Кармилла
Search
Now,themarveloflastnightconsistsinyourhavingbeenremovedfromyourbedandyourroom,withoutbeingwakened,andthisremovalhavingoccurredapparentlywhilethewindowswerestillsecured,andthetwodoorslockedupontheinside.Iwilltellyoumytheoryandaskyouaquestion."
Carmillawasleaningonherhanddejectedly;MadameandIwerelisteningbreathlessly.
"Now,myquestionisthis.Haveyoueverbeensuspectedofwalkinginyoursleep?"
"Never,sinceIwasveryyoungindeed."
"Butyoudidwalkinyoursleepwhenyouwereyoung?"
"Yes;IknowIdid.Ihavebeentoldsooftenbymyoldnurse."
Myfathersmiledandnodded.
"Well,whathashappenedisthis.Yougotupinyoursleep,unlockedthedoor,notleavingthekey,asusual,inthelock,buttakingitoutandlockingitontheoutside;youagaintookthekeyout,andcarrieditawaywithyoutosomeoneofthefive-and-twentyroomsonthisfloor,orperhapsupstairsordownstairs.Therearesomanyroomsandclosets,somuchheavyfurniture,andsuchaccumulationsoflumber,thatitwouldrequireaweektosearchthisoldhousethoroughly.Doyousee,now,whatImean?"
"Ido,butnotall,"sheanswered.
"Andhow,papa,doyouaccountforherfindingherselfonthesofainthedressingroom,whichwehadsearchedsocarefully?"
"Shecamethereafteryouhadsearchedit,stillinhersleep,andatlastawokespontaneously,andwasasmuchsurprisedtofindherselfwhereshewasasanyoneelse