Английский для смелых. Истории о духах и привидениях

In the library a last surprise awaited him (в библиотеке его ожидал последний сюрприз). The desk upon which the book had lain was empty

(стол, на котором лежала книга, был пуст). ‘The Compleat Gard’ner’ stood in its place on the shelf («Полный справочник садовода» стоял на своем месте на полке). And then Mr Batchel knew that he had handled a bone of William Whitehead, and that in response to his own entreaty

(и тогда мистер Бэтчел понял, что он захоронил кость Уильяма Уайтхэда, и причем в соответствии с его собственной просьбой; to know – знать; понимать; to handle – зд.: иметь дело; сталкиваться; управляться; in response to smth. – в ответ на что-либо; entreaty – мольба, просьба; to entreat – умолять, упрашивать).

 The city clocks struck one as he finished. The whole world seemed asleep, and Mr Batchel slowly returned to the garden with his spade. As he hung it in its accustomed place he felt stealing over him the welcome desire to sleep. He walked quietly on to the house and ascended to his room. It was now dark: the moon had passed on and left the room in shadow. He lit a candle, and before undressing passed into the library. He had an irresistible curiosity to see the passages in John Evelyn’s book which had so strangely adapted themselves to the events of the past hour.

In the library a last surprise awaited him. The desk upon which the book had lain was empty. ‘The Compleat Gard’ner’ stood in its place on the shelf. And then Mr Batchel knew that he had handled a bone of William Whitehead, and that in response to his own entreaty.

The Confession of Charles Linkworth

(Признание Чарльза Линкворта)

E. F. Benson (Э. Ф. Бенсон)