Готель з привидами
Chapter XXIV
Themanagerstartedback.’GoodGod,Mr.Westwick!’heexclaimed,’whatdoesthismean?’
Remembering,notonlywhathisbrotherFrancishadfeltintheroombeneath,butwhattheexperienceofAgneshadbeenonthepreviousnight,Henrywasdeterminedtobeonhisguard.’Iamasmuchsurprisedasyouare,’washisonlyreply.
’Waitformeonemoment,sir,’saidthemanager.’Imuststoptheladiesandgentlemenoutsidefromcomingin.’
Hehurriedaway—notforgettingtoclosethedoorafterhim.Henryopenedthewindow,andwaitedtherebreathingthepurerair.Vagueapprehensionsofthenextdiscoverytocome,filledhismindforthefirsttime.Hewasdoublyresolved,now,nottostirastepintheinvestigationwithoutawitness.
Themanagerreturnedwithawaxtaperinhishand,whichhelightedassoonasheenteredtheroom.
’Weneedfearnointerruptionnow,’hesaid.’Besokind,Mr.Westwick,astoholdthelight.Itismybusinesstofindoutwhatthisextraordinarydiscoverymeans.’
Henryheldthetaper.Lookingintothecavity,bythedimandflickeringlight,theybothdetectedadarkobjectatthebottomofit.’IthinkIcanreachthething,’themanagerremarked,’ifIliedown,andputmyhandintothehole.’
Hekneltonthefloor—andhesitated.’MightIaskyou,sir,togivememygloves?’hesaid.’Theyareinmyhat,onthechairbehindyou.’
Henrygavehimthegloves.’Idon’tknowwhatImaybegoingtotakeholdof,’themanagerexplained,smilingratheruneasilyasheputonhisrightglove.
