Then I went across to the mantelpiece, and lighted all the wax candles
that were on it. After that, I cast another glance around me without
discovering anything. I advanced with short steps, carefully examining
the apartment. Nothing. I inspected every article one after the other.
Still nothing. I went over to the window. The shutters, large wooden
shutters, were open. I shut them with great care, and then drew the
curtains, enormous velvet curtains, and I placed a chair in front of
them, so as to have nothing to fear from without.

Then I cautiously sat down. The armchair was solid. I did not venture
to get into the bed. However, time was flying; and I ended by coming
to the conclusion that I was ridiculous. If they were spying on me, as
I supposed, they must, while waiting for the success of the joke they
had been preparing for me, have been laughing enormously at my terror.
So I made up my mind to go to bed. But the bed was particularly
suspicious-looking. I pulled at the curtains. They seemed to be
secure. All the same, there was danger. I was going perhaps to
receive a cold shower-bath from overhead, or perhaps, the moment I
stretched myself out, to find myself sinking under the floor with my
mattress. I searched in my memory for all the practical jokes of which
I ever had experience. And I did not want to be caught. Ah! certainly
not! certainly not! Then I suddenly bethought myself of a precaution
which I consider one of extreme efficacy: I caught hold of the side of
the mattress gingerly, and very slowly drew it towards me. It came
away, followed by the sheet and the rest of the bed-clothes. I dragged
all these objects into the very middle of the room, facing the
entrance-door. I made my bed over again as best I could at some
distance from the suspected bedstead and the corner which had filled
me with such anxiety. Then, I extinguished all the candles, and,
groping my way, I slipped under the bed-clothes.

For at least another hour I remained awake, starting at the slightest
sound. Everything seemed quiet in the chateau. I fell asleep.

I must have been in a deep sleep for a long time, but all of a sudden,
I was awakened with a start by the fall of a heavy body tumbling right
on top of my own body, and, at the same time, I received on my face,
on my neck, and on my chest, a burning liquid which made me utter a
howl of pain. And a dreadful noise, as if a sideboard laden with
plates and dishes had fallen down, p