Murder in Westminster (убийство в Вестминстере) 7 page

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 498.

cigarette ["sIgq`ret], bachelor [`bxC(q)lq], pheasant [`fez(q)nt], garden [`gRd(q)n]

“‘Pray, let me have the details,' I cried.

“Reginald Musgrave sat down opposite to me, and lit the cigarette which I had pushed towards him.

“‘You must know,' said he, ‘that though I am a bachelor, I have to keep up a considerable staff of servants at Hurlstone, for it is a rambling old place, and takes a good deal of looking after. I preserve, too, and in the pheasant months I usually have a house-party, so that it would not do to be short-handed. Altogether there are eight maids, the cook, the butler, two footmen, and a boy. The garden and the stables of course have a separate staff.

“‘Of these servants the one (из этих слуг один) who had been longest in our service was Brunton the butler (прослужил у нас дольше всех — Брантон, дворецкий; service — служба, работа). He was a young school-master out of place (он был молодым школьным учителем без места; out of place — неподходящий, не к месту; безработный) when he was first taken up by my father (когда отец только взял его на службу; to take up — поднимать; принимать, занимать), but he was a man of great energy and character (но это был человек очень энергичный и с сильным характером), and he soon became quite invaluable in the household (и скоро он стал просто незаменим в нашем доме; invaluable — неоценимый, бесценный; value — ценность, важность; household — семейство; дом, /домашнее/ хозяйство). He was a well-grown (это был рослый), handsome man (красивый мужчина), with a splendid forehead (с великолепным лбом), and though he has been with us for twenty years (и хотя он /прожил/ с нами двадцать лет) he cannot be more than forty now (ему и сейчас не /может быть/ больше сорока).

“‘With his personal advantages and his extraordinary gifts (при своих личных преимуществах = качествах и необычайных способностях; gift — дар, дарование; талант; способность) — for he can speak several languages (ибо он может говорить на нескольких языках) and play nearly every musical instrument (и играть чуть ли не на всех музыкальных инструментах) — it is wonderful that he should have been satisfied so long in such a position (удивительно, что он так долго был удовлетворен своим положением), but I suppose that he was comfortable (но, полагаю, ему этого было достаточно/жилось хорошо; comfortable — удобный; довольный; достаточный, приличный, хороший /о заработке/), and lacked energy to make any change (и не доставало энергии, чтобы сделать какую-либо перемену = он не стремился ничего менять). The butler of Hurlstone is always a thing (дворецкий Херлстона всегда был тем) that is remembered by all who visit us (что запоминается всем, кто посещает нас = все наши гости обращали внимание на него).

school-master [`skHl"mRstq], forehead [`fLhed; `fOrId], musical [`mjHzIk(q)l]

“‘Of these servants the one who had been longest in our service was Brunton the butler. He was a young school-master out of place when he was first taken up by my father, but he was a man of great energy and character, and he soon became quite invaluable in the household. He was a well-grown, handsome man, with a splendid forehead, and though he has been with us for twenty years he cannot be more than forty now.

“‘With his personal advantages and his extraordinary gifts — for he can speak several languages and play nearly every musical instrument — it is wonderful that he should have been satisfied so long in such a position, but I suppose that he was comfortable, and lacked energy to make any change. The butler of Hurlstone is always a thing that is remembered by all who visit us.

“‘But this paragon has one fault (но у этого совершенства есть один недостаток; paragon — образец, модель совершенства). He is a bit of a Don Juan (он немного донжуан), and you can imagine that for a man like him (и вы можете себе представить, что для такого человека, как он) it is not a very difficult part to play in a quiet country district (не очень трудно играть эту роль в тихой сельской местности; country — страна; сельская местность; district — округ, район; местность). When he was married it was all right (пока он был женат, все шло хорошо), but since he has been a widower (но с тех пор, как он стал вдовцом) we have had no end of trouble with him (у нас с ним масса хлопот/неприятностей; no end of — бесконечно много; масса, множество). A few months ago we were in hopes (несколько месяцев назад мы стали надеяться) that he was about to settle down again (что он снова остепенится; to be about to do something — намереваться сделать что-либо; to settle down — осесть, поселиться; остепениться) for he became engaged to Rachel Howells (так как он обручился с Рейчел Хауэллс), our second house-maid (нашей младшей горничной; second — второй; второстепенный, подчиненный); but he has thrown her over since then (однако затем он бросил ее; to throw over) and taken up with Janet Tregellis (и увлекся Дженет Треджелис; to take up with — встречаться, увлечься), the daughter of the head game-keeper (дочерью главного егеря: «хранителя дичи»). Rachel — who is a very good girl (Рейчел — прекрасная девушка), but of an excitable Welsh temperament (но легковозбудимого/горячего уэльского нрава) — had a sharp touch of brain-fever (перенесла острый приступ воспаления мозга), and goes about the house now (и она теперь ходит по дому) — or did until yesterday (вернее, ходила до вчерашнего дня) — like a black-eyed shadow of her former self (как тень; от ее прежнего облика остались одни черные глаза; shadow — тень, призрак, привидение; self — свое «я»; сущность, облик: one's former self — то, чем человек был раньше).

paragon [`pxrqgqn], country [`kAntrI], daughter [`dLtq], fever [`fJvq]

“‘But this paragon has one fault. He is a bit of a Don Juan, and you can imagine that for a man like him it is not a very difficult part to play in a quiet country district. When he was married it was all right, but since he has been a widower we have had no end of trouble with him. A few months ago we were in hopes that he was about to settle down again for he became engaged to Rachel Howells, our second house-maid; but he has thrown her over since then and taken up with Janet Tregellis, the daughter of the head game-keeper. Rachel — who is a very good girl, but of an excitable Welsh temperament — had a sharp touch of brain-fever, and goes about the house now — or did until yesterday — like a black-eyed shadow of her former self.

“‘That was our first drama at Hurlstone (такова была наша первая драма в Херлстоне); but a second one came to drive it from our minds (но вторая стерла ее из нашей памяти; to drive — гнать, прогонять), and it was prefaced by the disgrace and dismissal of butler Brunton (и ей предшествовали позор и увольнение дворецкого Брантона; preface — предисловие; вступление; пролог).

“‘This was how it came about (вот как это произошло). I have said that the man was intelligent (я уже говорил, что этот человек очень умен), and this very intelligence has caused his ruin (и именно его ум стал причиной его гибели), for it seems to have led to an insatiable curiosity about things (так как, видимо, вызвал жадное любопытство к вещам; insatiable — ненасытный, жадный; неутолимый) which did not in the least concern him (которые не имели к нему ни малейшего отношения). I had no idea of the lengths to which this would carry him (я и понятия не имел о том, как далеко это могло завести его; length — длина, расстояние), until the merest accident opened my eyes to it (пока чистый случай не открыл мне глаза /на это/).

“‘I have said that the house is a rambling one (я говорил, что дом построен бестолково). One day last week (в один день на прошлой неделе) — on Thursday night, to be more exact (точнее, в четверг ночью) — I found that I could not sleep (я понял, что не могу уснуть), having foolishly taken a cup of strong café noir after my dinner (потому что по глупости выпил чашку крепкого черного кофе /франц./ после ужина). After struggling against it until two in the morning (промучившись: «проборовшись против него» до двух часов ночи: «утра»; to struggle — бороться), I felt that it was quite hopeless (я почувствовал, что это безнадежно), so I rose and lit the candle (и потому поднялся и зажег свечу) with the intention of continuing a novel which I was reading (с намерением продолжить роман, который я читал = намереваясь продолжить чтение романа). The book, however, had been left in the billiard-room (однако я забыл книгу в бильярдной), so I pulled on my dressing-gown and started off to get it (поэтому я надел халат и отправился за ней; to pull on — натягивать).

prefaced [`prefIst], insatiable [In`seISqblI], gown [gaun]

“‘That was our first drama at Hurlstone; but a second one came to drive it from our minds, and it was prefaced by the disgrace and dismissal of butler Brunton.

“‘This was how it came about. I have said that the man was intelligent, and this very intelligence has caused his ruin, for it seems to have led to an insatiable curiosity about things which did not in the least concern him. I had no idea of the lengths to which this would carry him, until the merest accident opened my eyes to it.

“‘I have said that the house is a rambling one. One day last week — on Thursday night, to be more exact — I found that I could not sleep, having foolishly taken a cup of strong café noir after my dinner. After struggling against it until two in the morning, I felt that it was quite hopeless, so I rose and lit the candle with the intention of continuing a novel which I was reading. The book, however, had been left in the billiard-room, so I pulled on my dressing-gown and started off to get it.

“‘In order to reach the billiard-room (чтобы добраться до бильярдной) I had to descend a flight of stairs (мне нужно было спуститься на один лестничный пролет) and then to cross the head of a passage (и затем пересечь переднюю часть коридора; passage — коридор; проход; переход) which led to the library and the gun-room (ведущего в библиотеку и в комнату для ружей; gun-room — комната для хранения охотничьих ружей). You can imagine my surprise (можете представить мое изумление) when, as I looked down this corridor (когда, заглянув в коридор), I saw a glimmer of light coming from the open door of the library (я увидел тусклый свет, исходивший из открытой двери библиотеки). I had myself extinguished the lamp (я сам погасил лампу) and closed the door before coming to bed (и закрыл дверь, прежде чем отправиться спать). Naturally my first thought was of burglars (разумеется, первой моей мыслью была /мысль/ о грабителях; burglar — ночной грабитель, взломщик). The corridors at Hurlstone have their walls largely decorated with trophies of old weapons (стены коридоров в Херлстоне щедро украшены трофейным старинным оружием; largely — в значительной степени, щедро, обильно). From one of these I picked a battle-axe (с одной из них я схватил боевой топор), and then, leaving my candle behind me (и, оставив свечу), I crept on tiptoe down the passage (я прокрался на цыпочках по коридору; to creep — ползать; красться) and peeped in at the open door (и заглянул в открытую дверь).

“‘Brunton, the butler, was in the library (Брантон, дворецкий, был в библиотеке). He was sitting, fully dressed, in an easy-chair (он сидел, совершенно одетый, в мягком кресле), with a slip of paper which looked like a map upon his knee (с листом бумаги на колене, похожим на какую-то карту), and his forehead sunk forward upon his hand in deep thought (лоб он опер: «опустил» на руку в глубокой задумчивости). I stood dumb with astonishment (я стоял, онемев от изумления; dumb — немой; онемевший /от внезапных чувств/), watching him from the darkness (и наблюдал за ним из темноты).

library [`laIbr(q)rI], extinguished [Ik`stINgwISt], burglar [`bq:glq], weapon [`wepqn]

“‘In order to reach the billiard-room I had to descend a flight of stairs and then to cross the head of a passage which led to the library and the gun‑room. You can imagine my surprise when, as I looked down this corridor, I saw a glimmer of light coming from the open door of the library. I had myself extinguished the lamp and closed the door before coming to bed. Naturally my first thought was of burglars. The corridors at Hurlstone have their walls largely decorated with trophies of old weapons. From one of these I picked a battle-axe, and then, leaving my candle behind me, I crept on tiptoe down the passage and peeped in at the open door.

“‘Brunton, the butler, was in the library. He was sitting, fully dressed, in an easy-chair, with a slip of paper which looked like a map upon his knee, and his forehead sunk forward upon his hand in deep thought. I stood dumb with astonishment, watching him from the darkness.

“‘A small taper on the edge of the table shed a feeble light (маленькая свечка на краю стола отбрасывала слабый свет; taper — конус; тонкая свечка) which sufficed to show me that he was fully dressed (которого было достаточно, чтобы показать мне, что дворецкий совершенно одет). Suddenly, as I looked, he rose from his chair (вдруг, в то время как я продолжал смотреть, он встал с кресла), and walking over to a bureau at the side (и, подойдя к бюро в стороне), he unlocked it and drew out one of the drawers (отпер его и выдвинул один из ящиков). From this he took a paper (из него он вытащил какую-то бумагу), and returning to his seat (и, вернувшись на место) he flattened it out beside the taper on the edge of the table (он разгладил ее возле свечи на углу стола), and began to study it with minute attention (и стал рассматривать ее очень внимательно; minute — мелкий; детальный, обстоятельный). My indignation at this calm examination of our family documents overcame me so far (ярость из-за этого спокойного изучения наших фамильных документов настолько: «так далеко» переполнила меня; indignation — негодование, возмущение; to overcome — побороть, преодолеть; охватить, обуять; переполнять /о чувстве, эмоции/) that I took a step forward (что я шагнул вперед), and Brunton, looking up, saw me standing in the doorway (и Брантон, подняв глаза, увидел, что я стою в дверях). He sprang to his feet (он вскочил на ноги), his face turned livid with fear (его лицо побледнело от страха; livid — синевато-багровый; мертвенно-бледный), and he thrust into his breast the chart-like paper (и он сунул в нагрудный /карман/ похожий на карту /лист/ бумаги) which he had been originally studying (который он только что изучал; originally — в начале, первоначально).

“‘So (так)!' said I. “This is how you repay the trust (вот как вы отплачиваете за доверие) which we have reposed in you (оказанное вам; to repose — наделять /кого-либо чем-либо/, возлагать /что-либо на кого-либо/; вручать полномочия /кому-либо/). You will leave my service to-morrow (завтра же вы уйдете со службы: «оставите мою службу»).”

sufficed [sq`faIst], bureau [`bju(q)rqu], originally [q`rIG(q)n(q)lI]

“‘A small taper on the edge of the table shed a feeble light which sufficed to show me that he was fully dressed. Suddenly, as I looked, he rose from his chair, and walking over to a bureau at the side, he unlocked it and drew out one of the drawers. From this he took a paper, and returning to his seat he flattened it out beside the taper on the edge of the table, and began to study it with minute attention. My indignation at this calm examination of our family documents overcame me so far that I took a step forward, and Brunton, looking up, saw me standing in the doorway. He sprang to his feet, his face turned livid with fear, and he thrust into his breast the chart-like paper which he had been originally studying.

“‘So!' said I. “This is how you repay the trust which we have reposed in you. You will leave my service to-morrow.”

“‘He bowed with the look of a man who is utterly crushed (он поклонился с видом человека, который совершенно подавлен), and slunk past me without a word (и проскользнул мимо меня без единого слова; to slink — красться). The taper was still on the table (свеча по-прежнему стояла на столе; taper — свечка /тонкая/), and by its light I glanced to see (и при ее свете я посмотрел) what the paper was which Brunton had taken from the bureau (что это за бумага, которую Брантон достал из бюро). To my surprise it was nothing of any importance at all (к моему удивлению, она не представляла никакой ценности), but simply a copy of the questions and answers (а была копией вопросов и ответов) in the singular old observance called the Musgrave Ritual (/произносимых/ при необычном старинном обряде, называемом «Обряд дома Месгрейвов»; observance — соблюдение /закона, обычая, религиозного обряда, праздника/; обряд, ритуал, церемония). It is a sort of ceremony peculiar to our family (это своего рода ритуал, характерный для нашего рода), which each Musgrave for centuries past (который каждый Месгрейв уже несколько веков) has gone through on his coming of age (проходит при достижении совершеннолетия) — a thing of private interest (он представляет частный интерес = интерес для членов нашей семьи), and perhaps of some little importance to the archaeologist (и, возможно, имеет небольшое значение для археолога), like our own blazonings and charges (как /вообще/ наша геральдика; blazon — герб, эмблема; описание герба; charge — девиз, символ, фигура /на щите/), but of no practical use whatever (но никакого практического применения не имеет).'

“‘We had better come back to the paper afterwards (лучше вернуться к этой бумаге позже),' said I.

observance [qb`zq:v(q)ns], ceremony [`serImqnI], archaeologist ["RkI`qlqGIst]

“‘He bowed with the look of a man who is utterly crushed, and slunk past me without a word. The taper was still on the table, and by its light I glanced to see what the paper was which Brunton had taken from the bureau. To my surprise it was nothing of any importance at all, but simply a copy of the questions and answers in the singular old observance called the Musgrave Ritual. It is a sort of ceremony peculiar to our family, which each Musgrave for centuries past has gone through on his coming of age — a thing of private interest, and perhaps of some little importance to the archaeologist, like our own blazonings and charges, but of no practical use whatever.'

“‘We had better come back to the paper afterwards,' said I.

“‘If you think it really necessary (если вы считаете, что это действительно необходимо),' he answered, with some hesitation (ответил он с некоторым колебанием).

“‘To continue my statement, however (однако продолжу изложение /фактов/; statement — заявление, утверждение; изложение, отчет): I relocked the bureau, using the key which Brunton had left (я снова запер бюро, используя ключ, оставленный Брантоном), and I had turned to go when I was surprised to find (и я обернулся, чтобы уйти, как вдруг с удивлением обнаружил) that the butler had returned (что дворецкий вернулся), and was standing before me (и стоит передо мной).

“‘Mr. Musgrave, sir,' he cried, in a voice which was hoarse with emotion (вскричал он голосом, хриплым от волнения), ‘I can't bear disgrace, sir (я не вынесу позора, сэр). I've always been proud above my station in life (я всегда гордился выше своего положения в жизни = хоть занимал небольшое место, но у меня есть гордость), and disgrace would kill me (и бесчестье убьет меня). My blood will be on your head, sir — it will, indeed (моя кровь будет на вашей совести, сэр, именно так) — if you drive me to despair (если вы доведете меня до отчаяния). If you cannot keep me after what has passed (если вы не можете оставить меня /на службе/ после того, что случилось), then for God's sake let me give you notice and leave in a month (тогда, ради Бога, позвольте мне уведомить вас об уходе и уйти в течение месяца; to give notice — извещать, уведомлять; предупреждать /об увольнении/), as if of my own free will (будто по собственному желанию; free will — свободная воля, свобода воли: of one's own free will — добровольно, по собственному желанию). I could stand that, Mr. Musgrave (я могу это вынести, мистер Месгрейв), but not to be cast out before all the folk that I know so well (но /только/ не изгнание на глазах всех этих людей, которых я так хорошо знаю; to cast out — выгонять, изгонять).'

hoarse [hLs], blood [blAd], folk [fquk]

“‘If you think it really necessary,' he answered, with some hesitation.

“‘To continue my statement, however: I relocked the bureau, using the key which Brunton had left, and I had turned to go when I was surprised to find that the butler had returned, and was standing before me.

“‘Mr. Musgrave, sir,' he cried, in a voice which was hoarse with emotion, ‘I can't bear disgrace, sir. I've always been proud above my station in life, and disgrace would kill me. My blood will be on your head, sir — it will, indeed — if you drive me to despair. If you cannot keep me after what has passed, then for God's sake let me give you notice and leave in a month, as if of my own free will. I could stand that, Mr. Musgrave, but not to be cast out before all the folk that I know so well.'

“‘You don't deserve much consideration, Brunton (вы не заслуживаете того, чтобы с вами много церемонились, Брантон; consideration — рассмотрение; внимание, уважение),' I answered (ответил я). ‘Your conduct has been most infamous (ваше поведение было крайне постыдным; infamous — пользующийся дурной славой; позорный, постыдный, низкий). However, as you have been a long time in the family (тем не менее, поскольку вы так долго прослужили в нашей семье), I have no wish to bring public disgrace upon you (я не хочу подвергать вас общественному позору). A month, however is too long (однако месяц — это слишком долго). Take yourself away in a week (уходите через неделю), and give what reason you like for going (причину назовите какую угодно).'

“‘Only a week, sir (только неделя, сэр)?' he cried, in a despairing voice (вскричал он с отчаянием: «отчаянным голосом»). ‘A fortnight — say at least a fortnight (две недели — дайте хотя бы две недели)!'

“‘A week,' I repeated (повторил я), ‘and you may consider yourself to have been very leniently dealt with (и можете считать, что с вами обошлись очень мягко; lenient — мягкий, снисходительный; терпимый; to deal with — иметь дело с; обходиться с).'

“‘He crept away, his face sunk upon his breast (он медленно побрел прочь, опустив голову на грудь), like a broken man (в полном унынии/совершенно уничтоженный; to break-broke-broken; broken — разбитый, сломанный; сломленный, сокрушенный), while I put out the light and returned to my room (а я погасил свет и вернулся к себе в комнату).

conduct [`kOndAkt], infamous [`Infqmqs], leniently [`lJnIqntlI]

“‘You don't deserve much consideration, Brunton,' I answered. “Your conduct has been most infamous. However, as you have been a long time in the family, I have no wish to bring public disgrace upon you. A month, however is too long. Take yourself away in a week, and give what reason you like for going.'

“‘Only a week, sir?' he cried, in a despairing voice. ‘A fortnight — say at least a fortnight!'

“‘A week,” I repeated, “and you may consider yourself to have been very leniently dealt with.'

“‘He crept away, his face sunk upon his breast, like a broken man, while I put out the light and returned to my room.

“‘For two days after this Brunton was most assiduous in his attention to his duties (два дня после этого Брантон очень усердно выполнял свои обязанности; assiduous — усердный, прилежный, старательный). I made no allusion to what had passed (я не напоминал /ему/ о том, что произошло), and waited with some curiosity to see (и ждал с любопытством) how he would cover his disgrace (как он скроет свой позор). On the third morning, however he did not appear (однако на третье утро он не явился), as was his custom (по своему обыкновению), after breakfast to receive my instructions for the day (после завтрака, чтобы получить мои указания на день). As I left the dining-room I happened to meet Rachel Howells, the maid (выходя из столовой, я встретил Рейчел Хауэллс, горничную). I have told you that she had only recently recovered from an illness (/как/ я уже вам говорил, она только недавно оправилась от болезни), and was looking so wretchedly pale and wan (и была так бледна, у нее был такой болезненный/изнуренный вид: «выглядела столь по-жалкому бледной и изнуренной»; wretched — несчастный, жалкий) that I remonstrated with her for being at work (что я сделал ей выговор за то, что она принялась за работу; to remonstrate — протестовать, возражать; уговаривать).

“‘You should be in bed (вам следует оставаться в постели),' I said. “Come back to your duties when you are stronger (вернитесь к исполнению своих обязанностей, когда будете сильнее = окрепнете).'

“‘She looked at me with so strange an expression (она посмотрела на меня с таким странным выражением) that I began to suspect that her brain was affected (что я начал думать, не подействовала ли /болезнь/ на ее рассудок; to affect — оказывать воздействие, влияние; затрагивать; поражать /о болезни/).

“‘I am strong enough, Mr. Musgrave (я вполне окрепла, мистер Месгрейв),' said she.

assiduous [q`sIdjuqs], recovered [rI`kAvqd], wretchedly [`reCIdlI]

“‘For two days after this Brunton was most assiduous in his attention to his duties. I made no allusion to what had passed, and waited with some curiosity to see how he would cover his disgrace. On the third morning, however he did not appear, as was his custom, after breakfast to receive my instructions for the day. As I left the dining-room I happened to meet Rachel Howells, the maid. I have told you that she had only recently recovered from an illness, and was looking so wretchedly pale and wan that I remonstrated with her for being at work.

“‘You should be in bed,' I said. ‘Come back to your duties when you are stronger.'

“She looked at me with so strange an expression that I began to suspect that her brain was affected.

“‘I am strong enough, Mr. Musgrave,' said she.

“‘We will see what the doctor says (посмотрим, что скажет врач),' I answered (ответил я). “You must stop work now (вы должны прекратить работать), and when you go downstairs just say that I wish to see Brunton (а когда пойдете вниз, скажите, что я желаю видеть Брантона).”

“‘The butler is gone (дворецкий пропал),' said she.

“‘Gone! Gone where (куда пропал)?”

“‘He is gone (он пропал). No one has seen him (никто его не видел). He is not in his room (в комнате его нет). Oh, yes, he is gone, he is gone (о да, он пропал, пропал)!' She fell back against the wall with shriek after shriek of laughter (она прислонилась к стене и начала истерически хохотать; to shriek — пронзительно кричать, орать; визжать; громко, истерически хохотать; laughter — cмех, хохот), while I, horrified at this sudden hysterical attack (а я, напуганный этим внезапным истерическим припадком), rushed to the bell to summon help (бросился к колокольчику, чтобы позвать на помощь; to summon — вызвать, позвать). The girl was taken to her room (девушку увели в ее комнату), still screaming and sobbing (все еще хохочущую и рыдающую), while I made inquiries about Brunton (а я тем временем стал расспрашивать о Брантоне; to make inquiries about — расспрашивать, наводить справки). There was no doubt about it that he had disappeared (несомненно, он исчез). His bed had not been slept in (его постель оказалась нетронутой: «в постели никто не спал»), he had been seen by no one since he had retired to his room the night before (его никто не видел с тех пор, как он ушел к себе в комнату накануне вечером), and yet it was difficult to see how he could have left the house (однако трудно было понять, как он вышел из дома), as both windows and doors were found to be fastened in the morning (потому что как окна, так и двери оказались запертыми утром).

laughter [`lRftq], hysterical [hI`sterIk(q)l], doubt [daut], fastened [`fRs(q)nd]

“‘We will see what the doctor says,' I answered. “You must stop work now, and when you go downstairs just say that I wish to see Brunton.'

“‘The butler is gone,' said she.

“‘Gone! Gone where?”

“‘He is gone. No one has seen him. He is not in his room. Oh, yes, he is gone, he is gone!' She fell back against the wall with shriek after shriek of laughter, while I, horrified at this sudden hysterical attack, rushed to the bell to summon help. The girl was taken to her room, still screaming and sobbing, while I made inquiries about Brunton. There was no doubt about it that he had disappeared. His bed had not been slept in, he had been seen by no one since he had retired to his room the night before, and yet it was difficult to see how he could have left the house, as both windows and doors were found to be fastened in the morning.