Похищенный

           IfollowedassoftlyasIcould,and,comingunheardintothekitchen,stoodandwatchedhim.

           Hehadfoundtimetoopenthecornercupboardandbringoutagreatcasebottleofaquavitae,andnowsatwithhisbacktowardsmeatthetable.Everandagainhewouldbeseizedwithafitofdeadlyshudderingandgroanaloud,andcarryingthebottletohislips,drinkdowntherawspiritsbythemouthful.

           Isteppedforward,cameclosebehindhimwherehesat,andsuddenlyclappingmytwohandsdownuponhisshoulders—“Ah!”criedI.

           Myunclegaveakindofbrokencrylikeasheep’sbleat,flunguphisarms,andtumbledtothefloorlikeadeadman.Iwassomewhatshockedatthis;butIhadmyselftolooktofirstofall,anddidnothesitatetolethimlieashehadfallen.Thekeyswerehanginginthecupboard;anditwasmydesigntofurnishmyselfwitharmsbeforemyuncleshouldcomeagaintohissensesandthepowerofdevisingevil.Inthecupboardwereafewbottles,someapparentlyofmedicine;agreatmanybillsandotherpapers,whichIshouldwillinglyenoughhaverummaged,hadIhadthetime;andafewnecessariesthatwerenothingtomypurpose.ThenceIturnedtothechests.Thefirstwasfullofmeal;thesecondofmoneybagsandpaperstiedintosheaves;inthethird,withmanyotherthings(andtheseforthemostpartclothes)Ifoundarusty,ugly-lookingHighlanddirkwithoutthescabbard.This,then,Iconcealedinsidemywaistcoat,andturnedtomyuncle.