On the contrary, said I, I opened the door myself
because Ifelt the room to be a little close.
Oh, do not wastethe so-precious time, but
come!
TheDuke, his father, was at one time Secretary for
Foreign Affairs.
Who were these German people, and what werethey
doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place?
I took the lamp from him, and I examined the
machine verythoroughly.
As tomy own case, I am ready to give you any
information which mayassist you in forming an opinion. We compressthe earth into
bricks, so as to remove them without revealingwhat they are. It is a little place
near the bordersof Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading.
It is just possible, however, that that also may
not bewanting in this new investigation.
Perhaps we hadbetter proceed to business, then,
said he.
At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but
my station. We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, thefat
manager and I behind him. We have known for some time that a clever gang was at
work,said the inspector.
Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get
clear uponthe subject.
Icannot possibly leave until I have seen the
machine.
Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. My
guide stopped and looked abouther like one who is at her wits end. We both sat in
silence for some little time after listening tothis extraordinary narrative. There
would be one to Reading in less than an hour. At Reading I had to change not only my
carriage but my station.
As tomy own case, I am ready to give you any
information which mayassist you in forming an opinion.
TheDuke, his father, was at one time Secretary for
Foreign Affairs.
It is a goodseven miles from Eyford Station.
Arms:Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Come, cried the inspector,
laughing; its a very prettydiversity of opinion.
Yes, her father brought her over for this last
London season.
The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and
stared downinto the fire. We have judged it best that you should come
late.
I was amused by her society, and she could see that
I wasamused.
They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent,
and Tudor onthe distaff side. The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed
youracquaintance?
I wasconscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened,
and I fell into thegarden below. I have said that though the floor and ceiling were
of iron, thewalls were of wood.
I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very
useful theywould be to me.