Готель з привидами

           Thedinnerwasdeservedlyrewardedwiththehighestapprovalbyeveryguestinthehotelbutone.ToHenry’sastonishment,theappetitewithwhichhehadenteredthehousemysteriouslyandcompletelylefthimwhenhesatdowntotable.Hecoulddrinksomewine,buthecouldliterallyeatnothing.’Whatintheworldisthematterwithyou?’histravellingacquaintancesasked.Hecouldhonestlyanswer,’Iknownomorethanyoudo.’

           Whennightcame,hegavehiscomfortableandbeautifulbedroomanothertrial.Theresultofthesecondexperimentwasarepetitionoftheresultofthefirst.Againhefelttheall-pervadingsenseofdepressionanddiscomfort.Againhepassedasleeplessnight.Andoncemore,whenhetriedtoeathisbreakfast,hisappetitecompletelyfailedhim!

           Thispersonalexperienceofthenewhotelwastooextraordinarytobepassedoverinsilence.Henrymentionedittohisfriendsinthepublicroom,inthehearingofthemanager.Themanager,naturallyzealousindefenceofthehotel,wasalittlehurtattheimpliedreflectioncastonNumberFourteen.HeinvitedthetravellerspresenttojudgeforthemselveswhetherMr.Westwick’sbedroomwastoblameforMr.Westwick’ssleeplessnights;andheespeciallyappealedtoagrey-headedgentleman,aguestatthebreakfast-tableofanEnglishtraveller,totaketheleadintheinvestigation.’ThisisDoctorBruno,ourfirstphysicianinVenice,’heexplained.’IappealtohimtosayifthereareanyunhealthyinfluencesinMr.Westwick’sroom.