Отель с привидениями

           ’WehavealsofoundopportunitiesofspeakingprivatelytotheoldwomanwhoattendstotheroomsoccupiedbyherladyshipandtheBaron.Shewasrecommendedtofillthissituationbythekeeperoftherestaurantwhohassuppliedthemealstothefamilythroughouttheperiodoftheirresidenceatthepalace.Hercharacterismostfavourablyspokenof.Unfortunately,herlimitedintelligencemakesherofnovalueasawitness.Wewerepatientandcarefulinquestioningher,andwefoundherperfectlywillingtoanswerus;butwecouldelicitnothingwhichisworthincludinginthepresentreport.

           ’Ontheseconddayofourinquiries,wehadthehonourofaninterviewwithLadyMontbarry.Herladyshiplookedmiserablywornandill,andseemedtobequiteatalosstounderstandwhatwewantedwithher.BaronRivar,whointroducedus,explainedthenatureofourerrandinVenice,andtookpainstoassureherthatitwasapurelyformaldutyonwhichwewereengaged.Havingsatisfiedherladyshiponthispoint,hediscreetlylefttheroom.

           ’ThequestionswhichweaddressedtoLadyMontbarryrelatedmainly,ofcourse,tohislordship’sillness.Theanswers,givenwithgreatnervousnessofmanner,butwithouttheslightestappearanceofreserve,informedusofthefactsthatfollow:

           ’LordMontbarryhadbeenoutoforderforsometimepast—nervousandirritable.HefirstcomplainedofhavingtakencoldonNovember13last;hepassedawakefulandfeverishnight,andremainedinbedthenextday.Herladyshipproposedsendingformedicaladvice.