Викрадений
Chapter 4
IfollowedassoftlyasIcould,and,comingunheardintothekitchen,stoodandwatchedhim.
Hehadfoundtimetoopenthecornercupboardandbringoutagreatcasebottleofaquavitae,andnowsatwithhisbacktowardsmeatthetable.Everandagainhewouldbeseizedwithafitofdeadlyshudderingandgroanaloud,andcarryingthebottletohislips,drinkdowntherawspiritsbythemouthful.
Isteppedforward,cameclosebehindhimwherehesat,andsuddenlyclappingmytwohandsdownuponhisshoulders—“Ah!”criedI.
Myunclegaveakindofbrokencrylikeasheep’sbleat,flunguphisarms,andtumbledtothefloorlikeadeadman.Iwassomewhatshockedatthis;butIhadmyselftolooktofirstofall,anddidnothesitatetolethimlieashehadfallen.Thekeyswerehanginginthecupboard;anditwasmydesigntofurnishmyselfwitharmsbeforemyuncleshouldcomeagaintohissensesandthepowerofdevisingevil.Inthecupboardwereafewbottles,someapparentlyofmedicine;agreatmanybillsandotherpapers,whichIshouldwillinglyenoughhaverummaged,hadIhadthetime;andafewnecessariesthatwerenothingtomypurpose.ThenceIturnedtothechests.Thefirstwasfullofmeal;thesecondofmoneybagsandpaperstiedintosheaves;inthethird,withmanyotherthings(andtheseforthemostpartclothes)Ifoundarusty,ugly-lookingHighlanddirkwithoutthescabbard.This,then,Iconcealedinsidemywaistcoat,andturnedtomyuncle.
