuscript1 ga!r$ ov] !
 c\rse ( _m ye>s f attics1  =gott5 /rong
 boxes & old bureaus1 is publi%$ n[--9  
,,weird  ,,tales4    ,9 x y are go+ to  
read aga9 ( ,c?ulhu & ! fe>ful          
,necronomicon2 9 ^! pages y w also f9d a
 p]fect weal? ( new  ?rills4 ,9 ,*>les  
,w>d y w read 444 b :y g on1 :5 y're  j 

r>+ to get ahead ) ! /ory8    ,s j turn 
! page--& on ) ! %[6           99       
99       99       99       99        ,! 
ess5tial ,saltes ( ,animals may be s    
prep>$ & pres]v$1      t an +5i\s ,man  
may h ! :ole ,ark ( ,noah 9 8 owne      
,/udie & raise ! f9e %ape ( an ,animal  
out ( its ,a%es at      8 ,pleasure2 &  
by ! lyke me?od f ! ess5tial ,saltes (  
humane ,du/1 a ,philosoph] may1 )\t any 
crim9al ,necromancy1      call up !     
,%ape ( any dead ,ance/\r f ! ,du/      
:]e9to 8      ,bodie has be5 inc9]at$4  
,,borellus4                             
#a4 ,a ,result & a ,prologue    ,f a    
private hospital = ! insane ne>         
,provid5ce1 ,rhode ,isl&1  !re rec5tly  
disappe>$ an exce$+ly s+ul> p]son4 ,he  
bore  ! "n ( ,*>les ,dext] ,w>d1 & 0    
plac$ "u re/ra9t mo/  reluctantly by 8  
griev+ fa!r4    ,! pati5t seem$ oddly   
old] ?an 8 tw5ty-six ye>s w\ld w>rant2  
8 face _h tak5 on a subtle ca/ :i* only 
! v ag$ usually  acquire4 ,:ile 8       
organic processes %[$ a c]ta9 que]ness  

( proportion :i* no?+ 9 m$ical exp]i5ce 
c p>allel4  ,respiration & he>t action  
_h a baffl+ lack ( symmetry1 ! voice  0 
lo/1 s t no s\nds above a :isp] 7       
possible1 dige/ion  0 incr$ibly prolong$
 & m9imiz$4 ,! sk9 _h a morbid *ill &   
dryness1 & ! cellul> /ructure ( ! tissue
 seem$ exagg]at$ly  co>se &             
loosely-knit4 ,ev5 a l>ge olive bir?m>k 
on 8 "r hip  _h disappe>$1 :il/ !re _h  
=m$ on 8 *e/ a v peculi>  mole or       
blacki% spot ( :i* no trace exi/$ be=e4 
,psy*ologically1 too1 ,*>les ,w>d 0     
unique4 ,8 madness held no  aff9ity to  
any sort record$ 9 ev5 ! late/ & mo/    
exhau/ive  ( treatises1 & 0 conjo9$ to a
 m5tal =ce :i* w\ld h  made him a g5ius 
or a lead] _h x n be5 twi/$ into /range 
&  grotesque =ms4    ,only ,dr4         
,willett1 :o br\ght ,*>les ,w>d into !  
_w & wat*$  8 gr[? ( body & m9d ev]     
s9ce1 seem$ fright5$ at !  ?\ght ( 8    
future fre$om4 ,he _h _h a t]rible      
exp]i5ce & _h  made a t]rible discov]y  
:i* he d>$ n reveal to 8 skeptical      

colleagues4 ,willett1 inde$1 pres5ts a  
m9or my/]y all 8 own  9 8 connection ) !
 case4 ,he 0 ! la/ to see ! pati5t  be=e
 8 flight1 & em]g$ f t f9al conv]sation 
9 a /ate  ( mix$ horror & relief :i*    
sev]al recall$ :5 ,w>d's escape  became 
kn[n ?ree h\rs lat]4 ,t escape itself is
 "o ( !  unsolv$ wond]s ( ,dr4 ,waite's 
hospital4 ,a w9d[ op5 above a %e]  drop 
( sixty feet c\ld h>dly expla9 x1 yet   
aft] t talk )  ,willett ! y\? 0         
und5iably gone4    ,he _h f\nd ,w>d 9 8 
room1 b %ortly aft] 8 dep>ture !        
att5dants knock$ 9 va94 ,:5 !y op5$ !   
door ! pati5t 0  n !re1 & all !y f\nd 0 
! op5 w9d[ ) a *ill ,april  breeze bl[+ 
9 a cl\d ( f9e blui%-gray du/ t almo/   
*ok$  !m4 ,true1 ! dogs _h h[l$ "s "t   
be=e2 b t 0 :ile  ,willett 0 /ill       
pres5t1 & !y _h caught no?+ & %[n  no   
di/urbance lat] on4 ,w>d's fa!r 0 told  
at once ov] !  telephone1 b he seem$ m  
sadd5$ ?an surpris$4 ,by ! "t ,dr4      
,waite call$ 9 p]son1 ,dr4 ,willett _h  
be5 talk+ ) him1 & bo?  disav[$ any k or

 complicity 9 ! escape4 ,only f c]ta9   
closely confid5tial fri5ds ( ,willett & 
! s5ior ,w>d h any  clues be5 ga9$1 &   
ev5 ^! are too wildly fanta/ic = g5]al  
cr$5ce4 ,! "o fact :i* rema9s is t up to
 ! pres5t "t no  trace ( ! miss+ madman 
has be5 une>!d4           99       99   
99       99       99    ,*>les ,w>d 0 an
 antiqu>ian f infancy1 no d\bt ga9+ 8   
ta/e f ! v5]able t[n ar\nd him1 & f !   
relics ( !  pa/ :i* fill$ e corn] ( 8   
p>5t's old mansion 9 ,prospect  ,/reet  
on ! cre/ ( ! hill4 ,) ! ye>s 8 devotion
 to anci5t  ?+s increas$2 s t hi/ory1   
g5ealogy1 & ! /udy ( ,colonial          
ar*itecture1 furniture1 & craftsman%ip  
at l5g? cr[d$ ev]y?+  else f 8 sph]e (  
int]e/s4 ,^! ta/es are important to     
rememb] 9 consid]+ 8 madness4 ,"o w\ld h
 fanci$ ! pati5t  lit]ally transf]r$ to 
a =m] age ?r\gh "s obscure sort (       
auto-hypnosis4 ,! odd ?+ 0 t ,w>d seem$ 
no long] int]e/$  9 ! antiquities he    
knew s well4 ,he _h1 x appe>s1 lo/ 8    
reg>d  = !m ?r\gh %e] famili>ity2 & all 

8 f9al ef=ts 7  obvi\sly b5t t[>d ma/]+ 
^? common facts ( ! mod]n _w  :i* _h be5
 s totally & unmi/akably expung$ f 8    
bra94 ,8  :ole program ( read+ &        
conv]sation 0 det]m9$ by a frantic  wi% 
to imbibe su* k ( 8 own life & ( !      
ord9>y  practical & cultural backgr\nd (
 ! tw5tie? c5tury z ought to  h be5 8 by
 virtue ( 8 bir? 9 #aijb & 8 education 9
 !  s*ools ( our own "t4 ,ali5i/s are ( 
! dom9ant op9ion t !  escap$ pati5t is  
ly+ l[ 9 "s humble & unexact+ position  
till 8 /ock ( mod]n in=mation c be      
br\ght up to ! normal4    ,! beg9n+ (   
,w>d's madness is a matt] ( dispute     
among ali5i/s4  ,dr4 ,lyman1 ! em95t    
,bo/on au?ority1 places x 9 #aiai or    
#aibj1  dur+ ! boy's la/ ye> at ! ,moses
 ,br[n ,s*ool1 :5 he sudd5ly  turn$ f ! 
/udy ( ! pa/ to ! /udy ( ! occult1 &    
refus$ to qualify = college on ! gr\nd t
 he _h individual  rese>*es ( mu* great]
 importance to make4    ,x is1 broadly  
speak+1 und5iable t ! w9t] ( #aiai-bj   
saw  a great *ange 9 ,w>d2 :]eby he     

abruptly dropp$ 8 g5]al  antiqu>ian     
pursuits & emb>k$ on a desp]ate delv+   
into occult  subjects bo? at home &     
abroad1 v>i$ only by ?is /rangely       
p]si/5t se>* = 8 =e-fa!r's grave4    ,f 
?is op9ion1 h[ev]1 ,dr4 ,willett        
sub/antially diss5ts1 bas+  8 v]dict on 
8 close & cont9u\s k ( ! pati5t1 &  on  
c]ta9 frightful inve/igations &         
discov]ies :i* he made  t[>d ! la/4     
,^? inve/igations & discov]ies h left _!
 m>k ^u him2 s  t 8 voice trembles :5 he
 tells !m1 & 8 h& trembles :5  he tries 
to write ( !m4    ,! true madness1 he is
 c]ta91 came ) a lat] *ange2 aft] !     
,curw5 portrait & ! anci5t pap]s _h be5 
une>!d2 aft] a trip  to /range =eign    
places _h be5 made1 & "s t]rible        
invocations  *ant$ "u /range & secret   
circum/ances2 aft] c]ta9 answ]s  to ^!  
invocations _h be5 pla9ly indicat$1 & a 
frantic lett]  p5n$ "u agoniz+ &        
inexplicable conditions2 aft] ! wave (  
vampirism & ! om9\s ,pawtuxet gossip2 & 
aft] ! pati5t's  memory comm5c$ to      

exclude contempor>y images :il/ 8 voice 
fail$  & 8 physical aspect und]w5t !    
subtle modification s _m  subsequ5tly   
notic$4    ,x 0 only ab\t ?is "t1       
,willett po9ts out ) mu* acut5ess1  t ! 
nightm>e qualities became indubitably   
l9k$ ) ,w>d1 &  ! doctor feels %udd]+ly 
sure t en\gh solid evid5ce exi/s to     
su/a9 ! y\?'s claim reg>d+ 8 crucial    
discov]y4 ,!re 7  ! my/]ies & co9cid5ces
 ( ! ,orne & ,hut*9son lett]s1 &  !     
problem ( ! ,curw5 p5man%ip & ( :at !   
detectives br\ght  to light ab\t ,dr4   
,all52 ^! ?+s1 & ! t]rible message  9   
m$iaeval m9uscules f\nd 9 ,willett's    
pocket :5 he ga9$  consci\sness aft] 8  
%ock+ exp]i5ce4    ,& mo/ conclusive (  
all1 !re are ! two hide\s results :i*  !
 doctor obta9$ f a c]ta9 pair ( =mulae  
dur+ 8 f9al  inve/igations2 results :i* 
virtually prov$ ! au!nticity ( !  pap]s 
& ( _! mon/r\s implications at ! same "t
 t ^?  pap]s 7 borne = ev] f human k4   
99       99       99       99       99  
,"o mu/ look back at ,*>les ,w>d's e>li]

 life z at some?+  belong+ z mu* to !   
pa/ z ! antiquities he lov$ s ke5ly4    
,8 home 0 a great ,georgian mansion atop
 ! well-nigh precipit\s  hill t rises j 
ea/ ( ! riv]1 & f ! re> w9d[s (  its    
rambl+ w+s he c\ld look dizzily out ov] 
all ! clu/]$  spires1 domes1 ro(s &     
skyscrap] summits ( ! l[] t[n to !      
purple hills ( ! c\ntryside beyond4 ,"h 
he 0 born1 & f !  lovely classic por* ( 
! d\ble-bay$ brick faade 8 nurse _h     
fir/ :eel$ him 9 8 c>riage2 pa/ ! little
 :ite f>mh\se (  two hundr$ ye>s be=e t 
! t[n _h long ago ov]tak51 & on  t[>d ! 
/ately colleges along ! %ady1 sumptu\s  
/reet1 ^:  old squ>e brick mansions &   
small] wood5 h\ses ) n>r[1              
heavy-column$ ,doric por*es dream$ solid
 & exclusive amid/ _!  g5]\s y>ds &     
g>d5s4    ,he _h be5 :eel$1 too1 along  
sleepy ,congdon ,/reet1 "o ti] l[]  d[n 
on ! /eep hill1 & ) all its ea/]n h\ses 
on high  t]races4 ,! small wood5 h\ses  
av]ag$ a great] age "h1 =  x 0 up ?is   
hill t ! gr[+ t[n _h climb$4 ,"o ( !    

*ild's fir/ memories is ( ! great we/w>d
 sea ( hazy ro(s &  domes & /eeples & f>
 hills :i* he saw "o w9t] aft]noon  f t 
great rail$ embankm5t1 all violet &     
my/ic aga9/ a  fev]$1 apocalyptic sunset
 ( r$s & golds & purples & curi\s       
gre5s4 ,! va/ m>ble dome ( ! ,/ate ,h\se
 /ood out 9 massive  silh\ette1 its     
cr[n+ /atue halo$ fanta/ically by a     
break 9 "o  ( ! t9t$ /ratus cl\ds t b>r$
 ! flam+ sky4    ,:5 he 0 l>g] 8 fam\s  
walks began2 fir/ ) 8 impati5tly  dragg$
 nurse & !n alone 9 dreamy m$itation4   
,"o may picture him  yet z he 0 9 ^?    
days2 tall1 slim1 & blond1 ) /udi\s eyes
  & a slight /oop1 dress$ some:at       
c>elessly1 & giv+ a dom9ant  impression 
( h>mless awkw>dness r ?an              
attractiv5ess4    ,he w\ld seek = vivid 
contra/s2 sp5d+ half a walk 9 !  crumbl+
 colonial regions nor?we/ ( 8 home1 :]e 
! hill drops  to ! l[] em95ce ( ,/amp]s 
,hill ) its ghetto & ,negro  qu>t]      
clu/]+ r\nd ! place :]e ! ,bo/on        
/agecoa* us$  to />t be=e ! ,revolution1

 & ! o!r half 9 ! graci\s  s\!rly realm 
ab\t ,george1 ,b5evol5t1 ,p[]1 &        
,williams ,/reets1  :]e ! old slope     
holds un*ang$ ! f9e e/ates & bits (     
wall$  g>d5 & /eep gre5 lane 9 :i* s _m 
fragrant memories l+]4    ,dr4 ,willett 
is c]ta9 t1 up to ?is ill-om5$ w9t] (   
fir/  *ange1 ,*>les ,w>d's antiqu>ianism
 0 free f e trace (  ! morbid4          
,gravey>ds held = him no p>ticul>       
attraction beyond  _! qua9tness &       
hi/oric value1 & ( any?+ l viol5ce or   
savage in/9ct he 0 utt]ly devoid4 ,!n1  
by insidi\s degrees1  !re appe>$ to     
develop a curi\s sequel to "o ( 8       
g5ealogical  triumphs ( ! ye> be=e2 :5  
he _h discov]$ among 8 mat]nal  ance/ors
 a c]ta9 v long-liv$ man nam$ ,joseph   
,curw51 :o _h  come f ,salem 9 ,m>* (   
#afib1 & ab\t :om a :isp]$ s]ies (      
highly peculi> & disquiet+ /ories       
clu/]$4           99       99       99  
99       99    ,w>d's                   
great-great-gr&fa!r ,welcome ,pott] _h 9
 #aghe m>ri$ a  c]ta9 ,ann ,till+ha/1   

daught] to ,mrs4 ,eliza1 daught] to     
,capt4  ,james ,till+ha/1 ( ^: pat]nity 
! family _h pres]v$ no  trace4 ,late 9  
#aiah1 :il/ exam9+ a volume ( orig9al   
t[n records  9 manuscript1 ! "y         
g5ealogi/ enc\nt]$ an entry describ+ a  
legal *ange ( "n1 by :i* 9 #aggb a ,mrs4
 ,eliza ,curw51 wid[ (  ,joseph ,curw51 
resum$1 along ) h] sev5-ye>-old daught] 
,ann1  h] maid5 "n ( ,till+ha/2 on !    
gr\nd t h] ,husb&'s  "n 0 become a      
public ,reproa* by ,reason ( :at 0 kn[ne
 aft]  8 ,decease2 ! :i* confirm+ anti5t
 common ,rum\r1 ?o' n to  be cr$it$ by a
 loyall ,wife till s prov5 z to be      
:olely pa/  ,d\bt+4 ,?is entry came to  
light ^u ! accid5tal sep>ation (  two   
leaves :i* _h be5 c>efully pa/$ toge!r &
 treat$ z "o  by a labor$ revision ( !  
page numb]s4    ,x 0 at once cle> to    
,*>les ,w>d t he _h inde$ discov]$ a    
hi!rto unkn[n great-great-great-gr&fa!r4
 ,hav+ discov]$ 8  own relation%ip to   
?is app>5tly hu%$-up "*1 he at once     
proce$$ to hunt out z sy/ematically z   

possible :atev] he might  f9d conc]n+   
him4 ,9 ?is excit$ que/ he ev5tually    
succe$$  beyond 8 highe/ expectations1 =
 old lett]s1 di>ies & %eaves  (         
unpubli%$ memoirs 9 cobwebb$ ,provid5ce 
g>rets & else:]e  yield$ _m illum9at+   
passages :i* _! writ]s _h n ?\ght  x    
wor? _! :ile to de/roy4 ,"o important   
sidelight came f  a po9t z remote z ,new
 ,york1 :]e "s ,rhode ,isl& colonial    
correspond5ce 0 /or$ 9 ! ,museum at     
,fraunces' ,tav]n4 ,! really  crucial   
?+1 ?\gh1 & :at 9 ,dr4 ,willett's op9ion
 =m$ !  def9ite s\rce ( ,w>d's undo+1 0 
! matt] f\nd 9 ,augu/1  #aiai1 beh9d !  
panell+ ( ! crumbl+ h\se 9 ,olney ,c\rt4
 ,x  0 t1 beyond a d\bt1 :i* op5$ up ^? 
black vi/as ^: end  0 deep] ?an ! pit4  
#b4 ,an ,antec$5t & a ,horror           
,joseph ,curw51 z reveal$ by ! rambl+   
leg5ds embodi$ 9 :at  ,w>d he>d &       
une>!d1 0 a v a/oni%+1 enigmatic1       
obscurely  horrible individual4 ,he _h  
fl$ f ,salem to ,provid5ce--t  univ]sal 
hav5 ( ! odd1 ! free1 & ! diss5t+--at ! 

beg9n+ ( ! great wit*craft panic2 be+ 9 
fe> ( accusation  because ( 8 solit>y   
ways & que] *emical or al*emical        
exp]im5ts4 ,he 0 a colorless-look+ man (
 ab\t ?irty1 & 0  soon f\nd qualifi$ to 
become a freeman ( ,provid5ce2 !reaft]  
buy+ a home lot j nor? ( ,gregory       
,dext]'s at ab\t ! foot (  ,olney       
,/reet4 ,8 h\se 0 built on ,/amp]s ,hill
 we/ ( ! ,t[n  ,/reet1 9 :at lat] became
 ,olney ,c\rt2 & 9 #agfa he replac$ ?is 
) a l>g] "o1 on ! same site1 :i* is /ill
 /&+4    ,n[ ! fir/ odd ?+ ab\t ,joseph 
,curw5 0 t he did n seem  to gr[ mu*    
old] ?an he _h be5 on 8 arrival4 ,he    
engag$ 9  %ipp+ ent]prises1 pur*as$     
:>fage ne> ,mile-,end ,cove1 help$      
rebuild ! ,great ,bridge 9 #agac1 & 9   
#agbc 0 "o ( ! f\nd]s  ( !              
,congregational ,*ur* on ! hill2 b      
always did he reta9 !  nondescript      
aspect ( a man n greatly ov] ?irty or   
?irty-five4  ,z ! decades m\nt$ up1 ?is 
s+ul> quality began to excite wide      
notice2 b ,curw5 always expla9$ x by    

say+ t he came ( h>dy  =efa!rs1 &       
practic$ a simplicity ( liv+ :i* did n  
we>  him out4 ,h[ su* simplicity c\ld be
 reconcil$ ) ! inexplicable  com+s &    
go+s ( ! secretive m]*ant1 & ) ! que]   
gleam+s ( 8 w9d[s at all h\rs ( night1 0
 n v cle> to  ! t[nsfolk2 & !y 7 prone  
to assign o!r reasons = 8  cont9u$ y\? &
 longevity4 ,x 0 held1 = ! mo/ "p1 t    
,curw5's incessant mix+s & boil+s (     
*emicals _h mu* to d  ) 8 condition4 ,at
 l5g?1 :5 ov] fifty ye>s _h pass$ s9ce  
! /rang]'s adv5t1 & )\t produc+ m ?an   
five ye>s'  app>5t *ange 9 8 face &     
physique1 ! p began to :isp]  m d>kly2 &
 to meet m ?an halfway t desire =       
isolation  :i* he _h always %[n4        
,private lett]s & di>ies ( ! p]iod      
reveal1 too1 a multitude  ( o!r reasons 
:y ,joseph ,curw5 0 m>vell$ at1 fe>$1 & 
f9ally %unn$ l a plague4 ,8 passion =   
gravey>ds1 9 :i*  he 0 glimps$ at all   
h\rs & "u all conditions1 0 notori\s2   
?\gh no "o _h witness$ any de$ on 8 "p  
:i* c\ld actually  be t]m$ gh\li%4 ,on !

 ,pawtuxet ,road he _h a f>m1 at :i* he 
g5]ally liv$ dur+ ! summ]1 & to :i* he  
w\ld frequ5tly be  se5 rid+ at v>i\s odd
 times ( ! day or night4 ,"h 8 only     
visible s]vants1 f>m]s1 & c>etak]s 7 a  
sull5 pair ( ag$  ,n>ragansett ,indians2
 ! husb& dumb & curi\sly sc>r$1 & !     
wife ( a v repulsive ca/ ( c\nt5ance1   
probably due to a mixture  ( ,negro     
blood4 ,9 ! lean-to ( ?is h\se 0 !      
laboratory :]e  mo/ ( ! *emical         
exp]im5ts 7 conduct$4 ,curi\s port]s  & 
team]s :o deliv]$ bottles1 bags or boxes
 at ! small re>  door w\ld ex*ange      
acc\nts ( ! fanta/ic flasks1 crucibles1 
alembics1 & furnaces !y saw 9 ! l[-%elv$
 room2 & prophesi$  9 :isp]s t !        
close-m\!d *ymi/--by :i* !y meant       
al*emi/--w\ld n be long 9 f9d+ !        
,philosoph]'s ,/one4  ,! ne>e/ neighbors
 to ?is f>m--! ,f5n]s1 a qu>t] ( a mile 
away--_h /ill que]] ?+s to tell ( c]ta9 
s\nds :i* !y  insi/$ came f ! ,curw5    
place 9 ! night4 ,!re 7 cries1  !y said1
 & su/a9$ h[l+s2 & !y did n l ! l>ge    

numb] ( live/ock :i* ?rong$ ! pa/ures4  
,!n1 too1 !re 0  some?+ v obnoxi\s ab\t 
a c]ta9 great /one outbuild+ )  only    
high n>r[ slits = w9d[s4    ,great      
,bridge idl]s likewise _h mu* to say (  
,curw5's t[n h\se 9  ,olney ,c\rt2 n s  
mu* ! f9e new "o built 9 #agfa1 :5 ! man
  mu/ h be5 ne>ly a c5tury old1 b ! fir/
 l[ gambrel-ro($  "o ) ! w9d[less attic 
& %+l$ sides1 ^: timb]s he took  !      
peculi> precaution ( burn+ aft] its     
demolition4 ,"h !re  0 less my/]y1 x is 
true2 b ! h\rs at :i* lights 7 se51  !  
secretiv5ess ( ! two sw>?y =eign]s :o   
compris$ ! only  mans]vants1 ! hide\s   
indi/9ct mumbl+ ( ! incr$ibly ag$  ,fr5*
 h\sekeep]1 ! l>ge am\nts ( food se5 to 
ent] a door  )9 :i* only f\r p]sons     
liv$1 & ! quality ( c]ta9  voices (t5   
he>d 9 muffl$ conv]sation at highly     
unseasonable  times1 all comb9$ ) :at 0 
kn[n ( ! ,pawtuxet f>m to give  ! place 
a bad "n4           99       99       99
       99       99    ,9 *oic] circles1 
too1 ! ,curw5 home 0 by no means        

undiscuss$2  = z ! newcom] _h gradually 
work$ into ! *ur* & trad+  life ( ! t[n1
 he _h naturally made acqua9tances ( !  
bett]  sort1 ^: company & conv]sation he
 0 well fitt$ by education to  enjoy4   
,8 bir? 0 kn[n to be good1 s9ce !       
,curw5s or ,c>w5s ( ,salem  ne$$ no     
introduction 9 ,new ,engl&4 ,x develop$ 
t ,joseph ,curw5  _h travel$ mu* 9 v    
e>ly life1 liv+ = a "t 9 ,engl& &  mak+ 
at lea/ two voyages to ! ,ori5t2 & 8    
spee*1 :5 he  deign$ to use x1 0 t ( a  
le>n$ & cultivat$ ,engli%man4  ,!re     
seem$ to lurk 9 8 be>+ "s cryptic1      
s>donic arrogance1  z if he _h come to  
f9d all human be+s dull ?r\gh hav+ mov$ 
among /rang] & m pot5t entities4    ,9  
#agdf ,mr4 ,john ,m]ritt1 an eld]ly     
,engli% g5tleman ( lit]>y &  sci5tific  
lean+s1 came f ,newport to ! t[n :i* 0 s
 rapidly  ov]tak+ x 9 /&+1 & built a f9e
 c\ntry seat on ! ,neck 9  :at is n[ !  
he>t ( ! be/ resid5ce section :]e he    
liv$ 9  consid]able /yle & com=t4 ,he>+ 
( ,curw5 z ! own] ( !  be/ libr>y 9     

,provid5ce1 ,mr4 ,m]ritt e>ly paid him a
 call1 & 0  m cordially receiv$ ?an mo/ 
o!r call]s at ! h\se _h be54  ,curw5    
sugge/$ a visit to ! f>mh\se &          
laboratory :i!r he  _h nev] invit$      
anyone be=e2 & ! two drove out at once 9
 ,mr4  ,m]ritt's coa*4    ,mr4 ,m]ritt  
ma9ta9$ t ! titles ( ! books 9 ! special
  libr>y ( ?aumaturgical1 al*emical1 &  
!ological subjects :i*  ,curw5 kept 9 a 
front room 7 alone suffici5t to inspire 
him ) a  la/+ loa?+4 ,?is biz>re        
collection1 besides a ho/ ( /&>d  works 
:i* ,mr4 ,m]ritt 0 n too al>m$ to envy1 
embrac$ ne>ly  all ! cabali/s1          
demonologi/s1 & magicians kn[n to man2 &
 0 a  treasure-h\se ( lore 9 ! d\btful  
realms ( al*emy & a/rology4  ,h]mes     
,trismegi/us 9 ,mesn>d's edition1 !     
,turba ,philosophorum1  ,geb]'s ,lib]   
,inve/igationis1 & ,arteph\s' ,key (    
,wisdom all  7 !re2 ) ! cabali/ic ,zoh>1
 ,pet] ,jammy's set ( ,alb]tus  ,magnus1
 ,raymond ,lully's ,ars ,magna et       
,ultima 9 ,zetzn]'s edition1  ,rog]     

,bacon's ,!saurus ,*emicus1 ,fludd's    
,clavis ,al*imiae1 &  ,tri!mius' ,de    
,lapide ,philosophico cr[d+ !m close4   
,m$iaeval  ,jews & ,arabs 7 repres5t$ 9 
pr(usion1 & ,mr4 ,m]ritt turn$  pale :51
 ^u tak+ d[n a f9e volume conspicu\sly  
label$ z !  ,qunoon-e-,islam1 he f\nd x 
0 9 tru? ! =bidd5 ,necronomicon  ( ! mad
 ,arab ,abdul ,al-hazr$1 ( :i* he _h    
he>d su* mon/r\s  ?+s :isp]$ "s ye>s    
previ\sly aft] ! exposure ( nameless    
rites at ! /range little fi%+ village ( 
,k+sport1 9 !  ,prov9ce ( !             
,massa*usetts-,bay4    ,b ! wor?y       
g5tleman own$ himself mo/ impalpably    
disquiet$ by a  m]e m9or detail4 ,on !  
huge mahogany table !re lay face d[nw>d 
a badly worn copy ( ,borellus1 be>+ _m  
cryptical m>g9alia &  int]l9eations 9   
,curw5's h&4    ,! book 0 op5 at ab\t   
its middle1 & "o p>agraph display$  su* 
?ick & tremul\s p5-/rokes b5ea? ! l9es (
 my/ic  black-lett]s t ! visitor c\ld n 
resi/ scann+ x ?r\gh4 ,he  recall$ x to 
! end ( 8 days1 writ+ x d[n f memory 9 8

  di>y & once try+ to recite x to 8     
close fri5d ,dr4 ,*eckley1  till he saw 
h[ greatly x di/urb$ t urbane rector4 ,x
 read3        ,! ess5tial ,saltes (     
,animals may be s prep>$ & pres]v$1     
t an +5i\s ,man may h ! :ole ,ark (     
,noah 9 8 owne      ,/udie1 & raise !   
f9e ,%ape ( an ,animal out ( its ,a%es  
at      8 ,pleasure2 & by ! lyke ,me?od 
f ! ess5tial ,saltes (      humane ,du/1
 a ,philosoph] may1 )\t any crim9al     
,necromancy1      call up ! ,%ape ( any 
dead ,ance/\r f ! ,du/ :]e9to 8         
,bodie has be5 inc9]at$4           99   
99       99       99       99    ,x 0   
ne> ! docks along ! s\!rly "p ( ! ,t[n  
,/reet1  h[ev]1 t ! wor/ ?+s 7 mutt]$   
ab\t ,joseph ,curw54  ,sailors are      
sup]/iti\s folk2 & all made /range      
furtive signs (  protection :5 !y saw ! 
slim1 deceptively "y-look+ figure  ) its
 yell[ hair & slight /oop ent]+ ! ,curw5
 w>eh\se  9 ,d\bloon ,/reet or talk+ )  
capta9s & sup]c>gos on !  long quay :]e 
! ,curw5 %ips rode re/lessly4 ,curw5's  

own cl]ks  & capta9s hat$ & fe>$ him1 & 
all 8 sailors 7 mongrel  riff-raff f    
,m>t9ique1 ,/4 ,eu/atius1 ,havana1 or   
,port ,royal4 ,x  01 9 a way1 ! frequ5cy
 ) :i* ^! sailors 7 replac$1  :i*       
inspir$ ! acute/ & mo/ tangible "p ( !  
fe> 9 :i*  ! old man 0 held1 & 9 "t x   
became exce$+ly difficult =  ,curw5 to  
keep 8 oddly assort$ h&s4    ,by #agfj  
,joseph ,curw5 0 virtually an outca/1   
suspect$ ( vague  horrors & daemoniac   
alliances :i* seem$ all ! m m5ac+       
because !y c\ld n be nam$1 und]/ood1 or 
ev5 prov$ to exi/4    ,mean:ile !       
m]*ant's worldly affairs 7 prosp]+4 ,he 
_h a  virtual monopoly ( ! t[n's trade 9
 saltpetre1 black pepp]1 &  c9namon1 &  
easily l$ any o!r "o %ipp+ e/abli%m5t   
save !  ,br[ns 9 8 importation (        
brassw>e1 indigo1 cotton1 wooll5s1 salt1
  rigg+1 iron1 pap] & ,engli% goods ( e 
k9d4 ,curw5 01 9  fact1 "o ( ! prime    
export]s ( ! ,colony4           99      
99       99       99       99    ,!     
sight ( ?is /range1 pallid man1 h>dly   

middle-ag$ 9 aspect  yet c]ta9ly n less 
?an a full c5tury old1 seek+ at la/ to  
em]ge f a cl\d ( fright & dete/ation too
 vague to p9 d[n or  analyze1 0 at once 
a pa!tic1 a dramatic1 & a contemptible  
?+4  ,su* is ! p[] ( weal? & ( surface  
ge/ures1 h[ev]1 t  !re came inde$ a     
slight abatem5t 9 ! visible av]sion     
display$  t[>d him2 especially aft] !   
rapid disappe>ances ( 8 sailors         
abruptly ceas$4 ,he mu/ likewise h begun
 to practice an extreme  c>e & secrecy 9
 8 gravey>d exp$itions1 = he 0 nev] aga9
  caught at su* w&]+s2 :il/ ! rumors (  
uncanny s\nds &  maneuv]s at 8 ,pawtuxet
 f>m dim9i%$ 9 proportion4    ,b !      
effect ( all ?is belat$ m5d+ 0          
necess>ily slight4  ,curw5 cont9u$ to be
 avoid$ & di/ru/$1 z inde$ ! "o fact  ( 
8 cont9u$ air ( y\? at a great age w\ld 
h be5 en\gh  to w>rant2 & he c\ld see t 
9 ! end 8 =tunes w\ld be  likely to     
suff]4 ,s ab\t ?is "t ! crafty s*ol> hit
 ^u a la/  desp]ate exp$i5t to rega9 8  
foot+ 9 ! community4 ,hi!rto  a complete

 h]mit1 he n[ det]m9$ to contract an    
advantage\s  m>riage2 secur+ z a bride  
"s lady ^: unque/ion$ position  w\ld    
make all o/racism ( 8 home impossible4  
,x may be t he also  _h deep] reasons = 
wi%+ an alliance2 reasons s f> outside  
! kn[n cosmic sph]e t only pap]s f\nd a 
c5tury & a half  aft] 8 dea? caus$      
anyone to suspect !m2 b ( ?is no?+      
c]ta9 c ev] be le>n$4 ,naturally he 0   
aw>e ( ! horror &  indignation ) :i* any
 ord9>y c\rt%ip ( 8 w\ld be receiv$1    
h5ce look$ ab\t = "s likely c&idate ^u  
^: p>5ts he  might ex]t a suitable      
pressure4 ,su* c&idates1 he f\nd1 7 n   
at all easy to discov]2 s9ce he _h v    
p>ticul> requirem5ts 9  ! way ( beauty1 
accompli%m5ts1 & social security4 ,at   
l5g? 8  survey n>r[$ d[n to ! h\sehold (
 "o ( 8 be/ & olde/  %ip-capta9s1 a     
wid[] ( high bir? & unblemi%$ /&+ nam$  
,dutie ,till+ha/1 ^: only daught] ,eliza
 seem$ d[]$ ) e  conceivable advantage  
save prospects z an heiress4 ,capta9    
,till+ha/  0 completely "u ! dom9ation (

 ,curw52 & cons5t$1 aft]  a t]rible     
int]view 9 8 cupola$ h\se on ,p[]'s     
,lane hill1 to  sanction ! blasphem\s   
alliance4           99       99       99
       99       99    ,eliza ,till+ha/ 0
 at t "t eighte5 ye>s ( age1 & _h be5   
re>$ z g5tly z ! r$uc$ circum/ances ( h]
 fa!r p]mitt$4  ,h] argum5ts ) h] fa!r  
conc]n+ ! propos$ ,curw5 m>riage  mu/ h 
be5 pa9ful inde$2 b ( ^! we h no record4
 ,c]ta9  x is t h] engagem5t to "y ,ezra
 ,we$51 second mate ( !  ,craw=d packet 
,ent]prise1 0 dutifully brok5 (f1 & t h]
  union ) ,joseph ,curw5 took place on !
 sev5? ( ,m>*1 #agfc1 9  ! ,bapti/ *ur*1
 9 ! pres5ce ( "o ( ! mo/ di/+ui%$      
assemblages :i* ! t[n c\ld boa/2 !      
c]emony be+ p]=m$  by ! y\nge/ ,samuel  
,w9son4 ,! ,gazette m5tion$ ! ev5t v    
briefly1 & 9 mo/ surviv+ copies ! item 9
 "q seems to be  cut or torn out4 ,w>d  
f\nd a s+le intact copy aft] mu* se>* 9 
! ar*ives ( a private collector ( note1 
obs]v+ ) amusem5t  ! mean+less urbanity 
( ! language3        ,monday ev5+ la/1  

,mr4 ,joseph ,curw51 ( ?is ,t[n1        
,m]*ant1      0 m>ri$ to ,miss ,eliza   
,till+ha/1 ,daught] ( ,capta9 ,dutie    
,till+ha/1 a "y ,lady :o has real ,m]it1
 add$ to a beautiful      ,p]son1 to    
grace ! connubial ,/ate & p]petuate its 
,felicity4    ,! social influ5ce ( !    
,till+ha/s1 h[ev]1 0 n to be  d5i$2 &   
once m ,joseph ,curw5 f\nd 8 h\se       
frequ5t$ by  p]sons :om he c\ld nev]    
o!rwise h induc$ to cross 8  ?re%old4 ,8
 acceptance 0 by no means complete1 & 8 
bride 0  socially ! suff]] ?r\gh h] =c$ 
v5ture2 b at all ev5ts !  wall ( utt]   
o/racism 0 some:at worn d[n4 ,9 8       
treatm5t (  8 wife ! /range bridegroom  
a/oni%$ bo? h] & ! community  by        
display+ an extreme graci\sness &       
consid]ation4 ,! new h\se  9 ,olney     
,c\rt 0 n[ :olly free f di/urb+         
manife/ations1  & al?\gh ,curw5 0 mu*   
abs5t at ! ,pawtuxet f>m :i* 8  wife    
nev] visit$1 he seem$ m l a normal      
citiz5 ?an at any  o!r "t 9 8 long ye>s 
( resid5ce4 ,only "o p]son rema9$  9 op5

 enmity ) him1 ?is be+ ! y\?ful %ip's   
(fic]  ^: engagem5t to ,eliza ,till+ha/ 
_h be5 s abruptly brok54  ,ezra ,we$5 _h
 frankly v[$ v5geance2 & ?\gh ( a quiet 
&  orig9ally mild disposition1 0 n[ ga9+
 a hate-br$1 dogg$  purpose :i* bod$ no 
good to ! usurp+ husb&4    ,on ! sev5? (
 ,may1 #agfe1 ,curw5's only *ild ,ann 0 
born2 & 0  *ri/5$ by ! ,rev]5d ,john    
,graves ( ,k+'s ,*ur*1 ( :i* bo?  husb& 
& wife _h become communicants %ortly    
aft] _! m>riage1  9 ord] to compromise  
betwe5 _! respective ,congregational &  
,bapti/ affiliations4 ,! record ( ?is   
bir?1 z well z t (  ! m>riage two ye>s  
be=e1 0 /rick5 f mo/ copies ( !  *ur* & 
t[n annals :]e x ought to appe>2 &      
,*>les ,w>d  locat$ bo? ) ! greate/     
difficulty aft] 8 discov]y ( !  wid['s  
*ange ( "n _h appris$ him ( 8 own       
relation%ip1 &  eng5d]$ ! fev]i% int]e/ 
:i* culm9at$ 9 8 madness4 ,!  bir?      
entry1 inde$1 0 f\nd v curi\sly ?r\gh   
correspond5ce  ) ! heirs ( ! loyali/    
,dr4 ,graves1 :o _h tak5 ) him a        

duplicate set ( records :5 he left 8    
pa/orate at ! outbreak  ( ! ,revolution4
 ,w>d _h tri$ ?is s\rce because he knew 
t  8 great-great-gr&mo!r1 ,ann ,till+ha/
 ,pott]1 _h be5 an  ,episcopalian4      
,%ortly aft] ! bir? ( 8 daught]1 an ev5t
 he seem$ to welcome  ) a f]vor greatly 
out ( keep+ ) 8 usual coldness1 ,curw5  
resolv$ to sit = a portrait4 ,?is he _h 
pa9t$ by a v gift$  ,scotsman nam$      
,cosmo ,alex&]1 !n a resid5t ( ,newport1
 & s9ce  fam\s z ! e>ly tea*] ( ,gilb]t 
,/u>t4 ,! lik5ess 0 said to  h be5      
execut$ on a wall-panel ( ! libr>y ( !  
h\se 9 ,olney  ,c\rt1 b nei!r ( ! two   
old di>ies m5tion+ x gave any h9t  ( its
 ultimate disposition4           99     
99       99       99       99    ,9     
#agff came ! f9al *ange 9 ,joseph       
,curw54 ,x 0 v sudd51  & ga9$ wide      
notice among/ ! curi\s t[nsfolk2 = ! air
 (  susp5se & expectancy dropp$ l an old
 cloak1 giv+ in/ant place  to an        
ill-conceal$ exaltation ( p]fect        
triumph4 ,x 0 aft] ?is  transition1 :i* 

appe>s to h come e>ly 9 ,july1 t ! s9i/]
  s*ol> began to a/oni% p by 8          
possession ( in=mation :i*  only _!     
long-dead ance/ors w\ld seem to be able 
to imp>t4    ,b ,curw5's fev]i% secret  
activities by no means ceas$ ) ?is      
*ange4 ,on ! contr>y1 !y t5d$ r to      
increase2 s t m  & m ( 8 %ipp+ bus9ess 0
 h&l$ by ! capta9s :om  he n[ b\nd to   
him by ties ( fe> z pot5t z ^? (        
bankruptcy  _h be54 ,he altoge!r ab&on$ 
! slave trade1 alleg+ t its  pr(its 7   
con/antly decreas+4 ,e possible mom5t 0 
sp5t  at ! ,pawtuxet f>m2 ?\gh !re 7    
rumors n[ & !n ( 8  pres5ce 9 places    
:i*1 ?\gh n actually ne> gravey>ds1 7   
yet  s situat$ 9 relation to gravey>ds t
 ?\ghtful p wond]$  j h[ ?or\gh ! old   
m]*ant's *ange ( habits really 04  ,ezra
 ,we$51 ?\gh 8 p]iods ( espionage 7     
necess>ily brief  & int]mitt5t on acc\nt
 ( 8 sea voyag+1 _h a v9dictive         
p]si/5ce :i* ! bulk ( ! practical       
t[nsfolk & f>m]s  lack$2 & subject$     
,curw5's affairs to a scrut9y su* z !y  

_h  nev] _h be=e4    ,smuggl+ & evasion 
7 ! rule 9 ,n>ragansett ,bay1 &         
nocturnal  l&+s ( illicit c>goes 7      
cont9u\s commonplaces4 ,b ,we$51  night 
aft] night1 foll[+ ! light]s or small   
sloops :i* he saw  /eal (f f ! ,curw5   
w>eh\ses at ! ,t[n ,/reet docks1 soon   
felt assur$ t x 0 n m]ely ,8 ,maje/y's  
arm$ %ips :i* !  s9i/] skulk] 0 anxi\s  
to avoid4 ,! light]s 7 wont to put  out 
f ! black sil5t docks1 & !y w\ld g d[n !
 bay "s  di/ance1 p]haps z f> z ,namquit
 ,po9t1 :]e !y w\ld meet &  receive c>go
 f /range %ips ( consid]able size &     
widely v>i$  appe>ance4 ,curw5's sailors
 w\ld !n deposit ?is c>go at ! usual    
po9t on ! %ore1 & transport x ov]l& to !
 f>m2 lock+ x  9 ! same cryptical /one  
build+ :i* _h =m]ly receiv$ !  ,negroes4
 ,! c>go consi/$ almo/ :olly ( boxes &  
cases1 ( :i*  a l>ge proportion 7 oblong
 & heavy1 & di/urb+ly sugge/ive  (      
c(f9s4    ,we$5 always wat*$ ! f>m )    
unremitt+ assiduity1 visit+  x ea* night
 = long p]iods1 & seldom lett+ a week g 

by  )\t a sight except :5 ! gr\nd bore a
 footpr9t-reveal+  sn[4 ,f9d+ 8 own     
vigils int]rupt$ by nautical duties1 he 
hir$  a tav]n companion nam$ ,eleaz>    
,smi? to cont9ue ! survey dur+  8       
abs5ces2 & betwe5 !m ! two c\ld h set 9 
motion "s  extraord9>y rumors4 ,t !y did
 n d s 0 only because !y  knew ! effect 
( publicity w\ld be to w>n _! qu>ry &   
make  fur!r progress impossible4        
99       99       99       99       99  
,x is ga!r$ t ,we$5 & ,smi? became e>ly 
conv9c$ t a  great s]ies ( tunnels &    
catacombs1 inhabit$ by a v sizable  /aff
 ( p]sons besides ! old ,indian & 8     
wife1 und]lay !  f>m4 ,! h\se 0 an old  
peak$ relic ( ! middle sev5te5?  c5tury 
) enorm\s /ack *imney & diamond-pan$    
lattice w9d[s1  ! laboratory be+ 9 a    
lean-to t[>d ! nor?1 :]e ! ro(  came    
ne>ly to ! gr\nd4 ,?is build+ /ood cle> 
( any o!r2 yet  judg+ by ! diff]5t      
voices he>d at odd times )91 x mu/  h   
be5 accessible ?r\gh secret passages    
b5ea?4 ,^! voices  ran ! gamut betwixt  

dron+s ( dull acquiesc5ce & explosions (
  frantic pa9 or fury1 rumbl+s (        
conv]sation & :9es ( entreaty1  pant+s (
 eag]ness & %\ts ( prote/4 ,!y appe>$ to
 be 9  diff]5t languages1 all kn[n to   
,curw51 ^: rasp+ acc5ts 7  frequ5tly    
di/+ui%able 9 reply1 repro(1 or ?reat5+4
    ,we$5 _h _m v]batim reports (       
ov]he>d scraps 9 8 notebook1  = ,engli%1
 ,fr5*1 & ,spani%1 :i* he knew1 7       
frequ5tly us$2  b ( ^! no?+ has surviv$4
 ,he did1 h[ev]1 say t besides a  few   
gh\li% dialogues 9 :i* ! pa/ affairs (  
,provid5ce families  7 conc]n$1 mo/ ( ! 
que/ions & answ]s he c\ld und]/&  7     
hi/orical or sci5tific2 occasionally    
p]ta9+ to v remote  places & ages4      
,once1 = example1 an alt]nately rag+ &  
sull5  figure 0 que/ion$ 9 ,fr5* ab\t ! 
,black ,pr9ce's massacre at  ,limoges 9 
#acgj1 z if !re 7 "s hidd5 reason :i* he
 ought to  "k4 ,curw5 ask$ ! prison]--if
 prison] x 7--:e!r ! ord]  to slay 0    
giv5 because ( ! ,sign ( ! ,goat f\nd on
 ! alt>  9 ! anci5t ,roman crypt b5ea? !

 ca!dral1 or :e!r ,! ,d>k  ,man ( !     
,haute ,vi5ne ,cov5 _h spok5 ! ,?ree    
,words4 ,fail+ to  obta9 replies1 !     
inquisitor _h seem+ly resort$ to extreme
 means2  = !re 0 a t]rific %riek foll[$ 
by sil5ce & mutt]+ & a  bump+ s\nd4     
,none ( ^! colloquies 0 ev] ocul>ly     
witness$1 s9ce ! w9d[s  7 always heavily
 drap$4 ,lat]1 no m conv]sations 7 ev]  
he>d 9 ! h\se1 & ,we$5 & ,smi? conclud$ 
t ,curw5 _h  transf]r$ 8 field ( action 
to regions bel[4    ,t su* regions 9    
tru? exi/$1 seem$ amply cle> f _m  ?+s4 
,fa9t cries & groans unmi/akably came up
 n[ & !n f  :at appe>$ to be ! solid e>?
 9 places f> f any /ructure2  :il/ hidd5
 9 ! bu%es along ! riv]-bank 9 ! re>1   
:]e !  high gr\nd slop$ /eeply d[n to ! 
valley ( ! ,pawtuxet1 !re  0 f\nd an    
ar*$ oak5 door 9 a frame ( heavy        
masonry1 :i* 0  obvi\sly an entrance to 
cav]ns )9 ! hill4           99       99 
99       99       99    ,x 0 9 ,janu>y1 
#aggj1 :il/ ,we$5 & ,smi? 7 /ill debat+ 
va9ly on :at1 if any?+1 to ?9k or d ab\t

 ! :ole bewild]+  bus9ess1 t ! incid5t (
 ! ,=taleza occurr$4 ,exasp]at$  by !   
burn+ ( ! rev5ue sloop ,lib]ty at       
,newport dur+ !  previ\s summ]1 ! cu/oms
 fleet "u ,admiral ,wallace _h adopt$ an
  increas$ vigilance conc]n+ /range     
vessels2 & on ?is occasion  ,8 ,maje/y's
 arm$ s*oon] ,cygnet1 "u ,capta9 ,*>les 
,le%e1  captur$ aft] a %ort pursuit "o  
e>ly morn+ ! sc[ ,=taleza  ( ,b>celona1 
,spa91 "u ,capta9 ,manuel ,arruda1 b\nd 
accord+ to  its log f ,gr& ,cairo1      
,egypt1 to ,provid5ce4 ,:5 se>*$ =      
contrab& mat]ial1 ?is %ip reveal$ !     
a/oni%+ fact t its  c>go consi/$        
exclusively ( ,egyptian mummies1        
consign$ to ,sailor  ,a4 ,b4 ,c41 :o    
w\ld come to remove 8 goods 9 a light] j
 (f  ,namquit ,po9t1 & ^: id5tity       
,capta9 ,arruda felt himself 9 honor    
b\nd n to reveal4 ,! ,vice-,admiralty   
,c\rt at ,newport1 at a loss  :at to d 9
 view ( ! non-contrab& nature ( ! c>go  
on !  "o h& & ( ! unlawful secrecy ( !  
entry on ! o!r h&1  compromis$ on       

,collector ,rob9son's recomm5dation by  
free+ !  %ip b =bidd+ x a port 9 ,rhode 
,isl& wat]s4 ,!re 7 lat]  rumors ( its  
hav+ be5 se5 9 ,bo/on ,h>bor1 ?\gh x    
nev] op5ly  ent]$ ! ,port ( ,bo/on4     
,?is extraord9>y incid5t did n fail (   
wide rem>k 9 ,provid5ce  & !re 7 n _m :o
 d\bt$ ! exi/5ce ( "s connection  betwe5
 ! c>go ( mummies & ! s9i/] ,joseph     
,curw52 x did  n take mu* imag9ation to 
l9k him ) a freaki% importation  :i*    
c\ld n conceivably h be5 de/9$ = anyone 
else 9  ! t[n4 ,we$5 & ,smi?1 ( c\rse1  
felt no d\bt :atsoev] (  ! significance 
( ! ?+2 & indulg$ 9 ! wilde/ !ories     
conc]n+ ,curw5 & 8 mon/r\s labors4    ,!
 foll[+ spr+1 l t ( ! ye> be=e1 _h heavy
 ra9s2  & ! wat*]s kept c>eful track ( !
 riv]-bank beh9d ! ,curw5  f>m4 ,l>ge   
sections 7 wa%$ away1 & a c]ta9 numb] ( 
bones  discov]$2 b no glimpse 0 af=d$ ( 
any actual subt]ranean  *amb]s or       
burr[s4 ,some?+ 0 rumor$1 h[ev]1 at !   
village  ( ,pawtuxet ab\t a mile bel[1  
:]e ! riv] fl[s 9 falls ov] a  rocky    

t]race to jo9 ! placid l&lock$ cove4 ,! 
fi%]folk ab\t  ! bridge did n l ! wild  
way t "o ( ! ?+s />$ z  x %ot d[n to !  
/ill wat] bel[1 or ! way t ano!r half   
cri$ out al?\gh its condition _h greatly
 dep>t$ f t (  objects :i* normally cry 
out4    ,t rumor s5t ,smi?--= ,we$5 0 j 
!n at sea--9 ha/e to  ! riv]-bank beh9d 
! f>m2 :]e surely en\gh !re rema9$ !    
evid5ces ( an ext5sive cave-94 ,smi? w5t
 to ! ext5t ( "s  exp]im5tal digg+1 b 0 
det]r$ by lack ( success--or p]haps  by 
fe> ( possible success4 ,x is int]e/+ to
 speculate on :at !  p]si/5t & rev5geful
 ,we$5 w\ld h done _h he be5 a%ore at  !
 "t4           99       99       99     
99       99    ,by ! autumn ( #aggj     
,we$5 decid$ t ! "t 0 ripe to tell  o!rs
 ( 8 discov]ies2 = he _h a l>ge numb] ( 
facts to l9k  toge!r1 & a second        
eye-witness to refute ! possible *>ge  t
 jeal\sy & v9dictiv5ess _h spurr$ 8     
fancy4 ,z 8 fir/  confidant he select$  
,capta9 ,james ,ma!wson ( ! ,ent]prise1 
:o on ! "o h& knew him well en\gh n to  

d\bt 8 v]acity1  & on ! o!r h& 0        
suffici5tly influ5tial 9 ! t[n to be    
he>d 9 turn ) respect4 ,! colloquy took 
place 9 an upp] room  ( ,sab9's ,tav]n  
ne> ! docks1 ) ,smi? pres5t to          
corroborate  virtually e /atem5t2 & x   
c\ld be se5 t ,capta9 ,ma!wson  0       
trem5d\sly impress$4 ,l ne>ly ev]yone   
else 9 ! t[n1  he _h _h black suspicions
 ( 8 own an5t ,joseph ,curw52 h5ce x    
ne$$ only ?is confirmation & enl>gem5t (
 data to conv9ce  him absolutely4 ,at ! 
end ( ! conf]5ce he 0 v grave1 &  enjo9$
 /rict sil5ce ^u ! two y\ng] m54    ,!  
"r p]sons to tell1 he believ$1 w\ld be  
,dr4 ,b5jam9 ,we/1  ^: pamphlet on !    
late transit ( ,v5us prov$ him a s*ol>  
& ke5 ?9k]2 ,rev]5d ,james ,mann+1      
,presid5t ( ! ,college2  ex-,gov]nor    
,/eph5 ,hopk9s1 :o _h be5 a memb] ( !   
,philosophical  ,society at ,newport1 & 
0 a man ( v broad p]ceptions2 ,john     
,c>t]1 publi%] ( ! ,gazette2 all f\r ( !
 ,br[n bro!rs1  ,john1 ,joseph1 ,ni*olas
 & ,moses1 :o =m$ ! recogniz$ local     

magnates2 old ,dr4 ,jabez ,b[51 ^:      
erudition 0 consid]able1 &  :o _h mu*   
fir/-h& k ( ,curw5's odd pur*ases2 &    
,capta9 ,abraham ,:ipple1 a private]sman
 ( ph5om5al boldness &  en]gy :o c\ld be
 c\nt$ on to lead 9 any active measures 
ne$$4    ,! mission ( ,capta9 ,ma!wson  
prosp]$ beyond 8 highe/  expectations2 =
 :il/ he f\nd "o or two ( ! *os5        
confidants  some:at skeptical ( !       
possible gho/ly side ( ,we$5's tale1 !re
  0 n "o :o did n ?9k x necess>y to take
 "s sort ( secret  & cord9at$ action4   
,curw51 x 0 cle>1 =m$ a vague pot5tial  
m5ace to ! welf>e ( ! t[n & ,colony2 &  
mu/ be elim9at$ at  any co/4    ,late 9 
,decemb]1 #aggj1 a gr\p ( em95t t[nsm5  
met at ! home (  ,/eph5 ,hopk9s & debat$
 t5tative measures4 ,we$5's notes1 :i*  
he _h giv5 to ,capta9 ,ma!wson1 7       
c>efully read2 & he &  ,smi? 7 summon$  
to give te/imony an5t details4 ,some?+ v
  l fe> seiz$ ! :ole assemblage be=e !  
meet+ 0 ov]1  ?\gh !re ran ?r\gh t fe> a
 grim det]m9ation :i* ,capta9  ,:ipple's

 bluff & resonant pr(anity be/ express$4
 ,!y w\ld n  notify ! ,gov]nor1 because 
a m ?an legal c\rse seem$ necess>y4  ,) 
hidd5 p[]s ( unc]ta9 ext5t app>5tly at 8
 disposal1  ,curw5 0 n a man :o c\ld    
safely be w>n$ to leave t[n4 ,he mu/  be
 surpris$ at 8 ,pawtuxet f>m by a l>ge  
raid+ p>ty ( season$  private]sm5 & giv5
 "o decisive *ance to expla9 himself4   
,if  he prov$ a madman1 amus+ himself ) 
%riek$ & imag9>y  conv]sations 9 diff]5t
 voices1 he w\ld be prop]ly conf9$4 ,if 
some?+ grav] appe>$1 & if ! und]gr\nd   
horrors inde$ turn$  out to be real1 he 
& all ) him mu/ die4 ,x c\ld be done    
quietly1  & ev5 ! wid[ & h] fa!r ne$ n  
be told h[ x came ab\t4           99    
99       99       99       99    ,:ile  
^! s]i\s /eps 7 "u discussion !re       
occurr$ 9 !  t[n an incid5t s t]rible & 
inexplicable t = a "t little  else 0    
m5tion$ = miles ar\nd4 ,9 ! middle ( a  
moonlit  ,janu>y night ) heavy sn[      
und]foot !re res\nd$ ov] ! riv]  & up ! 
hill a %ock+ s]ies ( cries :i* br\ght   

sleepy heads  to e w9d[2 & p ar\nd      
,weybosset ,po9t saw a great :ite  ?+   
plung+ frantically along ! badly cle>$  
space 9 front (  ! ,turk's ,head4 ,!re 0
 a bay+ ( dogs 9 ! di/ance1 b ?is       
subsid$ z soon z ! clamor ( ! awak5$ t[n
 became audible4  ,p>ties ( m5 ) lant]ns
 & muskets hurri$ out to see :at  0     
happ5+1 b no?+ rew>d$ _! se>*4 ,! next  
morn+1  h[ev]1 a giant1 muscul> body1   
/>k nak$1 0 f\nd on ! jams  ( ice ar\nd 
! s\!rn pi]s ( ! ,great ,bridge1 :]e !  
,long  ,dock /ret*$ out beside ,abbott's
 di/il-h\se1 & ! id5tity (  ?is object  
became a !me = endless speculation &    
:isp]+4 ,x  0 n s mu* ! y\ng] z ! old]  
folk :o :isp]$1 = only  9 ! patri>*s did
 t rigid face ) horror-bulg+ eyes /rike 
any *ord ( memory4 ,!y1 %ak+ z !y did s1
 ex*ang$ furtive  murmurs ( wond] & fe>2
 = 9 ^? /iff1 hide\s features lay a     
resemblance s m>vel\s z to be almo/ an  
id5tity--& t id5tity  0 ) a man :o _h   
di$ full fifty ye>s be=e4    ,ezra ,we$5
 0 pres5t at ! f9d+2 & rememb]+ ! bay+  

( ! night be=e1 set out along ,weybosset
 ,/reet & across ,muddy  ,dock ,bridge  
:5ce ! s\nd _h come4 ,he _h a curi\s    
expectancy1  & 0 n surpris$ :51 rea*+ ! 
edge ( ! settl$ di/rict  :]e ! /reet    
m]g$ into ! ,pawtuxet ,road1 he came ^u 
"s v  curi\s tracks 9 ! sn[4 ,! nak$    
giant _h be5 pursu$ by dogs  & _m boot$ 
m51 & ! return+ tracks ( ! h\nds & _!   
ma/]s c\ld be easily trac$4 ,!y _h giv5 
up ! *ase ^u com+  too ne> ! t[n4 ,we$5 
smil$ grimly1 & z a p]functory detail   
trac$ ! footpr9ts back to _! s\rce4 ,x 0
 ! ,pawtuxet f>m  ( ,joseph ,curw51 z he
 well knew x w\ld be2 & he w\ld h giv5  
mu* _h ! y>d be5 less confus+ly trampl$4
 ,z x 01 he d>$  n seem too int]e/$ 9   
full daylight4 ,dr4 ,b[51 to :om ,we$5  
w5t at once ) 8 report1 p]=m$ an autopsy
 on ! /range  corpse1 & discov]$        
peculi>ities :i* baffl$ him utt]ly4 ,!  
dige/ive tracts ( ! huge man seem$ nev] 
to h be5 9 use1  :il/ ! :ole sk9 _h a   
co>se1 loosely-knit texture impossible  
to  acc\nt =4 ,impress$ by :at ! old man

 :isp]$ ( ?is body's  lik5ess to !      
long-dead blacksmi? ,daniel ,gre51 ^:   
great-gr&son  ,a>on ,hopp9 0 a sup]c>go 
9 ,curw5's employ1 ,we$5 ask$ casual    
que/ions till he f\nd :]e ,gre5 0 buri$4
 ,t night a p>ty (  t5 visit$ ! old     
,nor? ,bury+ ,gr\nd opposite ,h]r5d5's  
,lane &  op5$ a grave4 ,!y f\nd x       
vacant1 precisely z !y _h expect$4      
,illu/ration3 ,!y f\nd ! grave          
vacant--precisely z !y _h  expect$4     
99       99       99       99       99  
,mean:ile arrangem5ts _h be5 made ) !   
po/ rid]s to int]cept  ,joseph ,curw5's 
mail1 & %ortly be=e ! incid5t ( ! nak$  
body  !re 0 f\nd a lett] f "o ,j$$iah   
,orne ( ,salem :i* made !  cop]at+      
citiz5s ?9k deeply4 ,p>ts ( x1 copi$ &  
pres]v$ 9  ! private ar*ives ( ! ,smi?  
family :]e ,*>les ,w>d f\nd x1  ran z   
foll[s3        ,i delight t y cont9ue 9 
ye gett+ at ,olde ,matt]s 9      y\r    
,way1 & doe n ?9k bett] 0 done at ,mr4  
,hut*9son's      9 ,salem-,village4     
,c]ta9ly1 !re 0 ,no?'g butt ye livelie/ 

,awfulness 9 t :i* ,h4 rais'd upp f :at 
he c\'d ga!r      onlie a "p (4 ,:at y  
s5te1 did n ,worke1 :e!r because        
,any ,?+ miss'g1 or because ye ,wordes 7
 n ,righte f my      ,speak'g or yr     
copy'g4 ,alone am at a ,loss4 ,i h n ye 
,*ymicall      art to foll[e ,borellus1 
& owne my ,selfe conf\nd$ by ye ,,vii4  
,booke ( ye ,necronomicon t y recomm5de4
 ,b ,i w\'d h y      ,obs]ve :at 0 tolde
 to u ab\te tak'g ,c>e :om to calle up1 
= y are ,s5sible :at ,mr4 ,ma!r writ 9  
ye ,magnalia ( ----1      & c judge h[  
truely t ,horr5d\s ?+ is report$4 ,i say
      to y aga9e1 doe n call upp ,any t 
y c n put d[ne2 by      ! ,:i* ,i meane1
 ,any t c 9 ,turne call up some:at aga9/
      y1 :]eby y\r ,p[]fulle/ ,devices  
may n be ( use4 ,ask (      ! ,less]1   
le/ ! ,great] %all n wi% to ,answ]1 &   
%all      comm&e m ?an y4 ,i 0 fright$  
:5 ,i read ( y\r "k'g      :at ,b5      
,z>iatnatmik hadde 9 8 ,ebony ,boxe1 =  
,i 0 consci\s      :o mu/ h told y4 ,&  
aga9e ,i ask t y %alle write me      z  

,j$$iah & n ,simon4 ,9 ?is ,community a 
,man may n live too      long1 & y kn[e 
my ,plan by :i* ,i came back z my ,son4 
,i am      desir\s y w ,acqua9t me ) :at
 ye ,blacke ,man le>nt f      ,sylvanus 
,cocidius 9 ye ,vault1 "u ye ,roman     
wall1 & w be      oblig'd = ye ,l5d'g ( 
ye ,,ms4 y speak (4    ,ano!r & unsign$ 
lett] f ,philadelphia provok$ equal     
?\ght1  especially = ! foll[+ passage3  
,i w obs]ve :at y say respect+ ! s5d+ ( 
,acc\nts only      by yr ,vessels1 b c n
 always be c]ta9 :5 to expect !m4       
,9 ! ,matt] spoke (1 ,i require only "o 
m ?+2 b wi% to      be sure ,i appreh5d 
y exactly4 ,y in=m me1 t no ,"p mu/     
be miss+ if ! f9e/ ,effects are to be   
_h1 b y c n b      "k h[ h>d x is to be 
sure4 ,x seems a great ,haz>d & ,bur!n  
to take away ! :ole ,box1 & 9 ,t[n 7i4  
e4 ,/4 ,pet]'s1 ,/4      ,paul's1 ,/4   
,m>y's1 or ,*ri/ ,*ur*7 x c sc>ce be    
done at all4      ,b ,i "k :at          
,imp]fections 7 9 ! "o rais'd up ,octob]
      la/1 & h[ _m live ,specim5s y 7   

=c$ to imploy be=e      y hit ^u ! "r   
,mode 9 ! ye> #agff2 s w be guid$ by    
y 9 all ,matt]s4 ,i am impati5t = yr    
,brig1 & inquire daily      at ,mr4     
,biddle's ,:>f4    ,a ?ird suspici\s    
lett] 0 9 an unkn[n tongue & ev5 an     
unkn[n alphabet4 ,9 ! ,smi? di>y f\nd by
 ,*>les ,w>d a s+le  (t-repeat$         
comb9ation ( *>act]s is clumsily copi$2 
&  au?orities at ,br[n ,univ]sity h     
pron\nc$ ! alphabet ,amh>ic  or         
,abyss9ian1 al?\gh !y d n recognize !   
^w4 ,none ( ^!  epi/les 0 ev] deliv]$ to
 ,curw51 ?\gh ! disappe>ance (  ,j$$iah 
,orne f ,salem z record$ %ortly aft]w>d 
%[$ t !  ,provid5ce m5 took c]ta9 quiet 
/eps4    ,curw51 despite all            
precautions1 app>5tly felt t some?+ 0 9 
! w9d2 = he 0 n[ rem>k$ to we> an       
unusually worri$ look4  ,8 coa* 0 se5 at
 all h\rs 9 ! t[n & on ! ,pawtuxet      
,road1  & he dropp$ little by little !  
air ( =c$ g5iality ) :i*  he _h latt]ly 
s\ght to combat ! t[n's prejudice4 ,!   
ne>e/  neighbors to 8 f>m1 ! ,f5n]s1 "o 

night rem>k$ a great %aft  ( light %oot+
 into ! sky f "s ap]ture 9 ! ro( ( t    
cryptical /one build+ ) ! high          
excessively n>r[ w9d[s2 an  ev5t :i* !y 
quickly communicat$ to ,john ,br[n 9    
,provid5ce4    ,mr4 ,br[n _h become !   
executive lead] ( ! select gr\p b5t  on 
,curw5's extirpation1 & _h in=m$ !      
,f5n]s t "s  action 0 ab\t to be tak54  
,to !m ,mr4 ,br[n _h entru/$ ! duty  (  
wat*+ ! ,curw5 f>mh\se1 & ( regul>ly    
report+ e  incid5t :i* took place !re4  
99       99       99       99       99  
,! probability t ,curw5 0 on gu>d &     
attempt+ unusual ?+s1  z sugge/$ by !   
odd %aft ( light1 precipitat$ at la/ !  
action  s c>efully devis$ by ! b& (     
s]i\s citiz5s4 ,accord+ to !  ,smi? di>y
 a company ( ab\t "o hundr$ m5 met at t5
 ,p4,m4  on ,friday1 ,april twelf?1     
#agga1 9 ! great room ( ,?ur/on's ,tav]n
  at ! ,sign ( ! ,gold5 ,lion on        
,weybosset ,po9t across ! ,bridge4  ,( !
 guid+ gr\p ( prom95t m5 9 addition to !
 lead]1  ,john ,br[n1 !re 7 pres5t ,dr4 

,b[51 ) 8 case ( surgical  in/rum5ts1   
,presid5t ,mann+ )\t ! great p]iwig 7!  
l>ge/  9 ! ,colonies7 = :i* he 0 not$1  
,gov]nor ,hopk9s1 wrapp$ 9  a d>k cloak 
& accompani$ by 8 seaf>+ bro!r ,eseh :om
 he _h  initiat$ at ! la/ mom5t ) !     
p]mission ( ! re/1 ,john  ,c>t]1 ,capta9
 ,ma!wson1 & ,capta9 ,:ipple1 :o 0 to   
lead !  actual raid+ p>ty4 ,^! *iefs    
conf]r$ ap>t 9 a re> *amb]1  aft] :i*   
,capta9 ,:ipple em]g$ to ! great room & 
gave !  ga!r$ seam5 _! la/ oa?s &       
in/ructions4 ,eleaz> ,smi? 0  ) ! lead]s
 z !y sat 9 ! re> ap>tm5t await+ !      
arrival  ( ,ezra ,we$51 ^: duty 0 to    
keep track ( ,curw5 & report !  dep>ture
 ( 8 coa* = ! f>m4    ,ab\t t5-?irty a  
heavy rumble 0 he>d on ! ,great ,bridge1
 foll[$  by ! s\nd ( a coa* 9 ! /reet   
outside2 & at t h\r !re  0 no ne$ (     
wait+ = ,we$5 9 ord] to "k t ! doom$    
man _h set out = 8 la/ night ( unhall[$ 
wiz>dry4 ,a mom5t  lat]1 z ! rec$+ coa* 
clatt]$ fa9tly ov] ! ,muddy ,dock       
,bridge1 ,we$5 appe>$2 & ! raid]s fell  

sil5tly into milit>y  ord] 9 ! /reet1   
%\ld]+ ! firelocks1 f[l+-pieces1 or     
:al+ h>poons :i* !y _h ) !m4 ,we$5 &    
,smi? 7 )  ! p>ty1 & ( ! delib]at+      
citiz5s !re 7 pres5t =  active s]vice   
,capta9 ,:ipple1 ! lead]1 ,capta9 ,eseh 
,hopk9s1 ,john  ,c>t]1 ,presid5t ,mann+1
 ,capta9 ,ma!wson1 & ,dr4 ,b[52 toge!r  
) ,moses ,br[n1 :o _h come up at !      
elev5? h\r ?\gh abs5t  f ! prelim9>y    
session 9 ! tav]n4 ,all ^! freem5 & _!  
hundr$ sailors began ! long m>* )\t     
delay1 grim & a trifle  appreh5sive z !y
 left ! ,muddy ,dock beh9d & m\nt$ !    
g5tle  rise ( ,broad ,/reet t[>d !      
,pawtuxet ,road4    ,an h\r & a qu>t]   
lat] ! raid]s arriv$1 z previ\sly agre$1
  at ! ,f5n] f>mh\se2 :]e !y he>d a f9al
 report on _!  int5d$ victim4 ,he _h    
rea*$ 8 f>m m ?an half an h\r be=e1  & !
 /range light _h soon aft]w>d %ot once  
into ! sky4 ,!re  7 no lights 9 any     
visible w9d[s1 b ?is 0 always ! case (  
late4 ,ev5 z ?is news 0 giv5 ano!r great
 gl>e arose t[>d !  s\?1 & ! p>ty       

realiz$ t !y _h inde$ come close to !   
sc5e ( awesome & unnatural wond]s4      
,capta9 ,:ipple n[ ord]$ 8  =ce to      
sep>ate into ?ree divisions2 "o ( tw5ty 
m5 "u ,eleaz>  ,smi? to /rike across to 
! %ore & gu>d ! l&+-place aga9/         
possible re9=cem5ts = ,curw5 until      
summon$ by a mess5g] =  desp]ate s]vice2
 a second ( tw5ty m5 "u ,capta9 ,eseh   
,hopk9s to  /eal d[n into ! riv] valley 
beh9d ! ,curw5 f>m & demoli%  ) axes or 
gunp[d] ! oak5 door 9 ! high1 /eep bank2
 &  ! ?ird to close 9 on ! h\se &       
adjac5t build+s !mselves4  ,( ?is la/   
division "o ?ird 0 to be l$ by ,capta9  
,ma!wson to  ! cryptical /one edifice ) 
high n>r[ w9d[s1 ano!r ?ird to  foll[   
,capta9 ,:ipple himself to ! ma9        
f>mh\se1 & ! rema9+  ?ird to pres]ve a  
circle ar\nd ! :ole gr\p ( build+s until
  summon$ by a f9al em]g5cy signal4     
,! riv] p>ty w\ld break d[n ! hillside  
door at ! s\nd ( a  s+le :i/le-bla/1    
wait+ & captur+ any?+ :i* might issue  f
 ! regions )94 ,at ! s\nd ( two :i/le   

bla/s x w\ld  advance ?r\gh ! ap]ture to
 oppose ! enemy or jo9 ! re/ (  ! raid+ 
cont+5t4 ,! p>ty at ! /one build+ w\ld  
accept  ^! respective signals 9 an      
analog\s mann]2 =c+ an entrance  at !   
fir/1 & at ! second desc5d+ :atev]      
passage into !  gr\nd might be discov]$1
 & jo9+ ! g5]al or focal w>f>e  expect$ 
to take place )9 ! cav]ns4 ,a ?ird or   
em]g5cy signal  ( ?ree bla/s w\ld summon
 ! imm$iate res]ve f its g5]al  gu>d    
duty2 its tw5ty m5 divid+ equally &     
ent]+ ! unkn[n  dep?s ?r\gh bo? f>mh\se 
& /one build+4 ,capta9 ,:ipple's  belief
 9 ! exi/5ce ( catacombs 0 absolute1 &  
he took no  alt]native into consid]ation
 :5 mak+ 8 plans4 ,he _h ) him  a :i/le 
( great p[] & %rillness & did n fe> any 
mi/ak+  or misund]/&+ ( signals4 ,! f9al
 res]ve at ! l&+1 (  c\rse1 0 ne>ly out 
( ! :i/le's range2 h5ce1 w\ld require a 
special mess5g] if ne$$ = help4 ,moses  
,br[n & ,john ,c>t] w5t  ) ,capta9      
,hopk9s to ! riv]-bank1 :ile ,presid5t  
,mann+ 0  detail$ ) ,capta9 ,ma!wson to 

! /one build+4 ,dr4 ,b[51 )  ,ezra      
,we$51 rema9$ 9 ,capta9 ,:ipple's p>ty  
:i* 0 to /orm !  f>mh\se itself4 ,!     
attack 0 to beg9 z soon z a mess5g] f   
,capta9 ,hopk9s _h jo9$ ,capta9 ,:ipple 
to notify him ( ! riv]  p>ty's read9ess4
 ,! lead] w\ld !n deliv] ! l\d s+le     
bla/1  & ! v>i\s advance p>ties w\ld    
comm5ce _! simultane\s  attack on ?ree  
po9ts4 ,%ortly be=e "o ,a4,m4 ! ?ree    
divisions left ! ,f5n] f>mh\se2 "o to   
gu>d ! l&+1 ano!r  to seek ! riv] valley
 & ! hillside door1 & ! ?ird to         
subdivide & att5d to ! actual build+s ( 
! ,curw5 f>m4           99       99     
99       99       99    ,eleaz> ,smi?1  
:o accompani$ ! %ore-gu>d+ p>ty1 records
 9  8 di>y an unev5tful m>* & a long    
wait on ! bluff by !  bay2 brok5 once by
 :at seem$ to be ! di/ant s\nd ( !      
signal  :i/le & aga9 by a peculi> muffl$
 bl5d ( ro>+ & cry+  & a p[d] bla/ :i*  
seem$ to come f ! same direction4 ,lat] 
on "o man ?\ght he caught "s di/ant     
gun%ots1 & /ill lat]  ,smi? himself felt

 ! ?rob ( titanic ?und]\s words res\nd+ 
9 upp] air4 ,x 0 j be=e dawn t a s+le   
hagg>d mess5g]  ) wild eyes & a hide\s  
unkn[n odor ab\t 8 clo?+ appe>$  & told 
! deta*m5t to disp]se quietly to _!     
homes & nev]  aga9 ?9k or speak ( !     
night's do+s or ( him :o _h be5  ,joseph
 ,curw54 ,some?+ ab\t ! be>+ ( ! mess5g]
 c>ri$  a conviction :i* 8 m]e words    
c\ld nev] h convey$2 =  ?\gh he 0 a     
seaman well kn[n to _m ( !m1 !re 0      
some?+  obscurely lo/ or ga9$ 9 8 s\l   
:i* set him = ev]more ap>t4  ,x 0 ! same
 lat] on :5 !y met o!r old companions :o
  _h gone into t zone ( horror4 ,mo/ (  
!m _h lo/ or ga9$  some?+ impond]able & 
indescribable4 ,!y _h se5 or he>d or    
felt some?+ :i* 0 n = human creatures1 &
 c\ld n =get  x4 ,f !m !re 0 nev] any   
gossip1 = to ev5 ! commone/ (  mortal   
in/9cts !re are t]rible b\nd>ies4 ,& f t
 s+le  mess5g] ! p>ty at ! %ore caught a
 nameless awe :i* almo/  seal$ _! own   
lips4 ,v few are ! rumors :i* ev] came f
 any  ( !m1 & ,eleaz> ,smi?'s di>y is ! 

only writt5 record :i* has  surviv$ f t 
:ole exp$ition :i* set =? f ! ,sign (  !
 ,gold5 ,lion "u ! ,/>s4           99   
99       99       99       99    ,*>les 
,w>d1 h[ev]1 discov]$ ano!r vague       
sidelight 9 "s  ,f5n] correspond5ce :i* 
he f\nd 9 ,new ,london1 :]e he knew     
ano!r bran* ( ! family _h liv$4 ,x seems
 t ! ,f5n]s1  f ^: h\se ! doom$ f>m 0   
di/antly visible1 _h wat*$  ! dep>t+    
columns ( raid]s2 & _h he>d v cle>ly !  
angry b>k+ ( ! ,curw5 dogs1 foll[$ by ! 
fir/ %rill bla/  :i* precipitat$ !      
attack4 ,?is bla/ _h be5 foll[$ by a    
repetition ( ! great %aft ( light f !   
/one build+1 & 9  ano!r mom5t1 aft] a   
quick s\nd+ ( ! second signal ord]+ a   
g5]al invasion1 !re _h come a subdu$    
rattle ( musketry foll[$  by a horrible 
ro>+ cry :i* ! correspond5t ,luke ,f5n] 
_h  repres5t$ 9 8 epi/le by ! *>act]s   
,waaaahrrrrr--,r'waaahrrr4  ,?is cry1   
h[ev]1 _h possess$ a quality :i* no m]e 
writ+  c\ld convey1 & ! correspond5t    
m5tions t 8 "m fa9t$  completely at !   

s\nd4 ,x 0 lat] repeat$ less l\dly1 &   
fur!r b m muffl$ evid5ces ( gunfire     
ensu$2 toge!r )  a l\d explosion ( p[d] 
f ! direction ( ! riv]4 ,ab\t an  h\r   
aft]w>d all ! dogs began to bay         
frightfully1 & !re 7  vague gr\nd       
rumbl+s s m>k$ t ! c&le/icks tott]$ on !
  mantelpiece4 ,a /rong smell ( sulphur 
0 not$2 & ,luke ,f5n]'s  fa!r decl>$ t  
he he>d ! ?ird or em]g5cy :i/le signal1 
?\gh ! o!rs fail$ to detect x4 ,muffl$  
musketry s\nd$ aga91  foll[$ by a deep  
scream less pi]c+ b ev5 m horrible ?an  
^? :i* _h prec$$ x2 a k9d ( ?roaty1     
na/ily pla/ic c\gh  or gurgle ^: quality
 z a scream mu/ h come m f its          
cont9uity & psy*ological import ?an f   
its actual ac\/ic value4    ,!n ! flam+ 
?+ bur/ into sight at a po9t :]e !      
,curw5  f>m ought to lie1 & ! human     
cries ( desp]ate & fright5$ m5  7 he>d4 
,muskets fla%$ & crack$1 & ! flam+ ?+   
fell  to ! gr\nd4 ,a second flam+ ?+    
appe>$1 & a %riek ( human  orig9 0      
pla9ly di/+ui%$4 ,f5n] wrote t he c\ld  

ev5  ga!r a few words bel*$ 9 fr5zy3    
,almighty1 protect ?y lamb6  ,!n !re 7 m
 %ots1 & ! second flam+ ?+ fell4 ,aft]  
t came sil5ce = ab\t ?ree-qu>t]s ( an   
h\r2 at ! end (  :i* "t little ,ar?ur   
,f5n]1 ,luke's bro!r1 exclaim$ t he  saw
 a r$ fog go+ up to ! />s f ! accurs$   
f>m 9 !  di/ance4 ,no "o b ! *ild c     
te/ify to ?is1 b ,luke admits  !        
significant co9cid5ce impli$ by ! panic 
( almo/ convulsive  fright :i* at ! same
 mom5t ar*$ ! backs & /iff5$ ! fur  ( ! 
?ree cats !n )9 ! room4    ,five m9utes 
lat] a *ill w9d blew up1 & ! air became 
suffus$  ) su* an intol]able /5* t only 
! /rong fre%ness ( !  sea c\ld h prev5t$
 its be+ notic$ by ! %ore p>ty or by    
any wakeful s\ls 9 ,pawtuxet village4   
,?is /5* 0 no?+ :i*  any ( ! ,f5n]s _h  
ev] enc\nt]$ be=e1 & produc$ a k9d (    
clut*+1 amorph\s fe> beyond t ( ! tomb  
or ! *>nel-h\se4  ,close ^u x came !    
awful voice :i* no hapless he>] w ev] be
  able to =get4 ,x ?und]$ out ( ! sky l 
a doom1 & w9d[s  rattl$ z its e*oes di$ 

away4 ,x 0 deep & musical2 p[]ful z  a  
bass organ1 b evil z ! =bidd5 books ( ! 
,arabs4 ,:at x  said no man c tell1 = x 
spoke 9 an unkn[n tongue1 b ?is is  !   
writ+ ,luke ,f5n] set d[n to portray !  
daemoniac intonations3                  
,,deesmees--,,je%et--,,bon$osef$uvema--,
,enitemoss4 ,n till ! ye> #aiai  did any
 s\l l9k ?is crude transcript ) any?+   
else 9 mortal  k1 b ,*>les ,w>d pal$ z  
he recogniz$ :at ,mir&ola  _h d5\nc$ 9  
%udd]s z ! ultimate horror among black  
magic's  incantations4    ,an           
unmi/akably human %\t or deep *orus$    
scream seem$ to answ]  ?is malign wond] 
f ! ,curw5 f>m1 aft] :i* ! unkn[n  /5*  
grew complex ) an add$ odor equally     
intol]able4 ,a wail+  di/9ctly diff]5t f
 ! scream n[ bur/ out & 0 protract$     
ululantly 9 ris+ & fall+ p>oxysms4 ,at  
times x became almo/  articulate1 ?\gh  
no auditor c\ld trace any def9ite words2
 &  at "o po9t x seem$ to v]ge t[>d !   
conf9es ( diabolic &  hy/]ical laught]4 
,!n a yell ( utt]1 ultimate fright & />k

  madness wr5*$ f scores ( human ?roats2
 a yell :i* came /rong  & cle> despite !
 dep? f :i* x mu/ h bur/2 aft] :i*      
d>kness & sil5ce rul$ all ?+s4 ,spirals 
( acrid smoke asc5d$  to blot out ! />s1
 ?\gh no flames appe>$1 & no build+s 7  
obs]v$ to be gone or injur$ on ! foll[+ 
day4    ,t[>d dawn two fright5$ mess5g]s
 ) mon/r\s & unplaceable  odor saturat+ 
_! clo?+ knock$ at ! ,f5n] door &       
reque/$  a keg ( rum = :i* !y paid v    
well inde$4 ,"o ( !m told  ! family t ! 
affair ( ,joseph ,curw5 0 ov]1 & t !    
ev5ts ( ! night 7 n to be m5tion$ aga94 
,arrogant z !  ord] seem$1 ! aspect (   
him :o gave x took away all res5tm5t  & 
l5t x a fe>some au?ority2 s t only ^!   
furtive lett]s  ( ,luke ,f5n]1 :i* he   
urg$ 8 ,connecticut relative to de/roy1 
rema9 to tell :at 0 se5 & he>d4 ,!      
non-compliance ( t  relative1 :]eby !   
lett]s 7 sav$ aft] all1 has alone kept  
! matt] f a m]ciful oblivion4 ,*>les    
,w>d _h "o detail to  add z a result ( a
 long canvass ( ,pawtuxet resid5ts =    

ance/ral  traditions4 ,old ,*>les       
,slocum ( t village said t !re 0  kn[n  
to 8 gr&fa!r a que] rumor conc]n+ a     
*>r$1 di/ort$  body f\nd 9 ! fields a   
week aft] ! dea? ( ,joseph ,curw5 0     
ann\nc$4 ,:at kept ! talk alive 0 !     
notion t ?is body1 s  f> z c\ld be se5 9
 its burnt & twi/$ condition1 0 nei!r   
?or\ghly human nor :olly alli$ to any   
animal :i* ,pawtuxet folk  _h ev] se5 or
 read ab\t4           99       99       
99       99       99    ,n "o man :o    
p>ticipat$ 9 t t]rible raid c\ld ev] be 
induc$ to say a ^w conc]n+ x1 & e       
fragm5t ( ! vague  data :i* survives    
comes f ^? outside ! f9al fight+ p>ty4  
,!re is some?+ frightful 9 ! c>e ) :i*  
^! actual  raid]s de/roy$ ea* scrap :i* 
bore ! lea/ allusion to !  matt]4       
,eight sailors _h be5 kill$1 b al?\gh _!
 bodies 7 n  produc$ _! families 7      
satisfi$ ) ! /atem5t t a cla%  ) cu/oms 
(fic]s _h occurr$4 ,! same /atem5t also 
cov]$  ! num]\s cases ( w\nds1 all ( :i*
 7 ext5sively b&ag$  & treat$ only by   

,dr4 ,jabez ,b[51 :o _h accompani$ !    
p>ty4  ,h>de/ to expla9 0 ! nameless    
odor cl++ to all ! raid]s1  a ?+ :i* 0  
discuss$ = weeks4 ,( ! citiz5 lead]s1   
,capta9  ,:ipple & ,moses ,br[n 7 mo/   
sev]ely hurt1 & lett]s ( _!  wives      
te/ify ! bewild]m5t :i* _! retic5ce &   
close gu>d+  ( _! b&ages produc$4       
,psy*ologically e p>ticipant 0  ag$1    
sob]$1 & %ak54 ,x is =tunate t !y 7 all 
/rong  m5 ( action & simple1 or?odox    
religioni/s1 = ) m subtle               
introspectiv5ess & m5tal complexity !y  
w\ld h f>$ ill  inde$4 ,presid5t ,mann+ 
0 ! mo/ di/urb$2 b ev5 he outgrew  !    
d>ke/ %ad[1 & smo!r$ memories 9 pray]s4 
,e man (  ^? lead]s _h a /irr+ "p to    
play 9 lat] ye>s1 & x is  p]haps =tunate
 t ?is is s4 ,little m ?an a twelve-mon?
  aft]w>d ,capta9 ,:ipple l$ ! mob :o   
burnt ! rev5ue %ip  ,gaspee1 & 9 ?is    
bold act we may trace "o /ep 9 ! blott+ 
out ( un:olesome images4    ,!re 0      
deliv]$ to ! wid[ ( ,joseph ,curw5 a    
seal$ lead5  c(f9 ( curi\s design1      

obvi\sly f\nd ready on ! spot :5  ne$$1 
9 :i* %e 0 told h] husb&'s body lay4 ,he
 _h1 x 0  expla9$1 be5 kill$ 9 a cu/oms 
battle ab\t :i* x 0 n  politic to give  
details4 ,m ?an ?is no tongue ev] utt]$ 
(  ,joseph ,curw5's end1 & ,*>les ,w>d  
_h only a s+le h9t :]e)  to con/ruct a  
!ory4 ,?is h9t 0 ! m]e/ ?read--a %aky   
und]scor+ ( a passage 9 ,j$$iah ,orne's 
confiscat$ lett] to  ,curw51 p>tly copi$
 9 ,ezra ,we$5's h&writ+4 ,! copy 0 f\nd
  9 ! possession ( ,smi?'s desc5dants2 &
 we are left to decide  :e!r ,we$5 gave 
x to 8 companion aft] ! end1 z a mute   
clue  to ! abnormality :i* _h occurr$1  
or :e!r1 z is m probable1  ,smi? _h x   
be=e1 & add$ ! und]scor+ himself f :at  
he  _h manag$ to extract f 8 fri5d by   
%rewd guess+ & adroit  cross-que/ion+4  
,! und]l9$ passage is m]ely ?is3        
,i say to y aga9e1 doe n call up ,any t 
y _c put d[ne2      by ! :i* ,i meane1  
,any t c 9 turn calle up some:at        
aga9/ y1 :]eby y\r p[]fulle/ ,devices   
may n be ( use4      ,ask ( ! ,less]1   

le/ ! ,great] %all n wi% to ,answ]1 &   
%all comm&e m ?an y4    ,9 ! light ( ?is
 passage1 & reflect+ on :at la/         
unm5tionable  allies a beat5 man might  
try to summon 9 8 dire/ extremity1      
,*>les ,w>d may well h wond]$ :e!r any  
citiz5 ( ,provid5ce  kill$ ,joseph      
,curw54    ,! delib]ate effacem5t ( e   
memory ( ! dead man f  ,provid5ce life &
 annals 0 va/ly aid$ by ! influ5ce ( !  
raid+ lead]s4 ,!y _h n at fir/ meant to 
be s ?or\gh1 &  _h all[$ ! wid[ & h]    
fa!r & *ild to rema9 9 ignorance  ( !   
true conditions2 b ,capta9 ,till+ha/ 0  
an a/ute man1  & soon uncov]$ en\gh     
rumors to :et 8 horror & cause him to   
dem& t 8 daught] & gr&-daught] *ange _! 
"n1 burn !  libr>y & all rema9+ pap]s1 &
 *isel ! inscription f !  slate slab    
above ,joseph ,curw5's grave4 ,he knew  
,capta9 ,:ipple well1  & probably       
extract$ m h9ts f t bluff m>9] ?an      
anyone  else ev] ga9$ respect+ ! end ( !
 accurs$ sorc]]4    ,f t "t on !        
oblit]ation ( ,curw5's memory became    

increas+ly rigid1 ext5d+ at la/ by      
common cons5t ev5 to !  t[n records &   
files ( ! ,gazette4 ,x c be comp>$ 9 _s 
only to ! hu% t lay on ,osc> ,wilde's "n
 = a decade aft] 8  disgrace1 & 9 ext5t 
only to ! fate ( t s9ful ,k+ ( ,runagur 
9 ,"l ,dunsany's tale1 :om ! gods decid$
 mu/ n only cease to  be1 b mu/ cease   
ev] to h be54    ,mrs4 ,till+ha/1 z !   
wid[ became kn[n aft] #aggb1 sold !     
h\se 9 ,olney ,c\rt & resid$ ) h] fa!r 9
 ,p[]'s ,lane till  h] dea? 9 #ahag4 ,! 
f>m at ,pawtuxet1 %unn$ by e liv+  s\l1 
rema9$ to mold] ?r\gh ! ye>s2 & seem$ to
 decay )  unacc\ntable rapidity4 ,by    
#aghj only ! /one & brickwork 7  /&+1 & 
by #ahjj ev5 ^! _h fall5 to %apeless    
heaps4 ,none  v5tur$ to pi]ce ! tangl$  
%rubb]y on ! riv]-bank beh9d :i*  !     
hillside door may h la91 nor did any try
 to frame a def9ite  image ( ! sc5es    
amid/ :i* ,joseph ,curw5 dep>t$ f !     
horrors he _h wr\ght4    ,only robu/ old
 ,capta9 ,:ipple 0 he>d by al]t li/5]s  
to mutt]  once 9 a:ile to himself1 ,pox 

on t ----1 b he _h no bus9ess to  laugh 
:ile he scream$4 ',twas z ?\gh ! damn'd 
---- _h "s 'at  up 8 sleeve4 ,= half a  
cr[n ,i'd burn 8 ---- h\se4             
#c4 ,a ,se>* & an ,evocation      ,*>les
 ,w>d1 z we h se51 fir/ le>n$ 9 #aiah ( 
8 desc5t  f ,joseph ,curw54 ,t he at    
once took an int5se int]e/ 9  ev]y?+    
p]ta9+ to ! bygone my/]y is n to be     
wond]$ at2  = e vague rumor t he _h he>d
 ( ,curw5 n[ became some?+  vital to    
himself1 9 :om fl[$ ,curw5's blood4     
,9 8 fir/ delv+s !re 0 n ! slighte/     
attempt at  secrecy2 he talk$ freely ) 8
 family--?\gh 8 "m 0 n  p>ticul>ly      
pleas$ to own an ance/or l ,curw5--& ) !
  (ficials ( ! v>i\s museums & libr>ies 
he visit$4 ,9 apply+  to private        
families = records ?\ght to be 9 _!     
possession  he made no concealm5t ( 8   
object1 & %>$ ! some:at  amus$          
skepticism ) :i* ! acc\nts ( ! old      
di>i/s &  lett]-writ]s 7 reg>d$4    ,:5 
he came across ! ,smi? di>y & ar*ives & 
enc\nt]$  ! lett] f ,j$$iah ,orne he    

decid$ to visit ,salem & look  up       
,curw5's e>ly activities & connections  
!re1 :i* he did  dur+ ! ,ea/] vacation (
 #aiai4 ,at ! ,essex ,in/itute1 :i*  0  
well kn[n to him f =m] soj\rns 9 !      
glamor\s old t[n  ( crumbl+ ,puritan    
gables & clu/]$ gambrel ro(s1 he 0 v    
k9dly receiv$1 & une>!d !re a           
consid]able am\nt ( ,curw5  data4 ,he   
f\nd t 8 ance/or 0 born 9               
,salem-,village1 n[  ,danv]s1 sev5 miles
 f t[n1 on ! eighte5? ( ,febru>y 7,o4   
,s47  #affb-c2 & t he _h run away to sea
 at ! age ( fifte51 n  appe>+ aga9 = n9e
 ye>s1 :5 he return$ ) ! spee*1  dress1 
& mann]s ( a native ,engli%man & settl$ 
9 ,salem prop]4  ,at t "t he _h little  
to d ) 8 family1 b sp5t mo/ (  8 h\rs ) 
! curi\s books he _h br\ght f ,europe1 &
 !  /range *emicals :i* came = him on   
%ips f ,engl&1 ,france1  & ,holl&4      
,c]ta9 trips ( 8 into ! c\ntry 7 !      
objects (  mu* local inquisitiv5ess1 & 7
 :isp]+ly associat$ ) vague  rumors (   
fires on ! hills at night4    ,curw5's  

only close fri5ds _h be5 "o ,edw>d      
,hut*9son (  ,salem-,village & "o ,simon
 ,orne ( ,salem4 ,hut*9son _h a h\se    
well  out t[>d ! woods1 & x 0 n altoge!r
 lik$ by s5sitive  p because ( ! s\nds  
he>d !re at night4 ,he 0 said to        
ent]ta9 /range visitors1 & ! lights se5 
f 8 w9d[s 7  n always ( ! same color4 ,!
 k he display$ conc]n+  long-dead p]sons
 & long-=gott5 ev5ts 0 consid]$ di/9ctly
  un:olesome1 & he disappe>$ ab\t ! "t !
 wit*craft panic  began1 nev] to be he>d
 f aga94 ,at t "t ,joseph ,curw5 also   
dep>t$1 b 8 settlem5t 9 ,provid5ce 0    
soon le>n$ (4 ,simon  ,orne liv$ 9      
,salem until #agbj1 :5 8 failure to gr[ 
visibly old  began to excite att5tion4  
,he !reaft] disappe>$1 ?\gh ?irty  ye>s 
lat] 8 precise c\nt]p>t & self-/yl$ son 
turn$ up to  claim 8 prop]ty4 ,! claim 0
 all[$ on ! /r5g? ( docum5ts  9 ,simon  
,orne's kn[n h&1 & ,j$$iah ,orne cont9u$
 to dwell 9  ,salem till #agga1 :5 c]ta9
 lett]s f ,provid5ce citiz5s to !       
,rev]5d ,?omas ,b>n>d & o!rs br\ght ab\t

 8 quiet removal to  p>ts unkn[n4       
99       99       99       99       99  
,c]ta9 docum5ts by & ab\t all ( ^!      
/range matt]s 7  available at ! ,essex  
,in/itute1 ! ,c\rt ,h\se1 & ! ,regi/ry  
( ,de$s1 & includ$ bo? h>mless          
commonplaces su* z l& titles  & bills ( 
sale1 & furtive fragm5ts ( a m          
provocative  nature4 ,!re 7 f\r or five 
unmi/akable allusions to !m on  !       
wit*craft trial records2 z :5 "o        
,hepzibah ,lawson swore on  ,july       
sixte5?1 #afib1 at ! ,c\rt ( ,oy] &     
,t]m95 "u ,judge  ,ha?orne1 t =tie      
,wit*es & ! ,blacke ,man 7 wont to meete
  9 ! ,woodes beh9d ,mr4 ,hut*9son's    
h\se1 & "o ,amity ,h[  decl>$ at a      
session ( ,augu/ eigh? be=e ,judge      
,g$ney t ,mr4  ,g4 ,b4 7,george         
,burr\ghs7 on t ,nighte put ! ,divell 8 
,m>ke ^u  ,bridget ,s41 ,jona?an ,a41   
,simon ,o41 ,deliv]ance ,w41 ,joseph    
,c41  ,susan ,p41 ,mehitable ,c41 &     
,deborah ,b4 ,!n !re 0 a catalogue (    
,hut*9son's uncanny libr>y z f\nd aft] 8

 disappe>ance1 & an  unf9i%$ manuscript 
9 8 h&writ+1 c\*$ 9 a ciph] none  c\ld  
read4 ,w>d _h a photo/atic copy ( ?is   
manuscript made1 &  began to "w casually
 on ! ciph] z soon z x 0 deliv]$ to     
him4 ,aft] ! foll[+ ,augu/ 8 labors on !
 ciph] became int5se  & fev]i%1 & !re is
 reason to believe f 8 spee* &  conduct 
t he hit ^u ! key be=e ,octob] or       
,novemb]4 ,he nev]  /at$1 ?\gh1 :e!r or 
n he _h succe$$4    ,b ( greate/        
imm$iate int]e/ 0 ! ,orne mat]ial4 ,x   
took  ,w>d only a %ort "t to prove f    
id5tity ( p5man%ip a ?+  he _h already  
consid]$ e/abli%$ f ! text ( ! lett] to 
,curw52 namely1 t ,simon ,orne & 8      
suppos$ son 7 "o & !  same p]son4 ,z    
,orne _h said to 8 correspond5t1 x 0    
h>dly  safe to live too long 9 ,salem1  
h5ce he resort$ to a ?irty-ye>  soj\rn  
abroad1 & did n return to claim 8 l&s   
except z a  repres5tative ( a new       
g5]ation4 ,orne _h app>5tly be5 c>eful  
to  de/roy mo/ ( 8 correspond5ce1 b !   
citiz5s :o took action  9 #agga f\nd &  

pres]v$ a few lett]s & pap]s :i* excit$ 
_! wond]4 ,!re 7 cryptic =mulae &       
diagrams 9 8 & o!r  h&s :i* ,w>d n[ ei!r
 copi$ ) c>e or _h photograph$1 &  "o   
extremely my/]i\s lett] 9 a *irography t
 ! se>*]  recogniz$ f items 9 ! ,regi/ry
 ( ,de$s z positively ,joseph  ,curw5's4
                                        
,provid5ce1 #a ,may        ,bro!r3      
,my hon\r'd ,anti5t fri5d1 due ,respects
 & e>ne/ ,wi%es to      ,him :om we s]ve
 = yr ,et]nall ,p[]4 ,i am j come ^u ,t 
,:i* y ought to kn[e1 conc]n'g ! ,matt] 
( ! ,la/e      ,extremite & ,:at to doe 
reg>d' yt4 ,i am n dispos'd to foll[e   
y 9 g'g ,away on acct4 ( my ye>es1 =    
,provid5ce ha? n ye      ,%>p5ess ( ye  
,bay 9 hunt'g oute uncommon ,?+s & br++e
      to ,tryall4 ,i am ty'd up 9       
,%ippes & ,goodes1 & c\'d n doe z      y
 did1 besides ! ,:i*e my ,f>me1 at      
,pawtuxet ha?t "u x      ,:at y ,kn[e1 t
 ,w\'d n ,waite = my com'g ,backe z an  
,o!r4        ,b ,i am n unreadie = h>de 
=tunes1 z ,i h tolde y1      & h longe  

,"w'd ^u ye ,way ( get'g ,backe aft] ye 
,la/e4      ,i la/e ,night /rucke on ye 
,wordes t br+e up ,,yogge-,,so?o!1      
& sawe = ye ,fir/e ,"t t face spoke ( by
 ,ibn ,s*acabac      9 ye ----4 ,& ,,x  
said1 t ye ,,iii ,psalme 9 ye           
,lib]-,damnatus      holdes ye          
,clavicle4 ,) ,sunne 9 ,v ,h\se1        
,saturne 9 ,tr9e1 drawe      ye         
,p5tagram ( ,fire1 & saye ye n9? ,v]se  
?rice4 ,?is ,v]se      repeate ea*e     
,roodemas & ,hall['s ,eve1 & ye ?+ w    
br$e 9      ye ,outside ,sph]es4        
,& ( ye ,s$e ( ,olde %al ,"o be borne :o
 %al looke ,backe1      ?o' "k'g n :at  
he seekes4        ,yett w ?is availe    
,no?+ if !re be no ,heir1 & if !        
,saltes1 or ! ,way to make ! ,saltes1   
bee n ,readie = 8      ,h&e2 & "h ,i w  
owne1 ,i h n tak5 ne$$ ,/epps nor       
f\nde ,mu*4 ,ye ,process is plaguy h>de 
to come ne>e1 & x      uses up su* a    
,/ore ( ,specim5s1 ,i am h>de putte to x
 to get      ,en\gh1 not)/&'g ! ,sailors
 ,i h f ye ,indies4 ,ye ,p      ab\te   

are become ,curi\s1 b ,i c /&e !m (f4   
,ye g5try      are worse ?an ye         
,populace1 be'g m ,circum/antiall 9 _!  
,accts4 & m believ'd 9 :at !y tell4 ,t  
,p>son & ,mr4      ,m]ritt h talk'd "s1 
,i am fe>full1 b no ,?+ soe f> is       
,dang]\s4 ,ye ,*ymical sub/ances are    
easie ( get'g1 !re be'g      ,,ii4 goode
 ,*ymi/s 9 ,t[ne1 ,dr4 ,b[5 & ,sam4     
,c>ew4 ,i am foll'g      oute :at       
,borellus sai?1 & h ,helpe 9 ,abdool    
,al-,hazr$ 8      ,,vii4 ,booke4 ,:atev]
 ,i gette1 y %al h4 ,& 9 ye meane ,:ile1
      d n neglect to make use ( ye      
,wordes ,i h "h giv54 ,i h      !m      
,righte1 b if y ,desire to see ,,him1   
imploy ! ,writ+e on      ye ,piece (    
----1 t ,i am putt'g 9 ?is ,packet4     
,saye ye ,v]ses      e ,roodmas &       
,hall['s ,eve2 & if yr ,l9e runn n out1 
"o      %al bee 9 ye>es to come t %al   
looke backe & use :at      ,saltes or   
/uff = ,salte y %al leave him4 ,job     
,,xiv4 ,,xiv4        ,i rejoice y are   
aga9 at ,salem1 & hope ,i may see y n   

longe      h5ce4 ,i h a goode ,/allion1 
& am ?9k'g ( get'g a ,coa*1      !re    
be'g "o 7,mr4 ,m]ritt's7 9 ,provid5ce   
already1 ?o' ye      ,roades are bad4   
,if y are dispos$ to travel1 doe n pass 
me      bye4 ,f ,bo/on take ye ,po/     
,road1 ?ro' ,d$ham1 ,wr5?am1 &          
,attlebor\gh1 goode ,tav]ns be'g at all 
^! ,t[nes4 ,/op at ,mr4      ,bolcom's 9
 ,wr5?am1 :]e ye ,b$des are f9] ?an ,mr4
 ,hat*'s1      b eate at ye o!r ,h\se = 
_! cooke is bett]4 ,turne into          
,prov4 by ,patucket falls1 & ye ,rd4 pa/
 ,mr4 ,sayles's ,tav]n4 ,my      ,h\se  
opp4 ,mr4 ,ep5etus ,olney's ,tav]n (f ye
 ,t[ne ,/reet1 #a/ on      ye ,n4 side (
 ,olney's ,c\rt4 ,di/ance f ,bo/on ,/one
 abt4 ,,xliv      miles4        ,sir1 ,i
 am yr olde & true fri5d & ,s]vt4 9     
,almons9-,metraton4                     
,josephus ,c4        ,to ,mr4 ,simon    
,orne1      ,william's-,lane1 9 ,salem4 
,?is lett]1 oddly en\gh1 0 :at fir/ gave
 ,w>d ! exact location  ( ,curw5's      
,provid5ce home2 = none ( ! records     

enc\nt]$ up to  t "t _h be5 at all      
specific4 ,! place 0 inde$ only a few   
squ>es f 8 own home on ! great hill's   
high] gr\nd1 & 0  n[ ! abode ( a ,negro 
family mu* e/eem$ = occasional wa%+1    
h\seclean+1 & furnace-t5d+ s]vices4 ,to 
f9d1 9 di/ant ,salem1  su* sudd5 pro( ( 
! significance ( ?is famili> rook]y 9 8 
own family hi/ory1 0 a highly impressive
 ?+ to ,w>d2 & he  resolv$ to explore ! 
place imm$iately ^u 8 return4    ,! m   
my/ical phases ( ! lett]1 :i* he took to
 be "s  extravagant k9d ( symbolism1    
frankly baffl$ him2 ?\gh he not$  ) a   
?rill ( curiosity t ! ,biblical passage 
ref]r$ to--,job  #ad1 #ad--0 ! famili>  
v]se1 ,if a man die1 %all he live aga98 
,all  ! days ( my appo9t$ "t w ,i wait1 
till my *ange come4            99       
99       99       99       99    ,"y    
,w>d came home 9 a /ate ( pleasant      
excitem5t1 & sp5t  ! foll[+ ,saturday 9 
a long & exhau/ive /udy ( ! h\se  9     
,olney ,c\rt4 ,! place1 n[ crumbl+ )    
age1 _h nev] be5 a  mansion2 b 0 a mode/

 two-&-a-half /ory wood5 t[n h\se (  !  
famili> ,provid5ce ,colonial type1 )    
pla9 peak$ ro(1 l>ge  c5tral *imney1 &  
arti/ically c>v$ doorway ) ray$         
fan-light1  triangul> p$im5t1 & trim    
,doric pila/]s4 ,x _h suff]$ b  little  
alt]ation ext]nally1 & ,w>d felt he 0   
gaz+ on some?+  v close to ! s9i/]      
matt]s ( 8 que/4    ,! pres5t ,negro    
inhabitants 7 kn[n to him1 & he 0 v     
c\rte\sly %[n ab\t ! int]ior by old ,asa
 & 8 /\t wife  ,hannah4 ,"h !re 0 m     
*ange ?an ! outside indicat$1 & ,w>d    
saw ) regret t fully half ( ! f9e       
scroll-&-urn ov]mantels  & %ell-c>v$    
cupbo>d l9+s 7 gone1 :il/ mu* ( ! f9e   
wa9scott+ & bolection m\ld+ 0 m>k$1     
hack$1 & g\g$1  or cov]$ up altoge!r )  
*eap wall-pap]4 ,x 0 excit+ to  /& )9 ! 
ance/ral walls :i* _h h\s$ su* a man (  
horror  z ,joseph ,curw52 he saw ) a    
?rill t a monogram _h be5 v  c>efully   
effac$ f ! anci5t brass knock]4    ,f !n
 until aft] ! close ( s*ool ,w>d sp5t 8 
"t on !  photo/atic copy ( ! ,hut*9son  

ciph] & ! accumulation ( local  ,curw5  
data4 ,! =m] /ill prov$ unyield+2 b ( ! 
latt]  he obta9$ s mu*1 & s _m clues to 
simil> data else:]e1  t he 0 ready by   
,july to make a trip to ,new ,london &  
,new ,york  to consult old lett]s ^:    
pres5ce 9 ^? places 0 indicat$4  ,?is   
trip 0 v fruitful1 = x br\ght him !     
,f5n] lett]s  ) _! t]rible description (
 ! ,pawtuxet f>mh\se raid1 &  !         
,night+ale-,talbot lett]s 9 :i* he le>n$
 ( ! portrait  pa9t$ on a panel ( !     
,curw5 libr>y4 ,?is matt] ( ! portrait  
int]e/$ him p>ticul>ly1 s9ce he w\ld h  
giv5 mu* to "k  j :at ,joseph ,curw5    
look$ l2 & he decid$ to make a second   
se>* ( ! h\se 9 ,olney ,c\rt to see if  
!re might n be "s  trace ( ! anci5t     
features b5ea? peel+ coats ( lat] pa9t  
or  lay]s ( m\ldy wall-pap]4    ,e>ly 9 
,augu/ t se>* took place1 & ,w>d w5t    
c>efully  ov] ! walls ( e room sizeable 
en\gh to h be5 by any  possibility !    
libr>y ( ! evil build]4 ,he paid        
especial att5tion  to ! l>ge panels (   

su* ov]mantels z /ill rema9$2 & 0  ke5ly
 excit$ aft] ab\t an h\r1 :5 on a broad 
area above !  fireplace 9 a spaci\s     
gr\nd-floor room he became c]ta9 t !    
surface br\ght out by ! peel+ ( sev]al  
coats ( pa9t 0  s5sibly d>k] ?an any    
ord9>y int]ior pa9t or ! wood b5ea? x  0
 likely to h be54 ,a few m c>eful te/s )
 a ?9 knife1  & he knew t he _h come ^u 
an oil portrait ( great ext5t4  ,) truly
 s*ol>ly re/ra9t ! y\? did n risk !     
damage :i*  an imm$iate attempt to      
uncov] ! hidd5 picture ) ! knife  might 
h done1 b j retir$ f ! sc5e ( 8 discov]y
 to  enli/ exp]t help4 ,9 ?ree days he  
return$ ) an arti/ ( long  exp]i5ce1    
,mr4 ,walt] ,c4 ,dwight1 ^: /udio is ne>
 ! foot (  ,college ,hill2 & t          
accompli%$ re/or] ( pa9t+s set to "w  at
 once ) prop] me?ods & *emical          
sub/ances4 ,old ,asa & 8  wife 7 duly   
excit$ ov] _! /range visitors1 & 7      
prop]ly  reimburs$ = ?is invasion ( _!  
dome/ic he>?4    ,z day by day ! "w (   
re/oration progress$1 ,*>les ,w>d look$ 

on ) gr[+ int]e/ at ! l9es & %ades      
gradually unveil$  aft] _! long         
oblivion4 ,dwight _h begun at ! bottom2 
h5ce s9ce  ! picture 0 a ?ree-qu>t]-l5g?
 "o1 ! face did n come out  = "s "t4 ,x 
0 mean:ile se5 t ! subject 0 a sp>e1    
well-%ap$ man ) d>k-blue coat1 embroid]$
 wai/coat1 black sat9  small-clo!s1 &   
:ite silk /ock+s1 seat$ 9 a c>v$ *air   
aga9/ ! backgr\nd ( a w9d[ ) :>ves &    
%ips beyond4 ,:5  ! head came out x 0   
obs]v$ to be> a neat ,albem>le wig1 &   
to possess a ?91 calm1 undi/+ui%$ face  
:i* seem$ someh[  famili> to bo? ,w>d & 
! arti/4 ,only at ! v la/1 ?\gh1  did ! 
re/or] & 8 cli5t beg9 to gasp )         
a/oni%m5t  at ! details ( t lean1 pallid
 visage1 & to recognize )  a t\* ( awe !
 dramatic trick :i* h]$ity _h play$4 ,= 
x took ! f9al ba? ( oil & ! f9al /roke (
 ! delicate  scrap] to br+ out fully !  
expression :i* c5turies _h hidd52  & to 
confront ! bewild]$ ,*>les ,dext] ,w>d1 
dwell] 9 !  pa/1 ) 8 own liv+ features 9
 ! c\nt5ance ( 8 horrible               

great-great-great-gr&fa!r4            99
       99       99       99       99    
,w>d br\ght 8 p>5ts to see ! m>vel he _h
 uncov]$1 &  8 fa!r at once det]m9$ to  
pur*ase ! picture despite its  execution
 on /ation>y panell+4 ,! resemblance to 
! boy1 despite  an appe>ance ( r great] 
age1 0 m>vel\s2 & x c\ld  be se5 t ?r\gh
 "s trick ( atavism ! physical cont\rs  
( ,joseph ,curw5 _h f\nd precise        
duplication aft] a c5tury &  a half4    
,mrs4 ,w>d's resemblance to h] ance/or 0
 n at all  m>k$1 ?\gh %e c\ld recall    
relatives :o _h "s ( ! facial           
*>act]i/ics %>$ by h] son & by ! bygone 
,curw54 ,%e did  n reli% ! discov]y1 &  
told h] husb& t he _h bett]  burn !     
picture in/ead ( br++ x home4 ,!re 01 %e
 av]r$1  some?+ un:olesome ab\t x2 n    
only intr9sically1 b 9 its v            
resemblance to ,*>les4 ,mr4 ,w>d1 h[ev]1
 0 a practical man ( p[]  & affairs--a  
cotton manufactur] ) ext5sive mills at  
,riv]po9t  9 ! ,pawtuxet ,valley--& n "o
 to li/5 to fem99e scruples4  ,! picture

 impress$ him mightily ) its lik5ess to 
8 son1 &  he believ$ ! boy des]v$ x z a 
pres5t4 ,9 ?is op9ion1 x is  ne$less to 
say1 ,*>les mo/ he>tily concurr$2 & a   
few days lat]  ,mr4 ,w>d locat$ ! own] (
 ! h\se--a small rod5t-featur$ p]son  ) 
a guttural acc5t--& obta9$ ! :ole mantel
 & ov]mantel  be>+ ! picture at a curtly
 fix$ price :i* cut %ort !  imp5d+      
torr5t ( unctu\s haggl+4    ,x n[ rema9$
 to take (f ! panell+ & remove x to !   
,w>d  home1 :]e provisions 7 made = its 
?or\gh re/oration &  in/allation ) an   
electric mock-fireplace 9 ,*>les'       
?ird-floor  /udy or libr>y4 ,to ,*>les 0
 left ! task ( sup]9t5d+  ?is removal1 &
 on ! tw5ty-eigh? ( ,augu/ he accompani$
 two  exp]t workm5 f ! ,crook] decorat+ 
firm to ! h\se 9 ,olney  ,c\rt1 :]e !   
mantel & portrait-be>+ ov]mantel 7      
deta*$  ) great c>e & precision =       
transportation 9 ! company's  motor     
truck4 ,!re 0 left a space ( expos$     
brickwork m>k+ !  *imney's c\rse1 & 9   
?is "y ,w>d obs]v$ a cubical recess     

ab\t a foot squ>e1 :i* mu/ h la9        
directly beh9d ! head  ( ! portrait4 ,he
 f\nd1 b5ea? ! deep coat+s ( du/ &  soot
 "s loose yell[$ pap]s1 a crude1 ?ick   
copy-book1 & a few  mold]+ textile %r$s 
:i* may h =m$ ! ribbon b9d+ !  re/      
toge!r4 ,bl[+ away ! bulk ( ! dirt &    
c9d]s1 he took  up ! book & look$ at !  
bold inscription on its cov]4 ,x 0  9 a 
h& :i* he _h le>n$ to recognize at !    
,essex ,in/itute1  & proclaim$ ! volume 
z ! ,j\rnall & ,notes ( ,jos4 ,curw51   
,g5t41 ( ,provid5ce-,plantations1 ,late 
( ,salem4    ,excit$ beyond measure by 8
 discov]y1 ,w>d %[$ ! book to !  two    
curi\s workm5 beside him4 ,_! te/imony  
is absolute z to  ! nature & g5u95ess ( 
! f9d+1 & ,dr4 ,willett relies on  !m to
 help e/abli% 8 !ory t ! y\? 0 n mad :5 
he  began 8 major ecc5tricities4 ,all ! 
o!r pap]s 7 likewise 9  ,curw5's        
h&writ+1 & "o ( !m seem$ especially     
port5t\s  because ( its inscription3 ,to
 ,him ,:o ,%al ,come ,aft]1 ,h[ ,he ,may
  ,gett ,beyonde ,"t & ,ye ,sph]es4     

,ano!r 0 9 a ciph]2 ! same1  ,w>d hop$1 
z ! ,hut*9son ciph] :i* _h hi!rto baffl$
 him4  ,a ?ird1 & "h ! se>*] rejoic$1   
seem$ to be a key to !  ciph]2 :il/ !   
f\r? & fif? 7 address$ respectively to  
,edw4 ,hut*9son1 ,armig] & ,j$$iah      
,orne1 ,esq41 or ,_! ,heir or  ,heirs1  
or ,^? ,repres5t'g ,!m4 ,! six? & la/ 0 
inscrib$3  ,joseph ,curw5 8 ,life &     
,travells ,bet'n ye ye>es #afgh & #afhg3
 (  ,:i!r ,he ,voyag'd1 ,:]e ,he ,/ay'd1
 ,:om ,he ,sawe1 & ,:at ,he le>nt4      
99       99       99       99       99  
,we h n[ rea*$ ! po9t f :i* ! m academic
 s*ool (  ali5i/s date ,*>les ,w>d's    
madness4 ,^u 8 discov]y ! y\?  _h look$ 
imm$iately at a few ( ! inn] pages ( !  
book &  manuscripts1 & _h evid5tly se5  
some?+ :i* impress$ him  trem5d\sly4 ,^u
 return+ home he broke ! news ) an almo/
  emb>rass$ air1 z if he wi%$ to convey 
an idea ( its supreme  importance )\t   
hav+ to exhibit ! evid5ce itself4 ,he   
did n  ev5 %[ ! titles to 8 p>5ts1 b    
simply told !m t he  _h f\nd "s docum5ts

 9 ,joseph ,curw5's h&writ+1 mo/ly 9    
ciph]1 :i* w\ld h to be /udi$ v c>efully
 be=e yield+  up _! true mean+4 ,x is   
unlikely t he w\ld h %[n :at he  did to 
! workm51 _h x n be5 = _! unconceal$    
curiosity4 ,z  x 0 he d\btless wi%$ to  
avoid any display ( peculi> retic5ce    
:i* w\ld increase _! discussion ( !     
matt]4    ,t night ,*>les ,w>d sat up 9 
8 room read+ ! new-f\nd book  & pap]s1 &
 :5 day came he did n desi/4 ,8 meals1  
on 8  urg5t reque/ :5 8 "m call$ to see 
:at 0 amiss1 7  s5t up to him2 & 9 !    
aft]noon he appe>$ only briefly :5  ! m5
 came to in/all ! ,curw5 picture &      
mantelpiece 9 8  /udy4 ,! next night he 
slept 9 snat*es 9 8 clo!s1 mean:ile     
wre/l+ fev]i%ly ) ! unravel+ ( ! ciph]  
manuscript4 ,9  ! morn+ 8 "m saw t he 0 
at "w on ! photo/atic copy  ( !         
,hut*9son ciph]1 :i* he _h frequ5tly %[$
 h] be=e2  b 9 response to h] qu]y he   
said t ! ,curw5 key c\ld n be  appli$ to
 x4 ,t aft]noon he ab&on$ 8 "w & wat*$ !
  m5 fasc9at$ly z !y f9i%$ _!           

in/allation ( ! picture  ) its woodwork 
above a clev]ly reali/ic electric log1  
sett+ !  mock-fireplace & ov]mantel a   
little out f ! nor? wall z if a  *imney 
exi/$1 & box+ 9 its sides ) panell+ to  
mat* !  room's4 ,aft] ! workm5 w5t he   
mov$ 8 "w into ! /udy &  sat d[n be=e x 
) 8 eyes half on ! ciph] & half on !    
portrait :i* />$ back at him l a        
ye>-add+ c5tury-recall+  mirror4 ,8     
p>5ts subsequ5tly recall+ 8 conduct at  
?is p]iod1  give int]e/+ details an5t ! 
policy ( concealm5t :i* he  practic$4   
,be=e s]vants he seldom hid any pap] :i*
 he might be  /udy+1 s9ce he rightly    
assum$ t ,curw5's intricate & ar*aic    
*irography w\ld be too mu* = !m4 ,) 8   
p>5ts1 h[ev]1  he 0 m circumspect2 &    
unless ! manuscript 9 "q 7  a ciph]1 or 
a m]e mass ( cryptic symbols & unkn[n   
ideographs  7z t entitl$ ,to ,him ,:o   
,%al ,come ,aft] etc4 seem$ to be7  he  
w\ld cov] x ) "s conv5i5t pap] until 8  
call] _h  dep>t$4 ,at night he kept !   
pap]s "u lock & key 9 an antique  cab9et

 ( 81 :]e he also plac$ !m :5ev] he left
 ! room4  ,he soon resum$ fairly regul> 
h\rs & habits1 except t 8 long  walks & 
o!r outside int]e/s seem$ to cease4 ,!  
op5+ (  s*ool1 :]e he n[ began 8 s5ior  
ye>1 seem$ a great bore to  him2 & he   
frequ5tly ass]t$ 8 det]m9ation nev] to  
bo!r )  college4 ,he _h1 he said1       
important special inve/igations to make1
  :i* w\ld provide him ) m av5ues t[>d k
 & !  humanities ?an any univ]sity :i* !
 _w c\ld boa/4    ,dur+ ,octob] ,w>d    
began visit+ ! libr>ies aga91 b no long]
  = ! antiqu>ian matt] ( 8 =m] days4    
,wit*craft & magic1  occultism &        
daemonology1 7 :at he s\ght n[2 & :5    
,provid5ce  s\rces prov$ unfruitful he  
w\ld take ! tra9 = ,bo/on & tap  ! weal?
 ( ! great libr>y 9 ,copley ,squ>e1 !   
,wid5] ,libr>y  at ,h>v>d1 or ! ,zion   
,rese>* ,libr>y 9 ,brookl9e1 :]e c]ta9  
r>e works on ,biblical subjects are     
available4 ,he b\ght ext5sively1  &     
fitt$ up a :ole additional set ( %elves 
9 8 /udy = newly  acquir$ works on      

uncanny subjects2 :ile dur+ ! ,*ri/mas  
holidays  he made a r\nd ( out-(-t[n    
trips includ+ "o to ,salem to consult   
c]ta9 records at ! ,essex ,in/itute4    
99       99       99       99       99  
,ab\t ! middle ( ,janu>y1 #aibj1 !re    
ent]$ ,w>d's be>+ an  elem5t ( triumph  
:i* he did n expla91 & he 0 no m f\nd   
at "w ^u ! ,hut*9son ciph]4 ,in/ead1 he 
inaugurat$ a dual  policy ( *emical     
rese>* & record-scann+2 fitt+ up = !  "o
 a laboratory 9 ! unus$ attic ( ! h\se1 
& = ! latt]  haunt+ all ! s\rces ( vital
 /ati/ics 9 ,provid5ce4 ,local  deal]s 9
 drugs & sci5tific supplies1 lat]       
que/ion$1 gave  a/oni%+ly que] &        
mean+less catalogues ( ! sub/ances &    
in/rum5ts he pur*as$2 b cl]ks at ! ,/ate
 ,h\se1 ! ,city ,hall1  & ! v>i\s       
libr>ies agree z to ! def9ite object ( 8
 second  int]e/4 ,he 0 se>*+ int5sely & 
fev]i%ly = ! grave (  ,joseph ,curw51 f 
^: slate slab an old] g5]ation _h s     
wisely  blott$ ! "n4    ,little by      
little !re grew ^u ! ,w>d family !      

conviction t  some?+ 0 wrong4 ,8 s*ool  
"w 0 ! m]e/ pret5ce2 he _h  o!r         
conc]nm5ts n[2 & :5 n 9 8 new laboratory
 ) a score  ( obsolete al*emical books1 
c\ld be f\nd ei!r por+ ov] old  burial  
records d[nt[n or glu$ to 8 volumes (   
occult lore 9 8  /udy1 :]e ! />tl+ly--"o
 almo/ fanci$ increas+ly--simil>        
features ( ,joseph ,curw5 />$ bl&ly at  
him f ! great  ov]mantel on ! nor? wall4
    ,late 9 ,m>* ,w>d add$ to 8         
ar*ive-se>*+ a gh\li% s]ies (  rambles  
ab\t ! v>i\s anci5t cemet]ies ( ! city4 
,8 que/  _h sudd5ly %ift$ f ! grave (   
,joseph ,curw5 to t ( "o  ,naph?ali     
,field2 & ?is %ift 0 expla9$ :51 ^u go+ 
ov]  ! files t he _h be5 ov]1 !         
inve/igators actually f\nd a  fragm5t>y 
record ( ,curw5's burial :i* _h escap$ !
 g5]al  oblit]ation1 & :i* /at$ t !     
curi\s lead5 c(f9 _h be5  int]r$ #aj ft4
 ,s4 & #e ft4 ,w4 ( ,naph?ali ,field's  
grave 9 ye----4  ,h5ce ! rambles--f :i* 
,/4 ,john's 7! =m] ,k+'s7 *ur*y>d  & !  
anci5t ,congregational bury+ gr\nd 9 !  

mid/ ( ,swan  ,po9t ,cemet]y 7 exclud$1 
s9ce o!r /ati/ics _h %ewn t !  only     
,naph?ali ,field 7obit4 #agbi7 ^: grave 
c\ld h be5 meant _h  be5 a ,bapti/4     
99       99       99       99       99  
,x 0 t[>d ,may :5 ,dr4 ,willett1 at !   
reque/ ( ! s5ior ,w>d1  & =tifi$ ) all !
 ,curw5 data :i* ! family _h glean$  f  
,*>les 9 8 non-secretive days1 talk$ ) !
 "y man4 ,!  int]view 0 ( little value  
or conclusiv5ess1 = ,willett felt at  e 
mom5t t ,*>les 0 ?or\ghly ma/] ( himself
 & 9 t\*  ) matt]s ( real importance2 b 
x at lea/ =c$ ! secretive  y\? to (f] "s
 rational explanation ( 8 rec5t         
demeanor4 ,( a  pallid1 impassive type n
 easily %[+ emb>rassm5t1 ,w>d seem$  q  
ready to discuss 8 pursuits1 ?\gh n to  
reveal _! object4  ,he /at$ t ! pap]s ( 
8 ance/or _h conta9$ "s rem>kable       
secrets ( e>ly sci5tific k4 ,to take _! 
vivid place 9 !  hi/ory ( human ?\ght !y
 mu/ fir/ be correlat$ by "o famili>  ) 
! backgr\nd out ( :i* !y evolv$1 & to   
?is task (  correlation ,w>d 0 n[ devot+

 himself4 ,he 0 seek+ to acquire z  fa/ 
z possible ^? neglect$ arts ( old :i* a 
true int]pret]  ( ! ,curw5 data mu/     
possess1 & hop$ 9 "t to make a full     
ann\ncem5t & pres5tation ( ! utmo/      
int]e/ to mank9d & to  ! _w ( ?\ght4    
,z to 8 gravey>d se>*1 ^: object he     
freely admitt$1 b !  details ( ^:       
progress he did n relate1 he said he _h 
reason to  ?9k t ,joseph ,curw5's       
mutilat$ head/one bore c]ta9 my/ic      
symbols--c>v$ f directions 9 8 w &      
ignorantly sp>$ by  ^? :o _h effac$ !   
"n--:i* 7 absolutely ess5tial to !  f9al
 solution ( 8 cryptic sy/em4 ,curw51 he 
believ$1 _h wi%$  to gu>d 8 secret )    
c>e2 & _h consequ5tly di/ribut$ !  data 
9 an exce$+ly curi\s fa%ion4 ,:5 ,dr4   
,willett ask$ to see  ! my/ic docum5ts1 
,w>d display$ mu* reluctance & tri$ to  
put  him (f ) su* ?+s z ! photo/atic    
copies ( ! ,hut*9son  ciph] & ,orne     
=mulae & diagrams2 b f9ally %[$ him !   
ext]iors ( "s ( ! real ,curw5 f9ds--!   
,j\rnal & ,notes1  ! ciph] 7title 9     

ciph] also7 & ! =mula-fill$ message ,to 
,him ,:o ,%al ,come ,aft]--& let him    
glance inside su* z 7 9  obscure        
*>act]s4    ,he also op5$ ! di>y at a   
page c>efully select$ = its             
innocu\sness & gave ,willett a glimpse (
 ,curw5's connect$  h&writ+ 9 ,engli%4  
,! doctor not$ v closely ! crabb$ &     
complicat$ lett]s1 & ! g5]al aura ( !   
sev5te5? c5tury  :i* clung r\nd bo?     
p5man%ip & /yle despite ! writ]'s       
survival into ! eighte5? c5tury1 &      
became quickly c]ta9 t  ! docum5t 0     
g5u9e4 ,! text itself 0 relatively      
trivial1 &  ,willett recall$ only a     
fragm5t4 ,b :5 ,dr4 ,willett turn$ !    
leaf1  he 0 quickly *eck$ by ,w>d1 :o   
almo/ snat*$ ! book f 8  grasp4 ,all t !
 doctor _h a *ance to see on ! newly    
op5$ page  0 a brief pair ( s5t5ces2 b  
^!1 /rangely en\gh1 l+]$  t5aci\sly 9 8 
memory4    ,!y ran3 ,ye ,v]se f         
,lib]-,damnatus be'g spoke ,v           
,roodmasses & ,,iv  ,hall[s-,eves1 ,i am
 ,hopeful ye ,?+ is bre$'g ,outside ye  

,sph]es4 ,x  w drawe ,"o :o is to ,come 
if ,i c make sure he %al bee1 & he  %all
 ?9k on ,pa/ ?+es & looke back ?ro' all 
ye ye>es1 aga9/  ye :i* ,i mu/ h ready  
ye ,saltes or ,t to make 'em )4         
,willett saw no m1 b someh[ ?is small   
glimpse gave a new &  vague t]ror to !  
pa9t$ features ( ,joseph ,curw5 :i* />$ 
bl&ly d[n f ! ov]mantel4 ,ev] aft] t he 
ent]ta9$ !  odd fancy--:i* 8 m$ical     
skill ( c\rse assur$ him 0 only a       
fancy--t ! eyes ( ! portrait _h a sort (
 t5d5cy to foll[  "y ,*>les ,w>d z he   
mov$ ab\t ! room4 ,he /opp$ be=e  leav+ 
to /udy ! picture closely1 m>vel+ at its
 resemblance to  ,*>les & memoriz+ e    
m9ute detail ( ! cryptical1 colorless   
face1 ev5 d[n to a slight sc> or pit 9 !
 smoo? br[ above !  "r eye4    ,assur$  
by ! doctor t ,*>les' m5tal heal? 0 9 no
 dang]1  b t on ! o!r h& he 0 engag$ 9  
rese>*es :i* might  prove ( real        
importance1 ! ,w>ds 7 m l5i5t ?an !y    
might  o!rwise h be5 :5 dur+ ! foll[+   
,june ! y\? made  positive 8 refusal to 

att5d college4 ,he _h1 he decl>$1 /udies
  ( mu* m vital importance to pursue2 & 
intimat$ a wi% to g  abroad ! foll[+ ye>
 9 ord] to avail himself ( c]ta9 s\rces 
( data n exi/+ 9 ,am]ica4 ,! s5ior ,w>d1
 :ile d5y+ ?is  latt] wi% z absurd = a  
boy ( only eighte51 acquiesc$ reg>d+  ! 
univ]sity2 s t aft] a none too brilliant
 graduation f !  ,moses ,br[n ,s*ool !re
 ensu$ = ,*>les a ?ree ye> p]iod (      
int5sive occult /udy & gravey>d se>*+4  
99       99       99       99       99  
,com+ ( age 9 ,april1 #aibc1 & hav+     
previ\sly inh]it$ a small  compet5ce f 8
 mat]nal gr&fa!r1 ,w>d det]m9$ at la/ to
  take ! ,european trip hi!rto d5i$ him4
 ,( 8 propos$ it9]>y  he w\ld say no?+  
save t ! ne$s ( 8 /udies w\ld c>ry  him 
to _m places1 b he promis$ to write 8   
p>5ts fully &  fai?fully4 ,:5 !y saw he 
c\ld n be dissuad$1 !y ceas$ all        
opposition & help$ z be/ !y c\ld2 s t 9 
,june ! "y  man sail$ = ,liv]pool ) !   
f>ewell bless+s ( 8 fa!r  & "m1 :o      
accompani$ him to ,bo/on & wav$ him out 

( sight  f ! ,:ite ,/> pi] 9 ,*>le/[n4  
,lett]s soon told ( 8 safe  arrival1 & (
 8 secur+ good qu>t]s 9 ,great ,russell 
,/reet1  ,london2 :]e he propos$ to /ay1
 %unn+ all family fri5ds1 till  he _h   
exhau/$ ! res\rces ( ! ,briti% ,museum 9
 a c]ta9  direction4 ,( 8 daily life he 
wrote b little1 = !re 0 little  to      
write4 ,/udy & exp]im5t consum$ all 8   
"t1 & he m5tion$  a laboratory :i* he _h
 e/abli%$ 9 "o ( 8 rooms4 ,t he  said   
no?+ ( antiqu>ian rambles 9 ! glamor\s  
old city ) its  lur+ skyl9e ( anci5t    
domes & /eeples & its tangles ( roads  &
 alleys ^: my/ic convolutions & sudd5   
vi/as alt]nately  beckon & surprise1 0  
tak5 by 8 p>5ts z a good index ( !      
degree to :i* 8 new int]e/s _h engross$ 
8 m9d4    ,9 ,june1 #aibd1 a brief note 
told ( 8 dep>ture = ,p>is1 to  :i* he _h
 be=e made "o or two fly+ trips =       
mat]ial 9 !  ,biblio!que ,nationale4 ,= 
?ree mon?s !reaft] he s5t only po/al    
c>ds1 giv+ an address 9 ! ,rue ,/4      
,jacques & ref]r+ to a  special se>*    

among r>e manuscripts 9 ! libr>y ( an   
unnam$  private collector4 ,he avoid$   
acqua9tances1 & no t\ri/s br\ght  back  
reports ( hav+ se5 him4 ,!n came a      
sil5ce1 & 9 ,octob]  ! ,w>ds receiv$ a  
picture c>d f ,prague1 ,cze*o-,slovakia1
 /at+  t ,*>les 0 9 t anci5t t[n = !    
purpose ( conf]r+  ) a c]ta9 v ag$ man  
suppos$ to be ! la/ liv+ possessor  ( "s
 v curi\s m$iaeval in=mation4 ,he gave  
an address 9  ! ,new/adt1 & ann\nc$ no  
move till ! foll[+ ,janu>y2 :5  he      
dropp$ sev]al c>ds f ,vi5na tell+ ( 8   
passage ?r\gh  t city on ! way t[>d a m 
ea/]ly region :i!r "o ( 8  correspond5ts
 & fell[-delv]s into ! occult _h invit$ 
him4    ,! next c>d 0 f ,klaus5burg 9   
,transylvania1 & told (  ,w>d's progress
 t[>d 8 de/9ation4 ,he 0 go+ to visit a 
,b>on  ,f]5czy1 ^: e/ate lay 9 ! m\nta9s
 ea/ ( ,rakus2 & 0 to  be address$ at   
,rakus 9 ! c>e ( t nobleman4 ,ano!r c>d 
f  ,rakus a week lat]1 say+ t 8 ho/'s   
c>riage _h met him &  t he 0 leav+ !    
village = ! m\nta9s1 0 8 la/ message  = 

a consid]able "t2 inde$1 he did n reply 
to 8 p>5ts'  frequ5t lett]s until ,may1 
:5 he wrote to disc\rage ! plan ( 8  "m 
= a meet+ 9 ,london1 ,p>is1 or ,rome    
dur+ ! summ]1 :5  ! eld] ,w>ds 7 plann+ 
to travel 9 ,europe4 ,8 rese>*es1 he    
said1 7 su* t he c\ld n leave 8 pres5t  
qu>t]s2 :ile  ! situation ( ,b>on       
,f]5czy's ca/le did n favor visits4 ,x 0
  on a crag 9 ! d>k wood$ m\nta9s1 & !  
region 0 s %unn$  by ! c\ntry folk t    
normal p c\ld n help feel+ ill at  ease4
 ,moreov]1 ! ,b>on 0 n a p]son likely to
 appeal to correct  & cons]vative ,new  
,engl& g5tlefolk4 ,8 aspect & mann]s _h 
idiosyncrasies1 & 8 age 0 s great z to  
be disquiet+4 ,x w\ld  be bett]1 ,*>les 
said1 if 8 p>5ts w\ld wait = 8 return to
  ,provid5ce2 :i* c\ld sc>cely be f>    
di/ant4    ,t return did n1 h[ev]1 take 
place until ,may1 #aibe1 :5 aft] a  few 
h]ald+ c>ds ! "y w&]] quietly slipp$    
into ,new ,york on  ! ,hom]ic & trav]s$ 
! long miles to ,provid5ce by motor coa*
  eag]ly dr9k+ 9 ! gre5 roll+ hills1 !  

fragrant1 blossom+  or*>ds1 & ! :ite    
/eepl$ t[ns ( ,connecticut 9 spr+2 8    
fir/ ta/e ( anci5t ,new ,engl& 9 ne>ly  
f\r ye>s4    ,old ,provid5ce6 ,x 0 ?is  
place & ! my/]i\s =ces ( its  long1     
cont9u\s hi/ory :i* _h br\ght him into  
be+1 & :i*  _h drawn him back t[>d      
m>vels & secrets ^: b\nd>ies no  prophet
 might fix4 ,"h lay ! arcana1 wondr\s or
 dreadful z !  case might be1 = :i* all 
8 ye>s ( travel & application  _h be5   
prep>+ him4 ,a taxicab :irl$ him ?r\gh  
,po/ ,(fice  ,squ>e ) its glimpse ( !   
riv]1 & up ! /eep curv$ slope  (        
,wat]man ,/reet to ,prospect4 ,!n eight 
squ>es pa/ ! f9e old  e/ates 8 *ildi%   
eyes _h kn[n1 & ! qua9t brick sidewalks 
s (t5 trodd5 by 8 y\?ful feet4 ,& at la/
 ! little :ite  ov]tak5 f>mh\se on ! "r1
 & on ! left ! classic ,adam  por* &    
/ately bay$ faade ( ! great brick h\se  
:]e he 0  born4 ,x 0 twilight1 & ,*>les 
,dext] ,w>d _h come home4    ,w>d 0 n[  
visibly ag$ & h>d5$1 b 0 /ill normal 9 8
  g5]al reactions2 & 9 sev]al talks )   

,willett display$  a balance :i* no     
madman--ev5 an incipi5t "o--c\ld feign  
cont9u\sly = long4 ,:at elicit$ ! notion
 ( insanity at  ?is p]iod 7 ! s\nds he>d
 at all h\rs f ,w>d's attic  laboratory1
 9 :i* he kept himself mo/ ( ! "t4 ,!re 
7  *ant+s & repetitions1 & ?und]\s      
declamations 9 uncanny  rhy?ms2 & al?\gh
 ^! s\nds 7 always 9 ,w>d's own voice1  
!re 0 some?+ 9 ! quality ( t voice & 9 !
 acc5ts  ( ! =mulae x pron\nc$1 :i* c\ld
 n b *ill ! blood (  e he>]4 ,x 0 notic$
 t ,nig1 ! v5]able & belov$ black  cat (
 ! h\sehold1 bri/l$ & ar*$ 8 back       
p]ceptibly :5  c]ta9 ( ! tones 7 he>d4  
,! odors occasionally waft$ f !         
laboratory 7 likewise  exce$+ly /range4 
,sometimes !y 7 v noxi\s1 b m (t5  !y 7 
aromatic1 ) a haunt+1 elusive quality   
:i* seem$ to  h ! p[] ( induc+ fanta/ic 
images4 ,p :o smell$ !m  _h a t5d5cy to 
glimpse mom5t>y mirages ( enorm\s vi/as1
 )  /range hills or endless av5ues (    
sph9xes & hippogriffs /ret*+  (f into   
inf9ite di/ance4 ,8 old] aspect increas$

 to a />tl+  degree 8 resemblance to !  
,curw5 portrait 9 8 libr>y2 & ,dr4      
,willett w\ld (t5 pause by ! latt] aft] 
a call1 m>vell+ at  ! virtual id5tity1 &
 reflect+ t only ! small pit above !    
picture's "r eye n[ rema9$ to           
diff]5tiate ! long-dead wiz>d  f ! liv+ 
y\?4 ,frequ5tly he not$ peculi> ?+s     
ab\t2  little wax images ( grotesque    
design on ! %elves or tables1 & !       
half-eras$ remnants ( circles1          
triangles1 & p5tagrams 9 *alk or  *>coal
 on ! cle>$ c5tral space ( ! l>ge room4 
,& always  9 ! night ^? rhy?ms &        
incantations ?und]$1 till x became  v   
difficult to keep s]vants or suppress   
furtive talk ( ,*>les'  madness4    ,9  
,janu>y1 #aibg1 a peculi> incid5t       
occurr$4 ,"o night ab\t  midnight1 z    
,*>les 0 *ant+ a ritual ^: weird cad5ce 
e*o$  unpleasantly ?r\gh ! h\se bel[1   
!re came a sudd5 gu/ ( *ill  w9d f !    
bay1 & a fa9t1 obscure trembl+ ( ! e>?  
:i*  ev]yone 9 ! neighborhood not$4 ,at 
! same "t ! cat exhibit$  ph5om5al      

traces ( fright1 :ile dogs bay$ = z mu* 
z a mile  ar\nd4 ,?is 0 ! prelude to a  
%>p ?und]/orm1 anomal\s =  ! season1 :i*
 br\ght ) x su* a cra% t ,mr4 & ,mrs4   
,w>d  believ$ ! h\se _h be5 /ruck4 ,!y  
ru%$ up/airs to see :at  damage _h be5  
done1 b ,*>les met !m at ! door to !    
attic2  pale1 resolute1 & port5t\s1 ) an
 almo/ fe>some comb9ation (  triumph &  
s]i\sness on 8 face4 ,he assur$ !m t !  
h\se  _h n really be5 /ruck1 & t ! /orm 
w\ld soon be ov]4  ,! ?und] sank to a   
sort ( dull mumbl+ *uckle & f9ally di$  
away4 ,/>s came out1 & ! /amp ( triumph 
on ,*>les ,w>d's face  cry/alliz$ into a
 v s+ul> expression4            99      
99       99       99       99    ,= two 
mon?s or m aft] ?is incid5t ,w>d 0 less 
conf9$  ?an usual to 8 laboratory4 ,he  
exhibit$ a curi\s int]e/ 9 !  wea!r1 &  
made odd inquiries ab\t ! date ( ! spr+ 
?aw+ (  ! gr\nd4 ,"o night late 9 ,m>*  
he left ! h\se aft] midnight1  & did n  
return till almo/ morn+2 :5 8 "m1 be+   
wakeful1  he>d a rumbl+ motor draw up ! 

c>riage entrance4 ,muffl$ oa?s  c\ld be 
di/+ui%$1 & ,mrs4 ,w>d1 ris+ & go+ to ! 
w9d[1  saw f\r d>k figures remov+ a     
long1 heavy box f a truck at  ,*>les'   
direction & c>ry+ x )9 by ! side door4  
,%e he>d  labor$ brea?+ & pond]\s       
footfalls on ! /airs1 & f9ally a  dull  
?ump+ 9 ! attic2 aft] :i* ! footfalls   
desc5d$ aga91  & ! f\r m5 reappe>$      
outside & drove (f 9 _! truck4    ,!    
next day ,*>les resum$ 8 /rict attic    
seclusion1 draw+  d[n ! d>k %ades ( 8   
laboratory w9d[s & appe>+ to be  work+  
on "s metal sub/ance4 ,he w\ld op5 !    
door to no "o1  & /eadfa/ly refus$ all  
pr(f]$ food4 ,ab\t noon a wr5*+  s\nd   
foll[$ by a t]rible cry & a fall 7 he>d1
 b :5 ,mrs4  ,w>d rapp$ at ! door h] son
 at l5g? answ]$ fa9tly1 & told  h] t    
no?+ _h gone amiss4 ,! hide\s &         
indescribable /5*  n[ well+ out 0       
absolutely h>mless & un=tunately        
necess>y4  ,solitude 0 ! "o prime       
ess5tial1 & he w\ld appe> lat] =  d9n]4 
,t aft]noon1 aft] ! conclusion ( "s odd 

hiss+ s\nds  :i* came f beh9d ! lock$   
portal1 he did f9ally appe>2  we>+ an   
extremely hagg>d aspect & =bidd+ anyone 
to ent]  ! laboratory ^u any pretext4   
,?is1 inde$1 prov$ ! beg9n+  ( a new    
policy ( secrecy2 = nev] aft]w>d 0 any  
o!r p]son  p]mitt$ to visit ei!r !      
my/]i\s g>ret workroom or !  adjac5t    
/or]oom :i* he cle>$ out1 furni%$       
r\ghly1 & add$  to 8 inviolably private 
doma9 z a sleep+ ap>tm5t4 ,"h he  liv$1 
) books br\ght up f 8 libr>y b5ea?1 till
 ! "t  he pur*as$ ! ,pawtuxet bungal[ & 
mov$ to x all 8 sci5tific  effects4     
,9 ! ev5+ ,*>les secur$ ! pap] be=e !   
re/ ( ! family  & damag$ "p ( x ?r\gh an
 app>5t accid5t4 ,lat] on ,dr4          
,willett1 hav+ fix$ ! date f /atem5ts by
 v>i\s memb]s  ( ! h\sehold1 look$ up an
 intact copy at ! ,j\rnal (fice  & f\nd 
t 9 ! de/roy$ section ! foll[+ small    
item _h  occurr$3                       
,nocturnal ,digg]s ,surpris$ 9 ,nor?    
,burial ,gr\nd        ,rob]t ,h>t1 night
 wat*man at ! ,nor? ,burial ,gr\nd1 ?is 

morn+ discov]$ a p>ty ( sev]al m5 ) a   
motor truck 9      ! olde/ "p ( !       
cemet]y1 b app>5tly fright5$ !m (f      
be=e !y _h accompli%$ :atev] _! object  
may h be54        ,! discov]y took place
 at ab\t f\r o'clock1 :5 ,h>t's         
att5tion 0 attract$ by ! s\nd ( a motor 
outside 8      %elt]4 ,inve/igat+1 he   
saw a l>ge truck on ! ma9 drive         
sev]al rods away2 b c\ld n rea* x be=e !
 s\nd ( 8      feet on ! gravel _h      
reveal$ 8 approa*4 ,! m5 ha/ily         
plac$ a l>ge box 9 ! truck & drove away 
t[>d ! /reet      be=e !y c\ld be       
ov]tak52 & s9ce no kn[n grave 0         
di/urb$1 ,h>t believes t ?is box 0 an   
object :i* !y      wi%$ to bury4        
,! digg]s mu/ h be5 at "w = a long :ile 
be=e      detection1 = ,h>t f\nd an     
enorm\s hole dug at a consid]able       
di/ance back f ! roadway 9 ! lot (      
,amosa ,field1 :]e      mo/ ( ! old     
/ones h long ago disappe>$4 ,! hole1 a  
place      z l>ge & deep z a grave1 0   
empty2 & did n co9cide )      any       

int]m5t m5tion$ 9 ! cemet]y records4    
,s]geant ,riley ( ! ,second ,/ation     
view$ ! spot & gave !      op9ion t !   
hole 0 dug by bootlegg]s r gruesomely & 
+5i\sly seek+ a safe ca*e = liquor 9 a  
place n likely      to be di/urb$4 ,9   
reply to que/ions ,h>t said he ?\ght !  
escap+ truck _h head$ up ,ro*ambeau     
,av5ue1 ?\gh he c\ld n      be sure4    
,dur+ ! next few days ,*>les ,w>d 0     
seldom se5 by 8 family4  ,hav+ add$     
sleep+ qu>t]s to 8 attic realm1 he kept 
closely to  himself !re1 ord]+ food     
br\ght to ! door & n tak+ x  9 until    
aft] ! s]vant _h gone away4 ,! dron+ (  
monoton\s  =mulae & ! *ant+ ( biz>re    
rhy?ms recurr$ at int]vals1  :ile at o!r
 times occasional li/5]s c\ld detect !  
s\nd (  t9kl+ glass1 hiss+ *emicals1    
runn+ wat]1 or ro>+ gas  flames4 ,odors 
( ! mo/ unplaceable quality1 :olly      
unlike any be=e  not$1 hung at times    
ar\nd ! door2 & ! air ( t5sion obs]vable
  9 ! "y recluse :5ev] he did v5ture    
briefly =? 0 su* z  to excite ! ke5e/   

speculation4 ,once he made a ha/y trip  
to !  ,a!naeum = a book he requir$1 &   
aga9 he hir$ a mess5g] to  fet* him a   
highly obscure volume f ,bo/on4 ,susp5se
 0 writt5  port5t\sly ov] ! :ole        
situation1 & bo? ! family & ,dr4        
,willett confess$ !mselves :olly at a   
loss :at to d or ?9k ab\t  x4           
99       99       99       99       99  
,!n on ! fifte5? ( ,april a /range      
developm5t occurr$4 ,:ile  no?+ appe>$  
to gr[ diff]5t 9 k9d1 !re 0 c]ta9ly a v 
t]rible diff]5ce 9 degree2 & ,dr4       
,willett someh[ atta*es great           
significance to ! *ange4 ,! day 0 ,good 
,friday1 a circum/ance (  :i* ! s]vants 
made mu*1 b :i* o!rs q naturally dismiss
  z an irrelevant co9cid5ce4 ,late 9 !  
aft]noon "y ,w>d began  repeat+ a c]ta9 
=mula 9 a s+ul>ly l\d voice1 at ! same  
"t burn+ "s sub/ance s pung5t t its     
fumes escap$ ov] !  entire h\se4 ,!     
=mula 0 s pla9ly audible 9 ! hall       
outside  ! lock$ door t ,mrs4 ,w>d c\ld 
n help memoriz+ x z %e  wait$ & li/5$   

anxi\sly1 & lat] on %e 0 able to write x
  d[n at ,dr4 ,willett's reque/4 ,x ran 
z foll[s1 & exp]ts h told  ,dr4 ,willett
 t its v close analogue c be f\nd 9 !   
my/ic  writ+s ( ,eliphas ,levi1 t       
cryptic s\l :o crept ?r\gh a crack  9 ! 
=bidd5 door & glimps$ ! frightful vi/as 
( ! void  beyond3        ,p] ,adonai    
,eloim1 ,adonai ,jehova1 ,adonai        
,sabao?1 ,metraton ,ou      ,agla       
,me?on1 v]bum py?onicum1 my/]ium        
salam&rae1 conv5tus      sylvorum1      
antra1 gnomorum1 daemonia ,coeli ,god1  
,almons91 ,gibor1      ,jehosua1 ,evam1 
,z>iatnatmik1 v5i1 v5i1 v5i4    ,?is _h 
be5 go+ on = two h\rs )\t *ange or      
int]mission  :5 ov] all ! neighborhood a
 p&emoniac h[l+ ( dogs set 94  ,! ext5t 
( ?is h[l+ c be judg$ f ! space x       
receiv$  9 ! pap]s ! next day1 b to ^? 9
 ! ,w>d h\sehold x 0  ov]-%ad[$ by !    
odor :i* in/antly foll[$ x2 a hide\s1   
all-p]vasive od\r :i* none ( !m _h ev]  
smelt be=e or h  ev] smelt s9ce4 ,9 !   
mid/ ( ?is mephitic flood !re came a  v 

p]ceptible fla% l t ( lightn+1 :i* w\ld 
h be5  bl9d+ & impressive b = ! daylight
 ar\nd2 & !n 0 he>d  ! voice t no li/5] 
c ev] =get because ( its ?und]\s        
remot5ess1 its incr$ible dep?1 & its    
eldrit* dissimil>ity to  ,*>les ,w>d's  
voice4 ,x %ook ! h\se1 & 0 cle>ly he>d  
by at  lea/ two neighbors above ! h[l+ (
 ! dogs4 ,mrs4 ,w>d1 :o _h  be5 li/5+ 9 
despair outside h] son's lock$          
laboratory1 %iv]$  z %e recogniz$ its   
helli% import2 = ,*>les _h told h] ( its
  evil fame 9 d>k books1 & ( ! mann] 9  
:i* x _h ?und]$1  accord+ to ! ,f5n]    
lett]s1 above ! doom$ ,pawtuxet f>mh\se 
on  ! night ( ,joseph ,curw5's          
annihilation4 ,!re 0 no mi/ak+ t        
nightm>e phrase1 = ,*>les _h describ$ x 
too vividly 9 ! old  days :5 he _h talk$
 frankly ( 8 ,curw5 inve/igations4 ,&   
yet  x 0 only ?is fragm5t ( an ar*aic & 
=gott5 language3 ,,dies  ,,mies ,,jes*et
 ,,bo5e ,,doesef ,,d\vema ,,enitemaus4  
,close ^u ?is ?und]+ !re came a mom5t>y 
d>k5+  ( ! daylight1 ?\gh sunset 0 /ill 

an h\r di/ant1  & !n a puff ( add$ odor1
 diff]5t f ! fir/ b  equally unkn[n &   
intol]able4 ,*>les 0 *ant+ aga9  n[ & 8 
"m c\ld he> syllables t s\nd$ l         
,yi-ngah-,yog-,so?o?-he-lglb-fi-?rodag--
end+ 9 a ,yah6 ^:  maniacal =ce m\nt$ 9 
an e>-splitt+ cresc5do4 ,a second lat]  
all previ\s memories 7 effac$ by ! wail+
 scream :i* bur/  out ) frantic         
explosiv5ess & gradually *ang$ =m to a  
p>oxysm  ( diabolic & hy/]ical laught]4 
,mrs4 ,w>d1 ) ! m+l$ fe>  & bl9d c\rage 
( mat]nity1 advanc$ & knock$ affright$ly
  at ! conceal+ panels1 b obta9$ no sign
 ( recognition4 ,%e  knock$ aga91 b     
paus$ n]velessly z a second %riek arose1
 ?is  "o unmi/akably 9 ! famili> voice (
 h] son1 & s\nd+  concurr5tly ) ! /ill  
bur/+ ca*9nations ( t o!r  voice4       
,pres5tly %e fa9t$1 al?\gh %e is /ill   
unable to recall  ! precise & imm$iate  
cause4 ,memory sometimes makes m]ciful  
deletions4           99       99        
99       99       99    ,mr4 ,w>d       
return$ f ! bus9ess section at ab\t     

qu>t] pa/  six2 & n f9d+ 8 wife         
d[n/airs1 0 told by ! fright5$  s]vants 
t %e 0 probably wat*+ at ,*>les' door1 f
 :i*  ! s\nds _h be5 f> /rang] ?an ev]  
be=e4 ,m\nt+ ! /airs  at once1 he saw   
,mrs4 ,w>d /ret*$ at full l5g? on !     
floor ( !  corridor outside !           
laboratory2 & realiz+ t %e _h fa9t$1    
ha/5$ to fet* a glass ( wat] f a set b[l
 9 a neighbor+  alcove4 ,da%+ ! cold    
fluid 9 h] face1 he 0 he>t5$ to obs]ve  
an imm$iate response on h] "p1 & 0 wat*+
 ! bewild]$  op5+ ( h] eyes :5 a *ill   
%ot ?r\gh him & ?reat5$ to  r$uce him to
 ! v /ate f :i* %e 0 em]g+4 ,= !        
seem+ly sil5t laboratory 0 n z sil5t z x
 _h appe>$ to be1  b held ! murmurs ( a 
t5se1 muffl$ conv]sation 9 tones too l[ 
= compreh5sion1 yet ( a quality pr(\ndly
 di/urb+ to ! s\l4    ,x 0 n1 ( c\rse1  
new = ,*>les to mutt] =mulae2 b ?is     
mutt]+ 0 def9itely diff]5t4 ,x 0 s      
palpably a dialogue1 or  imitation ( a  
dialogue1 ) ! regul> alt]nation (       
inflections  sugge/+ "q & answ]1 /atem5t

 & response4 ,"o voice  0 undisguis$ly t
 ( ,*>les1 b ! o!r _h a dep? &          
holl[ness :i* ! y\?'s be/ p[]s (        
c]emonial mimicry _h  sc>cely approa*$  
be=e4 ,!re 0 some?+ hide\s1 blasphem\s1 
& abnormal ab\t x1 & b = a cry f 8      
recov]+ wife  :i* cle>$ 8 m9d by ar\s+ 8
 protective in/9cts1 x is n  likely t   
,!odore ,h[l& ,w>d c\ld h ma9ta9$ =     
ne>ly  a ye> m 8 old boa/ t he _h nev]  
fa9t$4 ,z x 01 he  seiz$ 8 wife 9 8 arms
 & bore h] quickly d[n/airs be=e  %e    
c\ld notice ! voices :i* _h s horribly  
di/urb$ him4 ,ev5  s1 h[ev]1 he 0 n     
quick en\gh to escape cat*+ some?+      
himself :i* caus$ him to /agg] dang]\sly
 ) 8 burd54 ,=  ,mrs4 ,w>d's cry _h     
evid5tly be5 he>d by o!rs ?an he & !re  
_h come 9 response to x f beh9d ! lock$ 
door ! fir/  di/+ui%able words :i* t    
hu%$ & t]rible colloquy _h  yield$4 ,!y 
7 m]ely an excit$ caution 9 ,*>les' own 
voice1 b  someh[ _! implications held a 
nameless fright = ! fa!r :o  ov]he>d !m4
 ,! phrase 0 j ?is3 ,s%h6--write6       

,mr4 & ,mrs4 ,w>d conf]r$ at "s l5g?    
aft] d9n]1 & ! =m]  resolv$ to h a firm 
& s]i\s talk ) ,*>les t v night4  ,no   
matt] h[ important ! object1 su* conduct
 c\ld no long] be  p]mitt$2 = ^! late/  
developm5ts transc5d$ e limit (  sanity 
& =m$ a m5ace to ! ord] & n]v\s well-be+
 ( !  entire h\sehold4 ,! y\? mu/ inde$ 
h tak5 complete leave (  8 s5ses1 s9ce  
only d[nright madness c\ld h prompt$ !  
wild  screams & imag9>y conv]sations 9  
assum$ voices :i* ! pres5t  day _h      
br\ght =?4 ,all ?is mu/ be /opp$1 or    
,mrs4 ,w>d w\ld be  made ill & ! keep+ (
 s]vants become an impossibility4       
99       99       99       99       99  
,mr4 ,w>d rose at ! close ( ! meal &    
/>t$ up/airs =  ,*>les' laboratory4 ,on 
! ?ird floor1 h[ev]1 he paus$ at !      
s\nds :i* he he>d proce$+ f ! n[ disus$ 
libr>y ( 8  son4 ,books 7 app>5tly be+  
flung ab\t & pap]s wildly ru/l$1  & ^u  
/epp+ to ! door ,mr4 ,w>d beheld ! y\?  
)91  excit$ly assembl+ a va/ armful (   
lit]>y matt] ( e size  & %ape4 ,*>les'  

aspect 0 v drawn & hagg>d1 & he dropp$  
8 entire load ) a />t at ! s\nd ( 8     
fa!r's voice4 ,at  ! eld] man's comm& he
 sat d[n1 & = "s "t li/5$ to !          
admonitions he _h s long des]v$4 ,!re 0 
no sc5e4 ,at ! end (  ! lecture he agre$
 t 8 fa!r 0 "r1 & t 8 noises1  mutt]+s1 
incantations1 & *emical odors 7 inde$   
inexcusable  nuisances4 ,= ! fright &   
fa9t+ ( 8 "m he express$ !  ke5e/       
contrition1 & expla9$ t ! conv]sation   
lat] he>d  0 "p ( an elaborate symbolism
 design$ to create a c]ta9 m5tal        
atmosph]e4 ,8 use ( ab/ruse *emical t]ms
 some:at bewild]$  ,mr4 ,w>d1 b ! p>t+  
impression 0 "o ( und5iable sanity &    
poise1 despite a my/]i\s t5sion ( !     
utmo/ gravity4 ,mr4 ,w>d  h>dly knew :at
 to make ( ! entire bus9ess4 ,x 0 z     
my/]i\s  z ! dea? ( poor old ,nig1 ^:   
/iff5+ =m _h be5 f\nd an  h\r be=e 9 !  
basem5t1 ) />+ eyes & fe>-di/ort$ m\?4  
,driv5 by "s vague detective in/9ct1 !  
bewild]$ p>5t n[  glanc$ curi\sly at !  
vacant %elves to see :at 8 son _h  tak5 

up to ! attic4 ,! y\?'s libr>y 0 pla9ly 
& rigidly  classifi$1 s t "o might tell 
at a glance ! books or at lea/  ! k9d ( 
books :i* _h be5 )drawn4 ,on ?is        
occasion ,mr4 ,w>d  0 a/oni%$ to f9d t  
no?+ ( ! occult or ! antiqu>ian1  beyond
 :at _h be5 previ\sly remov$1 0 miss+4  
,^! new  )drawals 7 all mod]n items2    
hi/ories1 sci5tific treatises1          
geographies1 manuals ( lit]ature1       
philosophic works1 & c]ta9  contempor>y 
newspap]s & magaz9es4 ,x 0 a v curi\s   
%ift  f ,*>les ,w>d's rec5t run ( read+1
 & ! fa!r paus$ 9 a  gr[+ vortex (      
p]plexity & an engulf+ s5se ( /rang5ess4
 ,!  /rang5ess 0 a v poignant s5sation1 
& almo/ claw$ at 8  *e/ z he /rove to   
see j :at 0 wrong ar\nd him4 ,some?+ 0  
inde$ wrong1 & tangibly z well z        
spiritually s4    ,on ! nor? wall rose  
/ill ! anci5t c>v$ ov]mantel f !  h\se 9
 ,olney ,c\rt1 b to ! crack$ &          
prec>i\sly re/or$  oils ( ! l>ge ,curw5 
portrait disa/] _h come4 ,"t & unequal  
heat+ _h done _! "w at la/1 & at "s "t  

s9ce ! room's  la/ clean+ ! wor/ _h     
happ5$4 ,peel+ cle> ( ! wood1  curl+    
tight] & tight]1 & f9ally crumbl+ into  
small bits )  :at mu/ h be5 malignly    
sil5t sudd5ness1 ! portrait ( ,joseph   
,curw5 _h resign$ = ev] its />+         
surveillance ( ! y\? x  s /rangely      
resembl$1 & n[ lay scatt]$ on ! floor z 
a ?9  coat+ ( f9e blui%-gray du/4       
#d4 ,a ,mutation & a ,madness      ,9 ! 
week foll[+ t memorable ,good ,friday1  
,*>les ,w>d 0 se5  m (t5 ?an usual1 & 0 
cont9ually c>ry+ books betwe5 8  libr>y 
& ! attic laboratory4 ,8 actions 7 quiet
 & rational1  b he _h a furtive1 hunt$  
look :i* 8 "m did n l1 &  develop$ an   
incr$ibly rav5\s appetite z gaug$ by 8  
dem&s ^u  ! cook4    ,dr4 ,willett _h   
be5 told ( ^? ,friday noises & happ5+s1 
&  on ! foll[+ ,tuesday _h a long       
conv]sation ) ! y\? 9 !  libr>y :]e !   
picture />$ no m4 ,! int]view 01 z      
always1  inconclusive2 b ,willett is    
/ill ready to swe> t ! y\?  0 sane &    
himself at ! "t4 ,he held out promises (

 an e>ly  revelation1 & spoke ( ! ne$ ( 
secur+ a laboratory else:]e4  ,at ! loss
 ( ! portrait he griev$ s+ul>ly little  
consid]+  8 fir/ en?usiasm ov] x1 b     
seem$ to f9d some?+ ( positive  humor 9 
its sudd5 crumbl+4    ,ab\t ! second    
week ,*>les began to be abs5t f ! h\se =
  long p]iods1 & "o day :5 good old     
black ,hannah came to help )  ! spr+    
clean+ %e m5tion$ 8 frequ5t visits to ! 
old h\se  9 ,olney ,c\rt1 :]e he w\ld   
come ) a l>ge valise & p]=m  curi\s     
delv+s 9 ! cell>4 ,he 0 always v lib]al 
to h] &  to old ,asa1 b seem$ m worri$  
?an he us$ to be2 :i* griev$  h] v mu*1 
s9ce %e _h wat*$ him gr[ up f bir?4     
,ano!r report ( 8 do+s came f ,pawtuxet1
 :]e "s fri5ds  ( ! family saw him at a 
di/ance a surpris+ numb] ( times4 ,he   
seem$ to haunt ! resort & canoe-h\se (  
,rhodes-on-!-,pawtuxet1  & subsequ5t    
inquiries by ,dr4 ,willett at t place   
br\ght out  ! fact t 8 purpose 0 always 
to secure access to ! r  h$g$-9         
riv]-bank1 along :i* he w\ld walk t[>d !

 nor?1  usually n reappe>+ = a v long   
:ile4    ,lat] 9 ,may came a mom5t>y    
revival ( rituali/ic s\nds 9 !  attic   
laboratory :i* br\ght a /]n repro( f    
,mr4 ,w>d & a  some:at di/ract$ promise 
( am5dm5t f ,*>les4 ,x occurr$ "o       
morn+1 & seem$ to =m a resumption ( !   
imag9>y conv]sation  not$ on t turbul5t 
,good ,friday4 ,! y\? 0 argu+ or        
remon/rat+ hotly ) himself1 = !re       
sudd5ly bur/ =? a  p]fectly di/+ui%able 
s]ies ( cla%+ %\ts 9 diff]5tiat$  tones 
l alt]nate dem&s & d5ials1 :i* caus$    
,mrs4 ,w>d to run  up/airs & li/5 at !  
door4 ,%e c\ld he> no m ?an a fragm5t   
^: only pla9 words 7 mu/ h x r$ = ?ree  
mon?s1 &  ^u h] knock+ all s\nds ceas$  
at once4 ,:5 ,*>les 0 lat]  que/ion$ by 
8 fa!r he said t !re 7 c]ta9 conflicts (
  sph]es ( consci\sness :i* only great  
skill c\ld avoid1 b :i*  he w\ld try to 
transf] to o!r realms4    ,ab\t ! middle
 ( ,june a que] nocturnal incid5t       
occurr$4 ,9 !  e>ly ev5+ !re _h be5 "s  
noise & ?ump+ 9 ! laboratory  up/airs1 &

 ,mr4 ,w>d 0 on ! po9t ( inve/igat+ :5 x
  sudd5ly quiet$ d[n4 ,t midnight1 aft] 
! family _h retir$1 !  butl] 0          
nightlock+ ! front door :5 accord+ to 8 
/atem5t  ,*>les appe>$ some:at blund]+ly
 & unc]ta9ly at ! foot (  ! /airs ) a   
l>ge suitcase & made signs t he wi%$    
egress4  ,! y\? spoke no ^w1 b ! wor?y  
,york%ireman caught "o sight  ( 8 fev]$ 
eyes & trembl$ causelessly4 ,he op5$ !  
door &  "y ,w>d w5t out1 b 9 ! morn+ he 
pres5t$ 8 resignation to  ,mrs4 ,w>d4   
,!re 01 he said1 some?+ unholy 9 !      
glance ,*>les  _h fix$ on him4 ,x 0 no  
way = a "y g5tleman to look at an  hone/
 p]son1 & he c\ld n possibly /ay ano!r  
night4 ,mrs4 ,w>d  all[$ ! man to dep>t1
 b %e did n value 8 /atem5t highly4  ,to
 fancy ,*>les 9 a savage /ate t night 0 
q ridicul\s1 =  z long z %e _h rema9$   
awake %e _h he>d fa9t s\nds f !         
laboratory above2 s\nds z if ( sobb+ &  
pac+1 & ( a sigh+  :i* told only (      
despair's pr(\nde/ dep?s4 ,mrs4 ,w>d _h 
gr[n  us$ to li/5+ = s\nds 9 ! night1 = 

! my/]y ( h] son  0 fa/ driv+ all else f
 h] m9d4    ,! next ev5+1 mu* z on ano!r
 ev5+ ne>ly ?ree mon?s  be=e1 ,*>les    
,w>d seiz$ ! newspap] v e>ly &          
accid5tally  lo/ ! ma9 section4 ,?is    
matt] 0 n recall$ till lat]1  :5 ,dr4   
,willett began *eck+ up loose ends &    
se>*+ out  miss+ l9ks "h & !re4 ,9 !    
,j\rnal (fice he f\nd !  section :i*    
,*>les _h lo/1 & m>k$ two items z (     
possible  significance4 ,!y 7 z foll[s3 
,m ,cemet]y ,delv+     ,x 0 ?is morn+   
discov]$ by ,rob]t ,h>t1 night wat*man  
at !   ,nor? ,burial gr\nd1 t gh\ls 7   
aga9 at "w 9 ! anci5t   portion ( !     
cemet]y4 ,! grave ( ,ezra ,we$51 :o 0   
born   9 #agdj & di$ 9 #ahbd accord+ to 
8 uproot$ & savagely   spl9t]$ slate    
head/one1 0 f\nd excavat$ & rifl$1 ! "w 
be+ evid5tly done ) a spade /ol5 f an   
adjac5t tool %$4        ,:atev] !       
cont5ts may h be5 aft] m ?an a c5tury ( 
burial1 all 0 gone except a few sliv]s (
 decay$ wood4 ,!re      7 no :eel       
tracks1 b ! police h measur$ a s+le set 

(      footpr9ts :i* !y f\nd 9 !        
vic9ity1 & :i* indicate !      boots ( a
 man ( ref9em5t4        ,h>t is incl9$  
to l9k ?is incid5t ) ! digg+            
discov]$ la/ ,m>*1 :5 a p>ty 9 a motor  
truck 7      fright5$ away aft] mak+ a  
deep excavation2 b ,s]geant ,riley      
( ! ,second ,/ation disc\nts ?is !ory & 
po9ts to vital      diff]5ces 9 ! two   
cases4 ,9 ,m>* ! digg+ _h be5 9 a       
spot :]e no grave 0 kn[n2 b ?is "t a    
well-m>k$ &      c>$-= grave _h be5     
rifl$ ) e evid5ce ( delib]ate           
purpose & ) a consci\s malignity        
express$ 9 ! spl9t]+      ( ! slab :i*  
_h be5 intact up to ! day be=e4         
,memb]s ( ! ,we$5 family1 notifi$ ( !   
happ5+1 express$      _! a/oni%m5t &    
regret2 & 7 :olly unable to ?9k (       
any enemy :o w\ld c>e to violate ! grave
 ( _! ance/or4      ,haz>d ,we$5 ( #eih 
,angell ,/reet recalls a family leg5d   
accord+ to :i* ,ezra ,we$5 0 involv$ 9  
"s v peculi>      circum/ances1 n       
di%on\rable to himself1 %ortly be=e !   

,revolution2 b ( any mod]n feud or my/]y
 he is frankly      ignorant4 ,inspector
 ,cunn+ham has be5 assign$ to ! case1 & 
hopes to uncov] "s valuable clues 9 !   
ne> future4                             
,dogs ,noisy 9 ,pawtuxet                
,resid5ts ( ,pawtuxet 7 ar\s$ ab\t ?ree 
,a4,m4 today by a      ph5om5al bay+ (  
dogs :i* seem$ to c5tre ne> ! riv]      
j nor? ( ,rhodes-on-!-,pawtuxet4 ,!     
volume & quality (      ! h[l+ 7        
unusually odd1 accord+ to mo/ :o he>d x2
      & ,fr$ ,lemd91 night wat*man at   
,rhodes1 decl>es x 0 mix$      ) some?+ 
v l ! %rieks ( a man 9 mortal t]ror     
& agony4 ,a %>p & v brief ?und]/orm1 :i*
 seem$ to      /rike some:]e ne> ! bank 
( ! riv]1 put an end to !               
di/urbance4 ,/range & unpleasant od\rs1 
probably f ! oil      tanks along ! bay1
 are popul>ly l9k$ ) ?is incid5t2 &     
may h _h _! %>e 9 excit+ ! dogs4    ,!  
aspect ( ,*>les n[ became v hagg>d &    
hunt$1 & all  agree 9 retrospect t he   
may h wi%$ at ?is p]iod to make  "s     

/atem5t or confession f :i* %e] t]ror   
)held him4 ,!  morbid li/5+ ( 8 "m 9 !  
night br\ght out ! fact t  he made      
frequ5t sallies abroad "u cov] (        
d>kness1 & mo/ (  ! m academic ali5i/s  
unite at pres5t 9 *>g+ him ) !  revolt+ 
cases ( vampirism :i* ! press s         
s5sationally report$  ab\t ?is "t1 b :i*
 h n yet be5 def9itely trac$ to any     
kn[n p]petrator4 ,^! cases1 too rec5t & 
celebrat$ to ne$  detail$ m5tion1       
involv$ victims ( e age & type & seem$  
to clu/] ar\nd two di/9ct localities2 ! 
resid5tial hill &  ! ,nor? ,end1 ne> !  
,w>d home1 & ! suburban di/ricts across 
! ,cran/on l9e ne> ,pawtuxet4 ,bo? late 
wayf>]s & sleep]s )  op5 w9d[s 7        
attack$1 & ^? :o liv$ to tell ! tale    
spoke  unanim\sly ( a lean1 li!1 leap+  
mon/] ) burn+ eyes :i*  fa/5$ its tee? 9
 ! ?roat or upp] arm & fea/$ rav5\sly4  
,illu/ration3 ,^! cases ( ,vampirism    
involv$ victims ( e age  & type4    ,dr4
 ,willett1 :o refuses to date ! madness 
( ,*>les ,w>d z f>  back z ev5 ?is1 is  

cauti\s 9 attempt+ to expla9 ^! horrors4
  ,he has1 he decl>es1 c]ta9 !ories ( 8 
own2 & limits 8  positive /atem5ts to a 
peculi> k9d ( negation4 ,i w n1  he     
says1 /ate :o or :at ,i believe         
p]petrat$ ^! attacks &  murd]s1 b ,i w  
decl>e t ,*>les ,w>d 0 innoc5t ( !m4 ,i 
h reason to be sure he 0 ignorant ( !   
ta/e ( blood1 z inde$  8 cont9u$ anaemic
 decl9e & increas+ pallor prove bett]   
?an  any v]bal argum5t4 ,w>d m$dl$ )    
t]rible ?+s1 b he has paid  = x1 & he 0 
nev] a mon/] or a villa94    ,z = n[1 ,i
 don't l to ?9k4 ,a *ange came1 & ,i'm  
cont5t to  believe t ! old ,*>les ,w>d  
di$ ) x4 ,8 s\l did1 anyh[1  = t mad    
fle% t vani%$ f ,waite's hospital _h    
ano!r4    ,willett speaks ) au?ority1 = 
he 0 (t5 at ! ,w>d home  att5d+ ,mrs4   
,w>d1 ^: n]ves _h begun to snap "u !    
/ra94  ,h] nocturnal li/5+ _h br$ "s    
morbid halluc9ations :i*  %e confid$ to 
! doctor ) hesitancy1 & :i* he ridicul$ 
9  talk+ to h]1 al?\gh !y made him pond]
 deeply :5 alone4 ,^!  delusions always 

conc]n$ ! fa9t s\nds :i* %e fanci$ %e   
he>d  9 ! attic laboratory & b$room1 &  
emphasiz$ ! occurr5ce  ( muffl$ sighs & 
sobb+s at ! mo/ impossible times4 ,e>ly 
9  ,july ,willett ord]$ ,mrs4 ,w>d to   
,atlantic ,city = an indef9ite          
recup]ative soj\rn1 & caution$ bo? ,mr4 
,w>d & ! hagg>d &  elusive ,*>les to    
write h] only *e]+ lett]s4 ,x is        
probably  to ?is en=c$ & reluctant      
escape t %e owes h] life &  cont9u$     
sanity4           99       99       99  
99       99    ,n long aft] 8 "m's      
dep>ture ,*>les ,w>d began negotiat+  = 
! ,pawtuxet bungal[4 ,x 0 a squalid     
little wood5 edifice )  a concrete      
g>age1 p]*$ high on ! sp>sely settl$    
bank ( !  riv] slightly above ,rhodes1 b
 = "s odd reason ! y\? w\ld  h no?+     
else4 ,he gave ! real-e/ate ag5cies no  
peace till "o  ( !m secur$ x = him at an
 exorbitant price f a some:at  reluctant
 own]1 & z soon z x 0 vacant he took    
possession "u  cov] ( d>kness1          
transport+ 9 a great clos$ van ! entire 

cont5ts ( 8 attic laboratory1 includ+ ! 
books bo? weird &  mod]n :i* he _h      
borr[$ f 8 /udy4 ,he _h ?is van load$ 9 
! black small h\rs1 & 8 fa!r recalls    
only a dr[sy realization  ( /ifl$ oa?s &
 /amp+ feet on ! night ! goods 7 tak5   
away4 ,aft] t ,*>les mov$ back to 8 own 
old qu>t]s on !  ?ird floor1 & nev]     
haunt$ ! attic aga94    ,to ! ,pawtuxet 
bungal[ ,*>les transf]r$ all ! secrecy )
  :i* he _h surr\nd$ 8 attic realm1 save
 t he n[ appe>$ to  h two %>]s ( 8      
my/]ies2 a villa9\s-look+ ,portuguese   
half-ca/e f ! ,s\? ,ma9 ,/reet          
,wat]front :o act$ z a  s]vant1 & a ?9  
s*ol>ly /rang] ) d>k glasses & a  /ubbly
 full be>d ( dy$ aspect ^: /atus 0      
evid5tly t (  a colleague4 ,neighbors   
va9ly tri$ to engage ^! odd p]sons 9    
conv]sation4 ,! mulatto1 ,gomes1 spoke v
 little ,engli%1 & !  be>d$ man :o gave 
8 "n z ,dr4 ,all5 volunt>ily foll[$ 8   
example4 ,w>d himself tri$ to be m      
affable1 b succe$$ only 9  provok+      
curiosity ) 8 rambl+ acc\nts ( *emical  

rese>*4  ,be=e long que] tales began to 
circulate reg>d+ ! all-night  burn+ (   
lights2 & some:at lat]1 aft] ?is burn+  
_h sudd5ly  ceas$1 !re rose /ill que]]  
tales ( disproportionate ord]s (  meat f
 ! but*]'s & ( ! muffl$ %\t+1           
declamation1  rhy?mic *ant+1 & scream+  
suppos$ to come f "s v deep  cell> bel[ 
! place4 ,mo/ di/9ctly ! new & /range   
h\sehold  0 bitt]ly dislik$ by ! hone/  
b\rgeoisie ( ! vic9ity1 & x  is n       
rem>kable t d>k h9ts 7 advanc$ connect+ 
! hat$  e/abli%m5t ) ! curr5t epidemic (
 vampiri/ic attacks &  murd]s2          
especially s9ce ! radius ( t plague     
seem$ n[ conf9$  :olly to ,pawtuxet & ! 
adjac5t /reets ( ,edgewood4    ,w>d sp5t
 mo/ ( 8 "t at ! bungal[1 b slept       
occasionally at  home & 0 /ill reckon$ a
 dwell] b5ea? 8 fa!r's ro(4 ,twice  he 0
 abs5t f ! city on week-long trips1 ^:  
de/9ations h  n yet be5 discov]$4 ,he   
grew /eadily pal] & m emaciat$ ev5  ?an 
be=e1 & lack$ "s ( 8 =m] assurance :5   
repeat+  to ,dr4 ,willett 8 old1 old    

/ory ( vital rese>* & future            
revelations4 ,willett (t5 waylaid him at
 8 fa!r's h\se1 = !  eld] ,w>d 0 deeply 
worri$ & p]plex$1 & wi%$ 8 son to get  z
 mu* s\nd ov]sight z c\ld be manag$ 9 ! 
case ( s secretive  & indep5d5t an      
adult4 ,! doctor /ill insi/s t ! y\? 0  
sane ev5 z late z ?is1 & adduces _m a   
conv]sation to prove 8  po9t4    ,ab\t  
,septemb] ! vampirism decl9$1 b 9 !     
foll[+ ,janu>y1  ,w>d almo/ became      
involv$ 9 s]i\s tr\ble4 ,= "s "t !      
nocturnal arrival & dep>ture ( motor    
trucks at ! ,pawtuxet  bungal[ _h be5   
comm5t$ ^u1 & at ?is juncture an un=ese5
  hit* expos$ ! nature ( at lea/ "o item
 ( _! cont5ts4 ,9 a  lonely spot ne>    
,hope ,valley _h occurr$ "o ( ! frequ5t 
sordid  waylay+s ( trucks by hi-jack]s 9
 que/ ( liquor %ipm5ts1  b ?is "t !     
robb]s _h be5 de/9$ to receive ! great] 
%ock4 ,= ! long cases !y seiz$ prov$ ^u 
op5+ to conta9  "s exce$+ly gruesome    
?+s2 s gruesome1 9 fact1 t ! matt]  c\ld
 n be kept quiet among/ ! d5iz5s ( !    

und]world4 ,!  ?ieves _h ha/ily buri$   
:at !y discov]$1 b :5 ! ,/ate  ,police  
got w9d ( ! matt] a c>eful se>* 0 made4 
,a rec5tly  arre/$ vagrant1 "u promise (
 immunity f prosecution on any          
additional *>ge1 at la/ cons5t$ to guide
 a p>ty ( troop]s to  ! spot2 & !re 0   
f\nd 9 t ha/y ca*e a v hide\s &  %ameful
 ?+4 ,x w\ld n be well = ! national--or 
ev5 !  int]national--s5se ( decorum if !
 public 7 ev] to "k :at  0 uncov]$ by t 
awe/ruck p>ty4 ,!re 0 no mi/ak+ x1 ev5  
by ^! f> f /udi\s (fic]s2 & telegrams to
 ,wa%+ton ensu$  ) fev]i% rapidity4     
,! cases 7 address$ to ,*>les ,w>d at 8 
,pawtuxet bungal[1  & ,/ate & ,f$]al    
(ficials at once paid him a v =ceful &  
s]i\s call4 ,!y f\nd him pallid & worri$
 ) 8 two odd  companions1 & receiv$ f   
him :at seem$ to be a valid explanation 
& evid5ce ( innoc5ce4 ,he _h ne$$ c]ta9 
anatomical specim5s  z "p ( a program ( 
rese>* ^: dep? & g5u95ess anyone  :o _h 
kn[n him 9 ! la/ decade c\ld prove1 & _h
 ord]$  ! requir$ k9d & numb] f ag5cies 

:i* he _h ?\ght z  reasonably legitimate
 z su* ?+s c be4 ,( ! id5tity ( !       
specim5s he _h kn[n absolutely no?+1 & 0
 prop]ly %ock$  :5 ! inspectors h9t$ at 
! mon/r\s effect on public s5tim5t  &   
national dignity :i* a k ( ! matt] w\ld 
produce4 ,9  ?is /atem5t he 0 firmly    
su/a9$ by 8 be>d$ colleague ,dr4  ,all51
 ^: oddly holl[ voice c>ri$ ev5 m       
conviction ?an 8  own n]v\s tones2 s t 9
 ! end ! (ficials took no action1  b    
c>efully set d[n ! ,new ,york "n &      
address :i* ,w>d gave  !m z a basis = a 
se>* :i* came to no?+4 ,x is only fair  
to add t ! specim5s 7 quickly & quietly 
re/or$ to _!  prop] places1 & t ! g5]al 
public w nev] "k ( _!  blasphem\s       
di/urbance4           99       99       
99       99       99    ,on ,febru>y #i1
 #aibh1 ,dr4 ,willett receiv$ a lett] f 
,*>les ,w>d  :i* he consid]s (          
extraord9>y importance1 & ab\t :i* he   
has  frequ5tly qu>rel$ ) ,dr4 ,lyman4   
,lyman believes t ?is note  conta9s     
positive pro( ( a well-develop$ case (  

dem5tia praecox1  b ,willett on ! o!r h&
 reg>ds x z ! la/ p]fectly sane         
utt]ance ( ! hapless y\?4 ,he calls     
especial att5tion to !  normal "* ( !   
p5man%ip2 :i* ?\gh %ew+ traces (  %att]$
 n]ves1 is nev]!less di/9ctly ,w>d's    
own4 ,! text 9  full is z foll[s3       
#ajj ,prospect ,/41                     
,provid5ce1 ,r4 ,i41                    
,m>* #h1 #aibh4        ,de> ,dr4        
,willett--        ,i feel t at la/ ! "t 
has come = me to make !      disclosures
 :i* ,i h s long promis$ y1 & = :i* y   
h press$ me s (t54 ,! pati5ce y h %ewn 9
 wait+1      & ! confid5ce y h %ewn 9 my
 m9d & integrity1 are      ?+s ,i %all  
nev] cease to appreciate4        ,& n[ t
 ,i am ready to speak1 ,i mu/ own )     
humiliation      t no triumph su* z ,i  
dream$ ( c ev] be m9e4 ,in/ead      (   
triumph ,i h f\nd t]ror1 & my talk ) y w
 n be      a boa/ ( victory b a plea =  
help & advice 9 sav+ bo?      myself & !
 _w f a horror beyond all human         
conception      or calculation4 ,y      

recall :at ^? ,f5n] lett]s said ( !     
old raid+ p>ty at ,pawtuxet4 ,t mu/ all 
be done aga91 &      quickly4 ,^u u     
dep5ds m ?an c be put into words--all   
civilisation1 all natural law1 p]haps   
ev5 ! fate ( ! sol>      sy/em & !      
univ]se4 ,i h br\ght to light a mon/r\s 
abnormality1 b ,i did x = ! sake ( k4   
,n[ = !      sake ( all life & nature y 
mu/ help me ?ru/ x back into      ! d>k 
aga94        ,i h left t ,pawtuxet place
 =ev]1 & we mu/ extirpate      ev]y?+   
exi/+ !re1 alive or dead4 ,i %all n g   
!re      aga91 & y mu/ n believe x if y 
ev] he> t ,i am      !re4 ,i w tell y :y
 ,i say ?is :5 ,i see y4 ,i h come      
home = good1 & wi% y w\ld call on me at 
! v fir/      mom5t t y c sp>e five or  
six h\rs cont9u\sly to he>      :at ,i h
 to say4 ,x w take t long--& believe me 
:5 ,i      tell y t y nev] _h a m g5u9e 
pr(essional duty ?an      ?is4 ,my life 
& reason are ! v lea/ ?+s :i* hang 9    
! balance4        ,i d>e n tell my fa!r1
 = he c\ld n grasp ! :ole ?+4      ,b ,i

 h told him ( my dang]1 & he has f\r m5 
f a      detective ag5cy wat*+ ! h\se4  
,i don't "k h[ mu* good      !y c d1 =  
!y h aga9/ !m =ces :i* ev5 y c\ld       
sc>cely envisage or ackn[l$ge4 ,s come  
quickly if y wi% to      see me alive & 
he> h[ y may help to save ! cosmos f    
/>k hell4        ,any "t w d--,i %all n 
be out ( ! h\se4 ,don't telephone       
ahead1 = !re is no tell+ :o or :at may  
try to int]cept      y4 ,& let u pray to
 :atev] gods !re be t no?+ may          
prev5t ?is meet+4        ,9 utmo/       
gravity & desp]ation1                   
,*>les ,dext] ,w>d4        ,p4          
,s4--,%oot ,dr4 ,all5 on sight &        
dissolve 8 body 9 acid4      ,don't burn
 x4    ,dr4 ,willett receiv$ ?is note   
ab\t t5-?irty a4m41 & imm$iately        
arrang$ to sp>e ! :ole late aft]noon &  
ev5+ = !  mom5t\s talk1 lett+ x ext5d on
 into ! night z long z might  be        
necess>y4 ,he plann$ to arrive ab\t f\r 
o'clock1 & ?r\gh  all ! int]v5+ h\rs 0 s
 engulf$ 9 e sort ( wild  speculation t 

mo/ ( 8 tasks 7 v me*anically p]=m$4    
,maniacal z ! lett] w\ld h s\nd$ to a   
/rang]1 ,willett _h  se5 too mu* (      
,*>les ,w>d's oddities to dismiss x z   
%e] rav+4  ,t some?+ v subtle1 anci5t1 &
 horrible 0 hov]+ ab\t  he felt q sure1 
& ! ref]5ce to ,dr4 ,all5 c\ld almo/ be 
compreh5d$ 9 view ( :at ,pawtuxet gossip
 said ( ,w>d's enigmatical  colleague4  
,willett _h nev] se5 ! man1 b _h he>d   
mu* ( 8  aspect & be>+1 & c\ld n b wond]
 :at sort ( eyes ^?  mu*-discuss$ d>k   
glasses might conceal4    ,promptly at  
f\r ,dr4 ,willett pres5t$ himself at !  
,w>d resid5ce1  b f\nd to 8 annoyance t 
,*>les _h n adh]$ to 8  det]m9ation to  
rema9 indoors4 ,! gu>ds 7 !re1 b said t 
! "y man seem$ to h lo/ "p ( 8 timidity4
 ,he _h t  morn+ done mu* app>5tly      
fright5$ argu+ & prote/+ ov]  !         
telephone1 "o ( ! detectives said1      
reply+ to "s unkn[n  voice ) phrases su*
 z ,i am v tir$ & mu/ re/ a:ile1  ,i c't
 receive anyone = "s "t1 y'll h to      
excuse me1  ,please po/pone decisive    

action till we c arrange "s sort (      
compromise1 or ,i am v sorry1 b ,i mu/  
take a complete vacation  f ev]y?+2     
,i'll talk ) y lat]4 ,!n1 app>5tly ga9+ 
boldness ?r\gh m$itation1 he _h slipp$  
out s quietly t no "o  _h se5 him dep>t 
or knew t he _h gone until he return$   
ab\t  "o o'clock & ent]$ ! h\se )\t a   
^w4 ,he _h gone up/airs1  :]e a bit ( 8 
fe> mu/ h surg$ back2 = he 0 he>d to cry
  out 9 a high t]rifi$ fa%ion ^u ent]+ 8
 libr>y1 aft]w>d  trail+ (f into a k9d (
 *ok+ gasp4 ,:51 h[ev]1 ! butl] _h  gone
 to inquire :at ! tr\ble 01 he _h appe>$
 at ! door )  a great %[ ( boldness1 &  
_h sil5tly ge/ur$ ! man away 9 a  mann] 
t t]rifi$ him unacc\ntably4 ,!n he _h   
evid5tly done  "s re>rang+ ( 8 %elves1 =
 a great clatt]+ & ?ump+  & creak+      
ensu$2 aft] :i* he _h reappe>$ & left at
 once4  ,willett inquir$ :e!r or n any  
message _h be5 left1 b 0  told t !re 0  
none4 ,! butl] seem$ que]ly di/urb$ ab\t
  some?+ 9 ,*>les' appe>ance & mann]1 & 
ask$ solicit\sly if  !re 0 mu* hope = a 

cure ( 8 disord]$ n]ves4    ,= almo/ two
 h\rs ,dr4 ,willett wait$ va9ly 9 ,*>les
 ,w>d's  libr>y1 wat*+ ! du/y %elves )  
_! wide gaps :]e books  _h be5 remov$1 &
 smil+ grimly at ! panel$ ov]mantel on  
! nor? wall1 :5ce a ye> be=e ! suave    
features ( old ,joseph  ,curw5 _h look$ 
mildly d[n4 ,aft] a "t ! %ad[s began to 
ga!r1 & ! sunset *e] gave place to a    
vague gr[+ t]ror :i*  flew %ad[-l be=e !
 night4 ,mr4 ,w>d f9ally arriv$1 & %[$  
mu* surprise & ang] at 8 son's abs5ce   
aft] all ! pa9s :i*  _h be5 tak5 to gu>d
 him4 ,he _h n kn[n ( ,*>les' appo9tm5t1
  & promis$ to notify ,willett :5 ! y\? 
return$4 ,9 bidd+  ! doctor good night  
he express$ 8 utt] p]plexity at 8 son's 
condition1 & urg$ 8 call] to d all he   
c\ld to re/ore ! boy  to normal poise4  
,willett 0 glad to escape f t libr>y1 = 
some?+ frightful & unholy seem$ to haunt
 x2 z if ! vani%$  picture _h left beh9d
 a legacy ( evil4 ,he _h nev] lik$ t    
picture2 & ev5 n[1 /rong-n]v$ ?\gh he 01
 !re lurk$ a  quality 9 its vacant panel

 :i* made him feel an urg5t ne$ to get  
out into ! pure air z soon z possible4  
99       99       99       99       99  
,! next morn+ ,willett receiv$ a message
 f ! s5ior ,w>d1  say+ t ,*>les 0 /ill  
abs5t4 ,mr4 ,w>d m5tion$ t ,dr4  ,all5  
_h telephon$ him to say t ,*>les w\ld   
rema9 at ,pawtuxet  = "s "t1 & t he mu/ 
n be di/urb$4 ,?is 0 necess>y  because  
,all5 himself 0 sudd5ly call$ away = an 
indef9ite  p]iod1 leav+ ! rese>*es 9 ne$
 ( ,*>les' con/ant ov]sight4  ,*>les s5t
 8 be/ wi%es1 & regrett$ any bo!r 8     
abrupt  *ange ( plans might h caus$4 ,9 
li/5+ to ?is message ,mr4  ,w>d he>d    
,dr4 ,all5's voice = ! fir/ "t1 & x     
seem$ to  excite "s vague & elusive     
memory :i* c\ld n be actually  plac$1 b 
:i* 0 di/urb+ to ! po9t ( fe>fulness4   
,fac$ by ^! baffl+ & contradictory      
reports1 ,dr4 ,willett 0  frankly at a  
loss :at to d4 ,! frantic e>ne/ness (   
,*>les'  note 0 n to be d5i$1 yet :at   
c\ld "o ?9k ( its writ]'s  imm$iate     
violation ( 8 own express$ policy8 ,"y  

,w>d _h writt5  t 8 delv+s _h become    
blasphem\s & m5ac+1 t !y &  8 be>d$     
colleague mu/ be extirpat$ at any co/1 &
 t he  himself w\ld nev] return to _!   
f9al sc5e2 yet accord+ to  late/ advices
 he _h =gott5 all ?is & 0 back 9 ! ?ick 
( ! my/]y4 ,common s5se bade "o leave ! 
y\? alone ) 8  freaki%ness1 yet "s deep]
 in/9ct w\ld n p]mit ! impression  ( t  
fr5zi$ lett] to subside4 ,willett read x
 ov] aga91 &  c\ld n make its ess5ce    
s\nd z empty & insane z bo? its         
bomba/ic v]biage & its lack ( fulfilm5t 
w\ld seem to imply4  ,its t]ror 0 too   
pr(\nd & real1 & 9 conjunction ) :at  ! 
doctor already knew evok$ too vivid h9ts
 ( mon/rosities f  beyond "t & space1 to
 p]mit ( any cynical explanation4 ,!re 7
  nameless horrors abroad2 & no matt] h[
 little "o might be able to  get at !m1 
"o ought to /& prep>$ = any sort (      
action at any  "t4    ,= ov] a week ,dr4
 ,willett pond]$ on ! dilemma :i* seem$ 
?ru/  ^u him1 & became m & m incl9$ to  
pay ,*>les a call at  ! ,pawtuxet       

bungal[4 ,no fri5d ( ! y\? _h ev] v5tur$
 to  /orm ?is =bidd5 retreat1 & ev5 8   
fa!r knew ( its int]ior  only f su*     
descriptions z he *ose to give2 b       
,willett felt t  "s direct conv]sation )
 8 pati5t 0 necess>y4 ,mr4 ,w>d _h  be5 
receiv+ brief & non-committal typ$ notes
 f 8 son1 &  said t ,mrs4 ,w>d 9 h]     
,atlantic ,city retirem5t _h _h no bett]
  ^w4 ,s at l5g? ! doctor resolv$ to    
act2 & despite a curi\s  s5sation       
inspir$ by old leg5ds ( ,joseph ,curw51 
& by m rec5t  revelations & w>n+s f     
,*>les ,w>d1 set boldly out = !  bungal[
 on ! bluff above ! riv]4    ,willett _h
 visit$ ! spot be=e ?r\gh %e] curiosity1
 ?\gh (  c\rse nev] ent]+ ! h\se or     
proclaim+ 8 pres5ce2 h5ce knew  exactly 
! r\te to take4 ,driv+ out ,broad ,/reet
 "o e>ly aft]noon  t[>d ! end ( ,febru>y
 9 8 small motor1 he ?\ght oddly ( !    
grim p>ty :i* _h tak5 t selfsame road a 
hundr$ & fifty-sev5  ye>s be=e1 on a    
t]rible err& :i* none might ev]         
compreh5d4    ,! ride ?r\gh ! city's    

decay+ fr+e 0 %ort1 & trim  ,edgewood & 
sleepy ,pawtuxet pres5tly spread out    
ahead4 ,willett turn$  to ! "r d[n      
,lockwood ,/reet & drove 8 c> z f> along
 t  rural road z he c\ld1 !n alight$ &  
walk$ nor? to :]e !  bluff t[]$ above ! 
lovely b5ds ( ! riv] & ! sweep (  mi/y  
d[nl&s beyond4 ,h\ses 7 /ill few "h1 &  
!re 0 no  mi/ak+ ! isolat$ bungal[ ) its
 concrete g>age on a high  po9t ( l& at 
8 left4 ,/epp+ briskly up ! neglect$    
gravel  walk he rapp$ at ! door ) a firm
 h&1 & spoke )\t a tremor  to ! evil    
,portuguese mulatto :o op5$ x to ! wid? 
( a crack4    ,he mu/1 he said1 see     
,*>les ,w>d at once on vitally important
  bus9ess4 ,no excuse w\ld be accept$1 &
 a repulse w\ld mean only  a full report
 ( ! matt] to ! eld] ,w>d4 ,! mulatto   
/ill  hesitat$1 & pu%$ aga9/ ! door :5  
,willett attempt$ to op5  x2 b ! doctor 
m]ely rais$ 8 voice & r5ew$ 8 dem&s4    
,!n !re came f ! d>k int]ior a husky    
:isp] :i* someh[  *ill$ ! he>] ?r\gh &  
?r\gh1 ?\gh he did n "k :y he  fe>$ x4  

,let him 91 ,tony1 x said1 we may z well
 talk n[ z  ev]4 ,b di/urb+ z 0 ! :isp]1
 ! great] fe> 0 t  :i* imm$iately       
foll[$4 ,! floor creak$ & ! speak] hove 
9  sight--& ! own] ( ^? /range &        
resonant tones 0 se5 to be  no o!r ?an  
,*>les ,dext] ,w>d4    ,! m9ut5ess ) :i*
 ,dr4 ,willett recall$ & record$ 8      
conv]sation ( t aft]noon is due to !    
importance he assigns  to ?is p>ticul>  
p]iod4 ,= at la/ he conc$es a vital     
*ange 9  ,*>les ,dext] ,w>d's m5tality1 
& believes t ! y\? n[ spoke  f a bra9   
hopelessly ali5 to ! bra9 ^: gr[? he _h 
wat*$  = six & tw5ty ye>s4 ,controv]sy )
 ,dr4 ,lyman has compell$ him  to be v  
specific1 & he def9itely dates ! madness
 ( ,*>les  ,w>d f ! "t ! typewritt5     
notes began to rea* 8 p>5ts4  ,^? notes 
are n 9 ,w>d's normal /yle2 n ev5 9 !   
/yle (  t la/ frantic lett] to ,willett4
 ,in/ead1 !y are /range &  ar*aic1 z if 
! snapp+ ( ! writ]'s m9d _h releas$ a   
flood  ( t5d5cies & impressions pick$ up
 unconsci\sly ?r\gh boyhood             

antiqu>ianism4 ,!re is an obvi\s ef=t to
 be mod]n1 b ! _s  & occasionally !     
language are ^? ( ! pa/4           99   
99       99       99       99    ,! pa/1
 too1 0 evid5t 9 ,w>d's e tone & ge/ure 
z he  receiv$ ! doctor 9 t %ad[y        
bungal[4 ,he b[$1 motion$  ,willett to a
 seat1 & began to speak abruptly 9 t    
/range :isp]  :i* he s\ght to expla9 at 
! v outset4    ,i am gr[n ph?isical1 he 
began1 f ?is curs$ riv] air4 ,y  mu/    
excuse my spee*4 ,i suppose y are come f
 my fa!r to see  :at ails me1 & ,i hope 
y w say no?+ to al>m him4    ,willett 0 
/udy+ ^! scrap+ tones ) extreme c>e1 b  
/udy+ ev5 m closely ! face ( ! speak]4  
,some?+1 he felt1  0 wrong2 & he ?\ght (
 :at ! family _h told him ab\t !  fright
 ( t ,york%ire butl] "o night4 ,he wi%$ 
x 7 n s  d>k1 b did n reque/ t any bl9d 
be op5$4 ,in/ead1 he m]ely  ask$ ,w>d :y
 he _h s beli$ ! frantic note ( little m
 ?an a  week be=e4    ,i 0 com+ to t1 ! 
ho/ repli$4 ,y mu/ "k1 ,i am 9 a  v bad 
/ate ( n]ves1 & d & say que] ?+s ,i _c  

acc\nt  =4 ,z ,i h told y (t51 ,i am on 
! edge ( great matt]s2 &  ! bigness ( !m
 has a way ( mak+ me light-head$4 ,any  
man might  well be fright$ ( :at ,i h   
f\nd1 b ,i am n to be put (f =  long4 ,i
 0 a dunce to h t gu>d & /ick at home2 =
 hav+  gone ?is f>1 my place is "h4 ,i  
am n well spoke ( by my pry+  neighbors1
 & p]haps ,i 0 l$ by weakness to believe
 myself :at  !y say ( me4 ,!re is no    
evil to any 9 :at ,i d1 s long z ,i d  x
 rightly4 ,h ! goodness to wait six     
mon?s1 & ,i'll %[ y  :at w pay y\r      
pati5ce well4    ,y may z well "k ,i h a
 way ( le>n+ old matt]s f ?+s  sur] ?an 
books1 & ,i'll leave y to judge !       
importance ( :at ,i  c give to hi/ory1  
philosophy1 & ! arts by reason ( ! doors
  ,i h access to4 ,my ance/or _h all ?is
 :5 ^? witless peep+  ,toms came &      
murd]$ him4 ,i n[ h x aga91 or am com+ v
  imp]fectly to h a "p ( x4 ,?is "t no?+
 mu/ happ51 &  lea/ ( all ?r\gh any     
idiot fe>s ( my own4 ,pray =get all ,i  
writ  y1 ,sir1 & h no fe> ( ?is place or

 any 9 x4 ,dr4 ,all5 is a  man ( f9e    
p>ts1 & ,i owe him an apology = any?+   
ill ,i h  said ( him4 ,i wi% ,i _h no   
ne$ to sp>e him1 b !re 7 ?+s  he _h to d
 else:]e4 ,8 zeal is equal to m9e 9 all 
^? matt]s1  & ,i suppose t :5 ,i fe>$ ! 
"w ,i fe>$ him too z my  greate/ help] 9
 x4    ,w>d paus$1 & ! doctor h>dly knew
 :at to say or ?9k4 ,he felt  almo/     
fooli% 9 ! face ( ?is calm repudiation (
 ! lett]2  & yet !re clung to him ! fact
 t :ile ! pres5t disc\rse  0 /range &   
ali5 & indubitably mad1 ! note itself _h
 be5  tragic 9 its naturalness & lik5ess
 to ! ,*>les ,w>d he knew4  ,willett n[ 
tri$ to turn ! talk on e>ly matt]s1 &   
recall to !  y\? "s pa/ ev5ts :i* w\ld  
re/ore a famili> mood2 b 9  ?is process 
he obta9$ only ! mo/ grotesque results4 
,x 0 !  same ) all ! ali5i/s lat] on4   
,important sections ( ,*>les  ,w>d's    
/ore ( m5tal images1 ma9ly ^? t\*+ mod]n
 times &  8 own p]sonal life1 _h be5    
unacc\ntably expung$2 :ile all !  mass$ 
antiqu>ianism ( 8 y\? _h well$ up f "s  

pr(\nd  subconsci\sness to engulf !     
contempor>y & ! individual4 ,!  y\?'s   
ultimate k ( eld] ?+s 0 abnormal &      
unholy1 &  he tri$ 8 be/ to hide x4 ,:5 
,willett w\ld m5tion "s favorite  object
 ( 8 boyhood ar*ai/ic /udies he (t5 %$  
by pure accid5t  su* a light z no normal
 mortal c\ld conceivably be expect$ to  
possess1 & ! doctor %udd]$ z ! glib     
allusion glid$ by4    ,x 0 n :olesome to
 "k s mu* ab\t ! way ! fat %]iff's  wig 
fell (f z he lean$ ov] at ! play 9 ,mr4 
,d\glass' ,hi/rionick  ,academy 9 ,k+   
,/reet on ! elev5? ( ,febru>y1 #agfb1   
:i* fell (  a ,?ursday2 or ab\t h[ !    
actors cut ! text ( ,/eele's ,consci\s  
,lov] s badly t "o 0 almo/ glad !       
,bapti/-ridd5 legislature  clos$ ! !at] 
a =tnight lat]4 ,t ,?omas ,sab9's ,bo/on
 coa*  0 damn'd uncom=table old lett]s  
may well h told2 b :at  heal?y          
antiqu>ian c\ld recall h[ ! creak+ (    
,ep5etus ,olney's  new signbo>d 7! gaudy
 ,cr[n he set up aft] he took to call+ 8
  tav]n ! ,cr[n ,c(fee ,h\se7 0 exactly 

l ! fir/ few notes (  ! new jazz piece  
all ! radios 9 ,pawtuxet 7 play+8       
,w>d1 h[ev]1 w\ld n be quizz$ long 9 ?is
 ve94 ,mod]n &  p]sonal topics he wav$  
aside q summ>ily1 :il/ reg>d+  antique  
affairs he soon %ew$ ! pla9e/ bor$om4   
,:at he wi%$  cle>ly en\gh 0 only to    
satisfy 8 visitor en\gh to make him     
dep>t )\t ! int5tion ( return+4 ,to ?is 
end he (f]$ to  %ew ,willett ! entire   
h\se1 & at once proce$$ to lead ! doctor
  ?r\gh e room f cell> to attic4        
,willett look$ %>ply1 b  not$ t !       
visible books 7 f> too few & trivial ev]
 to h  fill$ ! wide gaps on ,w>d's      
%elves at home1 & t ! meag]  s-call$    
laboratory 0 ! flimsie/ sort ( a bl9d4  
,cle>ly1  !re 7 a libr>y & a laboratory 
else:]e2 b j :]e1 x  0 impossible to    
say4 ,ess5tially defeat$ 9 8 que/ =     
some?+  he c\ld n "n1 ,willett return$  
to t[n be=e ev5+ & told  ! s5ior ,w>d   
ev]y?+ :i* _h occurr$4 ,!y agre$ t !    
y\? mu/ be def9itely out ( 8 m9d1 b     
decid$ t no?+  dra/ic ne$ be done j !n4 

,above all1 ,mrs4 ,w>d mu/ be kept 9 z  
complete an ignorance z h] son's own    
/range typ$ notes w\ld p]mit4           
99       99       99       99       99  
,mr4 ,w>d n[ det]m9$ to call 9 p]son ^u 
8 son1 mak+ x  :olly a surprise visit4  
,dr4 ,willett took him 9 8 c> "o ev5+1  
guid+ him to )9 sight ( ! bungal[ &     
wait+ pati5tly =  8 return4 ,! session 0
 a long "o1 & ! fa!r em]g$ 9 a  v sadd5$
 & p]plex$ /ate4 ,8 reception _h        
develop$ mu*  l ,willett's1 save t      
,*>les _h be5 an excessively long "t  9 
appe>+ aft] ! visitor _h =c$ 8 way into 
! hall &  s5t ! ,portuguese away ) an   
imp]ative dem&2 & 9 ! be>+  ( ! alt]$   
son !re 0 no trace ( filial affection4  
,! lights  _h be5 dim1 yet ev5 s ! y\?  
_h compla9$ t !y dazzl$  him            
outrage\sly4 ,he _h n spoke out l\d at  
all1 av]r+ t 8  ?roat 0 9 a v poor      
condition2 b 9 8 ho>se :isp] !re  0 a   
quality s vaguely di/urb+ t ,mr4 ,w>d   
c\ld n bani% x  f 8 m9d4    ,n[         
def9itely leagu$ toge!r to d all !y c\ld

 t[>d ! y\?'s  m5tal salvation1 ,mr4    
,w>d & ,dr4 ,willett set ab\t collect+  
e scrap ( data :i* ! case might af=d4   
,pawtuxet gossip 0  ! fir/ item !y      
/udi$1 & ?is 0 relatively easy to glean 
s9ce bo? _h fri5ds 9 t region4 ,dr4     
,willett obta9$ ! mo/  rumors because p 
talk$ m frankly to him ?an to a p>5t (  
! c5tral figure1 & f all he he>d he c\ld
 tell t "y  ,w>d's life _h become inde$ 
a /range "o4 ,common tongues w\ld  n    
dissociate 8 h\sehold f ! vampirism ( ! 
previ\s  summ]1 :ile ! nocturnal com+s &
 go+s ( ! motor trucks  provid$ _! %>e (
 d>k speculation4 ,local tradesm5 spoke 
(  ! que]ness ( ! ord]s br\ght !m by !  
evil-look+ mulatto1  & 9 p>ticul> ( !   
inord9ate am\nts ( meat & fre% blood    
secur$ f ! two but*] %ops 9 ! imm$iate  
neighborhood4 ,= a  h\sehold ( only     
?ree1 ^! quantities 7 q absurd4    ,!n  
!re 0 ! matt] ( ! s\nds b5ea? ! e>?4    
,reports (  ^! ?+s 7 h>d] to p9 d[n1 b  
all ! vague h9ts talli$  9 c]ta9 basic  
ess5tials4 ,noises ( a ritual nature    

positively  exi/$1 & at times :5 !      
bungal[ 0 d>k4 ,!y might1 (  c\rse1 h   
come f ! kn[n cell>2 b rumor insi/$ t   
!re  7 deep] & m spread+ crypts4        
,recall+ ! anci5t tales (  ,joseph      
,curw5's catacombs1 & assum+ = grant$ t 
! pres5t  bungal[ _h be5 select$ because
 ( its situation on ! old ,curw5  site z
 reveal$ 9 "o or ano!r ( ! docum5ts f\nd
 beh9d !  picture1 ,willett & ,mr4 ,w>d 
gave ?is phase ( ! gossip mu*  att5tion2
 & se>*$ _m times )\t success = ! door 9
 !  riv] bank :i* old manuscripts       
m5tion$4 ,z to popul> op9ions (  !      
bungal['s v>i\s inhabitants1 x 0 soon   
pla9 t ! ,brava  ,portuguese 0 loa!d1 ! 
be>d$ & spectacl$ ,dr4 ,all5 fe>$1  & ! 
pallid "y s*ol> dislik$ to a pr(\nd     
ext5t4 ,dur+  ! la/ week or two ,w>d _h 
obvi\sly *ang$ mu*1 ab&on+ 8  attempts  
at affability & speak+ only 9 ho>se b   
oddly repell5t  :isp]s on ! few         
occasions t he v5tur$ =?4    ,su* 7 !   
%r$s & fragm5ts ga!r$ "h & !re2 & ov]   
^! ,mr4 ,w>d & ,dr4 ,willett held _m    

long & s]i\s conf]5ces4  ,!y /rove to   
ex]cise d$uction1 induction1 &          
con/ructive  imag9ation to _! utmo/     
ext5t2 & to correlate e kn[n fact  (    
,*>les' lat] life1 includ+ ! frantic    
lett] :i* ! doctor  n[ %ew$ ! fa!r1 ) ! 
meag] docum5t>y evid5ce available       
conc]n+ old ,joseph ,curw54 ,!y w\ld h  
giv5 mu* = a glimpse  ( ! pap]s ,*>les  
_h f\nd1 = v cle>ly ! key to !  y\?'s   
madness lay 9 :at he _h le>n$ ( ! anci5t
 wiz>d &  8 do+s4    ,& yet1 aft] all1 x
 0 f no /ep ( ,mr4 ,w>d's or ,dr4       
,willett's  t ! next move 9 ?is s+ul>   
case proce$$4 ,! fa!r &  ! physician1   
rebuff$ & confus$ by a %ad[ too %apeless
 &  intangible to combat1 _h re/$       
uneasily on _! o>s :ile !  typ$ notes ( 
"y ,w>d to 8 p>5ts grew few] & few]4 ,!n
  came ! fir/ ( ! mon? ) its cu/om>y    
f9ancial adju/m5ts1  & ! cl]ks at c]ta9 
banks began a peculi> %ak+ ( heads &    
telephon+ f "o to ! o!r4 ,(ficials :o   
knew ,*>les ,w>d  by sight w5t d[n to ! 
bungal[ to ask :y e *eque ( 8  appe>+ at

 ?is juncture 0 a clumsy =g]y1 & 7      
reassur$  less ?an !y ought to h be5 :5 
! y\? ho>sely expla9$  t 8 h& _h lately 
be5 s mu* affect$ by a n]v\s %ock z  to 
make normal writ+ impossible4 ,he c\ld1 
he said1 =m no writt5  *>act]s at all   
except ) great difficulty2 & c\ld prove 
x by  ! fact t he _h be5 =c$ to type all
 8 rec5t lett]s1 ev5  ^? to 8 fa!r & "m1
 :o w\ld be> out ! ass]tion4    ,:at    
made ! inve/igators pause 9 confusion 0 
n ?is  circum/ance alone1 = t 0 no?+    
unprec$5t$ or fundam5tally  suspici\s2  
nor ev5 ! ,pawtuxet gossip1 ( :i* "o or 
two ( !m  _h caught e*oes4 ,x 0 ! muddl$
 disc\rse ( ! "y man  :i* nonpluss$ !m1 
imply+ z x did a virtually total loss ( 
memory conc]n+ important monet>y matt]s 
:i* he _h _h at 8  f+]tips only a mon?  
or two be=e4 ,some?+ 0 wrong2 = despite 
! app>5t coh]5ce & rationality ( 8      
spee*1 !re c\ld be  no normal reason =  
?is ill-conceal$ blankness on vital     
po9ts4  ,moreov]1 al?\gh none ( ^! m5   
knew ,w>d well1 !y c\ld n  help obs]v+ !

 *ange 9 8 language & mann]4 ,!y _h he>d
  he 0 an antiqu>ian1 b ev5 ! mo/       
hopeless antiqu>ians d n  make daily use
 ( obsolete phraseology & ge/ures4      
,altoge!r1 ?is  comb9ation ( ho>s5ess1  
palsi$ h&s1 bad memory1 & alt]$  spee* &
 be>+ mu/ repres5t "s di/urbance or     
malady ( g5u9e  gravity1 :i*1 no d\bt1  
=m$ ! basis ( ! prevail+ odd  rumors2 & 
aft] _! dep>ture ! p>ty ( (ficials      
decid$ t a  talk ) ! s5ior ,w>d 0       
imp]ative4           99       99        
99       99       99    ,s on ! six? (  
,m>*1 #aibh1 !re 0 a long & s]i\s       
conf]5ce  9 ,mr4 ,w>d's (fice1 aft] :i* 
! utt]ly bewild]$ fa!r  summon$ ,dr4    
,willett 9 a k9d ( helpless resignation4
 ,willett look$  ov] ! /ra9$ & awkw>d   
signatures ( ! *eques1 & comp>$  !m 9 8 
m9d ) ! p5man%ip ( t la/ frantic note4  
,c]ta9ly1 ! *ange 0 radical & pr(\nd1 & 
yet !re 0  some?+ damnably famili> ab\t 
! new writ+4 ,x _h crabb$ &  ar*aic     
t5d5cies ( a v curi\s sort1 & seem$ to  
result f a  type ( /roke utt]ly diff]5t 

f t :i* ! y\? _h always  us$4 ,x 0      
/range--b :]e _h he se5 x be=e8 ,on !   
:ole1 x  0 obvi\s t ,*>les 0 insane4 ,( 
t !re c\ld be no d\bt4  ,& s9ce x appe>$
 unlikely t he c\ld h&le 8 prop]ty or   
cont9ue to deal ) ! outside _w mu*      
long]1 some?+ mu/  quickly be done t[>d 
8 ov]sight & possible cure4 ,x 0 !n  t !
 ali5i/s 7 call$ 91 ,drs4 ,peck & ,waite
 ( ,provid5ce  & ,dr4 ,lyman ( ,bo/on1  
to :om ,mr4 ,w>d & ,dr4 ,willett gave ! 
mo/  exhau/ive possible hi/ory ( ! case1
 & :o conf]r$ at l5g?  9 ! n[ unus$     
libr>y ( _! "y pati5t1 exam9+ :at books 
& pap]s ( 8 7 left 9 ord] to ga9 "s     
fur!r notion (  8 habitual m5tal ca/4   
,aft] scann+ ?is mat]ial & exam9+  !    
mean+less note to ,willett1 !y all agre$
 t ,*>les ,w>d's  /udies _h be5 en\gh to
 unseat or at lea/ to w>p any ord9>y    
intellect1 & wi%$ mo/ he>tily t !y c\ld 
see 8 m  intimate volumes & docum5ts2 b 
?is latt] !y knew !y c\ld  d1 if at all1
 only aft] a sc5e at ! bungal[ itself4  
,willett n[  review$ ! :ole case )      

febrile en]gy2 x be+ at ?is "t t  he    
obta9$ ! /atem5ts ( ! workm5 :o _h se5  
,*>les f9d !  ,curw5 docum5ts1 & t he   
collat$ ! incid5ts ( ! de/roy$  newspap]
 items1 look+ up ! latt] at ! ,j\rnal   
(fice4    ,on ,?ursday1 ! eigh? ( ,m>*1 
,drs4 ,willett1 ,peck1 ,lyman & ,waite1 
accompani$ by ,mr4 ,w>d1 paid ! y\? _!  
mom5t\s call2 mak+  no concealm5t ( _!  
object & que/ion+ ! n[ ackn[l$g$  pati5t
 ) extreme m9ut5ess4 ,*>les1 ?\gh he 0  
ord9ately  long 9 answ]+ ! summons & 0  
/ill r$ol5t ( /range  & noxi\s          
laboratory odors :5 he did f9ally make 8
 agitat$  appe>ance1 prov$ a f> f       
recalcitrant subject2 & admitt$  freely 
t 8 memory & balance _h suff]$ some:at f
 close  application to ab/ruse /udies4  
,he (f]$ no resi/ance :5 8  removal to  
o!r qu>t]s 0 insi/$ ^u2 & seem$1 inde$1 
to  display a high degree ( intellig5ce 
z ap>t f m]e memory4 ,8  conduct w\ld h 
s5t 8 int]view]s away 9 bafflem5t _h n  
! p]si/5tly ar*aic tr5d ( 8 spee* & !   
unmi/akable  replacem5t ( mod]n by      

anci5t ideas 9 8 consci\sness m>k$  him 
out z "o def9itely remov$ f ! normal4 ,(
 8 "w he  w\ld say no m to ! gr\p (     
doctors ?an he _h =m]ly said to  8      
family & to ,dr4 ,willett1 & 8 frantic  
note ( ! previ\s  mon? he dismiss$ z m]e
 n]ves & hy/]ia4 ,he insi/$ t !  %ad[y  
bungal[ possess$ no libr>y or laboratory
 beyond ! visible  ones1 & wax$ ab/ruse 
9 expla9+ ! abs5ce f ! h\se (  su* odors
 z n[ saturat$ all 8 clo?+4             
,neighborhood gossip he  attribut$ to   
no?+ m ?an ! *eap inv5tiv5ess ( baffl$  
curiosity4 ,( ! :]eab\ts ( ,dr4 ,all5 he
 said he did n feel  at lib]ty to speak 
def9itely1 b assur$ 8 inquisitors t !   
be>d$ & spectacl$ man w\ld return :5    
ne$$4 ,9 pay+ (f  ! /olid ,brava :o     
resi/$ all que/ion+ by ! visitors1 & 9  
clos+ ! bungal[ :i* /ill seem$ to hold  
su* night$ secrets1  ,w>d %ew$ no sign (
 n]v\sness save a b>ely notic$ t5d5cy to
  pause z ?\gh li/5+ = some?+ v fa9t4   
,he 0 app>5tly  animat$ by a calmly     
philosophic resignation1 z if 8 removal 

7  ! m]e/ transi5t incid5t :i* w\ld     
cause ! lea/ tr\ble if  facilitat$ &    
dispos$ ( once & = all4 ,x 0 cle> t he  
tru/$ to 8 obvi\sly unimpair$ ke5ness ( 
absolute m5tality to  ov]come all !     
emb>rassm5ts into :i* 8 twi/$ memory1 8 
lo/ voice & h&writ+1 & 8 secretive &    
ecc5tric behavior  _h l$ him4 ,8 "m1 x 0
 agre$1 0 n to be told ( !  *ange2 8    
fa!r supply+ typ$ notes 9 8 "n4 ,w>d 0  
tak5 to  ! re/fully & picturesquely     
situat$ private hospital ma9ta9$  by    
,dr4 ,waite on ,conanicut ,isl& 9 ! bay1
 & subject$ to !  close/ scrut9y &      
que/ion+ by all ! physicians connect$  )
 ! case4 ,x 0 !n t ! physical oddities 7
 notic$2  ! slack5$ metabolism1 ! alt]$ 
sk91 & ! disproportionate  neural       
reactions4 ,dr4 ,willett 0 ! mo/ p]turb$
 ( ! v>i\s  exam9]s1 = he _h att5d$ ,w>d
 all 8 life & c\ld appreciate  ) t]rible
 ke5ness ! ext5t ( 8 physical           
disorganization4 ,ev5  ! famili>        
olive-m>k on 8 hip 0 gone1 :ile on 8 *e/
 0 a  great black mole or cicatrice :i* 

_h nev] be5 !re be=e1 &  :i* made       
,willett wond] :e!r ! y\? _h ev]        
submitt$ to any  ( ! wit* m>k+s reput$  
to be inflict$ at c]ta9 un:olesome      
nocturnal meet+s 9 wild & lonely places4
 ,! doctor c\ld n keep  8 m9d (f a c]ta9
 transcrib$ wit*-trial record f ,salem  
:i*  ,*>les _h %ewn him 9 ! old         
non-secretive days1 & :i* read3  ,mr4   
,g4 ,b4 on t ,nighte putt ye ,divell 8  
,m>ke ^u ,bridget ,s41  ,jona?an ,a41   
,simon ,o41 ,deliv]ance ,w41 ,joseph    
,c41 ,susan ,p41 ,mehitable  ,c41 &     
,deborah ,b4 ,w>d's face1 too1 tr\bl$   
him horribly1 till at  l5g? he sudd5ly  
discov]$ :y he 0 horrifi$4 ,above ! "y  
man's "r eye 0 some?+ :i* he _h nev]    
previ\sly notic$--a  small sc> or pit   
precisely l t 9 ! crumbl$ pa9t+ (  old  
,joseph ,curw51 & p]haps atte/+ "s      
hide\s rituali/ic  inoculation to :i*   
bo? _h submitt$ at a c]ta9 /age ( _!    
occult c>e]s4    ,:ile ,w>d himself 0   
puzzl+ all ! doctors at ! hospital1 a v 
/rict wat* 0 kept on all mail address$  

ei!r to him or to ,dr4  ,all51 :i* ,mr4 
,w>d _h ord]$ deliv]$ at ! family home4 
,willett  _h pr$ict$ t v little w\ld be 
f\nd1 s9ce any communications  ( a vital
 nature w\ld probably h be5 ex*ang$ by  
mess5g]2 b  9 ! latt] "p ( ,m>* !re did 
come a lett] f ,prague = ,dr4  ,all5 :i*
 gave bo? ! doctor & ! fa!r deep ?\ght4 
,x 0 9  a v crabb$ & ar*aic h&2 & ?\gh  
cle>ly n ! ef=t ( a  =eign]1 %ew$ almo/ 
z s+ul> a dep>ture f mod]n ,engli% z  ! 
spee* ( "y ,w>d himself4 ,x read3       
,kle9/rasse #aa1                        
,alt/adt1 ,prague1                      
#aa? ,feby4 #aibh4        ,bro!r 9      
,alm\s9-,metraton6--        ,i ?is day  
receiv'd yr m5tion ( :at came up f !    
,salts ,i      s5t y4 ,x 0 wrong1 &     
meanes cle>ly t ye ,head/ones _h        
be5 *ang'd :5 ,b>nabas gott me !        
,specim54 ,x is (t5 s1      z y mu/ be  
s5sible ( f ! ,?+ y gott f ye ,k+'s     
,*apell gr\nd 9 #agfi & :at ,h4 gott f  
,olde ,bury'g ,po9t 9      #afij1 t 0 l 
to ende him4 ,i gott su* a ,?+ 9 ,aegypt

 #ge      ye>es gone1 f ! :i* came t    
,sc> ye ,boy saw on me "h      9 #aibd4 
,z ,i told y longe ago1 d n calle up ,t 
:i* y      c n put d[ne2 ei!r f dead    
,saltes or out ( ye ,sph]es      beyond4
 ,h ye ,wordes = lay+ at all times      
readie1 & /opp      n to be sure :5 !re 
is any ,d\bte ( ,:om y h4 ,/ones        
are all *ang'd n[ 9 ,n9e gr\ndes out (  
#aj4 ,y are nev] sure      till y "q4 ,i
 ?is day he>d f ,h41 :o has _h ,tr\ble  
) ! ,soldi]s4 ,he is l to be sorry      
,transylvania is pass'd      f ,hung>y  
to ,r\mania1 & w\'d *ange 8 ,seat if !  
,ca/el      w]5't s fulle ( ,:at we     
,kn[e4 ,b ( ?is he ha? d\btless         
writ y4 ,9 my next ,s5d'g !re w be      
,some:at f a ,hill      tomb f ye ,ea/ t
 w delight y greatly4 ,mean:ile =get    
n ,i am desir\s ( ,b4 ,f4 if y c        
possibly get him = me4 ,y      "k ,g4 9 
,philadelphia bett] ?an ,i4 ,h him up   
fir/e if y      w1 b doe n use him soe  
h>d he w be ,difficult1 = ,i mu/        
speake to him 9 ye ,ende4               

,yogg-,so?o? ,neblod ,z9                
,simon ,o4        ,to ,mr4 ,j4 ,c4 9    
,provid5ce4    ,mr4 ,w>d & ,dr4 ,willett
 paus$ 9 utt] *aos be=e ?is app>5t  bit 
( unreliev$ insanity4 ,only by degrees  
did !y absorb :at x  seem$ to imply4 ,s 
! abs5t ,dr4 ,all51 & n ,*>les ,w>d1 _h 
come to be ! lead+ _s at ,pawtuxet8 ,t  
mu/ expla9 ! wild  ref]5ce & d5unciation
 9 ! y\?'s la/ frantic lett]4 ,&  :at ( 
?is address+ ( ! be>d$ & spectacl$      
/rang] z ,mr4  ,j4 ,c48 ,!re 0 no escap+
 ! inf]5ce1 b !re are limits to         
possible mon/rosity4 ,:o 0 ,simon ,o42 !
 old man ,w>d _h visit$  9 ,prague f\r  
ye>s previ\sly8 ,p]haps1 b 9 ! c5turies 
beh9d  !re _h be5 ano!r ,simon          
,o4--,simon ,orne1 alias ,j$$iah1 (     
,salem1  :o vani%$ 9 #agga1 & ^: peculi>
 h&writ+ ,dr4 ,willett  n[ unmi/akably  
recogniz$ f ! photo/atic copies ( !     
,orne  =mulae :i* ,*>les _h once %ewn   
him4 ,:at horrors & my/]ies1  :at       
contradictions & contrav5tions ( nature1
 _h come back aft] a  c5tury & a half to

 h>ass ,old ,provid5ce ) h] clu/]$      
spires  & domes8    ,! fa!r & ! old     
physician1 virtually at a loss :at to d 
or  ?9k1 w5t to see ,*>les at ! hospital
 & que/ion$ him z  delicately z !y c\ld 
ab\t ,dr4 ,all51 & ! ,prague visit1 &   
ab\t :at he _h le>n$ ( ,simon or ,j$$iah
 ,orne ( ,salem4 ,to all  ^! inquiries !
 y\? 0 politely non-committal1 m]ely    
b>k+  9 8 ho>se :isp] t he _h f\nd ,dr4 
,all5 to h a rem>kable  spiritual       
rapport ) c]ta9 s\ls f ! pa/1 & t any   
correspond5t t ! be>d$ man might h 9    
,prague w\ld probably  be simil>ly      
gift$4 ,:5 !y left1 ,mr4 ,w>d & ,dr4    
,willett realiz$  to _! *agr9 t !y _h   
really be5 ! ones "u cate*ism2  & t )\t 
imp>t+ any?+ vital himself1 ! conf9$ y\?
  _h adroitly pump$ !m ( ev]y?+ !       
,prague lett] _h conta9$4    ,drs4      
,peck1 ,waite1 & ,lyman 7 n incl9$ to   
atta* mu*  importance to ! /range       
correspond5ce ( "y ,w>d's companion2 =  
!y knew ! t5d5cy ( k9dr$ ecc5trics &    
monomaniacs to b&  toge!r1 & believ$ t  

,*>les or ,all5 _h m]ely une>!d an      
expatriat$ c\nt]p>t--p]haps "o :o _h se5
 ,orne's h&writ+  & copi$ x 9 an attempt
 to pose z ! bygone "*'s  re9c>nation4  
,all5 himself 0 p]haps a simil> case1 & 
may h  p]suad$ ! y\? into accept+ him z 
an avat> ( ! long-dead  ,curw54 ,su* ?+s
 _h be5 kn[n be=e1 & on ! same basis !  
h>d-head$ doctors dispos$ ( ,willett's  
gr[+ disquiet ab\t  ,*>les ,w>d's pres5t
 h&writ+1 z /udi$ f unprem$itat$        
specim5s obta9$ by v>i\s ruses4 ,willett
 ?\ght he _h plac$ its  odd famili>ity  
at la/1 & t :at x vaguely resembl$ 0 !  
bygone p5man%ip ( old ,joseph ,curw5    
himself2 b ?is ! o!r  physicians reg>d$ 
z a phase ( imitativ5ess only to be     
expect$  9 a mania ( ?is sort1 & refus$ 
to grant x any importance  ei!r         
favorable or unfavorable4 ,recogniz+ ?is
 prosaic attitude  9 8 colleagues1      
,willett advis$ ,mr4 ,w>d to keep to    
himself !  lett] :i* arriv$ = ,dr4 ,all5
 on ! second ( ,april f ,rakus1         
,transylvania1 9 a h&writ+ s int5sely & 

fundam5tally l t  ( ! ,hut*9son ciph] t 
bo? fa!r & physician paus$ 9 awe  be=e  
break+ ! seal4 ,?is read z foll[s3      
,ca/le ,f]5czy1                         
#g ,m>* #aibh4        ,de> ,c4--        
,hadd a ,squd ( #bj ,militia up to talk 
ab\t :at ! ,c\ntry ,folk      say4 ,mu/ 
digg deep] & h less ,he>de4 ,^!         
,r\manians      plague "o damnably1 be+ 
(fici\s & p>ticul> :]e y      c\'d buy a
 ,magy> (f ) a ,dr9ke & food4 ,la/ ,mon!
 ,m4 got      me ye s>cophagus ( ye     
,five ,sph9xes f ye ,acropolis :]e ,he  
:ome ,i call'd up say'd x w\'d be1 & ,i 
h hadde #c ,talkes      ) ,:at 0 !re9   
inhum'd4 ,x w g to ,s4 ,o4 9 ,prague    
directly1 & !nce to y4 ,x is /ubborn b y
 "k ye ,way      ) ,su*4 ,y %ew ,wisdom 
9 hav+ lesse ab\t ?an ,be=e2      = !re 
0 no ,ne$e to keep ! ,gu>ds 9 ,%ape &   
eat'g (f      _! ,heades1 & x made mu*  
to be f\nde 9 case ( ,tr\ble1 z      y  
too welle "k4 ,y c n[ move & ,worke     
else:]e ) no      ,kill'g ,tr\ble if    
n$ful1 ?\gh ,i hope no ,?+ w soon =ce   

y to s ,bo!rsome a ,c\rse4 ,i rejoice t 
y traffick n s      mu* ) ,^? ,outside2 
= !re 0 ev] a ,mortall ,p]il 9      x1 &
 y are s5sible :at x did :5 y ask$      
,protection (      ,"o n dispos'd to    
give x4 ,y excel me 9 gett'g ye =mulae  
s ano!r may saye !m ) ,success1 b       
,borellus fancy'd x      w\'d be s if j 
ye "r ,wordes 7 hadd4 ,does ye ,boy use 
'em      (t58 ,i regret t he gr[es      
squeami%1 z ,i fe>'d he w\'d :5      ,i 
hadde him "h nigh fift5 ,mon!s1 b am    
s5sible y kn[e h[      to deal ) him4 ,y
 c't saye him d[n ) ye ,=mula1 = t      
w ,worke only ^u su* z ye o!r ,=mula ha?
 call'd up f      ,saltes2 b y /ill h   
/rong ,h&es & ,knife & ,pi/ol1 &        
,graves are n h>de to digg1 nor ,acids  
lo? to burne4 ,o4 sayes      y h        
promis'd him ,b4 ,f4 ,i mu/ h him aft]4 
,b4 goes to y      soone1 & may he give 
y :at y wi%e ( t ,d>ke ,?+      bel[e   
,memphis4 ,imploy c>e 9 :at y calle up1 
& bew>e ( ye      ,boy4 ,x w be ripe 9 a
 ye>e's "t to h up ye ,legions f        

,und]nea?1 & !n !re are no ,b\ndes to   
:at %al be oures4      ,h ,confid5ce 9  
:at ,i saye1 = y kn[e ,o4 & ,i h hadd   
^! #aej ye>es m ?an y to consulte ^!    
,matt]s 94                              
,nephreu--,ka nai ,hadoh                
,edw3 ,h4        ,= ,j4 ,curw51 ,esq4   
,provid5ce4    ,b if ,willett & ,mr4    
,w>d refra9$ f %ew+ ?is lett] to  !     
ali5i/s1 !y did n refra9 f act+ ^u x    
!mselves4  ,no am\nt ( le>n$ sophi/ry   
c\ld controv]t ! fact t !  /rangely     
be>d$ & spectacl$ ,dr4 ,all51 ( :om     
,*>les' frantic  lett] _h spok5 z su* a 
mon/r\s m5ace1 0 9 close & s9i/]        
correspond5ce ) two inexplicable        
creatures :om ,w>d _h visit$  9 8       
travels & :o pla9ly claim$ to be        
survivals or avat>s (  ,curw5's old     
,salem colleagues2 t he 0 reg>d+ himself
 z !  re9c>nation ( ,joseph ,curw51 & t 
he ent]ta9$--or 0 at  lea/ advis$ to    
ent]ta9--murd]\s designs aga9/ a boy :o 
c\ld  sc>cely be o!r ?an ,*>les ,w>d4   
,!re 0 organiz$ horror afoot2  & no     

matt] :o _h />t$ x1 ! miss+ ,all5 0 by  
?is "t  at ! bottom ( x4 ,!re=e1 ?ank+  
,heav5 t ,*>les 0 n[  safe 9 ! hospital1
 ,mr4 ,w>d lo/ no "t 9 engag+ detectives
 to  le>n all !y c\ld ( ! cryptic be>d$ 
doctor2 f9d+ :5ce he  _h come & :at     
,pawtuxet knew ( him1 & if possible     
discov]+  8 curr5t :]eab\ts4 ,supply+ ! 
m5 ) "o ( ! bungal[  keys :i* ,*>les _h 
yield$ up1 he urg$ !m to explore ,all5's
  vacant room :i* _h be5 id5tifi$ :5 !  
pati5t's belong+s _h  be5 pack$2 obta9+ 
:at clues !y c\ld f any effects he might
  h left ab\t4 ,mr4 ,w>d talk$ ) !      
detectives 9 8 son's old  libr>y1 & !y  
felt a m>k$ relief :5 !y left x at la/2 
=  !re seem$ to hov] ab\t ! place a     
vague aura ( evil4 ,p]haps x  0 :at !y  
_h he>d ( ! infam\s old wiz>d ^: picture
 _h  once />$ f ! panel$ ov]mantel1 &   
p]haps x 0 some?+  diff]5t & irrelevant2
 b 9 any case !y all half-s5s$ an       
intangible miasma :i* c5t]$ 9 t c>v5    
ve/ige ( an old]  dwell+ & :i* at times 
almo/ rose to ! int5sity ( a mat]ial    

emanation4                              
#e4 ,a ,nightm>e & a ,cataclysm      ,& 
n[ swiftly foll[$ t hide\s exp]i5ce :i* 
has left its  indelible m>k ( fe> on !  
s\l ( ,m>9us ,bicknell ,willett1 &  has 
add$ a decade to ! visible age ( "o ^:  
y\? 0 ev5 !n  f> beh9d4 ,dr4 ,willett _h
 conf]r$ at l5g? ) ,mr4 ,w>d1 & _h  come
 to an agreem5t ) him on sev]al po9ts   
:i* bo? felt !  ali5i/s w\ld ridicule4  
,!re 01 !y conc$$1 a t]rible movem5t    
alive 9 ! _w1 ^: direct connection ) a  
necromancy ev5  old] ?an ! ,salem       
wit*craft c\ld n be d\bt$4 ,t at lea/   
two liv+ m5--& "o o!r ( :om !y d>$ n    
?9k--7 9  absolute possession ( m9ds or 
p]sonalities :i* _h function$ z  e>ly z 
#afij or be=e 0 likewise almo/          
unassailably prov$ ev5 9  ! face ( all  
kn[n natural laws4 ,:at ^! horrible     
creatures--&  ,*>les ,w>d z well--7 do+ 
or try+ to d seem$ fairly cle>  f _!    
lett]s & f e bit ( light bo? old & new  
:i*  _h filt]$ 9 ^u ! case4 ,!y 7 robb+ 
! tombs ( all !  ages1 includ+ ^? ( !   

_w's wise/ & greate/ m51 9 !  hope (    
recov]+ f bygone a%es "s ve/ige ( !     
consci\sness  & lore :i* _h once animat$
 & in=m$ !m4    ,a hide\s traffic 0 go+ 
on among ^! nightm>e gh\ls1 :]eby       
illu/ri\s bones 7 b>t]$ ) ! calm        
calculativ5ess (  s*oolboys swapp+      
books2 & f :at 0 extort$ f ?is  c5turi$ 
du/ !re 0 anticipat$ a p[] & a wisdom   
beyond  any?+ :i* ! cosmos _h ev] se5   
conc5trat$ 9 "o man or  gr\p4 ,!y _h    
f\nd unholy ways to keep _! bra9s alive1
 ei!r  9 ! same body or diff]5t bodies2 
& _h evid5tly a*iev$ a way  ( tapp+ !   
consci\sness ( ! dead :om !y ga!r$      
toge!r4  ,!re _h1 x seems1 be5 "s tru? 9
 *im]ical old ,borellus :5  he wrote (  
prep>+ f ev5 ! mo/ antique rema9s c]ta9 
,ess5tial ,saltes f :i* ! %ade ( a      
long-dead liv+ ?+  might be rais$ up4   
,!re 0 a =mula = evok+ su* a %ade1 &    
ano!r = putt+ x d[n2 & x _h n[ be5 s    
p]fect$ t x  c\ld be taught             
successfully4 ,"o mu/ be c>eful ab\t    
evocations1 =  ! m>k]s ( old graves are 

n always accurate4    ,willett & ,mr4   
,w>d %iv]$ z !y pass$ f conclusion to   
conclusion4 ,?+s--pres5ces or voices (  
"s sort--c\ld be drawn  d[n f unkn[n    
places z well z f ! grave1 & 9 ?is      
process  also "o mu/ be c>eful4 ,joseph 
,curw5 _h indubitably evok$ _m  =bidd5  
?+s1 & z = ,*>les--:at might "o ?9k (   
him8  ,:at =ces outside ! sph]es _h     
rea*$ him f ,joseph ,curw5's  day &     
turn$ 8 m9d on =gott5 ?+s8 ,he _h be5 l$
 to f9d  c]ta9 directions1 & he _h us$  
!m4 ,he _h talk$ ) ! man  ( horror 9    
,prague & /ay$ long ) ! creature 9 !    
m\nta9s  ( ,transylvania4 ,& he mu/ h   
f\nd ! grave ( ,joseph ,curw5 at  la/4  
,t newspap] item & :at 8 "m _h he>d 9 ! 
night  7 too significant to ov]look4 ,!n
 he _h summon$ some?+1 &  x mu/ h come4 
,t mighty voice al(t on ,good ,friday1 &
 ^?  diff]5t tones 9 ! lock$ attic      
laboratory4 ,:at 7 !y  l1 ) _! dep? &   
holl[ness8 ,0 !re n "h "s awful  =e%ad[+
 ( ! dread$ /rang] ,dr4 ,all5 ) 8       
spectral bass8  ,yes1 t 0 :at ,mr4 ,w>d 

_h felt ) vague horror 9 8 s+le  talk ) 
! man--if man x 7--ov] ! telephone6     
,:at helli% consci\sness or voice1 :at  
morbid %ade or pres5ce1  _h come to     
answ] ,*>les ,w>d's secret rites beh9d t
 lock$  door8 ,^? voices he>d 9         
argum5t--mu/ h x r$ = ?ree  mon?s--,good
 ,god6 ,0 n t j be=e ! vampirism broke  
out8  ,! rifl+ ( ,ezra ,we$5's anci5t   
grave1 & ! cries lat] at  ,pawtuxet--^: 
m9d _h plann$ ! v5geance & r$iscov]$ !  
%unn$ seat ( eld] blasphemies8 ,& !n !  
bungal[ & !  be>d$ /rang]1 & ! gossip1 &
 ! fe>4 ,! f9al madness (  ,*>les nei!r 
fa!r nor doctor c\ld attempt to expla91 
b !y  did feel sure t ! m9d ( ,joseph   
,curw5 _h come to e>? aga9  & 0 foll[+  
its anci5t morbidities4 ,0 demoniac     
possession  9 tru? a possibility8 ,all5 
_h some?+ to d ) x1 & !  detectives mu/ 
f9d out m ab\t "o ^: exi/5ce m5ac$ !  "y
 man's life4 ,9 ! meantime1 s9ce !      
exi/5ce ( "s va/  crypt b5ea? ! bungal[ 
seem$ virtually beyond dispute1 "s  ef=t
 mu/ be made to f9d x4 ,willett & ,mr4  

,w>d1 consci\s (  ! sceptical attitude (
 ! ali5i/s1 resolv$ dur+ _! f9al        
conf]5ce to und]take a jo9t secret      
exploration ( unp>allel$  ?or\ghness2 & 
agre$ to meet at ! bungal[ on ! foll[+  
morn+ ) valises & ) c]ta9 tools &       
accessories suit$ to  ar*itectural se>* 
& und]gr\nd exploration4           99   
99       99       99       99    ,!     
morn+ ( ,april six? dawn$ cle>1 & bo?   
explor]s 7 at !  bungal[ by t5 o'clock4 
,mr4 ,w>d _h ! key1 & an entry & cursory
  survey 7 made4 ,f ! disord]$ condition
 ( ,dr4 ,all5's room x  0 obvi\s t !    
detectives _h be5 !re be=e1 & ! lat]    
se>*]s hop$ t !y _h f\nd "s clue :i*    
might prove (  value4 ,( c\rse ! ma9    
bus9ess lay 9 ! cell>2 s ?i!r !y        
desc5d$ )\t mu* delay1 aga9 mak+ !      
circuit :i* ea* _h  va9ly made be=e 9 ! 
pres5ce ( ! mad "y own]4 ,= a "t  ev]y?+
 seem$ baffl+1 ea* in* ( ! e>!n floor & 
/one  walls hav+ s solid & innocu\s an  
aspect t ! ?\ght ( a  yawn+ ap]ture 0   
sc>cely to be ent]ta9$4 ,willett        

reflect$ t  s9ce ! orig9al cell> 0 dug  
)\t k ( any catacombs  b5ea?1 ! beg9n+ (
 ! passage w\ld repres5t ! /rictly      
mod]n delv+ ( "y ,w>d & 8 associates1   
:]e !y _h prob$  = ! anci5t vaults ^:   
rumor c\ld h rea*$ !m by no  :olesome   
means4    ,! doctor tri$ to put himself 
9 ,*>les' place & see h[ a delv]  w\ld  
be likely to />t1 b c\ld n ga9 mu*      
inspiration f ?is  me?od4 ,!n he decid$ 
on elim9ation z a policy1 & w5t c>efully
  ov] ! :ole subt]ranean surface bo?    
v]tical & horizontal1  try+ to acc\nt = 
e in* sep>ately4 ,he 0 soon sub/antially
  n>r[$ d[n1 & at la/ _h no?+ left b !  
small plat=m  be=e ! wa%tubs1 :i* he _h 
tri$ once be=e 9 va94 ,n[  exp]im5t+ 9 e
 possible way1 & ex]t+ a d\ble /r5g?1   
he f9ally f\nd t ! top did inde$ turn & 
slide horizontally  on a corn] pivot4   
,b5ea? x lay a trim concrete surface )  
an iron  man-hole1 to :i* ,mr4 ,w>d at  
once ru%$ ) excit$ zeal4 ,!  cov] 0 n   
h>d to lift1 & ! fa!r _h q remov$ x :5  
,willett notic$ ! que]ness ( 8 aspect4  

,he 0 sway+ & nodd+  dizzily1 & 9 ! gu/ 
( noxi\s air :i* swept up f ! black  pit
 b5ea? ! doctor soon recogniz$ ample    
cause4    ,9 a mom5t ,dr4 ,willett _h 8 
fa9t+ companion on ! floor above  & 0   
reviv+ him ) cold wat]4 ,mr4 ,w>d       
respond$ feebly1 b x  c\ld be se5 t !   
mephitic bla/ f ! crypt _h 9 "s way     
gravely sick5$ him4 ,wi%+ to take no    
*ances1 ,willett ha/5$ out  to ,broad   
,/reet = a taxicab & _h soon dispat*$ ! 
suff]] home  despite 8 weak-voic$       
prote/s2 aft] :i* he produc$ an electric
  tor*1 cov]$ 8 no/rils ) a b& ( /]ile  
gauze1 & desc5d$  once m to pe] into !  
new-f\nd dep?s4 ,! f\l air _h n[        
slightly abat$1 & ,willett 0 able to s5d
 a beam ( light d[n !  ,/ygian hole4 ,= 
ab\t t5 feet1 he saw1 x 0 a %e]         
cyl9drical  drop ) concrete walls & an  
iron ladd]2 aft] :i* ! hole  appe>$ to  
/rike a flight ( old /one /eps :i* mu/  
orig9ally  h em]g$ to e>? some:at s\?w>d
 ( ! pres5t build+4           99        
99       99       99       99           

,willett freely admits t = a mom5t !    
memory ( ! old ,curw5  leg5ds kept him f
 climb+ d[n alone into t malodor\s gulf4
  ,he c\ld n help ?9k+ ( :at ,luke ,f5n]
 _h report$ on t  la/ mon/r\s night4 ,!n
 duty ass]t$ itself & he made ! plunge1 
c>ry+ a great valise = ! removal (      
:atev] pap]s might  prove ( supreme     
importance4 ,sl[ly1 z befitt$ "o ( 8    
ye>s1  he desc5d$ ! ladd] & rea*$ !     
slimy /eps bel[4 ,?is 0  anci5t masonry1
 8 tor* told him2 & ^u ! dripp+ walls he
  saw ! un:olesome moss ( c5turies4     
,d[n1 d[n1 ran ! /eps2 n  spirally1 b 9 
?ree abrupt turns2 & ) su* n>r[ness t   
two  m5 c\ld h pass$ only ) difficulty4 
,he _h c\nt$ ab\t ?irty  :5 a s\nd rea*$
 him v fa9tly2 & aft] t he did n feel   
dispos$ to c\nt any m4    ,x 0 a godless
 s\nd2 "o ( ^? l[-key$1 insidi\s        
outrages  ( nature :i* are n meant to   
be4 ,to call x a dull wail1 a           
doom-dragg$ :9e1 or a hopeless h[l (    
*orus$ angui% &  /rick5 fle% )\t m9d    
w\ld be to miss its mo/ qu9tess5tial    

loa!som5ess & s\l-sick5+ ov]tones4 ,0 x 
= ?is t  ,w>d _h seem$ to li/5 on t day 
he 0 remov$8 ,x 0 ! mo/  %ock+ ?+ t     
,willett _h ev] he>d1 & x cont9u$ f  no 
det]m9ate po9t z ! doctor rea*$ ! bottom
 ( ! /eps  & ca/ 8 tor*light ar\nd on   
l(ty corridor walls surm\nt$ by         
,cyclopean vault+ & pi]c$ by numb]less  
black ar*ways4 ,! hall  9 :i* he /ood 0 
p]haps f\rte5 feet high to ! middle (  !
 vault+ & t5 or twelve feet broad4 ,its 
pavem5t 0 ( l>ge  *ipp$ flag/ones1 & its
 walls & ro( 7 ( dress$ masonry4 ,its   
l5g? he c\ld n imag9e1 = x /ret*$ ahead 
indef9itely into  ! blackness4 ,( !     
ar*ways1 "s _h doors ( ! old six-panel$ 
colonial type1 :il/ o!rs _h none4       
,ov]com+ ! dread induc$ by ! smell & !  
h[l+1 ,willett  began to explore ^!     
ar*ways "o by "o2 f9d+ beyond !m  rooms 
) gro9$ /one ceil+s1 ea* ( m$ium size & 
app>5tly  ( biz>re uses4 ,mo/ ( !m _h   
fireplaces1 ! upp] c\rses (  ^: *imneys 
w\ld h =m$ an int]e/+ /udy 9 eng9e]+4   
,nev] be=e or s9ce _h he se5 su*        

in/rum5ts or sugge/ions  ( in/rum5ts z  
"h loom$ up on e h& ?r\gh ! bury+  du/ &
 cobwebs ( a c5tury & a half1 9 _m cases
 evid5tly  %att]$ z if by ! anci5t      
raid]s4 ,= _m ( ! *amb]s  seem$ :olly   
untrodd5 by mod]n feet1 & mu/ h         
repres5t$ !  e>lie/ & mo/ obsolete      
phases ( ,joseph ,curw5's exp]im5tation4
  ,f9ally !re came a room ( obvi\s      
mod]nity1 or at lea/ ( rec5t  occupancy4
 ,!re 7 oil heat]s1 book%elves & tables1
 *airs &  cab9ets1 & a desk pil$ high ) 
pap]s ( v>y+ antiquity &                
contemporane\sness4 ,c&le/icks & oil    
lamps /ood ab\t 9 sev]al  places2 & f9d+
 a mat* safe h&y1 ,willett light$ su* z 
7  ready = use4    ,9 ! full] gleam x   
appe>$ t ?is ap>tm5t 0 no?+ less  ?an ! 
late/ /udy or libr>y ( ,*>les ,w>d4 ,( !
 books !  doctor _h se5 _m be=e1 & a    
good "p ( ! furniture _h  pla9ly come f 
! ,prospect ,/reet mansion4 ,"h & !re 0 
a piece well kn[n to ,willett1 & ! s5se 
( famili>ity became  s great t he half  
=got ! noisom5ess & ! wail+1 bo?  ( :i* 

7 pla9] "h ?an !y _h be5 at ! foot ( !  
/eps4 ,8 fir/ duty1 z plann$ long ahead1
 0 to f9d & seize  any pap]s :i* might  
seem ( vital importance2 especially ^?  
port5t\s docum5ts f\nd by ,*>les s long 
ago beh9d ! picture  9 ,olney ,c\rt4 ,z 
he se>*$ he p]ceiv$ h[ /up5d\s a task ! 
f9al unravel+ w\ld be2 = file on file 0 
/uff$ ) pap]s  9 curi\s h&s & be>+      
curi\s designs1 s t mon?s or ev5  ye>s  
might be ne$$ = a ?or\gh deciph]+ &     
edit+4 ,once he  f\nd l>ge packets (    
lett]s ) ,prague & ,rakus po/m>ks1 & 9  
writ+ cle>ly recognizable z ,orne's &   
,hut*9son's2 all ( :i*  he took ) him z 
"p ( ! bundle to be remov$ 9 8 valise4  
,at la/1 9 a lock$ mahogany cab9et once 
grac+ ! ,w>d home1  ,willett f\nd ! bat*
 ( old ,curw5 pap]s2 recogniz+ !m f  !  
reluctant glimpse ,*>les _h grant$ him s
 _m ye>s ago4 ,!  y\? _h evid5tly kept  
!m toge!r v mu* z !y _h be5 :5  fir/ he 
f\nd !m1 s9ce all ! titles recall$ by ! 
workm5 7  pres5t except ! pap]s address$
 to ,orne & ,hut*9son1 & !  ciph] ) its 

key4 ,willett plac$ ! entire lot 9 8    
valise &  cont9u$ 8 exam9ation ( !      
files4 ,s9ce "y ,w>d's imm$iate         
condition 0 ! greate/ matt] at /ake1 !  
close/ se>*+ 0  done among ! mo/        
obvi\sly rec5t matt]2 & 9 ?is abundance 
(  contempor>y manuscript "o v baffl+   
oddity 0 not$4 ,t oddity  0 ! slight    
am\nt 9 ,*>les' normal writ+1 :i* inde$ 
includ$  no?+ m rec5t ?an two mon?s     
be=e4 ,on ! o!r h&1 !re  7 lit]ally     
reams ( symbols & =mulae1 hi/orical     
notes &  philosophical comm5t1 9 a      
crabb$ p5man%ip absolutely id5tical  ) !
 anci5t script ( ,joseph ,curw51 ?\gh ( 
und5iably mod]n  dat+4 ,pla9ly1 a "p ( !
 latt]-day program _h be5 a s$ul\s      
imitation ( ! old wiz>d's writ+1 :i*    
,*>les seem$ to h  c>ri$ to a m>vel\s   
/ate ( p]fection4 ,( any ?ird h& :i*    
might h be5 ,all5's !re 0 n a trace4 ,if
 he _h inde$ come to  be ! lead]1 he mu/
 h =c$ "y ,w>d to act z 8 amanu5sis4    
,9 ?is new mat]ial "o my/ic =mula1 or r 
pair ( =mulae1  recurr$ s (t5 t ,willett

 _h x by he>t be=e he _h half  f9i%$ 8  
que/4 ,x consi/$ ( two p>allel columns1 
! left-h&  "o surm\nt$ by ! ar*aic      
symbol call$ ,dragon's ,head & us$  9   
almanacs to indicate ! asc5d+ node1 & ! 
"r-h& "o  head$ by ! correspond+ sign ( 
,dragon's ,tail or desc5d+  node4 ,!    
appe>ance ( ! :ole 0 some?+ l ?is1 &    
almo/  unconsci\sly ! doctor realiz$ t !
 second half 0 no m  ?an ! fir/ writt5  
syllabically backw>d ) ! exception ( !  
f9al monosyllables & ( ! odd "n         
,yog-,so?o?1 :i* he _h  come to         
recognize "u v>i\s spell+s f o!r ?+s he 
_h  se5 9 connection ) ?is horrible     
matt]4 ,! =mulae 7 z  foll[s--exactly s1
 z ,willett is abundantly able to       
te/ify--&  ! fir/ "o /ruck an odd note (
 uncom=table lat5t memory 9 8  bra91 :i*
 he recogniz$ lat] :5 review+ ! ev5ts ( 
t  horrible ,good ,friday ( ! previ\s   
ye>4    ,illu/ration3        ,y',,ai    
',,ng',,ngah1      ,,yog-,,so?o?        
,h',,ee----,l',,geb      ,f',,ai        
,,?rodog      ,,uaaah      ,illu/ration3

        ,,og?rod ,,ai',f                
,,geb',l----,,ee',h      ,,yog-,,so?o?  
',,ngah',,ng ,,ai',y      ,,zhro      ,s
 haunt+ 7 ^! =mulae1 & s frequ5tly did  
he come ^u  !m1 t be=e ! doctor knew x  
he 0 repeat+ !m "u 8  brea?4 ,ev5tually1
 h[ev]1 he felt he _h secur$ all ! pap]s
 he  c\ld dige/ to advantage = ! pres5t2
 h5ce resolv$ to exam9e no  m till he   
c\ld br+ ! sceptical ali5i/s en masse = 
an ample  & m sy/ematic raid4 ,he _h    
/ill to f9d ! hidd5 laboratory1  s leav+
 8 valise 9 ! light$ room he em]g$ aga9 
into !  black noisome corridor ^: vault+
 e*o$ ceaselessly ) t dull  & hide\s    
:9e4    ,! next few rooms he tri$ 7 all 
ab&on$ or fill$ only )  crumbl+ boxes & 
om9\s-look+ lead5 c(f9s2 b impress$ him 
deeply ) ! magnitude ( ,joseph ,curw5's 
orig9al op]ations4 ,he  ?\ght ( ! slaves
 & seam5 :o _h disappe>$1 ( ! graves    
:i* _h be5 violat$ 9 e "p ( ! _w1 & (   
:at  t f9al raid+ p>ty mu/ h se52 & !n  
he decid$ x 0  bett] n to ?9k any m4    
,once a great /one /aircase m\nt$ at  8 

"r1 & he d$uc$ t ?is mu/ h rea*$ to "o (
 !  ,curw5 outbuild+s--p]haps ! fam\s   
/one edifice ) ! high  slitlike         
w9d[s--provid$ ! /eps he _h desc5d$ _h  
l$ f !  /eep-ro($ f>mh\se4 ,sudd5ly !   
walls seem$ to fall away ahead1  & ! /5*
 & ! wail+ grew /rong]4 ,willett saw t  
he _h  come ^u a va/ op5 space1 s great 
t 8 tor*light w\ld n  c>ry across x2 & z
 he advanc$ he enc\nt]$ occasional /\t  
pill>s support+ ! ar*es ( ! ro(4        
,aft] a "t he rea*$ a circle ( pill>s   
gr\p$ l ! monoli?s  ( ,/oneh5ge1 ) a    
l>ge c>v$ alt> on a base ( ?ree /eps 9  
! c5t]2 & s curi\s 7 ! c>v+s on t alt> t
 he  approa*$ to /udy !m ) 8 electric   
light4 ,b :5 he saw :at  !y 7 he %rank  
away %udd]+1 & did n /op to inve/igate  
! d>k /a9s :i* discolor$ ! upp] surface 
& _h spread d[n  ! sides 9 occasional ?9
 l9es4 ,in/ead1 he f\nd ! di/ant wall  &
 trac$ x z x swept ar\nd 9 a gigantic   
circle p]=at$ by  occasional black      
doorways & ind5t$ by a myriad ( %all[   
cells  ) iron grat+s & wri/ & ankle     

bonds on *a9s fa/5$ to !  /one ( !      
concave re> masonry4 ,^! cells 7 empty1 
b /ill  ! horrible odor & ! dismal moan+
 cont9u$1 m insi/5t  n[ ?an ev]1 &      
seem+ly v>i$ at times by a sort (       
slipp]y  ?ump+4           99       99   
99       99       99    ,f t frightful  
smell & t uncanny noise ,willett's      
att5tion  c\ld no long] be div]t$4 ,bo? 
7 pla9] & m hide\s 9 !  great pill>$    
hall ?an any:]e else1 & c>ri$ a vague   
impression  ( be+ f> bel[1 ev5 9 ?is d>k
 ne!r _w ( subt]r5e  my/]y4 ,be=e try+  
any ( ! black ar*ways = /eps lead+      
fur!r d[n1 ! doctor ca/ 8 beam ( light  
ab\t ! /one-flagg$  floor4 ,x 0 v       
loosely pav$1 & at irregul> int]vals !re
  w\ld occur a slab curi\sly pi]c$ by   
small holes 9 no def9ite  arrangem5t1   
:ile at "o po9t !re lay a v long ladd]  
c>elessly  flung d[n4 ,to ?is ladd]1    
s+ul>ly en\gh1 appe>$ to cl+ a          
p>ticul>ly l>ge am\nt ( ! frightful odor
 :i* encompass$  ev]y?+4 ,z he walk$    
sl[ly ab\t1 x sudd5ly occurr$ to        

,willett  t bo? ! noise & ! odor seem$  
/ronge/ directly above !  oddly pi]c$   
slabs1 z if !y might be crude trap-doors
 lead+ d[n  to "s /ill deep] region (   
horror4 ,kneel+ by "o1 he work$ at x  ) 
8 h&s1 & f\nd t ) extreme difficulty he 
c\ld budge  x4 ,at 8 t\* ! moan+ b5ea?  
asc5d$ to a l\d] key1 & only  ) va/     
trepidation did he p]sev]e 9 ! lift+ ( !
 heavy  /one4 ,a /5* unnamable n[ rose f
 bel[1 & ! doctor's head  reel$ dizzily 
z he laid back ! slab & turn$ 8 tor* ^u 
!  expos$ squ>e y>d ( gap+ blackness4   
,if he _h expect$ a flight ( /eps to "s 
wide gulf ( ultimate  abom9ation1       
,willett 0 de/9$ to be disappo9t$2 =    
amid/  t foetor & crack$ :9+ he disc]n$ 
only ! brick-fac$  top ( a cyl9drical   
well p]haps a y>d & a half 9 diamet] &  
devoid ( any ladd] or o!r means (       
desc5t4 ,z ! light %one  d[n1 ! wail+   
*ang$ sudd5ly to a s]ies ( horrible     
yelps2 9  conjunction ) :i* !re came    
aga9 t s\nd ( bl9d1 futile  scrambl+ &  
slipp]y ?ump+4 ,! explor] trembl$1      

unwill+ ev5  to imag9e :at noxi\s ?+    
might be lurk+ 9 t abyss2 b 9  a mom5t  
mu/]$ up ! c\rage to pe] ov] ! r\gh-hewn
 br9k2  ly+ at full l5g? & hold+ ! tor* 
d[nw>d at arm's l5g? to  see :at might  
lie bel[4 ,= a second he c\ld di/+ui%   
no?+  b ! slimy1 moss-gr[n brick walls  
s9k+ illimitably into t  half-tangible  
miasma ( murk & f\lness & angui%$ fr5zy2
 &  !n he saw t some?+ d>k 0 leap+      
clumsily & frantically  up & d[n at !   
bottom ( ! n>r[ %aft1 :i* mu/ h be5  f  
tw5ty to tw5ty-five feet bel[ ! /one    
floor :]e he lay4  ,! tor* %ook 9 8 h&1 
b he look$ aga9 to see :at mann]  ( liv+
 creature might be immur$ !re 9 !       
d>kness ( t  unnatural well2 left />v+  
by "y ,w>d ?r\gh all ! long mon?  s9ce !
 doctors _h tak5 him away1 & cle>ly only
 "o ( a va/  numb] prison$ 9 ! k9dr$    
wells ^: pi]c$ /one cov]s s  ?ickly     
/udd$ ! floor ( ! great vault$ cav]n4   
,:atev] !  ?+s 71 !y c\ld n lie d[n 9 _!
 cramp$ spaces2 b mu/  h cr\*$ & :9$ &  
wait$ & feebly leap$ all ^? hide\s      

weeks s9ce _! ma/] _h ab&on$ !m unhe$$4 
,b ,m>9us ,bicknell ,willett 0 sorry t  
he look$ aga92 =  surgeon & vet]an ( !  
dissect+-room ?\gh he 01 he has n  be5 !
 same s9ce4 ,x is h>d to expla9 j h[ a  
s+le sight (  a tangible object )       
measurable dim5sions c\ld s %ake & *ange
  a man2 & we may only say t !re is ab\t
 c]ta9 outl9es &  entities a p[] (      
symbolism & sugge/ion :i* acts          
frightfully  on a s5sitive ?9k]'s       
p]spective & :isp]s t]rible h9ts  (     
obscure cosmic relation%ips & unnamable 
realities beh9d !  protective illusions 
( common vision4 ,9 t second look       
,willett  saw su* an outl9e or entity1 =
 dur+ ! next few in/ants he 0  und\bt$ly
 z />k mad z any inmate ( ,dr4 ,waite's 
private hospital4  ,he dropp$ ! electric
 tor* f a h& dra9$ ( muscul> p[] or     
n]v\s coord9ation1 nor he$$ ! s\nd (    
crun*+ tee? :i*  told ( its fate at !   
bottom ( ! pit4 ,he scream$ & scream$  &
 scream$ 9 a voice ^: falsetto panic no 
acqua9tance ( 8  w\ld ev] h recogniz$1 &

 ?\gh he c\ld n rise to 8 feet he       
crawl$ & roll$ desp]ately away ov] !    
damp pavem5t :]e doz5s  ( ,t>t>ean wells
 p\r$ =? _! exhau/$ :9+ & yelp+  to     
answ] 8 own insane cries4 ,he tore 8 h&s
 on ! r\gh1 loose  /ones1 & _m times    
bruis$ 8 head aga9/ ! frequ5t pill>s1  b
 /ill he kept on4 ,!n at la/ he sl[ly   
came to himself 9 !  utt] blackness &   
/5*1 & /opp$ 8 e>s aga9/ ! dron+  wail  
into :i* ! bur/ ( yelp+ _h subsid$4 ,he 
0 dr5*$  ) p]spiration & )\t means (    
produc+ a light2 /rick5 &  unn]v$ 9 !   
abysmal blackness & horror1 & cru%$ ) a 
memory  he nev] c\ld efface4 ,b5ea? him 
doz5s ( ^? ?+s /ill liv$1  & f "o ( !   
%afts ! cov] 0 remov$4 ,he knew t :at he
  _h se5 c\ld nev] climb up ! slipp]y   
walls1 yet %udd]$ at !  ?\ght t "s      
obscure foo?old might exi/4           99
       99       99       99       99    
,:at ! ?+ 01 he w\ld nev] tell4 ,x 0 l  
"s ( !  c>v+s on ! helli% alt>1 b x 0   
alive4 ,nature _h nev] made  x 9 ?is =m1
 = x 0 too palpably unf9i%$4 ,!         

defici5cies  7 ( ! mo/ surpris+ sort1 & 
! abnormalities ( proportion  c\ld n be 
describ$4 ,willett cons5ts only to say t
 ?is type  ( ?+ mu/ h repres5t$ entities
 :i* ,w>d call$ up f  imp]fect salts1 & 
:i* he kept = s]vile or rituali/ic      
purposes4 ,if x _h n _h a c]ta9         
significance1 its image w\ld n  h be5   
c>v$ on t damnable /one4 ,x 0 n ! wor/  
?+  depict$ on t /one--b ,willett nev]  
op5$ ! o!r pits4 ,at !  "t1 ! fir/      
connect$ idea 9 8 m9d 0 an idle p>agraph
 f  "s ( ! old ,curw5 data he _h dige/$ 
long be=e2 a phrase us$  by ,simon or   
,j$$iah ,orne 9 t port5t\s confiscat$   
lett] to !  bygone sorc]]3    ,c]ta9ly1 
!re 0 ,no?'g butt ye livelie/           
,awfullness 9 ,t :i*  ,h4 rais'd upp f  
,:at he c\'d ga!r onlie a ,"p (4    ,!n1
 horribly supplem5t+ r ?an displac+ ?is 
image1 !re  came a recollection ( ^?    
anci5t l+]+ rumors an5t ! burn$  & twi/$
 ?+ f\nd 9 ! fields a week aft] ! ,curw5
 raid4  ,*>les ,w>d _h once told !      
doctor :at old ,slocum said ( t  object2

 t x 0 nei!r ?or\ghly human1 nor :olly  
alli$ to any  animal :i* ,pawtuxet folk 
_h ev] se5 or read ab\t4    ,^! words   
humm$ 9 ! doctor's m9d z he rock$ to &  
fro1  squatt+ on ! nitr\s /one floor4   
,he tri$ to drive !m out1  & repeat$ !  
,"l's ,pray] to himself2 ev5tually      
trail+ (f  into a mnemonic hodge-podge l
 ! mod]ni/ic ,wa/e ,l& ( ,mr4  ,t4 ,s4  
,eliot & f9ally rev]t+ to ! (t-repeat$  
dual =mula  he _h lately f\nd 9 ,w>d's  
und]gr\nd libr>y3 ,y'ai 'ng-'ngah1      
,yog-,so?o?1 & s on till ! f9al und]l9$ 
,zhro4 ,x seem$  to soo! him & he /agg]$
 to 8 feet aft] a "t2 lam5t+  bitt]ly 8 
fright-lo/ tor* & look+ wildly ab\t =   
any gleam  ( light 9 ! clut*+ ink9ess ( 
! *illy air4 ,?9k he w\ld  n2 b he /ra9$
 8 eyes 9 e direction = "s fa9t gl9t  or
 reflection ( ! bright illum9ation he _h
 left 9 ! libr>y4  ,aft] a:ile he ?\ght 
he detect$ a suspicion ( a gl[ inf9itely
  f> away1 & t[>d ?is he crawl$ 9       
agoniz$ caution on h&s &  knees amid/ ! 
/5* & h[l+1 always feel+ ahead le/ he   

collide ) ! num]\s great pill>s or      
/umble into ! abom9able  pit he _h      
uncov]$4    ,once 8 %ak+ f+]s t\*$      
some?+ :i* he knew mu/ be !  /eps lead+ 
to ! helli% alt>1 & f ?is spot he       
recoil$  9 loa?+4 ,at ano!r "t he       
enc\nt]$ ! pi]c$ slab he _h  remov$1 &  
"h 8 caution became almo/ pitiful4 ,b he
 did n  come ^u ! dread ap]ture aft]    
all1 nor did any?+ issue f  t ap]ture to
 deta9 him4 ,:at _h be5 d[n !re made no 
s\nd  nor /ir4 ,evid5tly its crun*+ ( ! 
fall5 electric tor* _h n  be5 good = x4 
,ea* "t ,willett's f+]s felt a p]=at$   
slab  he trembl$4 ,8 passage ov] x w\ld 
sometimes increase ! groan+  bel[1 b    
g5]ally x w\ld produce no effect at all1
 s9ce he mov$  v noiselessly4 ,sev]al   
times dur+ 8 progress ! gl[ ahead       
dim9i%$ p]ceptibly1 & he realiz$ t !    
v>i\s c&les &  lamps he _h left mu/ be  
expir+ "o by "o4 ,! ?\ght ( be+  lo/ 9  
utt] d>kness )\t mat*es amid/ ?is       
und]gr\nd _w (  nightm>e labyr9?s       
impell$ him to rise to 8 feet & run1 :i*

 he  c\ld safely d n[ t he _h pass$ !   
op5 pit2 = he knew t  once ! light fail$
 8 only hope ( rescue & survival w\ld   
lie  9 :atev] relief p>ty ,mr4 ,w>d     
might s5d aft] miss+ him = a  suffici5t 
p]iod4    ,pres5tly1 h[ev]1 he em]g$ f !
 op5 space into ! n>r[]  corridor &     
def9itely locat$ ! gl[ z com+ f a door  
on 8  "r4 ,9 a mom5t he _h rea*$ x & 0  
/&+ once m 9  "y ,w>d's secret libr>y1  
trembl+ ) relief1 & wat*+ !  sputt]+s ( 
t la/ lamp :i* _h br\ght him to safety4 
99       99       99       99       99  
,9 ano!r mom5t he 0 ha/ily fill+ !      
burn$-out lamps f an  oil supply he _h  
previ\sly notic$1 & :5 ! room 0 bright  
aga9 he look$ ab\t to see if he might   
f9d a lant]n = fur!r  exploration4 ,=   
rack$ ?\gh he 0 ) horror1 8 s5se (  grim
 purpose 0 /ill upp]mo/1 & he 0 firmly  
det]m9$ to  leave no /one unturn$ 9 8   
se>* = ! hide\s facts beh9d  ,*>les     
,w>d's biz>re madness4 ,fail+ to f9d a  
lant]n1 he *ose  ! smalle/ ( ! lamps to 
c>ry2 also fill+ 8 pockets )  c&les &   

mat*es1 & tak+ ) him a gallon c ( oil1  
:i*  he propos$ to keep = res]ve use 9  
:atev] hidd5 laboratory he  might uncov]
 beyond ! t]rible op5 space ) its       
unclean alt> &  nameless cov]$ wells4   
,to trav]se t space aga9 w\ld require 8 
utmo/ =titude1 b he knew x mu/ be done4 
,=tunately nei!r !  frightful alt> nor !
 op5$ %aft 0 ne> ! va/ cell-ind5t$  wall
 :i* b\nd$ ! cav]n area1 & ^: black     
my/]i\s ar*ways  w\ld =m ! next goals ( 
a logical se>*4    ,s ,willett w5t back 
to t great pill>$ hall ( /5* &  angui%$ 
h[l+2 turn+ d[n 8 lamp to avoid any     
di/ant glimpse  ( ! helli% alt>1 or ( ! 
uncov]$ pit ) ! pi]c$ /one  slab beside 
x4 ,mo/ ( ! black doorways l$ m]ely to  
small  *amb]s1 "s vacant & "s evid5tly  
us$ z /ore rooms2 &  9 sev]al ( ! latt] 
he saw "s v curi\s accumulations (      
v>i\s objects4 ,"o 0 pack$ ) rott+ &    
du/-drap$ bales  ( sp>e clo?+1 & !      
explor] ?rill$ :5 he saw t x 0          
unmi/akably ! clo?+ ( a c5tury & a half 
be=e4 ,9 ano!r  room he f\nd num]\s odds

 & ends ( mod]n clo?+1 z if gradual     
provisions 7 be+ made to equip a l>ge   
body ( m54 ,b :at  he dislik$ mo/ ( all 
7 ! huge copp] vats :i* occasionally    
appe>$2 ^!1 & ! s9i/] incru/ations ^u   
!m4 ,he lik$  !m ev5 less ?an ! weirdly 
figur$ lead5 b[ls ^: ru9s  reta9$ su*   
obnoxi\s deposits & ar\nd :i* clung     
repell5t odors  p]ceptible above ev5 !  
g5]al noisom5ess ( ! crypt4 ,:5  he _h  
complet$ ab\t half ! entire circuit ( ! 
wall he f\nd  ano!r corridor l t f :i*  
he _h come1 & out ( :i*  _m doors op5$4 
,?is he proce$$ to inve/igate2 & aft]   
ent]+ ?ree rooms (  m$ium size & ( no   
significant cont5ts1 he came at la/ to a
 l>ge  oblong ap>tm5t ^: bus9esslike    
tanks & tables1 furnaces &  mod]n       
in/rum5ts1 occasional books & endless   
%elves ( j>s &  bottles proclaim$ x     
inde$ ! long-s\ght laboratory ( ,*>les  
,w>d--& no d\bt ( old ,joseph ,curw5    
be=e him4    ,aft] light+ ! ?ree lamps  
:i* he f\nd fill$ & ready1 ,dr4         
,willett exam9$ ! place & all its       

appurt5ances ) ! ke5e/  int]e/2 not+ f !
 relative quantities ( v>i\s reag5ts on 
! %elves t "y ,w>d's dom9ant conc]n mu/ 
h be5 ) "s  bran* ( organic *emi/ry4 ,on
 ! :ole1 little c\ld be le>n$ f  !      
sci5tific ensemble1 :i* includ$ a       
gruesome-look+ dissect+  table2 s t !   
room 0 really r a disappo9tm5t4 ,among !
  books 0 a tatt]$ old copy ( ,borellus 
9 black-lett]1 & x 0  weirdly int]e/+ to
 note t ,w>d _h und]l9$ ! same passage  
^: m>k+ _h s p]turb$ good ,mr4 ,m]ritt  
at ,curw5's f>mh\se  m ?an a c5tury & a 
half be=e4 ,t old] copy1 ( c\rse1  mu/ h
 p]i%$ along ) ! re/ ( ,curw5's occult  
libr>y 9  ! f9al raid4 ,?ree ar*ways    
op5$ (f ! laboratory1 & ^!  ! doctor    
proce$$ to sample 9 turn4 ,f 8 cursory  
survey he  saw t two l$ m]ely to small  
/or]ooms2 b ^! he canvass$  ) c>e1      
rem>k+ ! piles ( c(f9s 9 v>i\s /ages (  
damage  & %udd]+ viol5tly at two or ?ree
 ( ! few c(f9-plates he  c\ld deciph]4  
,!re 0 mu* clo?+ also /or$ 9 ^! rooms1  
& sev]al new & tightly-nail$ boxes :i*  

he did n /op to  inve/igate4 ,mo/       
int]e/+ ( all1 p]haps1 7 "s odd bits :i*
  he judg$ to be fragm5ts ( old ,joseph 
,curw5's laboratory appliances4  ,^! _h 
suff]$ damage at ! h&s ( ! raid]s1 b 7  
/ill  p>tly recognizable z ! *emical    
p>aph]nalia ( ! ,georgian  p]iod4       
99       99       99       99       99  
,! ?ird ar*way l$ to a v sizeable *amb] 
entirely l9$ )  %elves & hav+ 9 ! c5t] a
 table be>+ two lamps4 ,^!  lamps       
,willett light$1 & 9 _! brilliant gl[   
/udi$ ! endless  %elv+ :i* surr\nd$ him4
 ,"s ( ! upp] levels 7 :olly  vacant1 b 
mo/ ( ! space 0 fill$ ) small odd-look+ 
lead5 j>s ( two g5]al types2 "o tall &  
)\t h&les l a  ,grecian leky?os or      
oil-jug1 & ! o!r ) a s+le h&le &        
proportion$ l a ,phal]on jug4 ,all _h   
metal /opp]s1 & 7  cov]$ ) peculi>-look+
 symbols m\ld$ 9 l[ relief4 ,9 a  mom5t 
! doctor notic$ t ^! jugs 7 classifi$ ) 
great  rigidity2 all ! leky?oi be+ on "o
 side ( ! room ) a l>ge  wood5 sign     
read+ ,cu/odes above !m1 & all !        

,phal]ons on  ! o!r1 correspond+ly      
label$ ) a sign read+ ,mat]ia4 ,ea*  ( !
 j>s or jugs1 except "s on ! upp] %elves
 t turn$ out  to be vacant1 bore a      
c>dbo>d tag ) a numb] app>5tly ref]r+   
to a catalogue2 & ,willett resolv$ to   
look = ! latt] pres5tly4  ,= ! mom5t1   
h[ev]1 he 0 m int]e/$ 9 ! nature ( !    
array z a :ole2 & exp]im5tally op5$     
sev]al ( ! leky?oi  & ,phal]ons at r&om 
) a view to a r\gh g5]alization4 ,!     
result 0 inv>iable4 ,bo? types ( j>     
conta9$ a small quantity  ( a s+le k9d (
 sub/ance2 a f9e du/y p[d] ( v light    
weight & ( _m %ades ( dull neutral      
color4 ,to ! colors :i*  =m$ ! only po9t
 ( v>iation !re 0 no app>5t me?od (     
disposal2 & no di/9ction betwe5 :at     
occurr$ 9 ! leky?oi &  :at occurr$ 9 !  
,phal]ons4 ,a blui%-gray p[d] might be  
by !  side ( a p9ki%-:ite "o1 & any "o 9
 a ,phal]on might h its  exact c\nt]p>t 
9 a leky?os4 ,! mo/ individual feature  
ab\t  ! p[d]s 0 _! non-adhesiv5ess4     
,willett w\ld p\r "o into  8 h&1 & ^u   

return+ x to its jug w\ld f9d t no      
residue  :atev] rema9$ on 8 palm4    ,! 
mean+ ( ! two signs puzzl$ him1 & he    
wond]$ :y ?is  batt]y ( *emicals 0      
sep>at$ s radically f ^? 9 glass  j>s on
 ! %elves ( ! laboratory prop]4         
,cu/odes1 ,mat]ia2  t 0 ! ,lat9 = ,gu>ds
 & ,mat]ial1 respectively--&  !n !re    
came a fla% ( memory z to :]e he _h se5 
t ^w  ,gu>ds be=e 9 connection ) ?is    
dreadful my/]y4 ,x 01 (  c\rse1 9 !     
rec5t lett] to ,dr4 ,all5 purport+ to be
 f old  ,edw>d ,hut*9son2 & ! phrase _h 
read3 ,!re 0 no ,ne$e to keep  ! ,gu>ds 
9 %ape & eat'g (f _! ,heades1 & x made  
mu* to  be f\nde 9 ,case ( ,tr\ble1 z y 
too welle ,kn[e4 ,:at did ?is  signify8 
,b wait--0 !re n /ill ano!r ref]5ce to  
gu>ds  9 ?is matt] :i* he _h fail$ :olly
 to recall :5 read+ !  ,hut*9son lett]8 
,back 9 ! old non-secretive days ,w>d _h
 told him  ( ! ,eleaz> ,smi? di>y       
record+ ! spy+ ( ,smi? & ,we$5  on !    
,curw5 f>m1 & 9 t dreadful *ronicle !re 
_h be5  a m5tion ( conv]sations ov]he>d 

be=e ! old wiz>d betook  himself :olly  
b5ea? ! e>?4 ,!re _h be51 ,smi? & ,we$5 
insi/$1 t]rible colloquies :]e9 figur$  
,curw51 c]ta9 captives  ( 81 & ! gu>ds (
 ^? captives4 ,^? gu>ds1 accord+ to     
,hut*9son or 8 avat>1 _h eat5 _! heads  
(f1 s t n[ ,dr4  ,all5 did n keep !m 9  
%ape4 ,& if n 9 %ape1 h[ save  z ! salts
 to :i* x appe>s ?is wiz>d b& 0 engag$ 9
  r$uc+ z _m human bodies or skeletons z
 !y c\ld8    ,s t 0 :at ^! leky?oi      
conta9$2 ! mon/r\s fruit (  unhall[$    
rites & de$s1 presumably won or c[$ to  
su* submission  z to help :5 call$ up by
 "s helli% incantation1 9 ! def5se  ( _!
 blasphem\s ma/] or ! que/ion+ ( ^? :o 7
 n s  will+8 ,willett %udd]$ at ! ?\ght 
( :at he _h be5 p\r+  9 & out ( 8 h&s1 &
 = a mom5t felt an impulse to flee 9    
panic f t cav]n ( hide\s %elves ) _!    
sil5t & p]haps  wat*+ s5t9els4 ,!n he   
?\ght ( ! ,mat]ia--9 ! myriad  ,phal]on 
jugs on ! o!r side ( ! room4 ,salts     
too--& if n !  salts ( gu>ds1 !n ! salts
 ( :at8 ,god6 ,c\ld x be possible  t "h 

lay ! mortal relics ( half ! titan ?9k]s
 ( all !  ages2 snat*$ by supreme gh\ls 
f crypts :]e ! _w ?\ght  !m safe1 &     
subject to ! beck & call ( madm5 :o     
s\ght to  dra9 _! k = "s /ill wild] end 
^: ultimate effect  w\ld conc]n1 z poor 
,*>les _h h9t$ 9 8 frantic note1 all    
civilization1 all natural law1 p]haps   
ev5 ! fate ( ! sol>  sy/em & ! univ]se8 
,& ,m>9us ,bicknell ,willett _h sift$ _!
  du/ ?r\gh 8 h&s6    ,!n he notic$ a   
small door at ! f>!r end ( ! room1 &    
calm$  himself en\gh to approa* x &     
exam9e ! crude sign *isel$  above4 ,x 0 
only a symbol1 b x fill$ him ) vague    
spiritual  dread2 = a morbid1 dream+    
fri5d ( 8 _h once drawn x on pap]  &    
told him a few ( ! ?+s x means 9 ! d>k  
abyss ( sleep4  ,x 0 ! sign ( ,ko?1 t   
dream]s see fix$ above ! ar*way  ( a    
c]ta9 black t[] /&+ alone 9 twilight--& 
,willett did  n l :at 8 fri5d ,r&olph   
,c>t] _h said ( its p[]s4 ,b  a mom5t   
lat] he =got ! sign z he recogniz$ a new
 acrid odor  9 ! /5*-fill$ air4 ,?is 0 a

 *emical r ?an animal  smell1 & came    
cle>ly f ! room beyond ! door4 ,& x 01  
unmi/akably1 ! same odor :i* _h saturat$
 ,*>les ,w>d's clo?+  on ! day ! doctors
 _h tak5 him away4 ,s x 0 "h t !  y\? _h
 be5 int]rupt$ by ! f9al summons8 ,he 0 
wis] ?an old  ,joseph ,curw51 = he _h n 
resi/$4 ,willett1 boldly det]m9$ to     
p5etrate e wond] & nightm>e ?is ne!r    
realm might conta91  seiz$ ! small lamp 
& cross$ ! ?re%old4 ,a wave ( nameless  
fright roll$ out to meet him1 b he      
yield$ to no :im & def]r$  to no        
intuition4 ,!re 0 no?+ alive "h to h>m  
him1 & he w\ld  n be /ay$ 9 8 pi]c+ ( ! 
eldrit* cl\d :i* engulf$ 8  pati5t4     
99       99       99       99       99  
,! room beyond ! door 0 ( m$ium size1 & 
_h no furniture  save a table1 a s+le   
*air1 & two gr\ps ( curi\s ma*9es )     
clamps & :eels :i* ,willett recogniz$   
aft] a mom5t z m$ieval  in/rum5ts (     
torture4 ,on "o side ( ! door /ood a    
rack ( savage  :ips1 above :i* 7 "s     
%elves be>+ empty r[s ( %all[  p$e/al$  

cups ( lead %ap$ l ,grecian kylikes4 ,on
 ! o!r side  0 ! table2 ) a p[]ful ,arg&
 lamp1 a pad & p5cil1 &  two ( ! /opp]$ 
leky?oi f ! %elves outside set d[n at   
irregul> places z if tempor>ily or 9    
ha/e4 ,willett light$ !  lamp & look$   
c>efully at ! pad to see :at notes "y   
,w>d  might h be5 jott+ d[n :5          
int]rupt$2 b f\nd no?+ m  intelligible  
?an ! foll[+ disjo9t$ fragm5ts 9 t      
crabb$  ,curw5 *irography1 :i* %$ no    
light on ! case z a :ole3    ,b4 dy'd n4
 ,escap'd into walls & f\nde ,place     
bel[4    ,saw olde ,v4 saye ye ,sabao? &
 le>nt ye ,way4    ,rais'd ,yog-,so?o?  
?rice & 0 ye nexte ,day deliv]'d4    ,f4
 s\ghte to wipe out all "k'g h[e to     
raise ,^? f ,outside4    ,z ! /rong     
,arg& blaze lit up ! entire *amb] !     
doctor saw  t ! wall opposite ! door1   
betwe5 ! two gr\ps ( tortur+  appliances
 9 ! corn]s1 0 cov]$ ) pegs f :i* hung a
 set  ( %apeless look+ robes ( a r      
dismal yell[i%-:ite4 ,b  f> m int]e/+ 7 
! two vacant walls1 bo? ( :i* 7  ?ickly 

cov]$ ) my/ic symbols & =mulae r\ghly   
*isel$ 9  ! smoo? dress$ /one4 ,! damp  
floor also bore m>ks ( c>v+2  & ) b     
little difficulty ,willett deciph]$ a   
huge p5tagram 9  ! c5t]1 ) a pla9 circle
 ab\t ?ree feet wide halfway betwe5  ?is
 & ea* corn]4 ,9 "o ( ^! f\r circles1   
ne> :]e a  yell[i% robe _h be5 flung    
c>elessly d[n1 !re /ood a %all[  kylix (
 ! sort f\nd on ! %elves above !        
:ip-rack2 & j  outside ! p]iph]y 0 "o ( 
! ,phal]on jugs f ! %elves 9  ! o!r     
room1 its tag numb]$ #aah4 ,?is 0       
un/opp]$1 & prov$  ^u inspection to be  
empty2 b ! explor] saw ) a %iv] t  !    
kylix 0 n4 ,)9 its %all[ area1 & sav$ f 
scatt]+  only by ! abs5ce ( w9d 9 ?is   
seque/]$ cav]n1 lay a small  am\nt ( a  
dry1 dull-gre5i% effloresc5t p[d] :i*   
mu/ h  belong$ 9 ! jug2 & ,willett almo/
 reel$ at ! implications t  came sweep+ 
ov] him z he correlat$ little by little 
! sev]al  elem5ts & antec$5ts ( ! sc5e4 
,! :ips & ! in/rum5ts (  torture2 ! du/ 
or salts f ! jug ( ,mat]ia1 ! two       

leky?oi  f ! ,cu/odes %elf1 ! robes1 !  
=mulae on ! walls1 !  notes on ! pad1 ! 
h9ts f lett]s & leg5ds1 & ! ?\s&        
glimpses1 d\bts1 & suppositions :i* _h  
come to torm5t !  fri5ds & p>5ts (      
,*>les ,w>d--all ^! engulf$ ! doctor 9 a
  tidal wave ( horror z he look$ at t   
dry gre5i% p[d] outspread  9 ! p$e/all$ 
lead5 kylix on ! floor4    ,) an ef=t1  
h[ev]1 ,willett pull$ himself toge!r &  
began  /udy+ ! =mulae *isel$ on ! walls4
 ,f ! /a9$ &  incru/$ lett]s x 0 obvi\s 
t !y 7 c>v$ 9 ,joseph  ,curw5's "t1 & _!
 text 0 su* z to be vaguely famili> to  
"o :o _h read mu* ,curw5 mat]ial or     
delv$ ext5sively into !  hi/ory ( magic4
 ,"o ! doctor cle>ly recogniz$ z :at    
,mrs4 ,w>d  he>d h] son *ant+ on t om9\s
 ,good ,friday a ye> be=e1  & :at an    
au?ority _h told him 0 a v t]rible      
invocation  address$ to secret gods     
outside ! normal sph]es4 ,x 0 n  spell$ 
"h exactly z ,mrs4 ,w>d _h set x d[n f  
memory1 nor  yet z ! au?ority _h %ewn x 
to him 9 ! =bidd5 pages (  ,eliphas     

,levi2 b its id5tity 0 unmi/akable1 &   
su* words z  ,sabao?1 ,metraton1        
,almons91 & ,z>iatnatmik s5t a %udd]  ( 
fright ?r\gh ! se>*] :o _h se5 & felt s 
mu* ( cosmic  abom9ation j ar\nd !      
corn]4    ,?is 0 on ! left-h& wall z "o 
ent]$ ! room4 ,! "r-h&  wall 0 no less  
?ickly inscrib$1 & ,willett felt a />t (
  recognition z he came ^u ! pair (     
=mulae s frequ5tly  occurr+ 9 ! rec5t   
notes 9 ! libr>y4 ,!y 71 r\ghly  speak+1
 ! same2 ) ! anci5t symbols ( ,dragon's 
,head &  ,dragon's ,tail head+ !m z 9   
,w>d's scribbl+s4 ,b ! spell+  diff]$ q 
widely f t ( ! mod]n v]sions1 z if old  
,curw5 _h _h a diff]5t way ( record+    
s\nd1 or z if lat] /udy  _h evolv$ m    
p[]ful & p]fect$ v>iants ( ! invocations
 9  "q4 ,! doctor tri$ to reconcile !   
*isel$ v]sion ) !  "o :i* /ill ran      
p]si/5tly 9 8 head1 & f\nd x h>d to d4  
,:]e ! script he _h memoriz$ began ,y'ai
 ',ng'ngah1 ,yog-,so?o?1  ?is epigraph  
/>t$ out z ,aye1 cng5gah1               
,yogge-,so?o?a2 :i*  to 8 m9d w\ld      

s]i\sly int]f]e ) ! syllabification ( ! 
second ^w4    ,gr\nd z ! lat] text 0    
into 8 consci\sness1 ! discrepancy      
di/urb$ him2 & he f\nd himself *ant+ !  
fir/ ( ! =mulae  al\d 9 an ef=t to squ>e
 ! s\nd he conceiv$ ) ! lett]s  he f\nd 
c>v$4 ,weird & m5ac+ 9 t abyss ( antique
 blasphemy  rang 8 voice6 its acc5ts    
key$ to a dron+ s+-song ei!r ?r\gh  !   
spell ( ! pa/ & ! unkn[n1 or ?r\gh !    
helli% example  ( t dull1 godless wail f
 ! pits ^: inhuman cad5ces rose  & fell 
rhy?mically 9 ! di/ance ?r\gh ! /5* &   
d>kness4        ,y',,ai ',,ng',,ngah    
,,yog-,,so?o?      ,h',,ee----,l',,geb  
,f',,ai' ,,?rodog      ,,uaah6          
99       99       99       99       99  
,b :at 0 ?is cold w9d :i* _h sprung into
 life at ! v  outset ( ! *ant8 ,! lamps 
7 sputt]+ woefully1 & !  gloom grew s   
d5se t ! lett]s on ! wall ne>ly fad$ f  
sight4 ,!re 0 smoke1 too1 & an acrid    
odor :i* q dr[n$ out  ! /5* f ! f>-away 
wells2 an odor l t he _h smelt  be=e1   
yet inf9itely /rong] & m pung5t4 ,he    

turn$ f !  inscriptions to face ! room )
 its biz>re cont5ts1 & saw  t ! kylix on
 ! floor1 9 :i* ! om9\s effloresc5t p[d]
  _h la91 0 giv+ =? a cl\d ( ?ick1      
gre5i%-black vapor (  surpris+ volume & 
opacity4 ,t p[d]--,great ,god6 x _h come
 f  ! %elf ( ,mat]ia--:at 0 x do+ n[1 & 
:at _h />t$ x8  ,! =mula he _h be5      
*ant+--! fir/ ( ! pair--,dragon's ,head1
  asc5d+ node--,bless$ ,savi\r1 c\ld x  
be--    ,! doctor reel$1 & ?r\gh 8 head 
rac$ wildly disjo9t$ scraps  f all he _h
 se51 he>d1 & read ( ! frightful case ( 
,joseph  ,curw5 & ,*>les ,dext] ,w>d4 ,i
 say to y aga9e1 doe n call up  ,any t y
 _c put d[ne4444 ,h ye ,wordes = lay+ at
 all  times readie1 & /opp n to be sure 
:5 !re is any ,d\bte (  ,:om y h--,?ree 
,talkes ) ,:at 0 !re9 inhum'd-- ,m]cy  (
 ,heav51 :at is t %ape beh9d ! p>t+     
smoke8           99       99       99   
99       99    ,m>9us ,bicknell ,willett
 has no hope t any "p ( 8 tale w  be    
believ$ except by c]ta9 sympa!tic       
fri5ds1 h5ce has made  no attempt to    

tell x beyond 8 mo/ intimate circle4    
,only a few  outsid]s h ev] he>d x      
repeat$1 & ( ^! ! majority laugh  &     
rem>k t ! doctor surely is gett+ old4   
,he has be5 advis$  to take a long      
vacation & to %un future cases deal+ )  
m5tal  di/urbance4 ,b ,mr4 ,w>d kn[s t !
 vet]an physician speaks only  a        
horrible tru?4 ,did n he himself see !  
noisome ap]ture 9 !  bungal[ cell>8 ,did
 n ,willett s5d him home ov]come & ill  
at  elev5 o'clock t port5t\s morn+8 ,did
 he n telephone ! doctor  9 va9 t ev5+1 
& aga9 ! next day1 & _h he n driv5  to !
 bungal[ itself on t foll[+ noon1 f9d+ 8
 fri5d  unconsci\s b unh>m$ on "o ( !   
b$s up/airs8 ,willett _h be5  brea?+    
/]tor\sly1 & op5$ 8 eyes sl[ly :5 ,mr4  
,w>d gave  him "s br&y fet*$ f ! c>4 ,!n
 he %udd]$ & scream$1  cry+ out1 ,t     
be>d--^? eyes--,god1 :o are y8 ,a v     
/range ?+ to say to a trim1 blue-ey$1   
clean-%av5 g5tleman :om  he _h kn[n f ! 
latt]'s boyhood4    ,9 ! bright noon    
sunlight ! bungal[ 0 un*ang$ s9ce !     

previ\s morn+4 ,willett's clo?+ bore no 
dis>rangem5t beyond  c]ta9 smudges &    
worn places at ! knees1 & only a fa9t   
acrid  odor rem9d$ ,mr4 ,w>d ( :at he _h
 smelt on 8 son t day he 0  tak5 to !   
hospital4 ,! doctor's fla%light 0 miss+1
 b 8  valise 0 safely !re1 z empty z :5 
he _h br\ght x4 ,be=e  indulg+ 9 any    
explanations1 & obvi\sly ) great moral  
ef=t1  ,willett /agg]$ dizzily d[n to ! 
cell> & tri$ ! fateful  plat=m be=e !   
tubs4 ,x 0 unyield+4 ,cross+ to :]e he  
_h  left 8 yet-unus$ tool sat*el ! day  
be=e1 he obta9$ a *isel  & began to pry 
up ! /ubborn planks "o by "o4 ,und]nea? 
!  smoo? concrete 0 /ill visible1 b (   
any op5+ or p]=ation  !re 0 no long] a  
trace4 ,no?+ yawn$ ?is "t to sick5 !    
my/ifi$ fa!r :o _h foll[$ ! doctor      
d[n/airs2 only !  smoo? concrete        
und]nea? ! planks--no noisome well1 no  
_w (  subt]r5e horrors1 no secret       
libr>y1 no ,curw5 pap]s1 no nightm>e    
pits ( /5* & h[l+1 no laboratory or     
%elves or *isel$  =mulae1 no--,dr4      

,willett turn$ pale1 & clut*$ at ! y\ng]
 man4  ,ye/]day1 he ask$ s(tly1 did y   
see x "h--& smell x8 ,&  :5 ,mr4 ,w>d1  
himself transfix$ ) dread & wond]1 f\nd 
/r5g?  to nod an affirmative1 !         
physician gave a s\nd half a sigh & half
  a gasp1 & nodd$ 9 turn4 ,!n ,i w tell 
y1 he said4    ,s = an h\r1 9 ! sunnie/ 
room !y c\ld f9d up/airs1 !  physician  
:isp]$ 8 frightful tale to ! wond]+     
fa!r4 ,!re  0 no?+ to relate beyond !   
loom+ up ( t =m :5 !  gre5i%-black vapor
 f ! kylix p>t$1 & ,willett 0 too tir$  
to ask himself :at _h really occurr$4   
,!re 7 futile1 bewild]$  head-%ak+s f   
bo? m51 & once ,mr4 ,w>d v5tur$ a hu%$  
sugge/ion1 ,d y suppose x w\ld be ( any 
use to dig8 ,! doctor  0 sil5t1 = x     
seem$ h>dly fitt+ = any human bra9 to   
answ]  :5 p[]s ( unkn[n sph]es _h s     
vitally encroa*$ on ?is side  ( ! ,great
 ,abyss4 ,aga9 ,mr4 ,w>d ask$1 ,b :]e   
did x g8 ,x  br\ght y "h1 y "k1 & x     
seal$ up ! hole someh[4    ,& ,willett  
aga9 let sil5ce answ] = him4    ,b aft] 

all1 ?is 0 n ! f9al phase ( ! matt]4    
,rea*+ =  8 h&k]*ief be=e ris+ to leave1
 ,dr4 ,willett's f+]s clos$  ^u a piece 
( pap] 9 8 pocket :i* _h n be5 !re be=e1
  & :i* 0 companion$ by ! c&les & mat*es
 he _h seiz$ 9  ! vani%$ vault4 ,x 0 a  
common %eet1 torn obvi\sly f !  *eap pad
 9 t fabul\s room ( horror some:]e      
und]gr\nd1 &  ! writ+ ^u x 0 t ( an     
ord9>y lead p5cil--d\btless  ! "o :i* _h
 la9 beside ! pad4 ,x 0 fold$ v         
c>elessly1  & beyond ! fa9t acrid sc5t (
 ! cryptic *amb] bore no pr9t  or m>k ( 
any _w b ?is4 ,b 9 ! text itself x did  
inde$  reek ) wond]2 = "h 0 no script ( 
any :olesome age1 b !  labor$ /rokes (  
m$iaeval d>kness1 sc>cely legible to !  
laym5  :o n[ /ra9$ ov] x1 yet hav+      
comb9ations ( symbols :i*  seem$ vaguely
 famili>4 ,! briefly scrawl$ message 0  
?is1 & its  my/]y l5t purpose to ! %ak5 
pair1 :o =?) walk$ /eadily  out to !    
,w>d c> & gave ord]s to be driv5 fir/ to
 a quiet  d9+ place & !n to ! ,john ,hay
 ,libr>y on ! hill4           99        

99       99       99       99    ,at !  
libr>y x 0 easy to f9d good manuals (   
palaeography1 &  ov] ^! ! two m5 puzzl$ 
till ! lights ( ev5+ %one out  f ! great
 *&eli]4 ,9 ! end !y f\nd :at 0 ne$$4 ,!
  lett]s 7 inde$ no fanta/ic inv5tion1 b
 ! normal script (  a v d>k p]iod4 ,!y 7
 ! po9t$ ,saxon m9uscules ( !  eigh? or 
n9? c5tury ,a4 ,d41 & br\ght ) !m       
memories ( an  unc\? "t :5 "u a fre%    
,*ri/ian v5e] anci5t fai?s &  anci5t    
rites /irr$ /eal?ily1 & ! pale moon (   
,brita9 look$  sometimes on /range de$s 
9 ! ,roman ru9s at ,ca]leon & ,hexhaus1 
& by ! ,t[]s along ,hadrian's crumbl+   
wall4 ,! words 7 9  su* ,lat9 z a b>b>\s
 age might rememb]--,corv9us1 nec&us e/4
  ,cadav] aq7ua7 =ti dissolv5dum1 nec   
aliq7ui7d ret95dum4 ,tace ut            
potes4--:i* may r\ghly be translat$1    
,curw5 mu/ be kill$4 ,!  body mu/ be    
dissolv$ 9 aqua =tis1 nor mu/ any?+ be  
reta9$4  ,keep sil5ce z be/ y are able4 
,willett & ,mr4 ,w>d 7 mute & baffl$4   
,!y _h met ! unkn[n1  & f\nd t !y lack$ 

emotions to respond to x z !y vaguely   
believ$ !y ought4 ,) ,willett1          
especially1 ! capacity =  receiv+ fre%  
impressions ( awe 0 well-nigh exhau/$2 &
 bo?  m5 sat /ill & helpless till !     
clos+ ( ! libr>y =c$ !m  to leave4 ,!n  
!y drove li/lessly to ! ,w>d mansion 9  
,prospect  ,/reet1 & talk$ to no purpose
 into ! night4 ,! doctor re/$  t[>d     
morn+1 b did n g home4 ,& he 0 /ill !re 
,sunday  noon :5 a telephone message    
came f ! detectives :o _h be5  assign$  
to look up ,dr4 ,all54    ,mr4 ,w>d1 :o 
0 pac+ n]v\sly ab\t 9 a dress+-g[n1     
answ]$  ! call 9 p]son2 & told ! m5 to  
come up e>ly ! next day :5  he he>d _!  
report 0 almo/ ready4 ,bo? ,willett & he
 7 glad  t ?is phase ( ! matt] 0 tak+   
=m1 = :atev] ! orig9  ( ! /range        
m9uscule message1 x seem$ c]ta9 t !     
,curw5  :o mu/ be de/roy$ c\ld be no o!r
 ?an ! be>d$ & spectacl$  /rang]4 ,*>les
 _h fe>$ ?is man1 & _h said 9 ! frantic 
note  t he mu/ be kill$ & dissolv$ 9    
acid4 ,all51 moreov]1 _h be5  receiv+   

lett]s f ! /range wiz>ds 9 ,europe "u ! 
"n  ( ,curw51 & palpably reg>d$ himself 
z an avat> ( ! bygone  necromanc]4 ,& n[
 f a fre% & unkn[n s\rce _h come a      
message  say+ t ,curw5 mu/ be kill$ &   
dissolv$ 9 acid4 ,! l9kage  0 too       
unmi/akable to be factiti\s2 & besides1 
0 n ,all5  plann+ to murd] "y ,w>d ^u ! 
advice ( ! creature call$  ,hut*9son8 ,(
 c\rse1 ! lett] !y _h se5 _h nev] rea*$ 
! be>d$ /rang]2 b f its text !y c\ld see
 t ,all5  _h already =m$ plans = deal+ )
 ! y\? if he grew too  squeami%4 ,)\t   
d\bt1 ,all5 mu/ be appreh5d$2 & ev5 if !
  mo/ dra/ic directions 7 n c>ri$ out1  
he mu/ be plac$ :]e  he c\ld inflict no 
h>m ^u ,*>les ,w>d4    ,t aft]noon1 hop+
 aga9/ hope to extract "s gleam (       
in=mation an5t ! inmo/ my/]ies f ! only 
available "o  capable ( giv+ x1 ! fa!r &
 ! doctor w5t d[n ! bay &  call$ on "y  
,*>les at ! hospital4 ,simply & gravely 
,willett  told him all he _h f\nd1 &    
notic$ h[ pale he turn$ z ea*           
description made c]ta9 ! tru? ( !       

discov]y4 ,! physician  employ$ z mu*   
dramatic effect z he c\ld1 & wat*$ = a  
w9c+ on ,*>les' "p :5 he approa*$ !     
matt] ( ! cov]$  pits & ! nameless      
hybrids )94 ,b ,w>d did n w9ce4 ,willett
  paus$1 & 8 voice grew indignant z he  
spoke ( h[ ! ?+s 7  />v+4 ,he tax$ ! y\?
 ) %ock+ inhumanity1 & %iv]$  :5 only a 
s>donic laugh came 9 reply4 ,= ,*>les1  
hav+ dropp$  z useless 8 pret5se t !    
crypt did n exi/1 seem$ to see  "s      
gha/ly je/ 9 ?is affair2 & *uckl$       
ho>sely at some?+  :i* amus$ him4 ,!n he
 :isp]$1 9 acc5ts d\bly t]rible  because
 ( ! crack$ voice he us$1 ,damn 'em1 !y 
d eat1 b  !y don't ne$ to6 ,t's ! r>e   
"p6 ,a mon?1 y say1 )\t  food8 ,lud1    
,sir1 y be mode/6 ,d'ye "k1 t 0 ! joke  
on poor old  ,:ipple ) 8 virtu\s blu/]6 
,kill ev]y?+ (f1 w\ld he8 ,:y1  damme1  
he 0 half-deaf ) ! noise f ,outside &   
nev] saw or  he>d aught f ! wells4 ,he  
nev] dream$ !y 7 !re at all6  ,devil    
take ye1 ^? curs$ ?+s h be5 h[l+ d[n !re
 ev]  s9ce ,curw5 0 done = a hundr$ &   

fifty-sev5 ye>s gone6    ,b no m ?an ?is
 c\ld ,willett get f ! y\?4 ,horrifi$1  
yet  almo/ conv9c$ aga9/ 8 w1 he w5t on 
) 8 tale 9 ! hope  t "s incid5t might   
/>tle 8 auditor out ( ! mad composure   
he ma9ta9$4 ,look+ at ! y\?'s face1 !   
doctor c\ld n b  feel a k9d ( t]ror at !
 *anges :i* rec5t mon?s _h wr\ght4      
,truly1 ! boy _h drawn d[n nameless     
horrors f ! skies4 ,:5 !  room ) !      
=mulae & ! gre5i% du/ 0 m5tion$1 ,*>les 
%ew$ 8 fir/ sign ( animation4 ,a        
quizzical look ov]spread 8  face z he   
he>d :at ,willett _h read on ! pad1 & he
 v5tur$  ! mild /atem5t t ^? notes 7 old
 ones1 ( no possible  significance to   
anyone n deeply initiat$ 9 ! hi/ory (   
magic4  ,b1 he add$1 _h y b kn[n ! words
 to br+ up t :i* ,i  _h out 9 ! cup1 y  
_h n be5 "h to tell me ?is4 ',twas      
,numb]  #aah1 & ,i conceive y w\ld h    
%ook _h y look$ x up 9 my  li/ 9 t'o!r  
room4 ',twas nev] rais$ by me1 b ,i     
meant to h x  up t day y came to invite 
me hi!r4    ,!n ,willett told ( ! =mula 

he _h spok5 & ( !  gre5i%-black smoke   
:i* _h aris52 & z he did s he saw true  
fe> dawn = ! fir/ "t on ,*>les ,w>d's   
face4 ,x came1 &  y be "h alive6 ,z ,w>d
 croak$ ! words 8 voice seem$ almo/  to 
bur/ free ( its trammels & s9k to       
cav]n\s abysses ( uncanny  resonance4   
,willett1 gift$ ) a fla% ( inspiration1 
believ$ he  saw ! situation1 & wove into
 8 reply a caution f a lett] he         
rememb]$4 ,no4 #aah1 y say8 ,b don't    
=get t /ones are all  *ang$ n[ 9 n9e    
gr\nds out ( t54 ,y are nev] sure till y
  "q6 ,& !n1 )\t w>n+1 he drew =? !     
m9uscule  message & fla%$ x be=e !      
pati5t's eyes4 ,he c\ld h wi%$  no      
/rong] result1 = ,*>les ,w>d fa9t$ =?)4 
99       99       99       99       99  
,all ?is conv]sation1 ( c\rse1 _h be5   
conduct$ ) ! greate/  secrecy le/ !     
resid5t ali5i/s accuse ! fa!r & !       
physician  ( enc\rag+ a madman 9 8      
delusions4 ,unaid$1 too1 ,dr4 ,willett  
& ,mr4 ,w>d pick$ up ! /rick5 y\? &     
plac$ him on ! c\*4  ,9 reviv+1 ! pati5t

 mumbl$ _m times ( "s ^w :i* he mu/  get
 to ,orne & ,hut*9son at once2 s :5 8   
consci\sness seem$  fully back ! doctor 
told him t ( ^? /range creatures at     
lea/ "o 0 8 bitt] enemy1 & _h giv5 ,dr4 
,all5 advice = 8  assass9ation4 ,?is    
revelation produc$ no visible effect1 & 
be=e  x 0 made ! visitors c\ld see t _! 
ho/ _h already ! look  ( a hunt$ man4   
,aft] t he w\ld conv]se no m1 s ,willett
 &  ! fa!r dep>t$ pres5tly2 leav+ beh9d 
a caution aga9/ !  be>d$ ,all51 to :i* !
 y\? only repli$ t ?is individual  0 v  
safely tak5 c>e (1 & c\ld d no "o any   
h>m ev5 if he  wi%$4    ,?is 0 said ) an
 almo/ evil *uckle v pa9ful to he>4 ,!y 
did n worry ab\t any communications     
,*>les might write to t  mon/r\s pair 9 
,europe1 s9ce !y knew t ! hospital      
au?orities  seiz$ all outgo+ mail =     
c5sor%ip & w\ld pass no wild or         
outr-look+ missive4    ,!re is1 h[ev]1 a
 curi\s sequel to ! matt] ( ,orne &     
,hut*9son1 if su* inde$ ! exil$ wiz>ds  
74 ,mov$ by "s vague  pres5tim5t amid/ !

 horrors ( t p]iod1 ,willett arrang$ )  
an int]national press-cutt+ bureau =    
acc\nts ( notable curr5t  crimes &      
accid5ts 9 ,prague & 9 ea/]n            
,transylvania2 & aft]  six mon?s believ$
 t he _h f\nd two v significant ?+s     
among/ ! multif>i\s items he receiv$ &  
_h translat$4 ,"o  0 ! total wreck+ ( a 
h\se by night 9 ! olde/ qu>t] (         
,prague1 & ! disappe>ance ( ! evil old  
man call$ ,josef ,nadeh1  :o _h dwelt 9 
x alone ev] s9ce anyone c\ld rememb]4 ,!
 o!r  0 a titan explosion 9 !           
,transylvania m\nta9s ea/ ( ,rakus1 &  !
 utt] extirpation ) all its inmates ( ! 
ill-reg>d$ ,ca/le  ,f]5czy1 ^: ma/] 0 s 
badly spok5 ( by peasants & soldi]y     
alike t he w\ld %ortly h be5 summon$ to 
,bu*>e/ = s]i\s  que/ion+ _h n ?is      
incid5t cut (f a c>e] already s long z  
to ant$ate all common memory4 ,willett  
ma9ta9s t ! h& :i*  wrote ^? m9uscules 0
 able to wield /rong] weapons z well2 & 
t :ile ,curw5 0 left to him to dispose  
(1 ! writ] felt able  to f9d & deal )   

,orne & ,hut*9son itself4 ,( :at _! fate
  may h be5 ! doctor /rives s$ul\sly n  
to ?9k4           99       99       99  
99       99    ,! foll[+ morn+ ,dr4     
,willett ha/5$ to ! ,w>d home to  be    
pres5t :5 ! detectives arriv$4 ,all5's  
de/ruction or  imprisonm5t--or ,curw5's1
 if "o might reg>d ! tacit claim to     
re9c>nation z valid--he felt mu/ be     
accompli%$ at any co/1 &  he communicat$
 ?is conviction to ,mr4 ,w>d z !y sat   
wait+ = !  m5 to come4 ,!y 7 d[n/airs   
?is "t1 = ! upp] p>ts ( !  h\se 7 beg9n+
 to be %unn$ because ( a peculi>        
nause\sness  :i* hung indef9itely ab\t2 
a nause\sness :i* ! old] s]vants        
connect$ ) "s curse left by ! vani%$    
,curw5 portrait4    ,at n9e o'clock !   
?ree detectives pres5t$ !mselves &      
imm$iately deliv]$ all t !y _h to say4  
,!y _h n1  regrettably en\gh1 locat$ !  
,brava ,tony ,gomes z !y _h wi%$1  nor  
_h !y f\nd ! lea/ trace ( ,dr4 ,all5's  
s\rce or pres5t  :]eab\ts2 b !y _h      
manag$ to une>? a consid]able numb] (   

local impressions & facts conc]n+ !     
retic5t /rang]4 ,all5  _h /ruck         
,pawtuxet p z a vaguely unnatural be+ & 
!re 0  an univ]sal belief t 8 ?ick      
,v&yke be>d 0 ei!r dy$ or  false--a     
belief conclusively upheld by ! f9d+ (  
su* a false  be>d1 toge!r ) a heavy pair
 ( d>k glasses1 9 8 room at !  fateful  
bungal[4 ,8 voice1 ,mr4 ,w>d c\ld well  
te/ify f 8 "o  telephone conv]sation1 _h
 a dep? & holl[ness t c\ld n be  =gott52
 & 8 glance seem$ malign ev5 ?r\gh 8    
smok$ &  horn-rimm$ glasses4 ,"o        
%opkeep]1 9 ! c\rse ( negotiations1 _h  
se5 a specim5 ( 8 h&writ+ & decl>$ x 0 v
 que] &  crabb$2 ?is be+ confirm$ by    
p5cil$ notes ( no cle> mean+  f\nd 9 8  
room & id5tifi$ by ! m]*ant4    ,9      
connection ) ! vampirism ructions ( !   
prec$+ summ]1 a  majority ( ! gossips   
believ$ t ,all5 r ?an ,w>d 0 !  actual  
vampire4 ,/atem5ts 7 also obta9$ f !    
(ficials :o  _h visit$ ! bungal[ aft] ! 
unpleasant incid5t ( ! motor  truck     
robb]y4 ,!y _h felt less ( ! s9i/] 9    

,dr4 ,all51 b _h  recogniz$ him z !     
dom9ant figure 9 ! que] %ad[y cottage4  
,!  place _h be5 too d>k = !m to obs]ve 
him cle>ly1 b !y w\ld  "k him aga9 if !y
 saw him4 ,8 be>d _h look$ odd1 & !y    
?\ght he _h "s slight sc> above 8 d>k   
spectacl$ "r eye4 ,z  = ! se>* ( ,all5's
 room1 x yield$ no?+ def9ite save !     
be>d & glasses1 & sev]al p5cil$ notes 9 
a crabb$ writ+1  :i* ,willett at once   
saw 0 id5tical ) t %>$ by ! old  ,curw5 
manuscripts & by ! volum9\s rec5t notes 
( "y ,w>d  f\nd 9 ! vani%$ catacombs (  
horror4    ,dr4 ,willett & ,mr4 ,w>d    
caught some?+ ( a pr(\nd1 subtle1 &     
insidi\s cosmic fe> f ?is data z x 0    
gradually unfold$1  & almo/ trembl$ 9   
foll[+ up ! vague1 mad ?\ght :i* _h     
simultane\sly rea*$ _! m9ds4 ,! false   
be>d & glasses1 !  crabb$ ,curw5        
p5man%ip--! old portrait & its t9y      
sc>--&  ! alt]$ y\? 9 ! hospital ) su* a
 sc>--t deep1 holl[  voice on !         
telephone--0 x n ( ?is t ,mr4 ,w>d 0    
rem9d$  :5 8 son b>k$ =? ^? pitiable    

tones to :i* he n[ claim$  to be r$uc$8 
,:o _h ev] se5 ,*>les & ,all5 toge!r8   
,yes1 "s  (ficials _h once1 b :o lat]   
on8 ,0 x n :5 ,all5 left t  ,*>les      
sudd5ly lo/ 8 gr[+ fright & began to    
live :olly at  ! bungal[8               
,curw5--,all5--,w>d--9 :at blasphem\s & 
abom9able  fusion _h two ages & two     
p]sons become involv$8 ,t damnable      
resemblance ( ! picture to ,*>les--_h x 
n us$ to />e &  />e1 & foll[ ! boy ar\nd
 ! room ) its eyes8 ,:y1 too1 did  bo?  
,all5 & ,*>les copy ,joseph ,curw5's    
h&writ+1 ev5 :5  alone & (f gu>d8 ,& !n 
! frightful "w ( ^? p--!  lo/ crypt (   
horrors t _h ag$ ! doctor ov]night2 !   
/>v$  mon/]s 9 ! noisome pits2 ! awful  
=mula :i* _h yield$ su*  nameless       
results2 ! message 9 m9uscules f\nd 9   
,willett's pocket2  ! pap]s & ! lett]s &
 all ! talk ( graves & salts &          
discov]ies--:i!r did ev]y?+ lead8 ,9 !  
end ,mr4 ,w>d did !  mo/ s5sible ?+4    
,/eel+ himself aga9/ any realization (  
:y he  did x1 he gave ! detectives an   

article to be %ewn to su* ,pawtuxet     
%opkeep]s z _h se5 ! port5t\s ,dr4      
,all54 ,t article 0 a  photograph ( 8   
luckless son1 on :i* he n[ c>efully drew
 9 ink  ! pair ( heavy glasses & ! black
 po9t$ be>d1 :i* ! m5  _h br\ght f      
,all5's room4    ,= two h\rs he wait$ ) 
! doctor 9 ! oppressive h\se :]e  fe> & 
miasma 7 sl[ly ga!r+ z ! empty panel 9 !
  up/airs libr>y le]$ & le]$ & le]$4 ,!n
 ! m5 return$4  ,yes1 ! alt]$ photograph
 0 a v passable lik5ess ( ,dr4  ,all54  
,mr4 ,w>d turn$ pale1 & ,willett wip$ a 
sudd5ly damp5$  br[ ) 8 h&k]*ief4       
,all5--,w>d--,curw5--x 0 becom+ too     
hide\s = coh]5t ?\ght4 ,:at _h ! boy    
call$ out ( ! void1  & :at _h x done to 
him8 ,:at really _h happ5$ f fir/ to    
la/8 ,:o 0 ?is ,all5 :o s\ght to kill   
,*>les z too squeami%1  & :y _h 8 de/9$ 
victim said 9 ! po/script to t frantic  
lett] t he mu/ be s completely oblit]at$
 9 acid8 ,:y1 too1  _h ! m9uscule       
message1 ( ^: orig9 no "o d>$ ?9k1 said 
t ,curw5 mu/ be likewise oblit]at$8 ,:at

 0 ! *ange1  & :5 _h ! f9al /age        
occurr$8 ,t day :5 8 frantic note  0    
receiv$--he _h be5 n]v\s all ! morn+1 !n
 !re 0 an  alt]ation4 ,he _h slipp$ out 
unse5 & swagg]$ boldly 9 pa/ !  m5 hir$ 
to gu>d him4 ,t 0 ! "t1 :5 he 0 out4 ,b 
no--_h  he n cri$ out 9 t]ror z he ent]$
 8 /udy--?is v room8  ,:at _h he f\nd   
!re8 ,or wait--:at _h f\nd him8 ,t      
simulacrum  :i* bru%$ boldly 9 )\t hav+ 
be5 se5 to g--0 t an  ali5 %ad[ & a     
horror =c+ itself ^u a trembl+ figure   
:i*  _h nev] gone out at all8 ,_h n !   
butl] spok5 ( que] noises8           99 
99       99       99       99           
,willett rang = ! man & ask$ him "s     
l[-ton$ que/ions4 ,x  _h1 surely en\gh1 
be5 a bad bus9ess4 ,!re _h be5 noises--a
 cry1  a gasp1 a *ok+1 & a sort (       
clatt]+ or creak+ or ?ump+1  or all (   
^!4 ,& ,mr4 ,*>les 0 n ! same :5 he     
/alk$ out  )\t a ^w4 ,! butl] %iv]$ z he
 spoke1 & sniff$ at !  heavy air t blew 
d[n f "s op5 w9d[ up/airs4 ,t]ror _h    
settl$ def9itely ^u ! h\se1 & only !    

bus9esslike detectives  fail$ to imbibe 
a full measure ( x4 ,ev5 !y 7 re/less1 =
  ?is case _h held vague elem5ts 9 !    
backgr\nd :i* pleas$  !m n at all4 ,dr4 
,willett 0 ?9k+ deeply & rapidly1 & 8   
?\ghts 7 t]rible ones4 ,n[ & !n he w\ld 
almo/ break into  mutt]+ z he ran ov] 9 
8 head a new1 appall+1 & increas+ly     
conclusive *a9 ( nightm>e happ5+s4      
,!n ,mr4 ,w>d made a sign t ! conf]5ce 0
 ov]1 & ev]yone  save him & ! doctor    
left ! room4 ,x 0 noon n[1 b %ad[s z  ( 
com+ night seem$ to engulf !            
phantom-haunt$ mansion4 ,willett  began 
talk+ v s]i\sly to 8 ho/1 & urg$ t he   
leave a  great deal ( ! future          
inve/igation to him4 ,!re w\ld be1 he   
pr$ict$1 c]ta9 obnoxi\s elem5ts :i* a   
fri5d c\ld be> bett]  ?an a relative4 ,z
 family physician he mu/ h a free h&1 & 
! fir/ ?+ he requir$ 0 a p]iod alone &  
undi/urb$ 9 !  ab&on$ libr>y up/airs1   
:]e ! anci5t ov]mantel _h ga!r$  ab\t   
itself an aura ( noisome horror m int5se
 ?an :5 ,joseph  ,curw5's features      

!mselves glanc$ slyly d[n f ! pa9t$     
panel4    ,mr4 ,w>d1 daz$ by ! flood (  
grotesque morbidities & un?9kably       
madd5+ sugge/ions t p\r$ 9 ^u him f e   
side1 c\ld  only acquiesce2 & half an   
h\r lat] ! doctor 0 lock$ 9 !  %unn$    
room ) ! panel+ f ,olney ,c\rt4 ,! fa!r1
 li/5+  outside1 he>d fumbl+ s\nds (    
mov+ & rummag+ z ! mom5ts  pass$2 &     
f9ally a wr5* & a creak1 z if a tight   
cupbo>d door  7 be+ op5$4 ,!n !re 0 a   
muffl$ cry1 a k9d ( snort+  *oke1 & a   
ha/y slamm+ ( :atev] _h be5 op5$4 ,almo/
 at  once ! key rattl$ & ,willett appe>$
 9 ! hall1 hagg>d &  gha/ly1 & dem&+    
wood = ! real fireplace on ! s\? wall  (
 ! room4 ,! furnace 0 n en\gh1 he said2 
& ! electric log  _h little practical   
use4 ,long+ yet n d>+ to ask que/ions1  
,mr4 ,w>d gave ! requisite ord]s & a man
 br\ght "s /\t p9e  logs1 %udd]+ z he   
ent]$ ! ta9t$ air ( ! libr>y to place   
!m 9 ! grate4 ,willett mean:ile _h gone 
up to ! dismantl$  laboratory & br\ght  
d[n a few odds & ends n includ$ 9 !     

mov+ ( ! ,july be=e4 ,!y 7 9 a cov]$    
basket1 & ,mr4 ,w>d  nev] saw :at !y 74 
,!n ! doctor lock$ himself up 9 ! libr>y
 once m1 & by !  cl\ds ( smoke :i* roll$
 d[n pa/ ! w9d[s f ! *imney x  0 kn[n t 
he _h light$ ! fire4 ,lat]1 aft] a great
 ru/l+  ( newspap]s1 t odd wr5* & creak+
 7 he>d aga92 foll[$  by a ?ump+ :i*    
none ( ! eavesdropp]s lik$4 ,!reaft] two
  suppress$ cries ( ,willett's 7 he>d1 &
 h>d ^u ^! came a  swi%+ ru/le (        
indef9able hatefulness4 ,f9ally ! smoke 
t !  w9d beat d[n f ! *imney grew v d>k 
& acrid1 & ev]yone  wi%$ t ! wea!r _h   
sp>$ !m ?is *ok+ & v5om\s  inundation ( 
peculi> fumes4 ,mr4 ,w>d's head reel$1 &
 ! s]vants  all clu/]$ toge!r 9 a knot  
to wat* ! horrible black smoke  swoop   
d[n4 ,aft] an age ( wait+ ! vapors seem$
 to light51 &  half-=mless s\nds (      
scrap+1 sweep+1 & o!r m9or op]ations  7 
he>d beh9d ! bolt$ door4 ,& at la/1 aft]
 ! slamm+  ( "s cupbo>d )91 ,willett    
made 8 appe>ance1 sad1 pale &  hagg>d1 &
 be>+ ! clo?-drap$ basket he _h tak5 f !

  up/airs laboratory4 ,he _h left ! w9d[
 op51 & into t once  accurs$ room 0 p\r+
 a weal? ( pure1 :olesome air to mix )  
a que] new smell ( dis9fectants4 ,!     
anci5t ov]mantel /ill  l+]$2 b x seem$  
robb$ ( malignity n[1 & rose z calm &   
/ately 9 its :ite panel+ z if x _h nev] 
borne ! picture (  ,joseph ,curw54      
,night 0 com+ on1 yet ?is "t its %ad[s  
held  no lat5t fright1 b only a g5tle   
melan*oly4 ,( :at he _h done  ! doctor  
w\ld nev] speak4 ,to ,mr4 ,w>d he said1 
,i c answ] no  que/ions1 b ,i w say t   
!re are diff]5t k9ds ( magic4 ,i  h made
 a great purgation4 ,^? 9 ?is h\se w    
sleep ! bett]  = x4           99        
99       99       99       99    ,t ,dr4
 ,willett's purgation _h be5 an ordeal  
almo/ z  n]ve-rack+ 9 its way z 8 hide\s
 w&]+ 9 ! vani%$ crypt  is %ewn by !    
fact t ! eld]ly physician gave out      
completely  z soon z he rea*$ home t    
ev5+4 ,= ?ree days he re/$  con/antly 9 
8 room1 ?\gh s]vants lat] mutt]$ some?+ 
ab\t hav+ he>d him aft] midnight on     

,w$nesday1 :5 ! out]  door s(tly op5$1 &
 clos$ ) ph5om5al s(tness4 ,s]vants'    
imag9ations1 =tunately1 are limit$1 else
 comm5t might h be5  excit$ by an item 9
 ,?ursday's ,ev5+ ,bullet9 :i* ran z    
foll[s3                         ,nor?   
,end ,gh\ls ,aga9 ,active        ,aft] a
 lull ( t5 mon?s s9ce ! da/>dly v&alism 
9 !      ,we$5 lot at ! ,nor? ,burial   
,gr\nd1 a nocturnal pr[l] 0      glimps$
 e>ly ?is morn+ 9 ! same cemet]y by     
,rob]t ,h>t1      ! night wat*man4      
,happ5+ to glance = a mom5t f 8         
%elt] at ab\t two a4m41 ,h>t obs]v$ a   
gl[ ( a lant]n or      pocket tor* n f> 
to ! nor?w>d1 & ^u op5+ ! door          
detect$ ! figure ( a man ) a tr[el v    
pla9ly silh\ett$      aga9/ a ne>by     
electric light4 ,at once />t+ 9 pursuit1
 he      saw ! figure d>t hurri$ly t[>d 
! ma9 entrance1 ga9+      ! /reet & los+
 himself among ! %ad[s be=e approa* or  
capture 0 possible4        ,l ! fir/ ( !
 gh\ls active dur+ ! pa/ ye>1 ?is       
intrud] _h done no real damage be=e     

detection4 ,a vacant "p      ( ! ,w>d   
lot %ew$ signs ( a little sup]ficial    
digg+1 b      no?+ ev5 ne>ly ! size ( a 
grave _h be5 attempt$1 & no      previ\s
 grave _h be5 di/urb$4        ,h>t1 :o  
_c describe ! pr[l] except z a small man
      probably hav+ a full be>d1 incl9es
 to ! view t all ?ree      ( ! digg+    
incid5ts h a common s\rce2 b police f ! 
,second ,/ation ?9k o!rwise on acc\nt ( 
! savage nature (      ! second incid5t1
 :]e an anci5t c(f9 0 remov$ & its      
head/one viol5tly %att]$4        ,! fir/
 ( ! incid5ts1 9 :i* x is ?\ght an      
attempt to      bury some?+ 0 fru/rat$1 
occurr$ a ye> ago la/ ,m>*1 &      has  
be5 attribut$ to bootlegg]s seek+ a     
ca*e4 ,x is possible1      says ,s]geant
 ,riley1 t ?is ?ird affair is ( simil>  
nature4      ,(fic]s at ! ,second       
,/ation are tak+ especial pa9s to       
capture      ! gang ( miscreants        
responsible = ^! repeat$ outrages4      
,all day ,?ursday ,dr4 ,willett re/$ z  
if recup]at+ f some?+  pa/ or n]v+      

himself = some?+ to come4 ,9 ! ev5+ he  
wrote  a note to ,mr4 ,w>d1 :i* 0       
deliv]$ ! next morn+ & :i*  caus$ !     
half-daz$ p>5t to pond] long & deeply4  
,mr4 ,w>d  _h n be5 able to g d[n to    
bus9ess s9ce ! %ock ( ,monday  ) its    
baffl+ reports & its s9i/] purgation1 b 
he f\nd  some?+ calm+ ab\t ! doctor's   
lett] 9 spite ( ! despair x  seem$ to   
promise & ! fre% my/]ies x seem$ to     
evoke4                                  
#aj ,b>nes ,/41                         
,provid5ce1 ,r4 ,i41                    
,april #ab1 #aibh4        ,de> ,!odore3 
,i feel t ,i mu/ say a ^w to y be=e do+ 
:at ,i am go+      to d tomorr[4 ,x w   
conclude ! t]rible bus9ess we h be5     
go+ ?r\gh 7= ,i feel t no spade is ev]  
likely to rea*      t mon/r\s place we  
"k (71 b ,i'm afraid x won't set y\r    
m9d at re/ unless ,i expressly assure y 
h[ v conclusive x      is4        ,y h  
kn[n me ev] s9ce y 7 a small boy1 s ,i  
?9k y      w n di/ru/ me :5 ,i h9t t "s 
matt]s are be/ left      undecid$ &     

unexplor$4 ,x is bett] t y attempt no   
fur!r      speculation z to ,*>les's    
case1 & almo/ imp]ative t y      tell 8 
"m no?+ m ?an %e already suspects4 ,:5  
,i call      on y tomorr[ ,*>les w h    
escap$4 ,t is all :i* ne$      rema9 9  
anyone's m9d4 ,he 0 mad1 & he escap$4   
,s don't ask me any que/ions :5 ,i call4
 ,x may be t some?+      w g wrong1 b   
,i'll tell y if x does4 ,i don't ?9k x  
w4      ,!re w be no?+ m to worry ab\t1 
= ,*>les w be      v1 v safe4 ,he is    
n[--saf] ?an y dream4 ,y ne$ hold       
no fe>s ab\t ,all51 & :o or :at he is4  
,he =ms z mu* a      "p ( ! pa/ z       
,joseph ,curw5's picture1 & :5 ,i r+ y\r
      doorbell y may feel c]ta9 t !re is
 no su* p]son4 ,&      :at wrote t      
m9uscule message w nev] tr\ble y or     
y\rs4        ,b y mu/ /eel y\rself to   
melan*oly1 & prep>e y\r wife to      d !
 same4 ,i mu/ tell y frankly t ,*>les's 
escape w n      mean 8 re/oration to y4 
,he has be5 afflict$ ) a peculi>        
disease1 z y mu/ realize f ! subtle     

physical z well z      m5tal *anges 9   
him1 & y mu/ n hope to see him aga94 ,he
      /umbl$ on ?+s no mortal ought ev] 
to "k1 & rea*$ back      ?r\gh ! ye>s z 
no "o ev] %\ld rea*2 & some?+ came      
out ( ^? ye>s to engulf him4        ,&  
n[ comes ! matt] 9 :i* ,i mu/ ask y to  
tru/ me mo/      ( all4 ,= !re w be1    
inde$1 no unc]ta9ty ab\t ,*>les's       
fate4 ,9 ab\t a ye>1 say1 y c if y wi%  
devise a suitable      acc\nt ( ! end1 =
 ! boy w be no m4 ,y c put up a         
/one 9 y\r lot at ! ,nor? ,burial gr\nd 
exactly t5 feet we/      ( y\r fa!r's & 
fac+ ! same way1 & t w m>k !      true  
re/+-place ( y\r son4 ,nor ne$ y fe> t x
 w      m>k any abnormality or *angel+4 
,! a%es 9 t grave w      be ^? ( y\r own
 unalt]$ bone & s9ew--( ! real ,*>les   
,dext] ,w>d ^: m9d y wat*$ f infancy--! 
real ,*>les      ) ! olive-m>k on 8 hip 
& )\t ! black wit*-m>k      on 8 *e/ or 
! pit on 8 =ehead4 ,! ,*>les :o nev]    
did actual evil1 & :o w h paid ) 8 life 
= 8      squeami%ness4        ,t is all4

 ,*>les w h escap$1 & a ye> f n[ y c    
put up 8 /one4 ,d n "q me tomorr[4 ,&   
believe t !      hon\r ( y\r anci5t     
family rema9s unta9t$ n[1 z x has be5   
at all times 9 ! pa/4        ,) pr(\nde/
 sympa?y1 & exhortations to =titude1    
calmness1      & resignation1 ,i am ev] 
,s9c]ely y\r fri5d1                     
,m>9us ,b4 ,willett4    ,s on ! morn+ ( 
,friday1 ,april #ac1 #aibh1 ,m>9us      
,bicknell ,willett  visit$ ! room (     
,*>les ,dext] ,w>d at ,dr4 ,waite's     
private  hospital on ,conanicut ,isl&4  
,aft] ! int]*ange ( a few /ra9$         
=malities1 a new elem5t ( con/ra9t crept
 91 z ,w>d seem$ to  read beh9d !       
doctor's masklike face a t]rible purpose
 :i* _h  nev] be5 !re be=e4    ,w>d     
actually turn$ pale1 & ! doctor 0 ! fir/
 to speak4  ,m1 he said1 has be5 f\nd   
out1 & ,i mu/ w>n y fairly t a  reckon+ 
is due4    ,digg+ aga91 & com+ ^u m poor
 />v+ pets8 0 !  ironic reply4 ,x 0     
evid5t t ! y\? meant to %ew bravado to  
! la/4    ,no1 ,willett sl[ly rejo9$1   

?is "t ,i did n h to dig4 ,we  h _h m5  
look+ up ,dr4 ,all51 & !y f\nd ! false  
be>d &  spectacles 9 ! bungal[6         
,excell5t1 comm5t$ ! disquiet$ ho/ 9 an 
ef=t to be wittily  insult+1 & ,i tru/  
!y prov$ m becom+ ?an ! be>d &  glasses 
y n[ h on6    ,!y w\ld become y v well1 
came ! ev5 & /udi$ response1  z inde$ !y
 seem to h done4    ,z ,willett said    
?is1 x almo/ seem$ z ?\gh a cl\d pass$  
ov]  ! sun2 ?\gh !re 0 no *ange 9 !     
%ad[s on ! floor4 ,!n  ,w>d v5tur$3     
,& is ?is :at asks s hotly = a reckon+8 
,suppose a man does  f9d x n[ & !n      
useful to be tw(old8    ,no1 said       
,willett gravely1 aga9 y are wrong4 ,x  
is no bus9ess (  m9e if any man seeks   
duality2 provid$ he has any "r to exi/  
at  all1 & provid$ he does n de/roy :at 
call$ him out ( space4    ,w>d n[ />t$  
viol5tly4 ,well1 ,sir1 :at h ye f\nd1 & 
:at  d'ye want ) me8    ,! doctor let a 
little "t elapse be=e reply+1 z if *oos+
 8  words = an effective answ]4    ,i h 
f\nd1 he f9ally inton$1 some?+ 9 a      

cupbo>d beh9d an  anci5t ov]mantel :]e a
 picture once 01 & ,i h burn$ x &  buri$
 ! a%es :]e ! grave ( ,*>les ,dext] ,w>d
 ought to be4    ,! madman *ok$ & sprang
 f ! *air 9 :i* he _h be5  sitt+3       
,damn ye1 :o did ye tell--& :o'll       
believe x 0 he aft] ^!  full two mon?s1 
) me alive8 ,:at d'ye mean to d8        
,willett1 ?\gh a small man1 actually    
took on a k9d ( judicial  maje/y z he   
calm$ ! pati5t ) a ge/ure4    ,i h told 
no "o4 ,?is is no common case--x is a   
madness out (  "t & a horror f beyond ! 
sph]es :i* no police or lawy]s  or c\rts
 or ali5i/s c\ld ev] fa?om or grapple )4
 ,y _c  deceive me1 ,joseph ,curw51 = ,i
 "k t y\r accurs$ magic is true6    ,i  
"k h[ y wove ! spell t brood$ outside ! 
ye>s &  fa/5$ on y\r d\ble & desc5dant2 
,i "k h[ y drew him into  ! pa/ & got   
him to raise y up f y\r dete/able grave2
 ,i  "k h[ he kept y hidd5 9 8          
laboratory :ile y /udi$ mod]n  ?+s &    
rov$ abroad z a vampire by night1 & h[ y
 lat]  %ew$ y\rself 9 be>d & glasses t  

no "o might wond] at y\r  godless       
lik5ess to him2 ,i "k :at y resolv$ to d
 :5 he balk$  at y\r mon/r\s rifl+ ( !  
_w's tombs1 & at :at y  plann$ aft]w>d1 
& ,i "k h[ y did x4    ,y left (f y\r   
be>d & glasses & fool$ ! gu>ds ar\nd  ! 
h\se4 ,!y ?\ght x 0 he :o w5t 91 & !y   
?\ght x  0 he :o came out :5 y _h       
/rangl$ & hidd5 him4 ,b y  hadn't       
reckon$ on ! diff]5t contacts ( two     
m9ds4 ,y 7 a  fool1 ,curw51 to fancy t a
 m]e visual id5tity w\ld be en\gh4  ,:y 
didn't y ?9k ( ! spee* & ! voice & !    
h&writ+8  ,x hasn't work$1 y see1 aft]  
all4 ,y "k bett] ?an ,i :o or  :at wrote
 t message 9 m9uscules1 b ,i w w>n y x 0
 n  writt5 9 va94 ,!re are abom9ations &
 blasphemies :i* mu/ be  /amp$ out1 & ,i
 believe t ! writ] ( ^? words w att5d   
to ,orne & ,hut*9son4 ,"o ( ^? creatures
 wrote y once1 'd n  call up any t y _c 
put d[n4' ,curw51 a man c't tamp] )     
,nature beyond c]ta9 limits1 & e horror 
y h wov5 w rise  up to wipe y out4      
99       99       99       99       99  

,b "h ! doctor 0 cut %ort by a          
convulsive cry f ! creature  be=e him4  
,hopelessly at bay1 weaponless1 & kn[+ t
 any %[  ( physical viol5ce w\ld br+ a  
score ( att5dants to ! doctor's  rescue1
 ,joseph ,curw5 _h rec\rse to 8 "o      
anci5t ally1 & began a  s]ies (         
cabali/ic motions ) 8 =ef+]s z 8 deep1  
holl[  voice1 n[ unconceal$ by feign$   
ho>s5ess1 bell[$ out ! op5+  words ( a  
t]rible =mula4    ,,p] ,,adonai ,,eloim1
 ,,adonai ,,jehova1 ,,adonai ,,sabao?1  
,,metraton4444    ,b ,willett 0 too     
quick = him4 ,ev5 z ! dogs 9 ! y>d      
outside  began to h[l1 & ev5 z a *ill   
w9d sprang sudd5ly up f !  bay1 ! doctor
 comm5c$ ! solemn & measur$ intonation (
 t  :i* he _h meant all along to recite4
 ,an eye = an eye--magic =  magic--let !
 outcome %ew h[ well ! lesson ( ! abyss 
_h  be5 le>n$6 ,s 9 a cle> voice ,m>9us 
,bicknell ,willett began !  second ( t  
pair ( =mulae ^: fir/ _h rais$ ! writ] (
  ^? m9uscules--! cryptic invocation ^: 
head+ 0 ! ,dragon's  ,tail1 sign ( !    

desc5d+ node--        ,,og?rod ,,ai',f  
,,geb',l----,,ee'',h      ,,yog-,,so?o? 
',,ngah',,ng ,,ai',y      ,,zhro6    ,at
 ! v fir/ ^w f ,willett's m\? !         
previ\sly comm5c$  =mula ( ! pati5t     
/opp$ %ort4 ,unable to speak1 ! mon/]   
made wild motions ) 8 arms until !y too 
7 arre/$4 ,:5 !  awful "n ( ,yog-,so?o? 
0 utt]$1 ! hide\s *ange began4  ,x 0 n  
m]ely a dissolution1 b r a trans=mation 
or  recapitulation2 & ,willett %ut 8    
eyes le/ he fa9t be=e !  re/ ( !        
incantation c\ld be pron\nc$4    ,b he  
did n fa9t1 & t man ( unholy c5turies & 
=bidd5  secrets nev] tr\bl$ ! _w aga94  
,! madness out ( "t _h  subsid$1 & !    
case ( ,*>les ,dext] ,w>d 0 clos$4 ,op5+
 8  eyes be=e /agg]+ out ( t room (     
horror1 ,dr4 ,willett saw t  :at he _h  
kept 9 memory _h n be5 kept amiss4 ,!re 
_h1 z he  _h pr$ict$1 be5 no ne$ =      
acids4 ,= l 8 accurs$ picture  a ye>    
be=e1 ,joseph ,curw5 n[ lay scatt]$ on !
 floor z a ?9  coat+ ( f9e blui%-gray   
du/4