75 лучших рассказов / 75 Best Short Stories

Within all was quiet, the servants of Harrowby Hall awaiting with beating hearts the outcome of their master’s campaign against his supernatural visitor.

The master himself was lying on the bed in the haunted room, clad as has already been indicated, and then —

The clock clanged out the hour of twelve.

There was a sudden banging of doors, a blast of cold air swept through the halls, the door leading into the haunted chamber flew open, a splash was heard, and the water ghost was seen standing at the side of the heir of Harrowby, from whose outer dress there streamed rivulets of water, but whose own person deep down under the various garments he wore was as dry and as warm as he could have wished.

�Ha!’ said the young master of Harrowby. �I’m glad to see you.’

�You are the most original man I’ve met, if that is true,’ returned the ghost. �May I ask where did you get that hat?’

�Certainly, madam,’ returned the master, courteously. �It is a little portable observatory I had made for just such emergencies as this.

But, tell me, is it true that you are doomed to follow me about for one mortal hour – to stand where I stand, to sit where I sit?’

�That is my delectable fate,’ returned the lady.

�We’ll go out on the lake,’ said the master, starting up.

�You can’t get rid of me that way,’ returned the ghost. �The water won’t swallow me up; in fact, it will just add to my present bulk.’

�Nevertheless,’ said the master, firmly, �we will go out on the lake.

’

�But, my dear sir,’ returned the ghost, with a pale reluctance, �it is fearfully cold out there. You will be frozen hard before you’ve been out ten minutes.’

�Oh no, I’ll not,’ replied the master. �I am very warmly dressed. Come!’ This last in a tone of command that made the ghost ripple.

And they started.

They had not gone far before the water ghost showed signs of distress.

�You walk too slowly,’ she said.

�I am nearly frozen. My knees are so stiff now I can hardly move. I beseech you to accelerate your step.’

�I should like to oblige a lady,’ returned the master, courteously, �but my clothes are rather heavy, and a hundred yards an hour is about my speed. Indeed, I think we would better sit down here on this snowdrift, and talk matters over.’

�Do not! Do not do so, I beg!’ cried the ghost. �Let me move on. I feel myself growing rigid as it is.