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Chapter 18

Before the end of the week, the manager found himself in relations with the family once more.

A telegram from Milan announced that Mr. Francis Westwick would arrive in Venice on the next day

and would be obliged if number 14 on the first floor could be reserved for him in the event of its being vacant at the time.

The manager paused to consider before he issued his directions.

The renumbered room had been last let to a French gentleman.

It would be occupied on the day of Mr. Francis Westwick's arrival, but it would be empty again on the day after.

Would it be well to reserve the room for the special occupation of Mr. Francis?

And when he had passed the night unsuspiciously and comfortably in number 13A to ask him in the presence of witnesses how he liked his bed chamber.

In this case, if the reputation of the room happened to be called in question again, the answer would vindicate it on the evidence of a member of the very family which had first given number 14 a bad name.

After a little reflection, the manager decided on trying the experiment and directed that 13A should be reserved accordingly.

On the next day, Francis Westwick arrived in excellent spirits.

He had signed agreements with the most popular dancer in Italy.

He had transferred the charge of Mrs. Norbury to his brother Henry who had joined him in Milan.

And he was now at full liberty to amuse himself by testing in every possible way the extraordinary influence exercised over his relatives by the new hotel.

When his brother and sister first told him what their experience had been, he instantly declared that he would go to Venice in the interest of his theater.

The circumstances related to him contained invaluable hints for a ghost drama.

...