"WEB OF THE SPIDER" "But what I tell you, I wrote down exactly as it happened." "It's the truth." "The absolute truth!" "I remember I was in the library." "There was a knock on the door." "He stood in the doorway, pale as a spirit of the tomb." "He was one of our servants, and walked in on tiptoe." "He looked mad with terror, and he spoke to me in a voice that was trembling, suffocating... and very low." "He spoke in broken phrases." "He mentioned a mad scream that had pierced the silence of the night." "The entire household had gathered." "They had all rushed in the direction of the cries." "Then his tones became chilling and distinct..." "As he whispered of a violated tomb." "A body wrapped in a shroud, horribly disfigured... but still breathing, still palpitating." "Still alive." "Yes, still alive!" "The servant just stood there..." "Then suddenly he was pointing to my garments..." "Which were covered with mud." "And intermingled with the mud..." "Were spots of fresh blood." "The servant then came toward me, and took my hand." "And he showed me:" "The flesh was marked... covered with deep impressions of human fingernails." "And suddenly he turned his attention to an object against the wail:" "It was a shovel." "Stained with blood." "Then I realised the truth..." "And with a shout, I reached across the table." "I grabbed the box that was lying there." "But I was unable to open it." "The box escaped my fumbling hands and fell to the floor, shattering in pieces." "And all at once I realised:" "Lying on the floor were the 32 magnificent teeth of my dear cousin Berenice." "Those teeth that had obsessed me throughout her illness..." "This story is impossible." "Six months before the night of my story..." "On the terrible night of her death," "I now realised what had befallen me." "Mr. Poe?" "I've read that story, but hearing you tell it, it almost sounds real." "Mr. Poe..." "I'm Alan." "Alan Foster." "Don't you remember?" "You promised me an interview." "Alan!" "How you hound me!" "Like in a vendetta!" "Let me introduce you to Lord..." "Blackwood." "He's treating me to English cognac." " French!" "Forgive me, but you should have been more patriotic." "French or English, neither does me any good, according to my doctor." "But what Mr. Foster will write, I have no idea." "But it probably won't be flattering." "I admit I followed you here, Mr. Poe." "You're the most famous personality to come to London... so how could I not try to speak with you?" "Well, this is my first visit to England and it shall probably be my last." "Why is that?" "Has London disappointed you?" "Life has disappointed me." "First let me say I'm a reporter like you." "Everything I write is factual." "Perhaps your experiences are different than ours." "Probably." " Sir?" " Would you like something?" "Certainly." "A whiskey, please!" "If I disagree with your brilliant fantasies, Mr. Poe, it's because..." "Death is the only certainty, there's nothing that follows it." "You're confusing the tomb with Death." "What do you mean?" "Mr. Poe..." "If you don't mind..." "I have to disagree with your conclusions on Death." "There's nothing after Death." "There's nothing beyond the tomb." "Nothing." "All the same, there are only facts in my stories." "But they hardly seem realistic." " Your whiskey, sir." " Thank you." "Your health, sir." "And yours." "The slab of marble that encloses the tomb... gives us the certainty of the tomb." "But beyond the tomb there could be beings we know nothing of." "You're a very intelligent man." "How can you believe in life beyond the grave?" "We don't agree." "I'm willing to wage 100 pounds that you don't have the courage to spend the night in my castle at Providence...alone." "Are you saying that I'd flee with terror?" "No, you wouldn't flee." "Of all those who have tried..." "and Mr. Poe well knows this..." "Not one who has entered my castle has ever left it." "It's a pity, but I can't take on your wager." "You're a wise man, Mr. Foster." "I've heard a great deal about Mr. Blackwood's castle and was seriously thinking of writing about it." "You see, I've asked Mr. Poe to find me a...brave man in the hope that he... might put an end to this terrible legend." "But you are a likeable young man." "And I'm glad that you can't accept the wager." "It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I don't have 100 pounds." "Really?" "You mean you would be disposed for 10 pounds?" "Yes, certainly." "Whenever you'd like me to." "Tonight, then!" "Perhaps you'll have an adventure that convinces you I don't tell stories of pure fantasy." "Tonight, then." "All right." "If it's to be tonight, we must go at once." "The castle's some distance away." "It's at least a 2-hour drive." "Very well..." "But do you mind if we continue the interview during the drive, Mr. Poe?" "If it's that important to you we can, by all means." "Is that all right with you?" "Certainly." "And thank you very much." "Goodnight Mr. Poe, sir." "Goodbye, Your Lordship." "You'll have to excuse me for including a discussion of your poetry:" ""From childhood's hour I have not been as others were," ""I have not seen as others saw," ""I could not bring my passions from the common spring..."" "Why does reality differ so from man to man?" "It's a matter of the material versus the spirit." "Why is it that in your stories... many of your characters lose their sanity, and often their lives?" "This sir..." "May give you courage." " I don't need a pistol!" " Please." "Does it have bullets?" "Of course." "Very well." "Could knowing the truth about Death lead to our ruin?" "Of course not." "And why is that?" "All of the melancholy subjects, Mr. Foster, about which I write my stories, are obviously about Death." "About that we are in agreement, Mr. Poe." "And seeing that melancholy is a very poetic subject..." "It is allied to the subject of Beauty." "For the death of a beautiful woman is the most poetic subject in the world." " Have we arrived?" " Yes." "You can still change your mind and return with us." "Oh no, not on your life!" "I've got 10 pounds riding on this!" "And besides, as Mr. Poe very well knows, we Americans don't believe in ghosts." "Perhaps that's because you're still a young nation." "Perhaps." "Or because we don't have castles." "Or perhaps it's because youth feels itself immortal." "Yes, you may have a point there." "We shall return at dawn." "Good luck." "Thank you." "Oh, Mr. Poe..." "I hope we can continue our interview tomorrow morning." "With your permission." "Certainly!" "First thing in the morning." "Goodnight." " Oh, I forgot..." " What?" "You'll find torches in the stables at the end of the garden." "At the end of the garden." "Thanks." "Why didn't you try to dissuade him?" "Because every story needs a protagonist." "That must have been a good spirit!" "Goodnight!" "Drive us home, Allister." "Goodnight!" "Coincidence." "The slab of marble that encloses the tomb... gives us the certainly of the tomb." "But beyond the tomb there could be beings we know nothing of." "You confuse Death with the tomb." "A trick of the light." "It's only a trick of the light." "It's probably broken." "Hey!" "Who are you?" "You thought that I was just a painting, didn't you?" "Were you sent here by my brother?" "If Lord Blackwood is your brother, yes." "My name is Alan." "Alan Foster." "And I am Elizabeth Blackwood Dollister." "I'm most terribly sorry..." "But your brother told me that the castle was uninhabited." "That's because, you see, as far as he's concerned..." "I'm dead." "Dead?" "Yes." "My brother never wanted to see me again." "After I deserted his world..." "To search for a happiness which unfortunately I never found." "Didn't you ever attempt a reconciliation?" "No." "Because I have remained here for such a long time now." "Well, perhaps I'd better leave." " Why?" "Does my presence upset you?" " Not at all." "It's just that now the wager takes on a different aspect." "I see." "The wager my dear brother likes to make... to give credence to the fantastic tales circulating about this castle." "How..." "It won't make you much richer... but I'll help you to play a trick on mi lord." "Come with me." "I've prepared a room upstairs for you." "Wait a minute!" "You knew I was coming?" "I'll get the candles." "Look at that!" "At what?" "The portrait." "It's nothing." "It must have been... the flickering candlelight." "Playing tricks on me again." "What tricks?" "It's just that the portrait suddenly seemed to..." "Come to life, that's all." "Who is she?" "One of your ancestors?" "No." "Julia is not a Blackwood." "You'll meet her shortly." "She'll be returning soon." "Julia never loses the opportunity..." "You like it?" "I found it in the stable, and I thought I'd bring it inside." "Did you?" "Thank you." "You've made me very happy." "I've been looking for it for a long time." "I had expected I would be encountering wretched phantoms." "I didn't expect to find such a marvelous companion." "Are you talking about me?" "Upstairs you'll find things in better order." "Your room's this way." "Unfortunately I have no servants now." "So I've had to neglect the rooms downstairs." "Tell me." "What's happening in the world outside?" "Nothing but the usual foolishness." "I haven't talked to a woman as lovely as you... in a long time." "You're very kind." "I'm flattered." "No really, it's the truth." "A beauty like yours is very rare." "For a long time I haven't had compliments." "And certainly not of that kind." "Now tell me about yourself." "There's not much to tell." "Except that I'm American, a bachelor..." "A creative writer and sometimes a journalist." "That's about it." "I live in London, and I'm quite alone." "I too am alone, Alan." "Desperately alone." "Can I join you?" "You must be Julia." "It's a pleasure to meet you In person." "Why?" "Has Elizabeth been talking about me?" "Yes she has, as a matter of fact." "And what did she tell you?" "I told him your name." "Nothing more." "Do you think I should thank you for your discretion?" "No." "I think you would have clone better to stay away!" "Why?" "Am I by chance disturbing you?" " No!" "We were just having a chat before going to bed." "I see." "Together?" "Julia!" "Oh pardon me." "I didn't mean what Elizabeth imagined." "I meant at the same time, not in the same bed." "That's enough!" "Goodnight, Mr. Foster." "I think it best if I bid you goodnight myself." "Even if now it won't be such a good one for you." "Really?" "I don't quite know what you mean." " Don't lie, Alan!" " I'm not." "How did you know my name?" "I heard Elizabeth mention it just as I was entering the room." "Goodnight." "I'm warning you for the last time, Julia!" "You've done enough to me already." "Stop insulting me, stop persecuting me!" "You don't know what I'm capable of." "But I do know." "What can you do to me?" "Witch!" "You ruined my life." "And you continue to get in my way!" "You like Alan, don't you?" "Come on, confess it!" "Yes!" "I like him." "You don't love him?" "I love him, that's right, I love him!" "Poor thing." "If it hadn't been for me, you'd be in his arms now." "That's right, perhaps with him I could be happy!" "No, it's not true!" "Never have you been happy!" "You can't be!" "I'll make it so!" "I beg you, let me have this chance." "No, only with me could you be happy." "Leave me alone!" "I'm a woman." "A real woman!" "Stay away from me!" "Stay out of my life!" "What life, Elizabeth?" "Why not send him back to his newspaper?" "I hate you, Julia!" "I hate you!" "Oh, it's you!" "I'm sorry." "Your brother gave me this." "I wondered if you were sleeping." "I'm sorry for what happened." "What do you mean, Julia?" "Please stay, I was only reading.." "Won't you come in?" " Are you sure I'm not disturbing you?" " I'm positive." "Then do you mind if I stay here?" "And keep you company for a while." "Why?" "It would be my pleasure." "I couldn't sleep." "Would you like a drink?" "Thank you, I would." "This bottle was left here by a previous guest." "It's excellent." "I hope you like it." "Yes I do." "It's wonderful." "Ca rm us." "Are you interested in medicine?" "Yes." "At least I was at one time." "My father was a doctor." "He wanted me to follow in his footsteps." "This is heavy reading for bedtime." "I'll find you something better." "Don't go, please." "Stay here with me." "I want you close to me where I can look at you." "Your eyes..." "Howl would love to read what's written in them!" "What is written in my eyes, Alan?" "I can't answer you now, I don't know yet." "Then I'll tell you:" "Kiss me." "Hold me tight." "Take me." "That's what's written." "I'm yours, Alan." "Yours." "I never disappoint those I like." "And I like your warmth." "Perhaps your warmth can save me from the despair that surrounds me." "Please..." "Kiss me." "Kiss me." "You make me feel alive." "I feel alive in your arms." "I only feel alive when I love." "The bitch, I won't endure it!" "I'll get you for this, my darling!" "Julia!" "Where are you going?" "Stay out of this, William." "It's none of your business." "In spite of everything, I love her still." "Don't do this." "And why shouldn't I?" "Why does she always treat me this way?" "Herbert must be informed, and right away!" "I'm afraid we met too late, my love." "What matters is that I've found you." "We must stay together always." "We're forever divided, Alan." "I must remain here." "And you have the world outside." "I'm going to take you with me, Elizabeth." "That's impossible." "It would be much easier for you to remain here." "Elizabeth." "Elizabeth!" "Elizabeth!" "Yes, Alan?" "You scared me." "I thought for a moment that your heart wasn't beating." "Herbert!" "Not him, no!" "It's impossible." "Kiss me." "Hold me tight." "I never disappoint those I like." "I only feel alive when I love." "Yes, my love, yes." "Elizabeth!" "Elizabeth!" "Elizabeth!" "Elizabeth!" "Elizabeth!" "Where are you?" "It's impossible!" "It's not possible." "Anything is possible on this particular night." "Who are you?" "Where is Elizabeth?" "I must find her!" "Somethings happened to her." "Calm down." "She will return." "Soon." "I must find Elizabeth, she's been hurt." "Tell me where she is!" "You must calm your nerves." "Come." "I can understand how you feel, Mr. Foster." "Your name is Foster, isn't it?" "How do you know my name?" "I heard you talking to Elizabeth." "To Elizabeth?" "Did you say you heard me talking to Elizabeth?" "I heard it all." "I saw everything." "But there was no way that I could intervene." "But you'll understand why." "In spite of what you've seen, Mr. Foster." "Perhaps you need a good, strong drink." "I've a reserve of excellent whiskey." "I don't know who you are, sir..." "But you seem to be an excellent voyeur!" "You're right, Mr. Foster." "X am Dr. Camus." "I'm sure you're aware of my studies of metaphysical medicine." "Yes, I've read your books." "But I thought you were..." " Dead?" " Yes." "It would be more exact to say that I stopped living uselessly in a world which would not grant me the possibilities of finishing my studies." "But here's your drink." "You've been subjected to a metaphysical adventure, populated with people who do not conform to your idea of time." "Momentary apparitions, such as Elizabeth." "I imagine it must be a noteworthy experience for a journalist who has the talent of a poet." "I'm sorry Dr. Carmus..." "But you can't convince me Elizabeth is just an apparition, a figment of my imagination." "She's very much alive, Doctor." "I felt her body, I kissed her." "I promise you, as I held her in my arms, she's very much alive!" "That's only because in that moment... she was living with the strength of her senses... which do not wish to die." "I don't understand what you mean." "In every human being, there are three forms of life:" "That of the body, which is the weakest." "That of the spirit, which is indestructible." "And that of the senses... which can persist a long time after death." "Especially when life is taken away in an act of violence." "In a particular moment when the senses are living an intense emotion." "In other words, one does not die completely..." "If one is not willing to die." "Your theory is completely absurd." "Completely absurd!" "You think so?" "Then I will demonstrate." "Come." "Don't." "This snake is very poisonous." "At this moment, the snake's senses are mobilized..." "In a powerful effort of self-defense." "You see?" "In theory it should have died..." "In the same moment in which I struck the blow." "And yet it continues to live." "I conducted such experiments a thousand times with lizards when I was a boy." "Their tails continue to wiggle for a while, and then..." "Look." "You see?" "It's stopped moving, Doctor." "It's dead." "But now try to pick up the head." "All right." "Careful, its glands are still secreting venom." "Its sense of self-defense continues to live." "But it doesn't last very long." "Of course not." "The blood stops circulating." "A process of decomposition takes place... and even the sensory motors die." "I came here to continue my studies on this theory." "All right, all right." "The theory may hold true as far as lower forms of life are concerned." "But never with human beings, Doctor." "Never!" "You are wrong, Mr. Foster." "And I'll show you you're wrong." "Come with me." "Only Poe would be demented enough... to send you here on the night of November 2nd." "Doctor Carmus!" "How did you know about Mr. Poe?" "Tell me!" "What do you have against Mr. Poe?" "Answer me, Doctor Carmus!" "You must tell me the truth!" "I beg you!" "Dr. Carmus, it's imperative you tell me..." " The hour has come." "Words are now useless." "Look." "Elizabeth and William together again?" "Yes!" "It's a real occasion." "You'll never guess what I saw!" " Edith!" "That's not true!" "She exaggerates." "Morris!" "Good thing they'll be marrying next year." " All will be as it should." "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." "What could it mean?" "Our happiness shall be blessed." "Thank you, William." "But it's too beautiful." "It's you who's too beautiful!" "You're the most beautiful woman here tonight." "But you'll pardon me..." "For I must keep a promise." "Thank you, my lord." "But I must excuse myself, I'm due in London and Paris." "Goodnight." "We should return to the party, lest our guests think we've abandoned them." "This necklace is too much for me." "What if I don't deserve it?" "Why don't you think you deserve it?" "Life here has been sad." "You've been away so long." "And I've been so alone." "Now I'm back home again." "And I'm staying." "You won't be alone again." "Well, finally!" " What a lovely necklace!" " It's splendid." "Something to pardon your long absence, William?" "It's wonderful, Elizabeth!" "Thank you." " Shall we dance?" " Yes." "Excuse us." "Would you like a drink, darling?" "Yes, thank you." "William!" " Wonderful evening!" " Very wonderful!" "It's getting late, we must be going." "James!" "Our cloaks, please." "What do you want?" "Come outside!" "It makes me furious to see the way you carry on with him!" "Wait for me at the stable." "Now go away!" "Ah, there you are, darling!" "Never fear, I was here to watch over her." "Thank you, Julia." "All these many months I've been away, you've so kindly looked after her." "Now it's my turn to look after my wife." " A magnificent family portrait!" " You're leaving already?" "Yes William, I must go to London tonight." "I have many matters to take care of in the morning, and I hate rising early." "You are no longer the legendary hunter who rises early?" "City life has changed you, hasn't it?" "The honor of the hunt..." "I leave to you, my dear sister." "Thank you for the splendid party... and the pleasure of finally seeing you together again." "William, try not to leave her alone too much." "I've sold all my holdings in America." "From now on I will travel only for pleasure." "What do you say to a long cruise in the Mediterranean this spring?" "France, Italy, Spain!" "Not a bad idea." "Come and see me in London soon, and we'll talk it over." "Very well." " Let me see you to your carriage." " No, William!" "I'll go with them." "You stay with the guests." "I'll be back soon." " Goodnight." " Goodbye, Margaret." "Goodnight, William." "Goodnight, Thomas." "William!" "It's delightful to see you again." "How was your trip to America?" " It was indeed profitable..." " That's the important thing." " Goodbye, Elizabeth." " Goodnight, Margaret." "Goodbye, Elizabeth." "Have a good hunt tomorrow." "Thank you and goodnight." "Goodbye, Elizabeth!" " Why are you avoiding me?" " Are you crazy?" "Come with me!" "I don't want you going back to that man." " Don't be a fool." "He's my husband!" " So what?" "You mustn't go back to him." "You belong to me!" "Elizabeth, I've shown you what love really is." "During the past few months it's been wonderful." "He'll leave again soon, you'll see." "Now leave me alone!" " No!" "You will stay here with me." "I'll kill you if you go back to William!" " Let me go!" " No." "Elizabeth, if you can go..." "Let me go, I beg you!" " No Herbert!" " Elizabeth..." "What you've seen just now of the past is merely to prepare the scene." "The real tragedy starts now." "Follow me." "Kiss me..." "Yes William, again..." "I'm only alive when I love." "I'm only alive when I love." "No!" "No, Herbert!" "No!" "Don't cry, you know how I hate to see you suffer." "It's all over." "There's only me!" "Only us two, forever!" "Let me go, Julia!" "I beg you!" " Let me go!" "Don't push me away." "Only you, only you..." "Elizabeth..." "I hate you, I despise you!" "That's not true." "It can't be." "It is!" "I'd rather die!" "Why do you hate me when I love you?" "I love you!" "I love you, Elizabeth!" "Elizabeth!" "Carmus..." "Let me go, Carmus!" "Leave me alone!" "It's not true!" "Then what holds you?" "It's all nonsense meant to confuse me, Carmus!" "Wrong again, Foster." "Look." "There's no other way." "From the past, turn to the present." "Look!" "Carmus!" "Carmus!" "You're hiding?" "I know you're here!" "Where are you, Carmus?" "Where are you?" "Carmus!" "Carmus, do you hear me?" "I know you're here in this house!" "You're here in this house, Carmus, come out!" "Carmus!" "Carmus, don't try to fool me!" "Where are you!" "Your stupid books!" "I know you're in there, Carmus, come out!" "I know where you are!" "Carmus open this door, or I'll break it down!" "Let me out of this house!" "I want out of here!" "To the devil with the wager." "Carmus?" "Carmus!" "You..." "You know I'm standing right in front of you!" "Answer me!" "Carmus!" "Convinced, Mr. Foster?" "Now you have seen why, and in what way I'm dead." "Come here!" "I want you to see for yourself." "Come see Elizabeth." "Resting." "They're all buried down there." "In the family cemetery." "Carmus?" "Carmus!" "You see, Morris?" "Perfect for our first night of love!" "Quiet!" "A first night of love and of terror..." "If all Blackwood says is true." " You won't leave me alone, will you?" "The Doctor will hear you, not a sound!" "Are you afraid, Mrs. Perkins?" "Actually, I might cheat on you with a phantom." "Don't you see me?" "Can't you hear me?" "Don't go up there!" "Don't!" "You'll be killed!" "Turn back!" "No!" "Morris, stop!" "You can't escape from me!" "You're in my castle, and I have the right to kill you if I want!" "So you want to get away, eh?" " Yes, mi lord!" "Because I love another man." " Another man?" " I love..." "I love my Morris." "Do you really love him so much?" "Yes." "Yes, my lord!" "Very much!" "If you love him so much, then why did you kiss me?" "Because I crave kisses like I do champagne!" "That reminds me..." "You promised we'd find a marvelous wine cellar here at our disposal." "That's true, and Lord Blackwood gave us the key." "I'll run and fetch a bottle." " Don't leave me alone for long!" " I won't!" "No, don't leave her alone!" "Mr. Poe!" "You brought me here, will it be worth it?" "No, no!" "My husband will be back in a moment!" "Go away, or I'll scream!" "Elsie!" "Elsie!" "Elsie!" "No." "No." "No!" "You can't scare me, you can't!" "I'm the only one who's alive!" "It's no use trying to run away." "The hour has come, Foster." "That way, Alan!" "Go!" "Elizabeth!" "Elizabeth!" "Elizabeth!" "There's no way out, Alan." "Come with me, Alan!" "Quickly!" "You can't escape, Alan!" "Elizabeth!" "Elizabeth!" "Where are you?" ""Carmus"." "It's almost dawn." "It's almost dawn!" "The night is over!" "The darkest hour is just before the dawn." "But it's too late for you, Alan." "You can't escape, Alan." "Your fate is sealed." "We don't want to renounce our life." "Get back!" "We need your blood, Foster." " Blood is life!" "No!" "Your blood is our life, Alan." "Blood is life." "Get away!" "Get away!" "You're in our hands now." "You can't escape, Alan." "Your blood is our life." "We need it now, Alan." "Alan!" " You?" " Yes, Alan." "Maybe I can manage to save you." "Why?" "Why is this happening?" "What do they want from me?" "The same thing I should want." "Your life and blood!" "It's the only way to assure us... another night of living a year from now on the Day of the Dead." "Come on, quickly!" "Elizabeth!" "I can't believe it!" "If this is true..." "Why should you help me?" "I would like to be alive, Alan." "But I love you and want you to return to the life which was denied me." "Come!" "Quickly!" "Go." "Go!" "Go before it's too late!" "You must go, Alan!" "Come with me, Elizabeth!" "Let go!" "Let go of me, Alan!" "It's almost dawn!" "Run through the gate, and you're free!" "I can't go with you, Alan!" "Let me go!" "Yes, you're coming with me!" "Let me go, Alan!" "I'm dead!" "I'm dead!" "For me you're alive, Elizabeth!" "Alive!" "Why won't you listen?" "I'm dead!" " No, alive!" "Alive!" "No!" "I've won." "I escaped, you can't get me now!" "I made it, Mr. Poe!" "He made it!" "He's waiting at the gate!" "Alan!" "No one has ever been survived the Night of the Dead." "I'm afraid you lost the wager, my boy." "I'll arrange to have him buried in the grounds." "And you've got a new protagonist." "Yes." "Yes." "But when I write this story..." "No one will believe it." "As always." "He probably discovered the truth buried in eternal darkness." "Did you stay for me, Alan?" "Yes, Elizabeth."