Отель с привидениями

           Whathappensinthemorning?Wediscoveracrimecommittedintheolddaysofthepalace.Thenightcomes,andbringsanotherdreadfuleventwithit—adeath;asuddenandshockingdeath,inthehouse.Goin,andseeforyourself!Ishallresignmysituation,Mr.Westwick:Ican’tcontendwiththefatalitiesthatpursuemehere!’

           Henryenteredtheroom.

           TheCountesswasstretchedonherbed.Thedoctorononeside,andthechambermaidontheother,werestandinglookingather.Fromtimetotime,shedrewaheavystertorousbreath,likeapersonoppressedinsleeping.’Isshelikelytodie?’Henryasked.

           ’Sheisdead,’thedoctoranswered.’Deadoftheruptureofablood-vesselonthebrain.Thosesoundsthatyouheararepurelymechanical—theymaygoonforhours.’

           Henrylookedatthechambermaid.Shehadlittletotell.TheCountesshadrefusedtogotobed,andhadplacedherselfatherdesktoproceedwithherwriting.Findingituselesstoremonstratewithher,themaidhadlefttheroomtospeaktothemanager.Intheshortestpossibletime,thedoctorwassummonedtothehotel,andfoundtheCountessdeadonthefloor.Therewasthistotell—andnomore.

           Lookingatthewriting-tableashewentout,HenrysawthesheetofpaperonwhichtheCountesshadtracedherlastlinesofwriting.Thecharacterswerealmostillegible.Henrycouldjustdistinguishthewords,’FirstAct,’and’PersonsoftheDrama.’ThelostwretchhadbeenthinkingofherPlaytothelast,andhadbegunitalloveragain!