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第49章 带家具出租的房间4（第1页）

dthenhetraversedtheroomlikeahoundonthescent，skimmingthewalls，consideringthecornersofthebulgingmattingonhishandsandknees，rummagingmantelandtables，thecurtainsandhangings，thedrunkencabinetinthecorner，foravisiblesign，unabletoerceivethatshewastherebeside，around，against，within，abovehim，clingingtohim，wooinghim，callinghimsooignantlythroughthefinersensesthatevenhisgrosseronesbecamecognisantofthecall。Onceagainheansweredloudly，

"Yes，dear!

"andturned，wild-eyed，togazeonvacancy，forhecouldnotyetdiscernformandcolourandloveandoutstretchedarmsintheodourofmignonette。Oh，God!whencethatodour，andsincewhenhaveodourshadavoicetocall?Thushegroed。

Heburrowedincrevicesandcorners，andfoundcorksandcigarettes。Theseheassedinassivecontemt。Butoncehefoundinafoldofthemattingahalf-smokedcigar，andthishegroundbeneathhisheelwithagreenandtrenchantoath。Hesiftedtheroomfromendtoend。Hefounddrearyandignoblesmallrecordsofmanyaeriatetictenant;butofherwhomhesought，andwhomayhavelodgedthere，andwhosesiritseemedtohoverthere，hefoundnotrace。

Andthenhethoughtofthehousekeeer。

Heranfromthehauntedroomdownstairsandtoadoorthatshowedacrackoflight。Shecameouttohisknock。Hesmotheredhisexcitementasbesthecould。

"Willyoutellme，madam，

"hebesoughther，

"whooccuiedtheroomIhavebeforeIcame?

"

"Yes，sir。Icantellyouagain。TwasSrowlsandMooney，asIsaid。MissBrettaSrowlsitwasinthetheatres，butMissisMooneyshewas。Myhouseiswell-knownforresectability。Themarriagecertificatehung，framed，onanailover—

"

"WhatkindofaladywasMissSrowls—inlooks，Imean?

"

"Why，black-haired，sir，short，andstout，withacomicalface。TheyleftaweekagoTuesday。

"

"Andbeforetheyoccuiedit?

"

"Why，therewasasinglegentlemanconnectedwiththedrayingbusiness。Heleftowingmeaweek。BeforehimwasMissisCrowderandhertwochildren，thatstayedfourmonths;andbackofthemwasoldMr。Doyle，whosesonsaidforhim。Hekettheroomsixmonths。Thatgoesbackayear，sir，andfurtherIdonotremember。

"

Hethankedherandcretbacktohisroom。Theroomwasdead。Theessencethathadvivifieditwasgone。Theerfumeofmignonettehaddearted。Initslacewastheold，staleodourofmouldyhousefurniture，ofatmoshereinstorage。

Theebbingofhishoedrainedhisfaith。Hesatstaringattheyellow，singinggaslight。Soonhewalkedtothebedandbegantotearthesheetsintostris。Withthebladeofhisknifehedrovethemtightlyintoeverycrevicearoundwindowsanddoor。Whenallwassnugandtautheturnedoutthelight，turnedthegasfullonagainandlaidhimselfgratefullyuonthebed。

ItwasMrs。McCoolsnighttogowiththecanforbeer。SoshefetcheditandsatwithMrs。Purdyinoneofthosesubterraneanretreatswherehousekeeersforegatherandthewormdiethseldom。