Wilkie Collins

The Haunted Hotel


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      The Haunted Hotel

      WILKIE COLLINS

      

      

      

       The Haunted Hotel, Wilkie Collins,

       Jazzybee Verlag Jürgen Beck

       86450 Altenmünster, Loschberg 9

       Deutschland

      

       ISBN: 9783849658403

      

       www.jazzybee-verlag.de

       [email protected]

      

      

      CONTENTS:

       THE FIRST PART.. 1

       CHAPTER I 1

       CHAPTER II 4

       CHAPTER III 9

       CHAPTER IV.. 14

       THE SECOND PART.. 20

       CHAPTER V.. 20

       CHAPTER VI 25

       CHAPTER VII 31

       CHAPTER VIII 33

       CHAPTER IX.. 40

       CHAPTER X.. 42

       CHAPTER XI 45

       CHAPTER XII 50

       THE THIRD PART.. 57

       CHAPTER XIII 57

       CHAPTER XIV.. 61

       CHAPTER XV.. 64

       THE FOURTH PART.. 68

       CHAPTER XVI 68

       CHAPTER XVII 70

       CHAPTER XVIII 75

       CHAPTER XIX.. 78

       CHAPTER XX.. 84

       CHAPTER XXI 90

       CHAPTER XXII 95

       CHAPTER XXIII 100

       CHAPTER XXIV.. 105

       CHAPTER XXV.. 110

       CHAPTER XXVI 115

       CHAPTER XXVII 124

       CHAPTER XXVIII 127

       POSTSCRIPT.. 131

      THE FIRST PART

      CHAPTER I

      In the year 1860, the reputation of Doctor Wybrow as a London physician reached its highest point. It was reported on good authority that he was in receipt of one of the largest incomes derived from the practice of medicine in modern times.

      One afternoon, towards the close of the London season, the Doctor had just taken his luncheon after a specially hard morning's work in his consulting-room, and with a formidable list of visits to patients at their own houses to fill up the rest of his day—when the servant announced that a lady wished to speak to him.

      'Who is she?' the Doctor asked. 'A stranger?'

      'Yes, sir.'

      'I see no strangers out of consulting-hours. Tell her what the hours are, and send her away.'

      'I have told her, sir.'

      'Well?'

      'And she won't go.'

      'Won't go?' The Doctor smiled as he repeated the words. He was a humourist in his way; and there was an absurd side to the situation which 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, and the matter was too important to wait till to-morrow. There she is in the consulting-room; and how to get her out again is more than I know.'

      Doctor Wybrow considered for a moment. His knowledge of women (professionally speaking) rested on the ripe experience of more than thirty years; he had met with them in all their varieties—especially the variety which knows nothing of the value of time, and never hesitates at sheltering itself behind the privileges of its sex. A glance at his watch informed him that he must soon begin his rounds among the patients who were waiting for him at their own houses. He decided forthwith on taking the only wise course that was open under the circumstances. In other words, he decided on taking to flight.

      'Is the carriage at the door?' he asked.

      'Yes, sir.'

      'Very well. Open the house-door for me without making any noise, and leave the lady in undisturbed possession of the consulting-room. When she gets tired of waiting, you know what to tell her. If she asks when I am expected to return, say that I dine at my club, and spend the evening at the theatre. Now then, 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.

      Did the lady in the consulting-room