‘Something – somebody said, “I killed her, I confess it. I want to be forgiven.” It’s a hoax, my dear Teesdale. Somebody knowing your spiritualistic leanings is playing a very grim joke on you. I can’t believe it.’
Dr Teesdale took up the receiver.
‘I am Dr Teesdale,’ he said. ‘Can you give Mr Dawkins some sign that it is you?’
Then he laid it down again.
‘He says he thinks he can,’ he said. ‘We must wait.’
The evening was again very warm, and the window into the paved yard at the back of the house was open. For five minutes or so the two men stood in silence, waiting, and nothing happened. Then the chaplain spoke.
‘I think that is sufficiently conclusive,’ he said.
Even as he spoke a very cold draught of air suddenly blew into the room
(как раз когда он говорил, очень холодный порыв ветра внезапно прошелся по комнате;‘Did you feel that?’ he asked
(вы почувствовали это? – спросил он).‘Yes, a breath of air
(да, порыв ветра;Once again in the closed room it stirred again
(еще раз в комнате с закрытым окном засквозило;‘And did you feel that?’ asked the doctor
(а это вы почувствовали? – спросил доктор).The chaplain nodded
(священник кивнул). He felt his heart hammering in his throat suddenly (он внезапно почувствовал, как бешено колотится его сердце;‘Defend us from all peril and danger of this coming night,’ he exclaimed
(защити нас от всех бед и напастей надвигающейся ночи, – воскликнул он;‘Something is coming
(что-то приближается)!’ said the doctor.‘Did you feel that?’ he asked.
‘Yes, a breath of air. Chilly.’
Once again in the closed room it stirred again.
‘And did you feel that?’ asked the doctor.
The chaplain nodded. He felt his heart hammering in his throat suddenly.
‘Defend us from all peril and danger of this coming night,’ he exclaimed.
‘Something is coming!’ said the doctor.