The Haunted Hotel / Отель с привидениями

’

�I have told her, sir.’

�Well?’

�And she won’t go.’

�Won’t go?’ The Doctor smiled as he repeated the words. The situation rather amused him. �Has this obstinate lady given you her name?’ he inquired.

�No, sir. She refused to give any name – she said she wouldn’t keep you five minutes[2 - she said she wouldn’t keep you five minutes – она сказала, что не отнимет у вас и пяти минут], and the matter was too important to wait till tomorrow.

There she is in the consulting-room; and I don’t know how to get her out.’

Doctor Wybrow considered for a moment. He had met with women in all their varieties – especially the variety which knows nothing of the value of time. A glance at his watch informed him that he must soon begin his rounds among the patients[3 - rounds among the patients – обход пациентов] who were waiting for him at their own houses. So he decided to escape.

�Is the carriage at the door?’ he asked.

�Yes, sir.’

�Very well. Open the house-door for me without any noise, and leave the lady in the consulting-room. When she gets tired, you know what to tell her. If she asks when I will return, say that I dine at my club, and spend the evening at the theatre. And softly, Thomas! If your shoes creak, I am a lost man.’

He noiselessly led the way into the hall, followed by the servant on tip-toe[4 - on tip-toe – на цыпочках].

Did the lady in the consulting-room suspect him? Or did Thomas’s shoes creak? Was her sense of hearing unusually keen? Exactly as Doctor Wybrow passed his consulting-room, the door opened – the lady appeared on the threshold – and laid her hand on his arm.

�I entreat you, sir, not to go away. Let me speak to you first.’

The accent was foreign; the tone was low and firm. Her fingers closed gently, and yet resolutely, on the Doctor’s arm.

Neither her language nor her action had the slightest effect.

The influence that instantly stopped him, on the way to his carriage, was the silent influence of her face. The contrast between the pallor of her complexion and the glittering metallic brightness in her large black eyes held him literally spellbound. She was dressed in dark colours, with perfect taste; she was of middle height, and (apparently) of middle age – a year or two over thirty. Her nose, mouth, and chin possessed the fineness and delicacy of form.