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The Haunted Hotel-Part25_WILKIE COLLINS (1824-1899)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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he asked. 'Who is to help us? No doubt there is the Countess,



who has the clue to the mystery in her own hands. But, in the present

state of her mind, is her testimony to be trusted--even if she



were willing to speak? Judging by my own experience, I should say

decidedly not.'



'You don't mean that you have seen her again?' Agnes eagerly interposed.

'Yes. I disturbed her once more over her endless writing;



and I insisted on her speaking out plainly.'

'Then you told her what you found when you opened the hiding-place?'



'Of course I did!' Henry replied. 'I said that I held her responsible

for the discovery, though I had not mentioned her connection with it



to the authorities as yet. She went on with her writing as if I had

spoken in an unknown tongue! I was equallyobstinate, on my side.



I told her plainly that the head had been placed under the care

of the police, and that the manager and I had signed our declarations



and given our evidence. She paid not the slightest heed to me.

By way of tempting her to speak, I added that the whole investigation



was to be kept a secret, and that she might depend on my discretion.

For the moment I thought I had succeeded. She looked up



from her writing with a passing flash of curiosity, and said,

"What are they going to do with it?"--meaning, I suppose, the head.



I answered that it was to be privately buried, after photographs

of it had first been taken. I even went the length of communicating



the opinion of the surgeonconsulted, that some chemical means of

arresting decomposition had been used and had only partially succeeded--



and I asked her point-blank if the surgeon was right? The trap was not

a bad one--but it completely failed. She said in the coolest manner,



"Now you are here, I should like to consult you about my play;

I am at a loss for some new incidents." Mind! there was nothing



satirical in this. She was really eager to read her wonderful

work to me--evidently supposing that I took a special interest



in such things, because my brother is the manager of a theatre!

I left her, making the first excuse that occurred to me.



So far as I am concerned, I can do nothing with her.

But it is possible that your influence may succeed with her again,



as it has succeeded already. Will you make the attempt, to satisfy

your own mind? She is still upstairs; and I am quite ready to



accompany you.'

Agnes shuddered at the bare suggestion of another interview



with the Countess.

'I can't! I daren't!' she exclaimed. 'After what has happened



in that horrible room, she is more repellent to me than ever.

Don't ask me to do it, Henry! Feel my hand--you have turned me as cold



as death only with talking of it!'

She was not exaggerating the terror that possessed her.



Henry hastened to change the subject.

'Let us talk of something more interesting,' he said. 'I have



a question to ask you about yourself. Am I right in believing

that the sooner you get away from Venice the happier you will be?'



'Right?' she repeatedexcitedly. 'You are more than right!

No words can say how I long to be away from this horrible place.



But you know how I am situated--you heard what Lord Montbarry said

at dinner-time?'



'Suppose he has altered his plans, since dinner-time?' Henry suggested.

Agnes looked surprised. 'I thought he had received letters from



England which obliged him to leave Venice to-morrow,' she said.

'Quite true,' Henry admitted. 'He had arranged to start



for England to-morrow, and to leave you and Lady Montbarry

and the children to enjoy your holiday in Venice, under my care.



Circumstances have occurred, however, which have forced him

to alter his plans. He must take you all back with him to-morrow



because I am not able to assume the charge of you. I am obliged

to give up my holiday in Italy, and return to England too.'



Agnes looked at him in some little perplexity: she was not quite

sure whether she understood him or not.



'Are you really obliged to go back?' she asked.

Henry smiled as he answered her. 'Keep the secret,' he said,



'or Montbarry will never forgive me!'

She read the rest in his face. 'Oh!' she exclaimed, blushing brightly,






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