Клуб самоубийц. Уровень 2 / The Suicide Club

And let me warn you to be frank in your answers. The club requires a searching inquiry before admission. The indiscretion of a single member will lead to the dispersion of the whole society for ever.”

The Prince and Geraldine put their heads together for a moment.

“I will tell this,” said the one; and “I will tell that,” said the other.

They came to an agreement and were ready to follow their guide into the President's cabinet.

There were no formidable obstacles to pass. The outer door stood open; the door of the cabinet was ajar; and there, in a small but very high apartment, the young man left them once more.

“He will be here immediately,” he said with a nod, as he disappeared.

Voices were audible in the cabinet through the doors. Now and then the noise of a champagne cork, followed by a burst of laughter, intervened among the sounds of conversation. A single tall window looked out upon the river and the embankment. They were not far from Charing Cross station. The furniture was scanty; and there was nothing except a hand-bell in the centre of a round table, and the hats and coats hung round the wall on pegs.

“What sort of a den is this?” said Geraldine.

“That is what I have come to see,” replied the Prince. “If they have devils, the adventure will be amusing.”

Just then the door was opened. There entered a louder buzz of talk, and the redoubtable President of the Suicide Club. The President was a man of fifty or upwards; large and rambling in his gait, with shaggy side whiskers, a bald top to his head, and a veiled grey eye, which now and then emitted a twinkle.

“Good-evening,” said he and closed the door behind him. “They told me you wished to speak with me.”

“We have a desire, sir, to join the Suicide Club,” replied the Colonel.

The President rolled his cigar about in his mouth.

“What is that?” he said abruptly.

“Pardon me,” returned the Colonel, “but I believe you can give us information on that point.”

“I?” cried the President. “A Suicide Club? Come, come! This is a frolic for All Fools' Day. I can understand the gentlemen drank too much; but let there be an end to this.”

“Call your club what you will,” said the Colonel; “you have some company behind these doors, and we insist on joining it.