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THEHAUNTEDHOTELAMysteryofModernVeniceTHEHAUNTEDHOTELAMysteryofModernVenicebyWilkieCollins(1824-1889)(aftertheeditionofChatto&Windus,London,1879)1THEHAUNTEDHOTELAMysteryofModernVeniceCHAPTERIIntheyear1860,thereputationofDoctorWybrowasaLondonphysicianreacheditshighestpoint.Itwasreportedongoodauthoritythathewasinreceiptofoneofthelargestincomesderivedfromthepracticeofmedicineinmoderntimes.Oneafternoon,towardsthecloseoftheLondonseason,theDoctorhadjusttakenhisluncheonafteraspeciallyhardmorning'sworkinhisconsulting-room,andwithaformidablelistofvisitstopatientsattheirownhousestofilluptherestofhisday--whentheservantannouncedthataladywishedtospeaktohim.'Whoisshe?'theDoctorasked.'Astranger?''Yes,sir.''Iseenostrangersoutofconsulting-hours.Tellherwhatthehoursare,andsendheraway.''Ihavetoldher,sir.''Well?''Andshewon'tgo.''Won'tgo?'TheDoctorsmiledasherepeatedthewords.Hewasahumouristinhisway;andtherewasanabsurdsidetothesituationwhichratheramusedhim.'Hasthisobstinateladygivenyouhername?'heinquired.'No,sir.Sherefusedtogiveanyname--shesaidshewouldn'tkeepyoufiveminutes,andthematterwastooimportanttowaittillto-morrow.Theresheisintheconsulting-room;andhowtogetheroutagainismorethanIknow.'DoctorWybrowconsideredforamoment.Hisknowledgeofwomen(professionallyspeaking)restedontheripeexperienceofmorethanthirtyyears;hehadmetwiththeminalltheirvarieties--especiallythevarietywhichknowsnothingofthevalueoftime,andneverhesitatesatshelteringitselfbehindtheprivilegesofitssex.Aglanceathiswatchinformedhimthathemustsoonbeginhisroundsamongthepatientswhowerewaiting2THEHAUNTEDHOTELAMysteryofModernVeniceforhimattheirownhouses.Hedecidedforthwithontakingtheonlywisecoursethatwasopenunderthecircumstances.Inotherwords,hedecidedontakingtoflight.'Isthecarriageatthedoor?'heasked.'Yes,sir.''Verywell.Openthehouse-doorformewithoutmakinganynoise,andleavetheladyinundisturbedpossessionoftheconsulting-room.Whenshegetstiredofwaiting,youknowwhattotellher.IfsheaskswhenIamexpectedtoreturn,saythatIdineatmyclub,andspendtheeveningatth