Готель з привидами

           SheatonceinformedhimthatFerrarihadleftthepalace,withoutassigninganyreason,andwithoutevenleavinganaddressatwhichhismonthlysalary(thenduetohim)couldbepaid.Amazedatthisreply,thecourierinquiredifanypersonhadoffendedFerrari,orquarrelledwithhim.Theladyanswered,’Tomyknowledge,certainlynot.IamLadyMontbarry;andIcanpositivelyassureyouthatFerrariwastreatedwiththegreatestkindnessinthishouse.Weareasmuchastonishedasyouareathisextraordinarydisappearance.Ifyoushouldhearofhim,prayletusknow,sothatwemayatleastpayhimthemoneywhichisdue.’

           Afteroneortwomorequestions(quitereadilyanswered)relatingtothedateandthetimeofdayatwhichFerrarihadleftthepalace,thecouriertookhisleave.

           Heatonceenteredonthenecessaryinvestigations—withouttheslightestresultsofarasFerrariwasconcerned.Nobodyhadseenhim.Nobodyappearedtohavebeentakenintohisconfidence.Nobodyknewanything(thatistosay,anythingoftheslightestimportance)evenaboutpersonssodistinguishedasLordandLadyMontbarry.Itwasreportedthatherladyship’sEnglishmaidhadlefther,beforethedisappearanceofFerrari,toreturntoherrelativesinherowncountry,andthatLadyMontbarryhadtakennostepstosupplyherplace.Hislordshipwasdescribedasbeingindelicatehealth.Helivedinthestrictestretirement—nobodywasadmittedtohim,notevenhisowncountrymen.Astupidoldwomanwasdiscoveredwhodidthehouseworkatthepalace,arrivinginthemorningandgoingawayagainatnight.