Отель с привидениями

           Itwascomposed(ifsuchathingcouldbe)oftwominglingexhalations,whichwereseparately-discoverableexhalationsnevertheless.Thisstrangeblendingofodoursconsistedofsomethingfaintlyandunpleasantlyaromatic,mixedwithanotherunderlyingsmell,sounutterablysickeningthathethrewopenthewindow,andputhisheadoutintothefreshair,unabletoendurethehorriblyinfectedatmosphereforamomentlonger.

           TheFrenchproprietorjoinedhisEnglishfriend,withhiscigaralreadylit.Hestartedbackindismayatasightterribletohiscountrymeningeneral—thesightofanopenwindow.’YouEnglishpeopleareperfectlymadonthesubjectoffreshair!’heexclaimed.’Weshallcatchourdeathsofcold.’

           Francisturned,andlookedathiminastonishment.’Areyoureallynotawareofthesmellthereisintheroom?’heasked.

           ’Smell!’repeatedhisbrother-manager.’Ismellmyowngoodcigar.Tryoneyourself.AndforHeaven’ssakeshutthewindow!’

           Francisdeclinedthecigarbyasign.’Forgiveme,’hesaid.’Iwillleaveyoutoclosethewindow.Ifeelfaintandgiddy—Ihadbettergoout.’Heputhishandkerchiefoverhisnoseandmouth,andcrossedtheroomtothedoor.

           TheFrenchmanfollowedthemovementsofFrancis,insuchastateofbewildermentthatheactuallyforgottoseizetheopportunityofshuttingoutthefreshair.’Isitsonastyasthat?’heasked,withabroadstareofamazement.

           ’Horrible!’Francismutteredbehindhishandkerchief.’Ineversmeltanythinglikeitinmylife!’

           Therewasaknockatthedoor.Thescene-painterappeared.