the narrator explains how he instigated a secret investigation of the ruined town of innsmouth, massachusetts, by the u.s. government. he proceeds to describe in detail the events surrounding his initial interest in the town, which lies along the route of his tour across new england, taken when he was twenty-one. while he waits for the bus that will take him to innsmouth, he busies himself in the neighboring newburyport by gathering information on the town from the locals; all of it having superstitious overtones. the narrator finds innsmouth to be a mostly deserted fishing town, full of dilapidated buildings and people who walk with a distinctive shambling gait and have "queer narrow heads with flat noses and bulgy, stary eyes". the only person in town who appears normal is a grocery store clerk from neighboring arkham. the narrator gathers much information from the clerk, including a map of the town and the name of zadok allen, an elderly local who might give him information when plied with drink. the narrator hears repeatedly that outsiders are never welcomed in innsmouth, and that strangers, particularly government investigators, have disappeared when they pry too deeply into the town.