Identifiera en kort historia om en bit av hjärtsjukdom som växte i en damm

"The Thing in the Pond" , en kort historia av Paul Ernst ; först publicerad i Förtrollande historier , juni 1934 , tillgänglig på Internetarkiv . Det har dykt upp i ett antal antologier; gör någon av dessa omslag ring en klocka?

Det började med en bit hjärtvävnad från en kyckling:

"Professor," said Sharpe, "it was about ten years ago that your discharged servant got back at you by dumping that laboratory stuff into the pool, wasn't it?"

"Yes," said the old man, his lips twitching.

"Among the stuff was a lot of sodium, potassium, and calcium salts, and probably a barrel of sugar," guessed Sharpe.

"Y-yes," admitted Weidbold.

"Now, while I was here ten years ago you cut off a bit of that chicken-heart muscle you've kept living and pulsing for sixteen years in a solution of potassium, calcium, sodium, and sugar. I remember that distinctly. You've cut off several bits; otherwise the stuff would outgrow the nourishment-capacity of the case. What happened to that fragment?"

"I-it got lost, or something."

"It's conceivable that it was among the stuff your servant dumped into the pond, isn't it?"

"Such a fantastic accident—" mumbled Weidbold.

"All accidents are fantastic," said Sharpe curtly. "That's why they call them accidents. It's conceivable—isn't it?"

Weidbold nodded.

"And in this warm, life-filled pond," Sharpe pursued relentlessly, "the tiny bit of muscle substance flourished. It absorbed the chemicals freakishly dumped in with it, and finally all the small life. Then it began to reach out for more food in its voracious growth."

"I tell you it's impossible!" almost shrieked the professor. "It could not live outside a laboratory! Ask any scientist—"

"I'd prefer to ask Raeburn's cow or your dog," Sharpe cut in dryly.