Кентервільський привид

           ThesecondappearanceoftheghostwasonSundaynight. Shortlyaftertheyhadgonetobed theyweresuddenlyalarmedbyafearfulcrashinthehall. Rushingdown-stairs,theyfound thatalargesuitofoldarmourhadbecomedetachedfromitsstand,andhadfallenonthestonefloor, whileseatedinahigh-backedchairwastheCantervilleghost, rubbinghiskneeswithanexpressionofacuteagonyonhisface. Thetwins,havingbroughttheirpea-shooterswiththem,atoncedischargedtwopelletsonhim, withthataccuracyofaimwhichcanonlybeattained bylongandcarefulpracticeonawritingmaster, whiletheUnitedStatesMinistercoveredhimwithhisrevolver,andcalleduponhim,inaccordancewithCalifornianetiquette, toholduphishands! Theghoststartedupwithawildshriekofrage, andsweptthroughthemlikeamist,extinguishingWashingtonOtis’scandle ashepassed,andsoleavingthemallintotaldarkness. Onreachingthetopofthestaircaseherecoveredhimself,anddeterminedtogivehiscelebratedpealofdemoniaclaughter. Thishehadonmorethanoneoccasionfoundextremelyuseful. ItwassaidtohaveturnedLordRaker’swiggreyinasinglenight, andhadcertainlymadethreeofLadyCanterville’sFrenchgovernessesgivewarningbeforetheirmonthwasup. Heaccordinglylaughedhismosthorriblelaugh, tilltheoldvaultedroofrangandrangagain, buthardlyhadthefearfulechodiedawaywhenadooropened,andMrs.Otiscameoutinalightbluedressing-gown. "Iamafraidyouarefarfromwell,"shesaid, "andhavebroughtyouabottleofDoctorDobell’stincture. Ifitisindigestion,youwillfinditamostexcellentremedy." Theghostglaredatherinfury, andbeganatoncetomakepreparationsforturninghimselfintoalargeblackdog, anaccomplishmentforwhichhewasjustlyrenowned, andtowhichthefamilydoctoralwaysattributedthepermanentidiocy ofLordCanterville’suncle,theHon.ThomasHorton.