the haunted hotel(闹鬼的旅馆)-第14章
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poundson which one year's premium only had been paid。 In the face of
such a pecuniary emergency as this； the Directors thought it desirable to
consider their position。 The medical advisers of the two offices； who had
recommended the insurance of Lord Montbarry's life； were called into
council over their own reports。 The result excited some interest among
persons connected with the business of life insurance。 Without absolutely
declining to pay the money； the two offices （acting in concert） decided on
sending a commission of inquiry to Venice； 'for the purpose of obtaining
further information。'
Mr。 Troy received the earliest intelligence of what was going on。 He
wrote at once to communicate his news to Agnes； adding； what he
considered to be a valuable hint； in these words：
'You are intimately acquainted； I know； with Lady Barville； the late
Lord Montbarry's eldest sister。 The solicitors employed by her husband
are also the solicitors to one of the two insurance offices。 There may
possibly be something in the report of the commission of inquiry touching
on Ferrari's disappearance。 Ordinary persons would not be permitted； of
course； to see such a document。 But a sister of the late lord is so near a
relative as to be an exception to general rules。 If Sir Theodore Barville
puts it on that footing； the lawyers； even if they do not allow his wife to
look at the report； will at least answer any discreet questions she may ask
referring to it。 Let me hear what you think of this suggestion； at your
earliest convenience。'
The reply was received by return of post。 Agnes declined to avail
herself of Mr。 Troy's proposal。
'My interference； innocent as it was；' she wrote； 'has already been
productive of such deplorable results； that I cannot and dare not stir any
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further in the case of Ferrari。 If I had not consented to let that unfortunate
man refer to me by name； the late Lord Montbarry would never have
engaged him； and his wife would have been spared the misery and
suspense from which she is suffering now。 I would not even look at the
report to which you allude if it was placed in my handsI have heard more
than enough already of that hideous life in the palace at Venice。 If Mrs。
Ferrari chooses to address herself to Lady Barville （with your assistance）；
that is of course quite another thing。 But； even in this case； I must make it
a positive condition that my name shall not be mentioned。 Forgive me；
dear Mr。 Troy！ I am very unhappy； and very unreasonablebut I am only a
woman； and you must not expect too much from me。'
Foiled in this direction； the lawyer next advised making the attempt to
discover the present address of Lady Montbarry's English maid。 This
excellent suggestion had one drawback： it could only be carried out by
spending moneyand there was no money to spend。 Mrs。 Ferrari shrank
from the bare idea of making any use of the thousand…pound note。 It had
been deposited in the safe keeping of a bank。 If it was even mentioned in
her hearing； she shuddered and referred to it； with melodramatic fervour；
as 'my husband's blood…money！'
So； under stress of circumstances； the attempt to solve the mystery of
Ferrari's disappearance was suspended for a while。
It was the last month of the year 1860。 The commission of inquiry
was already at work； having begun its investigations on December 6。 On
the 10th； the term for which the late Lord Montbarry had hired the
Venetian palace； expired。 News by telegram reached the insurance
offices that Lady Montbarry had been advised by her lawyers to leave for
London with as little delay as possible。 Baron Rivar； it was believed；
would accompany her to England； but would not remain in that country；
unless his services were absolutely required by her ladyship。 The Baron；
'well known as an enthusiastic student of chemistry；' had heard of certain
recent discoveries in connection with that science in the United States； and
was anxious to investigate them personally。
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These items of news； collected by Mr。 Troy； were duly communicated
to Mrs。 Ferrari； whose anxiety about her husband made her a frequent； a
too frequent； visitor at the lawyer's office。 She attempted to relate what
she had heard to her good friend and protectress。 Agnes steadily refused to
listen； and positively forbade any further conversation relating to Lord
Montbarry's wife； now that Lord Montbarry was no more。 'You have Mr。
Troy to advise you；' she said； 'and you are welcome to what little money I
can spare； if money is wanted。 All I ask in return is that you will not
distress me。 I am trying to separate myself from remembrances'her voice
faltered； she paused to control herself'from remembrances；' she resumed；
'which are sadder than ever since I have heard of Lord Montbarry's death。
Help me by your silence to recover my spirits； if I can。 Let me hear
nothing more； until I can rejoice with you that your husband is found。'
Time advanced to the 13th of the month； and more information of the
interesting sort reached Mr。 Troy。 The labours of the insurance
commission had come to an endthe report had been received from
Venice on that day。
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CHAPTER VIII
On the 14th the Directors and their legal advisers met for the reading
of the report； with closed doors。 These were the terms in which the
Commissioners related the results of their inquiry： 'Private and
confidential。
'We have the honour to inform our Directors that we arrived in Venice
on December 6； 1860。 On the same day we proceeded to the palace
inhabited by Lord Montbarry at the time of his last illness and death。
'We were received with all possible courtesy by Lady Montbarry's
brother； Baron Rivar。 〃My sister was her husband's only attendant
throughout his illness；〃 the Baron informed us。 〃She is overwhelmed by
grief and fatigueor she would have been here to receive you personally。
What are your wishes； gentlemen？ and what can I do for you in her
ladyship's place？〃
'In accordance with our instructions； we answered that the death and
burial of Lord Montbarry abroad made it desirable to obtain more
complete information relating to his illness； and to the circumstances
which had attended it； than could be conveyed in writing。 We explained
that the law provided for the lapse of a certain interval of time before the
payment of the sum assured； and we expressed our wish to conduct the
inquiry with the most respectful consideration for her ladyship's feelings；
and for the convenience of any other members of the family inhabiting the
house。
'To this the Bar
