Moby Dick

[Old Thunder]

I looked through the keyhole; but the door opening into an odd corner of the room, the keyhole prospect was but a crooked and sinister one.

 

[Old Thunder]

I could only see part of the foot-board of the bed and a line of the wall, but nothing more.

 

[Old Thunder]

I was surprised to behold resting against the wall the wooden shaft of Queequeg's harpoon, which the landlady the evening previous had taken from him, before our mounting to the chamber.

 

[Old Thunder]

That's strange, thought I; but at any rate, since the harpoon stands yonder, and he seldom or never goes abroad without it, therefore he must be inside here, and no possible mistake.

 

[Old Thunder]

"Queequeg! -- Queequeg!" -- all still.

 

[Old Thunder]

Something must have happened.

 

[Old Thunder]

Apoplexy!

 

[Old Thunder]

I tried to burst open the door; but it stubbornly resisted.

 

[Old Thunder]

Running downstairs, I quickly stated my suspicions to the first person I met -- the chambermaid.

 

[Old Thunder]

"La! la!" she cried, "I thought something must be the matter. I went to make the bed after breakfast, and the door was locked; and not a mouse to be heard; and it's been just so silent ever since. But I thought, may be, you had both gone off and locked your baggage in for safe-keeping. La! la, ma'am! -- Mistress! murder! Mrs. Hussey! apoplexy!" -- and with these cries, she ran towards the kitchen, I following.