Tales of Terror and Mystery

           "

           Thusencouraged,Ienteredintoalongexposition,inwhichallmytradesmenandcreditorsfrommylandlordtomyvalet,figuredinturn.Ihadnotesinmypocket-book,andImarshalledmyfacts,andgave,Iflattermyself,averybusinesslikestatementofmyownunbusinesslikewaysandlamentableposition.Iwasdepressed,however,tonoticethatmycompanion’seyeswerevacantandhisattentionelsewhere.Whenhedidoccasionallythrowoutaremarkitwassoentirelyperfunctoryandpointless,thatIwassurehehadnotintheleastfollowedmyremarks.Everynowandthenherousedhimselfandputonsomeshowofinterest,askingmetorepeatortoexplainmorefully,butitwasalwaystosinkoncemoreintothesamebrownstudy.Atlastheroseandthrewtheendofhiscigarintothegrate.

           "I’lltellyouwhat,myboy,"saidhe."Ineverhadaheadforfigures,soyouwillexcuseme.Youmustjotitalldownuponpaper,andletmehaveanoteoftheamount.I’llunderstanditwhenIseeitinblackandwhite."

           Theproposalwasencouraging.Ipromisedtodoso.

           "Andnowit’stimewewereinbed.ByJove,there’soneo’clockstrikinginthehall."

           Thetinglingofthechimingclockbrokethroughthedeeproarofthegale.Thewindwassweepingpastwiththerushofagreatriver.

           "ImustseemycatbeforeIgotobed,"saidmyhost."Ahighwindexciteshim.Willyoucome?"

           "Certainly,"saidI.

           "Thentreadsoftlyanddon’tspeak,foreveryoneisasleep."

           Wepassedquietlydownthelamp-litPersian-ruggedhall,andthroughthedooratthefartherend.