Готель з привидами

           Onherwaybacktothedrawing-roomshewasaddressedbyachambermaidinthecorridorwhoaskedforherkey.’Iwillputyourroomtidyforthenight,Miss,’thewomansaid,’andIwillthenbringthekeybacktoyouinthedrawing-room.’

           Whilethechambermaidwasatherwork,asolitarylady,loiteringaboutthecorridorofthesecondstorey,waswatchingheroverthebannisters.Afterawhile,themaidappeared,withherpailinherhand,leavingtheroombywayofthedressing-roomandthebackstairs.Asshepassedoutofsight,theladyonthesecondfloor(noother,itisneedlesstoadd,thantheCountessherself)ranswiftlydownthestairs,enteredthebed-chamberbytheprincipaldoor,andhidherselfintheemptysidecompartmentofthewardrobe.Thechambermaidreturned,completedherwork,lockedthedoorofthedressing-roomontheinnerside,lockedtheprincipalentrance-dooronleavingtheroom,andreturnedthekeytoAgnesinthedrawing-room.

           Thetravellerswerejustsittingdowntotheirlatedinner,whenoneofthechildrennoticedthatAgneswasnotwearingherwatch.Hadsheleftitinherbed-chamberinthehurryofchangingherdress?Sherosefromthetableatonceinsearchofherwatch;LadyMontbarryadvisingher,asshewentout,toseetothesecurityofherbed-chamber,intheeventoftherebeingthievesinthehouse.Agnesfoundherwatch,forgottenonthetoilettable,asshehadanticipated.BeforeleavingtheroomagainsheactedonLadyMontbarry’sadvice,andtriedthekeyinthelockofthedressing-roomdoor.Itwasproperlysecured.