Готель з привидами

           ApproachingthetwoCaryatides,restyourhandontheforehead(midwaybetweentheeyebrows)ofthefigurewhichisonyourleftasyoustandoppositetothefireplace,thenpresstheheadinwardsasifyouwerepushingitagainstthewallbehind.Bydoingthis,yousetinmotionthehiddenmachineryinthewallwhichturnsthehearthstoneonapivot,anddisclosesthehollowplacebelow.Thereisroomenoughinitforamantolieeasilyatfulllength.Themethodofclosingthecavityagainisequallysimple.Placebothyourhandsonthetemplesofthefigures;pullasifyouwerepullingittowardsyou—andthehearthstonewillrevolveintoitsproperpositionagain.

           ’Youneedreadnofarther,’saidtheCountess.’Becarefultorememberwhatyouhaveread.’

           Sheputbackthepageofvelluminherwriting-desk,lockedit,andledthewaytothedoor.

           ’Come!’shesaid;’andseewhatthemockingFrenchmancalled"Thebeginningoftheend."’

           Agneswasbarelyabletorisefromherchair;shetrembledfromheadtofoot.Henrygaveherhisarmtosupporther.’Fearnothing,’hewhispered;’Ishallbewithyou.’

           TheCountessproceededalongthewestwardcorridor,andstoppedatthedoornumberedThirty-eight.ThiswastheroomwhichhadbeeninhabitedbyBaronRivarintheolddaysofthepalace:itwassituatedimmediatelyoverthebedchamberinwhichAgneshadpassedthenight.Forthelasttwodaystheroomhadbeenempty.Theabsenceofluggageinit,whentheyopenedthedoor,showedthatithadnotyetbeenlet