Готель з привидами

           Aglanceathiswatchinformedhimthathemustsoonbeginhisroundsamongthepatientswhowerewaitingforhimattheirownhouses.Hedecidedforthwithontakingtheonlywisecoursethatwasopenunderthecircumstances.Inotherwords,hedecidedontakingtoflight.

           ’Isthecarriageatthedoor?’heasked.

           ’Yes,sir.’

           ’Verywell.Openthehouse-doorformewithoutmakinganynoise,andleavetheladyinundisturbedpossessionoftheconsulting-room.Whenshegetstiredofwaiting,youknowwhattotellher.IfsheaskswhenIamexpectedtoreturn,saythatIdineatmyclub,andspendtheeveningatthetheatre.Nowthen,softly,Thomas!Ifyourshoescreak,Iamalostman.’

           Henoiselesslyledthewayintothehall,followedbytheservantontip-toe.

           Didtheladyintheconsulting-roomsuspecthim?ordidThomas’sshoescreak,andwashersenseofhearingunusuallykeen?Whatevertheexplanationmaybe,theeventthatactuallyhappenedwasbeyondalldoubt.ExactlyasDoctorWybrowpassedhisconsulting-room,thedooropened—theladyappearedonthethreshold—andlaidherhandonhisarm.

           ’Ientreatyou,sir,nottogoawaywithoutlettingmespeaktoyoufirst.’

           Theaccentwasforeign;thetonewaslowandfirm.Herfingersclosedgently,andyetresolutely,ontheDoctor’sarm.

           Neitherherlanguagenorheractionhadtheslightesteffectininclininghimtograntherrequest.Theinfluencethatinstantlystoppedhim,onthewaytohiscarriage,wasthesilentinfluenceofherface.