Ticket No. "9672" by Jules Verne Read Free Book Online Page A

furniture, and peered into cupboards and sideboards with as much coolness as if he had been in his own house.
    Though the man was singular in appearance, his actions were certainly even more singular. Finally he seated himself in the big arm-chair, and proceeded to question DameHansen in a curt, almost rude tone. How long had the inn been built? Was it her husband that built it, or did he inherit it? How much land was there around it, and what was the extent of the adjoining souter ? Was the inn well patronized, and did it pay well? How many tourists came there on an average during the summer? Did they usually spend one or several days there? etc., etc.
    It was evident that the stranger had not looked at the register that had been placed in his room, for that would have given him all the information he desired upon this last point.
    In fact, the book was still on the table where Hulda had placed it the evening before, and the traveler's name was not in it.
    "I do not understand how and why these matters can interest you, sir," said Dame Hansen at last; "but if you wish to know the state of our business, nothing could be easier. You have only to examine the register, in which you would greatly oblige me by entering your name according to custom."
    "My name? I will write my name in it, certainly. I will write it there before I leave, which will be immediately after breakfast, as I am anxious to get back to Drammen by to-morrow evening."
    "Drammen!" repeated Dame Hansen, hastily.
    "Yes. Will you give me my breakfast as soon as possible?"
    "Do you live in Drammen?"
    "Yes. May I ask if there is anything astonishing about the fact that I reside in Drammen?"
    So, after spending scarcely twenty-four hours in Dal, or rather at the inn, the traveler left without making the slightest effort to see anything of the surrounding country, Gousta, and Rjukanfos, and the wonders of the valley of the Vesfjorddal were entirely ignored.
    It certainly could not have been for pleasure that he leftDrammen, so he must have come on business, and the sole object of his visit seemed to have been a careful examination of Dame Hansen's establishment.
    It was plain to Hulda that her mother was deeply troubled, for she seated herself in her big arm-chair, and pushing aside her spinning-wheel, remained there silent and motionless.
    In the meantime the traveler had gone into the dining-room and seated himself at the table. Though the breakfast was as carefully prepared as the dinner of the evening before, it seemed to give no better satisfaction; and yet the guest eat and drank in the same leisurely fashion. His attention seemed to be chiefly bestowed upon the silver—a luxury highly prized among Norwegian peasants, where the few forks and spoons which are handed down from father to son are carefully preserved with the family jewels.
    Meanwhile the skydskarl busied himself with his preparations for departure; and by eleven o'clock the horse and kariol were standing before the door of the inn.
    The weather was still threatening; the sky was dull and overcast, and now and then big drops of rain dashed against the window-panes; but this traveler with his heavy cloak lined with sheep-skin was not a man to worry about the weather.
    Breakfast over, he called for one more glass of brandy, lighted his pipe, and put on his coat, then stepping out into the hall he called for his bill.
    "I will make it out immediately," replied Hulda, seating herself at a small desk.
    "Be quick about it," said the traveler. "And now," he added, "you had better bring me your book so I can write my name in it."
    Dame Hansen rose and left the room to get the register, which, on her return, she placed upon the large table.
    The stranger picked up a pen and took one more longlook at Dame Hansen over his spectacles; then he wrote his name in a large, round hand, and closed the book.
    Just at that moment Hulda handed him his bill. He took it, examined each item separately, and then proceeded