Загадкове пригода в Стайлзі

           Isawthatafaintstreakofdaylightwasshowingthroughthecurtainsofthewindows,andthattheclockonthemantelpiecepointedtocloseuponfiveo’clock.

           Astrangledcryfromthebedstartledme.Afreshaccessofpainseizedtheunfortunateoldlady.Theconvulsionswereofaviolenceterribletobehold.Everythingwasconfusion.Wethrongedroundher,powerlesstohelporalleviate.Afinalconvulsionliftedherfromthebed,untilsheappearedtorestuponherheadandherheels,withherbodyarchedinanextraordinarymanner.InvainMaryandJohntriedtoadministermorebrandy.Themomentsflew.Againthebodyarcheditselfinthatpeculiarfashion.

           Atthatmoment,Dr.Bauersteinpushedhiswayauthoritativelyintotheroom.Foroneinstanthestoppeddead,staringatthefigureonthebed,and,atthesameinstant,Mrs.Inglethorpcriedoutinastrangledvoice,hereyesfixedonthedoctor:

           “Alfred—Alfred——”Thenshefellbackmotionlessonthepillows.

           Withastride,thedoctorreachedthebed,andseizingherarmsworkedthemenergetically,applyingwhatIknewtobeartificialrespiration.Heissuedafewshortsharporderstotheservants.Animperiouswaveofhishanddroveusalltothedoor.Wewatchedhim,fascinated,thoughIthinkweallknewinourheartsthatitwastoolate,andthatnothingcouldbedonenow.Icouldseebytheexpressiononhisfacethathehimselfhadlittlehope.

           Finallyheabandonedhistask,shakinghisheadgravely.Atthatmoment,weheardfootstepsoutside,andDr.Wilkins,Mrs.