Готель з привидами

           ’HeaskednextfortheVisitors’List;andfoundthattheFrenchgentlemanwhothenoccupied’13A,’wastheproprietorofatheatreinParis,personallywellknowntohim.Wasthegentlemantheninthehotel?Hehadgoneout,butwouldcertainlyreturnforthetabled’hote.Whenthepublicdinnerwasover,Francisenteredtheroom,andwaswelcomedbyhisParisiancolleague,literally,withopenarms.’Comeandhaveacigarinmyroom,’saidthefriendlyFrenchman.’IwanttohearwhetheryouhavereallyengagedthatwomanatMilanornot.’Inthiseasyway,FrancisfoundhisopportunityofcomparingtheinterioroftheroomwiththedescriptionwhichhehadheardofitatMilan.

           Arrivingatthedoor,theFrenchmanbethoughthimselfofhistravellingcompanion.’Myscene-painterisherewithme,’hesaid,’onthelook-outformaterials.Anexcellentfellow,whowilltakeitasakindnessifweaskhimtojoinus.I’lltelltheportertosendhimupwhenhecomesin.’HehandedthekeyofhisroomtoFrancis.’Iwillbebackinaminute.It’sattheendofthecorridor—13A.’

           Francisenteredtheroomalone.Therewerethedecorationsonthewallsandtheceiling,exactlyastheyhadbeendescribedtohim!Hehadjusttimetoperceivethisataglance,beforehisattentionwasdivertedtohimselfandhisownsensations,byagrotesquelydisagreeableoccurrencewhichtookhimcompletelybysurprise.

           Hebecameconsciousofamysteriouslyoffensiveodourintheroom,entirelynewinhisexperienceofrevoltingsmells.