Sir, I think I will tell you what happened last night. My husband Mr. Smith went to bed at about half past ten. The servants had already gone to their rooms. Only my housekeeper stayed in her room at the top of the house until I needed her.
I read a book in this room until after eleven. Then I walked round to make sure that all was right before I went upstairs(楼上). I went into the kitchen, the storeroom, the living room, and finally the dining room. As I came near the window, which was covered with thick curtains(窗帘), I suddenly felt the wind blow on my face, and realized that it was open. I pulled the curtains to one side, and found myself face to face with a man who had just walked into the room. By the light of my bedroom candle, I saw two other men entering behind the first. I was so scared, walking back quickly, but the man was on me in a minute. He caught me first by the wrist(手腕) and then by the throat. I tried to shout, but he hit me heavily in the eye, and I fell to the ground. I must have been unconscious for a few minutes. When I woke up, I found they had tied me to the chair, and a scarf round my mouth stopped me from making any sound. At this time, my unlucky husband came into the room. He had certainly heard some suspicious (令人怀疑的) sounds, and he came prepared. When he rushed at one of the bad men, another man took the poker(拨火棍)out of the fireplace quietly and hit him heavily as he passed. My husband fell without a sound and never moved again.
