The Haunted Palace Page #2

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but that's a matter

of heredity, not magic.

Call it what you will.

One thing is certain...

Joseph Curwen

has come back to Arkham.

- Why did you say that?

- What?

That we wouldn't

be staying long.

Do you want to stay in a town

full of fools like that?

I don't think

Dr. Willet was a fool.

All right, so Dr. Willet

wasn't a fool...

The poor thing.

Yes.

Let's get this over with.

Charles, it's you!

It's absolutely fantastic!

Dear, is something wrong?

No.

No. Let's see what the rest

of this mausoleum looks like.

Kitchen's over there.

Wait.

That doesn't lead anywhere.

This way.

- How would you know that?

- Just a guess.

I'll let some light in here.

Good evening.

- Who are you?

- My name is Simon.

What are you doing here?

I'm the caretaker.

I was preparing your room.

In the dark?

One becomes accustomed

to the darkness here.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Ward,

if I startled you...

but I didn't know

you'd be here so soon.

Just a minute.

How is it you

expected us at all?

Your attorney,

Mr. Hutchinson, contacted me.

Since then, I've been preparing

the palace for your arrival.

If you'll excuse me,

I'll go fetch your bags.

No! No, that won't

be necessary.

We're not staying.

But where would you

spend the night?

After all, Mr. Ward,

this is your home.

Get the bags.

Very well.

Dinner will be served at 8:00,

if that's convenient.

Thank you.

You don't really want

to spend the night here?

No, of course not, but...

But the old fellow was right.

We have to spend the night

someplace. Don't we?

Quiet! Quiet I say!

Is it food you want?

What's wrong with him tonight?

Not him, woman, it! Lt!

How many times must I tell you?

It knows.

That's what's wrong.

It knows who's

come back to Arkham.

I'm all packed.

You ready?

- I have decided to stay.

- What?

Just long enough

to fix the place up.

With a little work,

it could bring a good price.

Don't you think?

I should imagine. I don't know.

I estimate two weeks,

perhaps three...

to get things started, anyway.

Do you mind?

No, not exactly.

I can't say it pleases me.

Then you go home.

I'm sorry.

It's just that I...

I can't leave now until I...

find out... some things.

Nightmarish, yes,

but not a nightmare.

They're quite real,

I'm sorry to say.

But what are they, doctor?

Human beings.

Very unfortunate human beings.

They were born mutated.

You see, Mrs. Ward,

it requires an extraordinary

combination of elements...

to form a normal person.

In their case,

the combination was wrong.

They were gathered

by Weeden, of course...

for the purpose

of frightening you away.

But why, doctor?

Why should we be treated

as though we have the plague?

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