The Innswich Horror Read Free Page A

cart,” but then he leaned
closer to denote discretion, “but that’s another queer thing about
this little town.”
    “That being?”
    “I’m serious, man. I’ve never seen so many
pregnant women in one place in my life.”
    “Preg—” I began, and when I gave myself
another yet more distanced glance, the more than moderate gibbosity
of the woman’s abdomen told all. “Well, I’ll be. You seem to be
correct.”
    “Four or five months at least, and it’s not
the first biscuit in that one’s oven, either.”
    I looked dismayed. “How on
earth can you tell that? ”
    He elbowed me with a grin. “You saw the jugs
on her. They’re still filled up from the last one.”
    The uncultivated talk was making me uneasy,
for it wasn’t my bent. “But, really, what did you mean when you
said you’ve never seen so many—”
    “This town—I’m serious. I’ll bet that’s the
dozenth pregnant woman I’ve seen since I’ve been here, and I’m
telling you, most of them have been lookers.”
    “Really… Still, it’s a good thing, if you
don’t mind my opinion. The government is wise to encourage
propagation since the Spanish Flu epidemic of ‘18. We lost half a
million in that, they say, and almost all of them young men.”
    Garret nodded grimly. “And right after
losing—what?—another hundred-some thousand more men in that
devilish war with the Huns. I agree with you. America needs more
birthing, especially if we have to get into this next one with
Germany, like so many believe.”
    I wasn’t sure how I felt on this subject; I
tended to trust authority. “But the President just declared
neutrality in the European War.”
    “It doesn’t give me much comfort, I’ll tell
you. Right after Germany and Russia signed the non-aggression pact,
look what happens. Russia invades Finland. And don’t believe that
Brit Neville Chamberlain either. Peace in our time? Hitler’s
pulling the wool over the whole world’s eyes. And what are the
Japanese doing in the meantime? Invading Manchuria.”
    “Let’s pray God that men can find a
diplomatic solution.” It was my nature not to engage in political
conversation, though the man had some points that perhaps gave me
cause to feel naive. “But getting back to our previous, if not a
bit too earthy topic, we must be fruitful and multiply—”
    “Just as it says in the Good Book, yes. And
I tell you,” he went on, “I’m not too pleased about Congress
striking the Comstock Act—when was that? Last year?”
    “No, no, it was ‘36, and we agree again,
William. Barrier prophylactics should remain illegal except when
prescribed by a physician for the prevention of disease. An open
market for such things really does circumvent nature—”
    “And God’s will, if you don’t mind my saying
so.”
    “Not at all,” but then we both looked at
each other and laughed. “Not exactly everyday conversation,
eh?”
    “No, my friend, it isn’t, but it’s still
invigorating to find someone who shares my doctrines,” he said.
    “Likewise. So now I suppose you’ll be
returning to your search for your friend, Poynter. I’m going to
check in to the Hilman and then take a stroll about. I’ll be sure
to keep an eye out for your friend. Let’s meet for dinner tonight.
If I happen to find your friend, I’ll bring him. Say, seven
o’clock?”
    “A terrific idea, Mr. Morley—”
    “Call me Foster, please. And where’s a
suitable restaurant?”
    Again, he pointed just across the street, to
the small restaurant I’d noticed earlier, Wraxall’s Eatery. “It’s
not bad, and large portions for a slight price.”
    “Good. Seven—I’ll see you then.”
    Garret walked off, a spring in his step now
that he had a “normal” confidante. I, on the other hand, had a new
exhilaration to feed my Lovecraftian obsession. Though the town
looked nothing like the Master’s Innsmouth, what little tidbits of
recognition might I find in its details?
    I fetched my valise from the