Кентервільський привид

           Indeed,theyhadbeenquitedistressedathearingofVirginia’sdisappearance,astheywereverygratefultoMr.Otisforhavingallowedthemtocampinhispark,andfouroftheirnumberhadstayedbehindtohelpinthesearch. Thecarp-pondhadbeendragged,andthewholeChasethoroughlygoneover,butwithoutanyresult. Itwasevidentthat,forthatnightatanyrate,Virginiawaslosttothem; anditwasinastateofthedeepestdepressionthatMr.Otisandtheboyswalkeduptothehouse,thegroomfollowingbehindwiththetwohorsesandthepony. Inthehalltheyfoundagroupoffrightenedservants,andlyingonasofainthelibrarywaspoorMrs.Otis,almostoutofhermindwithterrorandanxiety, andhavingherforeheadbathedwitheaudecolognebytheoldhousekeeper. Mr.Otisatonceinsistedonherhavingsomethingtoeat,andorderedupsupperforthewholeparty. Itwasamelancholymeal,ashardlyanyonespoke,andeventhetwinswereawestruckandsubdued,astheywereveryfondoftheirsister. Whentheyhadfinished,Mr.Otis,inspiteoftheentreatiesofthelittleDuke,orderedthemalltobed,sayingthatnothingmorecouldbedonethatnight,andthathewouldtelegraphinthemorningtoScotlandYardforsomedetectivestobesentdownimmediately. Justastheywerepassingoutofthedining-room,midnightbegantoboomfromtheclocktower,andwhenthelaststrokesoundedtheyheardacrashandasuddenshrillcry; adreadfulpealofthundershookthehouse,astrainofunearthlymusicfloatedthroughtheair, apanelatthetopofthestaircaseflewbackwithaloudnoise,andoutonthelanding,lookingverypaleandwhite,withalittlecasketinherhand,steppedVirginia. Inamomenttheyhadallrusheduptoher. Mrs.Otisclaspedherpassionatelyinherarms,theDukesmotheredherwithviolentkisses,andthetwinsexecutedawildwar-danceroundthegroup.