Готель з привидами
Chapter IX
’Forthepurposeofcatchingherinatrap!Ishan’tsendinmyname—Ishallannouncemyselfasapersononbusiness,andthefirstwordsIsaytoherwillbethese:"Icome,mylady,toacknowledgethereceiptofthemoneysenttoFerrari’swidow."Ah!youmaywellstart,Mr.Troy!Italmosttakesyouoffyourguard,doesn’tit?Makeyourmindeasy,sir;Ishallfindtheproofthateverybodyasksmeforinherguiltyface.Letheronlychangecolourbytheshadowofashade—lethereyesonlydropforhalfaninstant—Ishalldiscoverher!TheonethingIwanttoknowis,doesthelawpermitit?’
’Thelawpermitsit,’Mr.Troyansweredgravely;’butwhetherherladyshipwillpermitit,isquiteanotherquestion.Haveyoureallycourageenough,Mrs.Ferrari,tocarryoutthisnotableschemeofyours?Youhavebeendescribedtome,byMissLockwood,asratheranervous,timidsortofperson—and,ifImaytrustmyownobservation,Ishouldsayyoujustifythedescription.’
’Ifyouhadlivedinthecountry,sir,insteadoflivinginLondon,’Mrs.Ferrarireplied,’youwouldsometimeshaveseenevenasheepturnonadog.IamfarfromsayingthatIamaboldwoman—quitethereverse.ButwhenIstandinthatwretch’spresence,andthinkofmymurderedhusband,theoneofustwowhoislikelytobefrightenedisnotme.Iamgoingtherenow,sir.Youshallhearhowitends.Iwishyougood-morning.’
Withthosebravewordsthecourier’swifegatheredhermantleabouther,andwalkedoutoftheroom.
Mr.Troysmiled—notsatirically,butcompassionately
