Los duendes son toda clase de cosas... ¡menos duendes!
Los duendes son ratas y las ratas son duendes,
Allí,..., había una enorme rata que me miraba fijamente...
De la traducción de Miguel Alejandro Maturén para El Nacional.
When I read this story for the first time in my old ignorance (as they always are ignorant, my ignorance is now different from then) I was skeptical of a story as it is, not that I thought would be bad, rather I was not expecting anything interesting. When I finished reading it out of mind for several days, and not because of horror in me, has more to do with the story as such, is excellent. In fact considered one of the best horror stories (I mentioned it here because of ignorance, I did not know). Now I can say without hesitation that it is one of my favorite horror stories.
The truth is that it would have been more pleasant, even for me to talk more about this story and be less "jalabolas", but beyond a synopsis prefer to invite you to read and enjoy it. Good night!
House
Judge (translator unknown)
When it came time for exams, Malcolm Malcomson suddenly decided to go to a secluded spot, in order to study in peace. Feared the attraction of coastal populations and completely rural isolation. From the first he knew its charms. Determined, therefore, find a people without pretensions, where nobody and nothing could distract him.
Of course, refrained from asking about the names or places your friends, because all you certainly recommend sites already known to him. And what was worse, by them. Malcomson wished to avoid friends, they do not want anyone bothering him in his studies. So he decided to search the site. He filled a suitcase with some clothes and all the books I needed, and bought a ticket for the first name of the schedule that saw the outputs station.
When after a three-hour trip got off at Benchurch, he felt satisfied that I completely erased their tracks and be in a place where I could study in peace. Then He went straight to the only inn in this sleepy village, and proceeded to spend the night. Benchurch was a market town, so once every three weeks it looked very crowded, but the rest of the month was as empty as a desert.
The day after his arrival, Malcolm began to look for in an even more isolated than the inn, which was called "The good traveler." Only one house caught his eye and satisfied his idea of \u200b\u200bsolitude: in fact, solitude and quiet were not the most appropriate terms to define it as the most appropriate would be desolate and not isolation. It was a dilapidated building, declined, Jacobean style, with heavy gables and windows, usually small, higher than normal in the other village houses, many of which were almost level with the ground, surrounded by a wall construction solid.
After further examination, it seemed more a fortified dwelling ordinary mansion. This was what he liked to Malcolm. "Here, he thought, I'll have a real chance to study. Here I'll be happy. If This is the house I was looking for "... His joy increased when he learned, with certainty, that the house was not inhabited.
In Post learned of the name of the agent, who rarely looked surprised by a request for the old house. Mr. Carnford, agent and a local lawyer, was a gentleman of a certain age, who confessed that for a long time glad that no one wanted to rent that house.
"Actually, he added, would come, for its owners, rent free for at least a year, so that people get used to her habitation. It took so long empty, which has even created some prejudice. Your Occupation destroy it ... but is busy, "he added with a shy glance to the appearance of a Malcolm-wise as you, who want peace and quiet to study. Malcolm
judged unnecessary to ask the agent what the bias ... Did they get better reporting on the issue, if needed, through the mouths of others. Paid three months rent, put the receipt, and wrote down the name of a woman who probably would do the housework. Then, left with the keys in his pocket.
He went in search of the mistress of the inn, very kind and friendly. and asked for advice on stores and supplies you may need. She raised her hands toward the ceiling when he told her where I was going to stay.
- not in the house of Judge! He cried in terror.
Malcolm explained the benefits of that house for him, adding he did not know his name. When she finished her presentation, she replied:
"Yeah, sure ... it sure is the same. Sure it's the House of Justice. Malcolm
gently asked what happened to such a place, why they called him that way and what they had against it.
The woman answered and called to the house for many years before (did not know how long, since she was otherwise part of the country, but thought it was over hundred years old) had been the home of a judge who everyone feared because of his terrible judgments and his hostility to prisoners. As to what would have against the home, did not know well. Often he had asked, but no one speaks reported, although there was a general feeling of "something." For his part, or all the money the Bank of Drinkwater remain one hour in that house. Then he apologized to Malcolm bored with your talk.
-concluded-I think, which for a young gentleman like you, not good just living there. If you were my son, forgive me for telling such a thing, would not sleep there tonight, or any, of course. if I had to go in person to play the alarm signal on the roof.
The good woman was so worried, and was so kind in their intentions, Malcolm, but fun inside, he felt excited. so, replied that he appreciated their good intentions and added:
"My dear Mrs. Witham, does not have to worry about me. A man studying higher mathematics has no time to deal with mysterious things. Your task is too precise and meticulous and prosaic to permit any corner of your brain is engaged in speculation of any mysterious class. Harmonic progressions, permutations and combinations, apart from the elliptic functions, and assume enough mystery to me, "he added laughing.
Mrs. Witham offered to buy whatever he needed it, and Malcolm went to visit the lady of tasks recommended by the agent.
When she returned with her to the House of Justice, after two hours, saw that Mrs. Witham and was waiting with several men and boys carrying parcels and packages, as well as the man, a weaver who had a bed in a cart, because, he said the woman, although the chairs and tables were in good condition, a bed that was not aired in over fifty years was no place for young bones. Clearly, Mrs. Witham was curious to visit the interior of the house, and although it was evident that he feared "something", because the slightest noise he clung tightly to Malcolm, who never left even a moment, looked around the place.
After visiting the house, Malcolm decided to settle in the vast dining room, which could satisfy all their needs, and Mrs. Witham, with the help of Mrs. Dempster, as it was called the "interim", proceeded to make the arrangements. When they unwrapped and emptied all the boxes, Malcolm realized that Mrs. Witham had been sighted in end, since the provisions were at least a week. Before leaving, she wished him good luck. And in the door he turned and snapped:
"Perhaps, sir, the room might be too big for you, and besides, drafts may be, it would be desirable to install around his bed, at least at night, one of those things are called ... screens, although, in truth, before I die to be locked into one of these objects, with all these things ... head sticking out everywhere ... even above ... could look at me ...
The picture that she herself had evoked was too much for his nerves, and quickly fled there.
Mrs. Dempster sniffed the air of superiority disappeared when the other woman, and noted that his party is not afraid of no ghost of the kingdom.
"I tell you one thing, sir," he continued, "elves are many things, many ... fewer goblins. Rats and mice, cockroaches and wasps, creaking doors, loose tiles, broken glass, loose handles and knobs in the comfortable ... they sometimes fall evening. Note the coffered ceiling of this room. It has about a hundred years old! Imagine the rats and cockroaches to be there! And you do not see anything. Rats are the elves, I assure you, and goblins are the rats. And do not think anything else!
"Mrs. Dempster," said Malcolm with gravity, with a slight bow politely, you know more than a real wise. And let me tell you, as a sign of esteem for his undoubted goodness of heart and wisdom, that when I leave, I will give you possession of this house where you can live at least two months since I rented for three and my suffice me for my studies with four weeks at most.
"Thank you, sir," she said, but could not sleep even one night away from my place. I live in the Greenshow's Charity, and if one night sleeping outside my room lose. In that house of charity are very strict rules, and too many people on wait lists to risk losing my bed. Although I assure you, sir, that I love to serve as necessary during your stay here.
"My good woman," said Malcolm quickly, "I came here in search of solitude and isolation, and believe me I am grateful to the late Greenshow for organizing a charity house so admirable, because I am so frustrated the opportunity to experience this form of temptation. San Antonio The same could not be more rigid on this point.
"Ah, you young," laughed the woman, fear nothing, and I'm sure we achieved enjoy the solitude that yearn.
After these words are devoted to housekeeping, and evening, Malcolm returned from a walk (he was always equipped with one of his books when he left), found sweeping and mopping the dining room, the fire in the hearth, the lamp on, and the table laid for dinner with excellent food purchased by Mrs. Witham.
- Bravo! Malcolm exclaimed, rubbing his hands. This is comfort.
When dinner ended, took the tray to the other end of the huge table, took back the books, added fuel Fire reduced the lamplight and began to study deeply. Continued without break till eleven, when he returned to stoke the fire and revive the fading light, while making a cup of tea. He had always been tea drinker, and during his university had enjoyed every night of a cup before bedtime.
That break was a luxury he enjoyed with a sense of voluptuous delight. The reanimated fire crackled and flared brightly, producing huge shadows in the vast room. Dreamed over tea with the sense of isolation that he liked. It was then first observed the noise made rats.
"Surely, he thought, have not done while studying, otherwise I would have set."
When the noise was increasing, he was sure he had just begun. Evi4ente was that rats had been frightened by the presence of a stranger, to light the fire and the lamp, but with the passing of the hours had increased its boldness and now enjoying their favorite pastime.
What were busy! What sounds stranger! Up and down within the coffered ceiling, the ceiling and below ground, ran to more and better, gnawing, scratching ... Malcolm smiled, remembering the words of Mrs. Dempster, "The Rats are the elves, I assure you, and the elves are the rats! ".
The area was beginning to exercise their intellectual and nervous stimulus, and anticipated with joy Malcolm other long hours of work before to end the day. With a sense of security that this drink gave him, was allowed to take a good look at the room. He took the lamp with one hand and spun around, wondering why such a great and ancient house was so neglected. The carving of oak sizes of wood paneling was excellent, and all doors and windows had great merit. On the walls speak some old pictures, although they were so dusty and dirty it was impossible to distinguish the smallest detail, Despite lifting the lamp as the length of his arm was allowed. Here and there a hole or crack speaking momentarily plugging the nose of a rat with its bright little eyes gleaming in the light, but then disappeared, succeeding then a scamper and a shriek.
What surprised him most, however, was the cord of the great alarm bell on the roof, which hung at one end of the room, the fireplace right partner. Malcolm moved a chair to the warm home and sat to enjoy a last cup of tea. Shortly after the fire stoked and proceeded with its work, sitting at a corner table and fire to your left. For a while the rats disturbed him with her constant travels, but got used to the noise as well as people get used to the ticking of a clock or the sound of running water was so immersed in his study at the end that all the world, except the problem was solved, did not exist for him.
Suddenly he raised his head, the problem still unresolved, feeling in the air that feeling of the hour before dawn, so scary for a life that is extinguished. The noise of the rats had ceased. Well, he thought they had stopped recently. And it was the end of all noise that disturbed him most.
The fire was very low, but still left a faint red glow spread. Raising his head, Malcolm shuddered despite his sangfroid. Above
huge carved oak chair, placed on the right side of the chimney, speaks a huge rat, staring at him with small eyes full of hatred. Malcolm made a motion to scare her off, but the rat did not move. Then, he pretended to throw something. The rat remained motionless, but showed his sharp teeth, and his cruel little eyes glittered in the lamplight with even more hatred.
Malcolm felt himself dazed, and seizing the poker from the fireplace was ready to kill the animal. However, before he could hit, the rat, with a shriek that seemed all the concentration of hate, jumped to the ground and climbing cord alarm bell disappeared into the darkness beyond the scope of the cone of light from the green-shaded lamp. Instantly, and very strange, the rats returned to resume coffered noise.
At the time Malcolm's brain was no longer focused on the math problem, and as the rooster told him he was breaking, he went to bed, where he soon fell fast asleep.
slept so deeply, that even woke up when Mrs. Dempster entered the room. Only when she was sweeping, had breakfast ready and tapped on the screen which contained a bed, woke Malcolm. I was a little tired from the night's hard work, but the cup of strong tea cooled and woke him, so, taking the book, went for a morning walk, taking some sandwiches because he did not think back to when dinner.
desert found a path between some elms, outside the town, where he spent most of the day studying his Laplace. The return went into the inn to greet Mrs. Witham and to thank all the trouble he had taken. When she saw through the glass of his little office, hastened out to welcome him. Then he stared, searching eyes, shook his head and exclaimed: "He works
you too. Very pale this morning. Stays up too late and your brain is excessive fatigue, and this is not good for any young. Tell me, how was last night? I guess well, of course. But I assure you, sir, I was glad when Mrs. Dempster told me this morning that when she lleg6 home, you slept like a log.
"Oh, I've had a great time," he replied, smiling. That "something" has not bothered me yet. Only the rats, and I assure you that running everywhere. I saw one that like a true devil, sitting in my chair in the chimney, and did not flee until threatened with the poker. Then climbed up the cord of the alarm bell and got through the wall or ceiling ... I could not see well because that was very dark.
- God help us! "Mrs. Witham got scared. A devil sitting on his chair in the chimney! Be careful, sir, beware! Rumors always have some truth.
- What do you mean? I assure you I do not understand.
- A devil ...! Ah, maybe the devil ... No, do not laugh, sir, "added the good woman, as had Malcolm burst into a loud laugh. Young people always laugh that shakes the old. Ah, never mind, sir, it does not matter, and hopefully you can keep laughing all life. That's all I really want!
The landlady of the inn, for a moment, enjoyed the laughter of Malcolm, forgetting their fears.
"Oh, pardon," said the young student suddenly. Do not think I'm a fool, but his words made me laugh ... Come on, believing that the devil himself was sitting on my couch last night of the fire ...!
Given this thought, the young man laughed again. Then he went to his house for dinner.
That night, the rats began to sound much earlier, in fact, they did even before his arrival, and only stopped when he made his entrance as if his presence disturbed. After dinner, Malcolm sat a few moments before the fire to smoke a cigarette, and then, after removing the plates and the tray table, began to study again.
That night the rats disturbed him more than the previous. I ran around and gnawed up and down, up and down! I screamed, like a spider, how would gnaw! Taking more daring at times, peered through the holes of the panels, the cracks, crevices, and junctions, and their little eyes glittered like fireflies when the flames of the fire rose and waned. However, for Malcolm, and certainly used to it, those little eyes were not wicked, rather rateriles games moved him. Sometimes the boldest leaped to the ground or running down the ceiling moldings. From time to time, if you bothered to excess, Malcolm made a noise to frighten them, striking the table with a hand or hissing, whereupon all terrified returning to their hideouts.
So passed the first part of that night, and despite the noise, Malcolm was able to completely absorbed in his work.
suddenly lifted head as the night before, almost overwhelmed by the sudden silence. There is no sound, the smallest scratch, the child scream. There was a silence of the grave. Malcolm remembered what happened last night and instinctively looked to the chair that was next to the fireplace. Then he was startled by a strange sensation.
Sitting in the oak chair was the same enormous rat, staring with their hateful little eyes.
Instinctively, the young man took what was at hand, a book of logarithms, and threw it. The book was not well-aimed and the rat did not move, so Malcolm repeated nighttime operation above with the poker, the rat, to be hunted down close, climbed the rope alarm bell. Strangely enough, his departure was followed instantly by the resumption of the noise by rateril community.
On this occasion, as in the previous, Malcolm could not distinguish where the rat had disappeared, because the green screen lamp in darkness left the upper room, and the fire was quite low.
When looked at his watch, MaIcolm saw that it was almost midnight, and not count the divertissement, poked the fire and the tea was served at night. He had worked hard and thought he was entitled to a cigarette so that he sat in his chair before the fire, ready to enjoy the smoke snuff.
While smoking began to think that you would like to know where the animal had disappeared since he had some idea for the next day, connected to a rat trap. According to his idea, he lit another lamp and placed it so that it illuminates the corner of the right of the fireplace. Then gathered all his books and placed them near his reach, to throw against the rodent. Finally, he lifted the rope of the alarm bell and the extreme left on the table, looking under the green lamp. Handling it, noted the very flexible and very strong, apart from not being worn or frayed at all.
"It would be possible to hang a man with this .. thought"
completed preparations, looked around and said very pleased:
"And now, my dear, I think this time I know your secret."
again be absorbed in their problems, and although at first it bothered some noise of the rats, was soon lost in his propositions and mathematical problems. Again
was plucked from his studies suddenly. It was no longer just the silence that surrounded him what had distracted him, but a slight movement of the rope, which swayed the lamp.
Without moving, he looked to see if the pile of books was at hand, and glanced along the rope.
Then he saw the rat jumped off the rope to the chair, and sat, watching. Malcolm picked up a book with your right hand and aiming carefully, threw it in the rat. This, with a quick movement, sprang aside and dodged the bullet. Then the young man took another volume, and a third, and threw one after another against the rodent, always without success. At last, rising to fourth book in hand, the rat squeaked and seemed afraid.
This made wishes Malcolm more than ever throw the book, this time hit the rat with a thud. The animal screamed horribly, and pitching against his enemy a terrible evil look, ran across the back of his chair and took a huge leap to the rope, climbing up it like lightning. The lamp rocked under the sudden impulse, but as it was too heavy, did not return. Malcolm kept his eyes fixed on the rat, and in light of the second lamp was that it jumped into a molding of wood paneling and disappeared through a hole in one of the large paintings hanging from the wall, obscured, invisible under a layer of dirt and dust.
"In the morning look for the hideout of my girlfriend," muttered the student, picking up his books. The third picture from the fireplace. I will not. I was taking
books one by one, commenting on their titles to lift. Conic Sections
-
has not done anything cycloidal oscillations, or Principles, or Quaternary and thermodynamics. Ah, this is the book that forced her to flee! Malcolm
picked it up and look. It was then when he suffered a terrible start and spread over her face a sudden pallor. He looked frightened and trembled slightly around while muttering
- my God! The Bible my mother gave me! What a strange coincidence!
sat down again to study, and the rats resumed their games. Did not mind, however, on the contrary, his presence seemed to keep him company. However, he was unable to concentrate on their work, and after struggling a while with one of the problems, closed the book in despair and went to bed, when they penetrated the window the first light of dawn.
slept heavily but uneasily, and dreamed a lot. When Mrs. Dempster woke him and too late, Malcolm seemed ill, and for a moment did not remember exactly where I was. His first request startled Mrs. Dempster. Madame
Dempster, while I am today was, I would like to clean up completely, the best, those pictures ... especially the third after the fire. I want to see what they represent.
the afternoon, Malcolm was busy with books on the path of the elms, and as the day wore on was feeling so calm and happy as the day before, progressing satisfactorily in their studies. Able to resolve some of the problems that worried him, and when he visited Mrs. Witham at the inn, it was in a state of joy.
In the dining room, along with the owner, met a stranger, whom it was presented as the 'doctor Thomhill. " The woman seemed distressed, and this, combined with the questions the doctor soon Thomhill guide the young, did it come to the conclusion that his presence was not accidental.
Thomhill
-Doctor Malcolm exclaimed suddenly, without further ado, "gladly answer your questions before you answer if one of mine.
The doctor seemed surprised, but smiled and replied at once:
"Okay. What is it?
- Have you asked Mrs. Witham to come and see me and advise me? Dr. Thomhill
remained for a moment as cut, and Mrs. Witham flushed and retired on the spot. But the doctor was a loyal and honest, and answered frankly:
-effect, but did not want you to know. I guess my questions so hastily made it suspicious. Ms. Witham said he did not like the idea that you lived in that house alone, and further believes that making your tea too strong and in excessive amounts. In fact, you want advice to drink less tea and earlier bedtimes. I too was a student, so I guess I can take the liberty, in my capacity as colleague, to advise in these terms, and not like a stranger.
Malcolm smiled brightly and extended hand.
- choquelas!, As they say in America, "he cried. I appreciate your candor, and kindness from Mrs. Witham, she deserves from me. Well, I promise to take no more strong tea ... In fact, neither strong nor weak. And I go to bed every night at one o'clock at the latest. Okay?
- Superb! Dr. Thornhill said. And now tell me what has been observed in that house. Malcolm
then proceeded to carefully relate everything that happened in the two previous nights. Occasionally was interrupted by an exclamation from Mrs. Witham, who had returned to the dining room. When he finally told As regards the Bible thrown in the rat, was about to faint, and did not recover until they have had a drink of brandy and water. Dr. Thornhill listened to the story with the utmost gravity, and when the boy finished and Mrs. Witham had recovered completely, asked
"The rat always climb the rope of the alarm bell, right?
"Always.
"I guess you already know," muttered the doctor after a pause, "what that rope.
-No.
-is, "said the doctor slowly the rope which the hangman used for all victims of judicial anger the judge.
was interrupted by another scream from Mrs. Witham, and had to take several steps, including another glass of brandy to revive her. After consulting his watch Malcolm, seeing as it was time for dinner, went home before the good woman recover from the shock.
When he recovered, the landlady attacked doctor with all sorts of questions, also accusing him stupid ideas to infuse into the mind of Malcolm.
- With what is happening and have enough to worry! "He added.
"My dear Madam," replied the doctor quietly, "I told him with a definite purpose. I wanted to draw your attention to the bell rope. It is possible that this young man is a little excited and has studied too. Although a boy would say it is healthy, both mentally and physically, I did not like their explanation of the episodes of the rat and the diabolical suggestion the doctor shook his head and continued. I have offered to spend the night at home, but I think it would be considered offensive. Tonight may suffer a fright or hallucination, and if you can pull the rope. Thus we advise and get to its side before anything happens. Tonight I'll be up late and keep your ears wide open. Do not be alarmed if we have a surprise in Benchurch before dawn.
"Oh, doctor, what do you mean?
-A possibly, not probably hear the alarm bell of the Judge's house tonight.
And the doctor left the room with the utmost solemnity.
When Malcolm came to the mansion, he saw a little later than other days, for Mrs. Dempster had already gone, since he should not skip any house rules charities.
Malcolm liked to find your room clean and well prepared, with a lively fire and the lamp lit. The night was colder than might be expected in April and was blowing a gale it gained strength by the minute, promising to end in storm.
For a few minutes after entry, the noise stopped the rats, but as soon as they got used to his presence, it resumed again. Malcolm was pleased to hear, because the noise came back to give a sense of company, and his mind back to the strange fact that only silent when another huge rat eyes full of hatred, appeared on the couch. Reading lamp was lit green screen and kept the ceiling and the top of the room in darkness, so that the light kind of home that stretched across the floor and reluda white tablecloth on the table, placed one end, it was warm and encouraging. Malcolm sat down to dinner with good appetite and cheerful mood. After dinner and after smoking a cigarette, sat down to work, determined not to let anything bother him, he remembered his promise to the doctor. Was therefore decided to use the time available to the best possible way.
worked for an hour, and then his thoughts were diverted from books. The circumstances around him, calls attention to his physical and nervous susceptibilities were undeniable.
The wind had become a gale, gale and storm. The old house, despite their strength, shook to its foundations, and the storm roared and moaned through the countless chimneys and the strange roof, producing strange sounds in empty rooms and corridors. Even the great alarm bell on the roof suffered wind power, as the rope up and down slightly. As if the campaign should move from time to time. And the end of the rope fell to the ground with a hollow thud. Malcolm
While paying attention to the noise of the storm, he recalled the doctor's words: "It is the rope which the hangman used for all victims of judicial anger the judge."
Malcolm went to the fireplace and picked up the rope between his hands for examination. He seemed to feel a great interest in her, and for a moment was lost in speculation about which victims would have referred the doctor, and the malicious desire to preserve as evil Judge relic before his eyes. Occasionally, the swinging of the bell was raising and lowering the rope. Suddenly, Malcolm felt a new sensation, a sort of shake the rope, as if something is moving along with it. Raising
instinctively glance, the youth saw the great rat coming down slowly towards him, staring with a strange fixity. He dropped the rope and stepped back, mumbling a curse, and the rat climbed down the rope again and disappeared. At the same time, Malcolm was aware that the rats returned to fuss, after being quiet for some time.
All this made him think. He thought he had investigated the hiding of the rat, and examined the pictures, and trying to do. Lit, therefore, the other lamp without a shade, and keeping it up, stood before the third box on the right of the fireplace, where I had seen the rat disappear overnight.
At first glance fell so rapidly that nearly dropped the lamp, and his face spread an intense pallor. His knees trembled, and dropped his forehead large drops of sweat. His whole body was trembling like an aspen. But I was young and cheerful, and soon recover. After a pause of several seconds, advanced again, raised the lamp and examined the box, and free from dust and dirt.
represented a judge dressed in his robes and ermine. His face was hard, implacable, evil, vindictive, with a sensual mouth, a hooked nose, reddish, and a beak of a bird of prey. The rest of the face had a ghastly color. The eyes were a peculiar brilliance, with a terrible expression of malignancy. When you look at them, he stood frozen Malcolm, having just seen the same eyes to the huge rat. The lamp was about to slip from her hands, when he saw a rat peeping through a hole in the table. Casually observed the other rats were completely silent. However, tried to revive and continued its examination of the painting.
The judge was sitting in a large oak chair, right hand side of a stone fireplace where, in a corner, a rope hanging from the ceiling with the end rolled on the floor. With a great sense of horror, Malcolm acknowledged their own room, and looked around as if waiting to see the court behind him. Then he looked toward the corner of the fireplace ... and after throwing a scream, the lamp fell to the ground.
There, in the judge's chair, the rope hanging behind, sat the rat that had the odious one's eyes, now intensified by a very evil expression. Apart from the howling of the storm, there was absolute silence. Lamp fall
Malcolm served to recover in part. Fortunately it was metal, so that oil had spilled. However, the practical need for lift served to calm the nervous apprehensions of the young. When he had picked up, wiped his brow and thought for a moment.
- This can not go! Murmured hastily. If I well, I will finish going crazy. This has to end! I promised the doctor would not take tea. We must have faith, he's right! I have the nerves unhinged by the study. It's funny that I had not noticed. But now I know and I will not do crazy things.
mixed a glass of brandy and water, and after rush, turned resolutely to his work.
wore almost another hour of study, when he looked up the book, disturbed by the sudden silence. Outside the wind howled and moaned ever louder, and the rain fell and beat against the windows, tapping like hail, but inside the house there was a sound, apart from the clamor of wind and raindrops hissing falling down the chimney. The fire was already dying, and did not call, but still provided a reddish glow. Malcolm
provided attentive ear, and finally heard a faint little sound, almost inaudible. Came from the corner where hung the rope, and also thought he heard the rustling of the ground to move the bell on the roof because of the gale. However, distinguished looking up in the shadow of the great rat clinging to the rope, gnawing ... Malcolm, and even saw a few strands loose. That was when the rat completed its work, and the gnawed end of the rope fell on the oak floor, for a moment while the rat continued as attached to one end of rope, starting to move back and forth. Malcolm
experienced
a pang of terror at the thought that since he had no possibility to request outside assistance. Suddenly, he experienced an intense rage, and seizing the book he was studying, he threw it with all his might to the rat. The launch was well calculated, but before the missile hit the rat, it dropped to the ground with a thud. Instantly, Malcolm ran toward it, but the animal ran away and disappeared into the darkness of the room. The young man realized that night that had completed its work, and decided to relieve the monotony of their existence chasing the rat, so he took the big green light to obtain a greater light radius.
Thus, the top of the room was lighted, and under the greatest contribution of light, huge in comparison with the previous darkness, the pictures on the walls seemed to move forward boldly. From where I was, Malcolm was in front of where the third picture from the fireplace, right.
He rubbed his eyes in surprise, feeling that came over him an indefinable terror. In the center of the table was a large irregularly shaped hole, as if someone had pulled a piece of cloth. The fund continued as before with the chair, the fireplace and the rope, but there was the figure of the judge.
Malcolm, almost frozen with terror, turned slowly on itself, and then began to tremble like a man attacked by St. Vitus dance.
His strength seemed to leave him, and felt himself unable to act or move, even to think. I could only see and hear.
Sitting there in the oak chair, was the judge in his robes scarlet and ermine, with his malicious little eyes looking vindictively, and a triumphant smile on his resolute, cruel mouth, lifting his hands with a black cap.
Malcolm felt the blood leave his heart in a prolonged moment of martyrdom. His ears sang. Outside, he heard the roar of the storm and through the din, the stroke of midnight in the marketplace. During a time that seemed endless, was nailed to the ground like a statue, eyes wide in horror, short of breath. At the sound of the clock, triumphant smile intensified the judge, and the last stroke of midnight, covered his head with a black hood.
Slowly and deliberately, the judge rose from her chair and grabbed the piece of rope lying on the floor, passing through his hands, and enjoying their contact, and then slowly began to form a knot at the end. Then I pulled and tested with his foot, pulling hard until he was satisfied, he finally became a noose.
started to move along the table, on the opposite side to Malcolm, eyes fixed on him, to overtake. Suddenly, with a very rapid movement, plantóse at the door.
Malcolm realized he was caught and tried to think what to do. There was some fascination in the eyes of the judge, who did not take your eyes off him, and who, by force, they saw the young man forced to watch. He saw the court approached him, always staying between him and the door, and raised the bond with the evil intention of entrapment.
With a huge effort, Malcolm stepped aside and handed the rope rubbing, bumping against the hard ground. Judge again to lift the bow and tried to capture him, always with their hateful eyes on him, but again and again, the student, thanks to a terrible effort, managed to dodge the knot. This happened several times, but the judge never be discouraged by their failures. Rather it was that Malcolm was playing like a cat with a mouse.
Desperate at last, Malcolm looked at bay, around him. The lamp was well lit, and reigned in the room well lit. Malcolm saw in all holes, cracks and crevices in the coffered ceiling, the loops of the rat. And that vision, purely physical, he provided a huge comfort. He returned to tend the light around and saw the rope that rose toward the ceiling was full of rats. Was completely covered by them, and many more were emerging from the holes in the ceiling. Finally, the weight of rats caused the rope to move and touch the bell.
Clan ... clan! The tongue began to hit hard against the bronze. The sound was still small, but the bell would soon increase their swings.
Upon hearing, the judge, who was staring at Malcolm, raised, and extended his face an expression of diabolical evil. His little eyes sparkled as brands and kicked with the foot, with a noise that shook the house. When
he raised the rope broke horrid thunder, while the rats ran up and down the rope, as if working against the clock. This time, instead of throwing the lasso, the judge approached his victim, opening the knot. Moving closer, his presence seemed to contain a "something" chilling, and he fell Malcolm stiff as a corpse. He felt the icy fingers of the judge in his throat, on being tight rope. The noose tightened ... pressed to the utmost. Then the judge, taking into his arms rigidly the young student, carried the oak chair, and standing beside him, raised his hand and took the extreme swinging on the rope. At that moment, the rats fled squeaking and disappeared through the holes in the ceiling. Taking the end of the rope around the throat of Malcolm, the judge bound him back to the rope hanging from the ceiling, and then pushed the chair ...
When the bell rang alarm Judge's House, soon to meet the crowd. Lights and torches appeared, and the silent crowd ran toward the old mansion. Severely beaten at the door, but there was no response. Finally, they managed to sink and everyone ran towards the large dining room, led by the doctor. There
saw the end of the rope of the great alarm bell hung on the student body, while in the eyes of the judge, again on the table burned a malignant smile. FIN
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