THE HAUNTED HOTEL
A Mystery of Modern Venice

by Wilkie Collins (1824-1889)

(after the edition of Chatto & Windus, London, 1879)






THE FIRST PART





CHAPTER I


In the year 1860, the reputation of Doctor Wybrow as a London
physician reached its highest point. It was reported on good
authority that he was in receipt of one of the largest incomes
derived from the practice of medicine in modern times.

One afternoon, towards the close of the London season, the Doctor
had just taken his luncheon after a specially hard morning's work
in his consulting-room, and with a formidable list of visits
to patients at their own houses to fill up the rest of his day--