the haunted hotel(闹鬼的旅馆)-第14节
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recommended us to examine his lordship's residence； because the extreme
privacy of his life at Venice； and the remarkable departure of the only two
servants in the house； might have some suspicious connection with the
nature of his death。 We found nothing to justify suspicion。
'As to his lordship's retired way of life； we have conversed on the
subject with the consul and the bankerthe only two strangers who held
any communication with him。 He called once at the bank to obtain
money on his letter of credit； and excused himself from accepting an
invitation to visit the banker at his private residence； on the ground of
delicate health。 His lordship wrote to the same effect on sending his card
to the consul； to excuse himself from personally returning that gentleman's
visit to the palace。 We have seen the letter； and we beg to offer the
following copy of it。 〃Many years passed in India have injured my
constitution。 I have ceased to go into society； the one occupation of my
life now is the study of Oriental literature。 The air of Italy is better for
me than the air of England； or I should never have left home。 Pray accept
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the apologies of a student and an invalid。 The active part of my life is at
an end。〃 The self…seclusion of his lordship seems to us to be explained in
these brief lines。 We have not； however； on that account spared our
inquiries in other directions。 Nothing to excite a suspicion of anything
wrong has come to our knowledge。
'As to the departure of the lady's maid； we have seen the woman's
receipt for her wages； in which it is expressly stated that she left Lady
Montbarry's service because she disliked the Continent； and wished to get
back to her own country。 This is not an uncommon result of taking
English servants to foreign parts。 Lady Montbarry has informed us that she
abstained from engaging another maid in consequence of the extreme
dislike which his lordship expressed to having strangers in the house； in
the state of his health at that time。
'The disappearance of the courier Ferrari is； in itself； unquestionably a
suspicious circumstance。 Neither her ladyship nor the Baron can explain
it； and no investigation that we could make has thrown the smallest light
on this event； or has justified us in associating it； directly or indirectly；
with the object of our inquiry。 We have even gone the length of examining
the portmanteau which Ferrari left behind him。 It contains nothing but
clothes and linen no money； and not even a scrap of paper in the pockets
of the clothes。 The portmanteau remains in charge of the police。
'We have also found opportunities of speaking privately to the old
woman who attends to the rooms occupied by her ladyship and the Baron。
She was recommended to fill this situation by the keeper of the restaurant
who has supplied the meals to the family throughout the period of their
residence at the palace。 Her character is most favourably spoken of。
Unfortunately； her limited intelligence makes her of no value as a witness。
We were patient and careful in questioning her； and we found her perfectly
willing to answer us； but we could elicit nothing which is worth including
in the present report。
'On the second day of our inquiries； we had the honour of an interview
with Lady Montbarry。 Her ladyship looked miserably worn and ill； and
seemed to be quite at a loss to understand what we wanted with her。 Baron
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Rivar； who introduced us； explained the nature of our errand in Venice；
and took pains to assure her that it was a purely formal duty on which we
were engaged。 Having satisfied her ladyship on this point； he discreetly
left the room。
'The questions which we addressed to Lady Montbarry related mainly；
of course； to his lordship's illness。 The answers； given with great
nervousness of manner； but without the slightest appearance of reserve；
informed us of the facts that follow：
'Lord Montbarry had been out of order for some time past nervous
and irritable。 He first complained of having taken cold on November 13
last； he passed a wakeful and feverish night； and remained in bed the next
day。 Her ladyship proposed sending for medical advice。 He refused to
allow her to do this； saying that he could quite easily be his own doctor in
such a trifling matter as a cold。 Some hot lemonade was made at his
request； with a view to producing perspiration。 Lady Montbarry's maid
having left her at that time； the courier Ferrari （then the only servant in the
house） went out to buy the lemons。 Her ladyship made the drink with her
own hands。 It was successful in producing perspirationand Lord
Montbarry had some hours of sleep afterwards。 Later in the day； having
need of Ferrari's services； Lady Montbarry rang for him。 The bell was
not answered。 Baron Rivar searched for the man； in the palace and out of it；
in vain。 From that time forth not a trace of Ferrari could be discovered。
This happened on November 14。
'On the night of the 14th； the feverish symptoms accompanying his
lordship's cold returned。 They were in part perhaps attributable to the
annoyance and alarm caused by Ferrari's mysterious disappearance。 It had
been impossible to conceal the circumstance； as his lordship rang
repeatedly for the courier； insisting that the man should relieve Lady
Montbarry and the Baron by taking their places during the night at his
bedside。
'On the 15th （the day on which the old woman first came to do the
housework）； his lordship complained of sore throat； and of a feeling of
oppression on the chest。 On this day； and again on the 16th； her ladyship
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and the Baron entreated him to see a doctor。 He still refused。 〃I don't
want strange faces about me； my cold will run its course； in spite of the
doctor；〃 that was his answer。 On the 17th he was so much worse that it
was decided to send for medical help whether he liked it or not。 Baron
Rivar； after inquiry at the consul's； secured the services of Doctor Bruno；
well known as an eminent physician in Venice； with the additional
recommendation of having resided in England； and having made himself
acquainted with English forms of medical practice。
'Thus far our account of his lordship's illness has been derived from
statements made by Lady Montbarry。 The narrative will now be most
fitly continued in the language of the doctor's own report； herewith
subjoined。
'〃My medical diary informs me that I first saw the English Lord
Montbarry； on November 17。 He was suffering from a sharp attack of
bronchitis。 Some precious time had been lost； through his obstinate
objection to the presence of a medical man at his bedside。 Generally
speaking； he appeared to be in a delicate state of health。 His nervous
system was out of orderhe was at once timid and contradictory。 When I
spoke to him in English； he answered in Italian； and when I tried him in
Italian； he went back to English。 It mattered littlethe malady had already
made such progress that he could only speak a few words at a time； and
those in a whisper。
'〃I at once applied the necessary remedies。 Copies of my
prescriptions （with translation into English） accompany the present
statement； and are left to speak for themselves。
