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Audiobook: An Eye For An Eye – Full AudioBook
Author: William Le Queux
Genre: General Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Horror, and Detective Novel
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An Eye For An Eye by William Le Queux
Frank Urwin and Richard Cleugh are two bachelor journalists sharing a flat in London. One evening while chatting, Urwin receives a telegram from a police acquaintance to come to the local police station at once. Urwin visits Inspector Patterson who is greatly agitated. Patterson invites Urwin for a drink and tells him of a strange occurrence at a local house. The two visit the house where they discover a dead young male and attractive young female. For some reason, Patterson is reluctant to report the apparent murders. While at the house, the telephone rings and Urwin answers it. A strange voice asks if the deed has been done? Urwin indicates it has and agrees to meet the caller at St. James’s Park. Urwin finally convinces Patterson to report the crime and a second visit occurs with additional police. This time however, the dead female is not the same person.
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This is audiobook caboodle YouTube channel click on the Subscribe button and listen  unlimited audiobooks anytime anywhere an eye for an eye by William lacue chapter 1 the mystery man  hush think if you were overheard well my dear fellow I can only assert what’s true I said Â
I really can’t believe it observe my companion shaking his head doubtfully but I’m absolutely  satisfied I answered the two Affairs mysterious as they are are more closely connected than we  imagined I thought I had convinced you by my arguments a revelation will be made someday and Â
It will be a startling one depend upon it you’ll never convince me without absolute proof never the  idea is far too hazy to be possible only a Madman could dream such a thing then I suppose I’m a mad Â
Man I laughed no old chap I don’t need any insult of course my friend the journalist a youngish  dark-haired man hastened to assure me but the whole thing is really too extraordinary to believe  we were seated together one June morning some years ago in a train on the Underground Â
Railway and had been discussing a very remarkable occurrence which had been discovered a few days  before a discovery that was a secret between us scarcely however had he uttered his final  denunciation of my theory when the train ran into the sulfurous evermirke station at Blackfriars Â
For the electrification of the line was not then completed and promising to continue our argument  later he paid me goodbye sprang out and hastened away in the crowd of silk habit City men on their  way to their offices he was rather tall aged about 30 with a well-cut clever face a complexion Â
Unusually dark a well-trimmed black mustache and a smart gate which gave him something of  a military bearing yet his cravat was habitually tied with carelessness and he usually wore a light  Overcoat except through the month of August his name was Richard clue one of the sharpest Â
Men in Fleet Street being special reporter of London’s most up-to-date evening paper the comet  when alone I sat back in the illit railway carriage and during my short journey to Cannon  Street reflected deeply the affair was as he had said absolutely bewildering indeed this chain of Â
Curious facts this Romance of love and devotion of guile Intrigue and of the cardinal sins which  it is my intention to hear record proved one of the strangest that has ever occurred in our  giant London it was an absolute mystery readers of newspapers know well the many strange stories told Â
In courts of Justice or on Earth by the untiring liner And the reporter who is a specialist in the  discovery of crime yet when we walked streets of our Metropolis when the fevered crowd jostles in Â
The Mad race of Life there is more romance around us and of a character far more extraordinary than  any that has ever appeared in the public Prince the secrets of London’s ever-throbbing heart and  her hidden and inexplicable Mysteries which never get into the papers or Legion this is one of them Â
In order to understand the facts all right it is necessary to hear explain that I Frank Irwin and  myself a member of that ubiquitous and much maligned profession journalism being engaged  at the time of the opening of this narrative as special reporter of a highly respectable Â
London Daily Newspaper a journal which was so Superior that it never allowed itself to make any  Sensational statement its conductors as studiously avoided sensationalism as they did libel and  although we were very often in possession of startling facts and Sensational statements Â
Which would have sold the paper and caused it to be quoted next morning up and down the country  yet we of the staff forbidden to write anything so undignified kept our information to ourselves or Â
As was once rumored the office boy a Thrifty youth went forth and calmly sold it to one of our more  enterprising rivals hence owing to the heaviness of its articles which usually contained chunks of  foreign quotations and the paucity of its news the paper was dubbed by its staff the magazine Â
Before being appointed to this pseudo newspaper where by the way work was light and remuneration  good I had been for several years engaged upon one of the enterprising evening journals who  print their specials on tinted paper and by reason of my constant investigations I had Â
Become well known to the police and perhaps something of a specialist in the revealing of  hidden facts and the unraveling of mysteries dick clue was my most intimate friend for we  shared Chambers and graze in and rather dingy and typical Bachelors Abode be it said but it had the Â
Advantage of being close proximity to Fleet Street and situated as we were flying all over London day  after day we could not afford to live out in a peculiarly journalistic suburb of Brixton  our little flat contained a very sad and shabby sitting room in which stood a couple of writing Â
Tables whereat we often worked joining in and re-echoing each other’s implications a couple of  bedrooms and a small box room which containing a gas stove over which the diurnal chops were fried  was turned by the in authorities a kitchen we however irreverently turned it the sink Â
Old Mrs jode a worthy old soul who lived across in federal Lane did for us and was  well known as the Hag on account of her passe and extremely bizarre appearance  her duties were not very onerous consisting of preparing our morning tea doing up the Â
Rooms cooking the Eternal chops or the Everlasting steaks at six when our respective special editions  having gone to press we both returned hungry to our dens and lastly in drinking our whiskey  she preferred Jin but took Whiskey In order to put us to no inconvenience clue was one of the queer Â
Figures in journalistic London essentially of the Bohemian type easygoing and possessive equate  dry humor many were the stories told in Fleet Street of his utter disregard for the covenances  shrewd witty clever well-educated he was no respecter of persons if he went forth to make Â
An inquiry for his journal he hesitated at nothing with a constant companionship of an extremely foul  Briar pipe it was his Habit to interview people and obtain latest details of the day’s sensation  without removing it from his lips and it was well known down at the Press Club that dingy Â
But interesting institution in one office court that on one field day at Aldershot he had actually  chatted with the commander-in-chief pipe in mouth and afterwards put the conversation on the wire in  the form of an interview when having nothing to do he would clean that pipe for recreation and Â
Such operation usually caused a rapid exit from the vicinity known to all in Fleet Street as the  mystery man he was clever looking and dignified and could snuff out an uncommunicative secretary  or a papa’s policeman With His Marvelous control of Expressions sarcastic without being abusive Â
He was undoubtedly a smart man and to be smart in journalism nowadays requires a good deal more  than ordinary intelligence an ex-jesus man he had been a true blue been plowed for the Army studied  medicine and traveled pretty widely until having been a brilliant failure he had drifted into Â
Journalism like so many other men have drifted commencing as an outside contributor or liner and  eventually by then of the swiftness and marvelous tact and ability with which he got at the bottom  of the inquiries he made he joined the regular staff of a popular evening sheet which by reason Â
Of having once tried the experiment of printing on Senate paper was known in press circles as  the stinker and subsequently became chief of the reporting staff of the Comet as smart as staff  as could be found in London in common with many other men in Fleet Street that never sleeping Â
World of tape and flimsy Dick had one failing he had a pension for the particular brand of whiskey  sold at the cheese the ancient House of steak pudding Fame but he was always moderate for his  great pride was that his sub-editors could place the greatest Reliance in him as indeed they could Â
Dick clue was certainly smart even though his hair was often unkempt and a bundle of copy  paper usually poked out of the side pocket of his well-worn Overcoat over and over again had  he proved himself a very brilliant Pressman and it startled London by the latest details he had Â
Elicited where the police had failed I had arrived at our Chambers about six after a heavy day  I had visited barking in Wadsworth and had made an inquiry at Hammersmith three districts far  afield from one another therefore I felt [ __ ] and hungry the hag was engaged in fizzling the Â
Usual daily stake in the gas fumes filling the place with a decidedly appetizing odor  nevertheless between dick and I there was an arrangement that neither should eat without  the other unless a telegram arrived announcing a protracted absence therefore I lit a cigarette Â
Cast myself into the triple rickety but very comfortable armchair and waited by the open window  I was just a trifle Melancholy that evening for there had come back to me Recollections of a  love Bond long since severed of a face which was once very dear to me but I was a lonely Â
Bachelor now all was of the past soon however as I sat thinking I saw a clue hurrying across  the square his silk hat a trifle Rusty tilled at the back of his head and a few moments later he Â
Burst merrily into the room saying sorry to keep you so long old chap but we brought out an extra  tonight there’s a bit of a row down in Parliament then calling to Mrs Jobe who was pottering in the Â
Sink Beyond he said come along mother look sharp with the horse flesh we sat down and commenced  our meal while he overflowing with Spirits told me how he had been out on an inquiry near to the Â
Welsh harp spending a very pleasant afternoon there and how he meant to write it up for the  mornings the old Instinct of the liner was still upon him and on his littered table he always kept Â
His Agate stylus and oil tissue known as flimsy his blacks and his square tin wear on to right  the sub-editors of the morning papers the judges of next day’s intelligence could  always rely on Dick Clue’s stuff therefore they used it and he profited at a rate of a Â
Penny farthing per line he was in brief purveyor of Sensations to the newspaper reading public  I’m going to take a lil out tonight my companion said between mouthfuls of stake  for he was ravenously hungry smart girl Lil yes I answered she’s awfully nice by jobold chat by nvu Â
The mystery man smiled contently with a piece of meat poised gracefully on his pork then he  began humming the latest Love Song which the barrel organs had made popular beating time  with his Fork at the same time placing his hand upon his heart in true operatic Style Â
This proceeding was however interrupted by the entrance of the hag bearing a telegram for me  on opening it I found it contained only one word Cub signed by the initial p  I tossed it across to my companion without comment and as I did so was surprised to notice a strange Â
Puzzled look upon his dark face he glanced at it then handing it back to me exclaimed wonder  what’s up at Kensington something unusual or Patterson wouldn’t have wired I said he’ll go  of course yes I’ll just see what it looks like and if there’s anything in it I’ll let you know Â
Well old wobbler he laughed if it’s a good thing leave a bit of the latest intelligence  for me to pick up for my early edition tomorrow tonight I can’t disappoint Lily you know she’s Â
A good girl and never worries I’ll tell you all about it when I come back then you can write up  something in Readiness for tomorrow if it’s a mystery my people won’t touch it you know  of course he said your staff is only paid to book Pleasant the mysterious telegram had come from Â
The police headquarters at Kensington an early intimation that something unusual had occurred in  years of reporting in London I had become friendly with many police inspectors and detectives and  it long ago made arrangements with some of them whereby they would send me a Wire by day or a line Â
By Boy messenger at night with information of the latest sensation the reason why all were signed  with initials was because such intimation was contrary to the order of the chief commissioner  I therefore left dick sucking his foul Briar and taking a motor bus to Kensington entered Â
The police station which stands back hidden in a courtyard opposite Saint Mary Abbott’s Church  in the charge room with its bare gray painted walls its steel railed dock for prisoners it’s  loud ticking clock and its desk where on the oblong charge book lay open I found my old Â
Friend inspector Patterson in Earnest conversation with two men of the working class who spoke with a  strong Cockney accent and addressed him familiarly as governor they were evidently policemen’s noses  or in Criminal parlance narx good evening Mr Irwin the inspector exclaimed putting forth his big hand Â
He was a tall Fair mustache easy-going fellow an excellent officer tenderhearted with a deserving  poor was concerned but harsh and unbending towards the habitual offender from Constable as I had  first known him in the tea or Hammersmith division he had been moved to Saint Luke’s to Paddington to Â
Lehman Street and a Bow Street until Owen to the marks which various magistrates had made upon his  charge sheets he had now at last risen to the rank of first class inspector he was discreet Â
In every action therefore he did not refer to the telegram he has sent me lest any of the men should  overhear but when we had chatted for a few moments he whispered go over to the bar at High Street Â
Railway station and wait there for me I want to see you very particularly I nodded then after  some further conversation I left him and wandered across to the refreshment room he had indicated  end of chapter 1 record chapter 2. the penny in paper about 20 minutes elapsed before Patterson Â
Rejoined me but expressing a fear that we might be overheard there we went forth together and  strolled along High Street until coming to a quiet turning which I think LED past the workhouse  we strolled along it and there he commenced his explanation the fact is he said in a nervous hush Â
Voice there’s been a most extraordinary occurrence here tonight the mystery is the strangest in all  my experience and I’ve made inquiries into one or two of my times you know tell me all about it I Â
Said my curiosity wedding I wish I could my dear fellow he answers I mean tell me all the known  facts nothing is known say for the discovery he replied as soon as it became known I wired to you Â
When the papers get hold of it it will make the greatest sensation ever known in London  well that’s saying a good deal I remarked who made the discovery I did he answered adding quickly  but don’t mention me or the superintendent May suspect me of giving you information he already Â
Had to suspicion that I’m a bit too friendly with you gentlemen of the press a contravention of the  commissioner’s orders against giving information to the papers might get me carpeted up at the yard  you know and the discovery I asked impatiently what’s its nature most astounding he replied with Â
A bewildered look I’m a police officer or when he added Horsley and I’m not often unnerved but  tonight by Joe I’m upset all together upset the whole Affair is so devilish uncanny and unnatural  well tell me the story I urged if it is so strange the evening papers will have a good Â
Time tomorrow no no he cried in quick alarm you must publish nothing yet nothing you understand  that I give you these facts only on condition that you promised not to publish anything until I give  you permission you alone will know of it we must preserve the utmost secrecy not a word must leak Â
Out yet you understand in what an awkward position you would Place me were you to publish anything  of this affair of course I promise to keep the matter a strict secret I answered there are many Â
Cases in which the publication of the details of a crime might defeat the efforts of the police and  this I suppose to be one of them well he said I made the discovery in a most curious manner Â
Just before seven o’clock this evening just as it was growing dark I was returning to the  station after visiting the fixed point at the corner of Earls Court Road you know the spot  just opposite Holland Park I nodded I knew that particular street corner where Earl’s Â
Court row joined Kensington Road quite well I had previously been my usual round through Hampton  Hill Road and Holland walk and was strolling back along the main Kensington Road past that  Terrace of houses upper Fillmore place when my attention was suddenly arrested by seeing on the Â
Steps leading from the pavement up to the front garden of one of the houses a small object moving  it was inside the gate and in a dim Half Light I bet to examine it what do you think it was don’t Â
Know I replied don’t ask riddles describe facts well it was the very last thing one would dream of  finding a London doorstep a small strangely marked snake a snake I echoed you did the rest of her  being found without visible means of subsistence I suppose no he answered controlling the smile which Â
Played about his lips but the things too serious for joking as you’ll realize when I told you all  well the squirming reptile as soon as it saw me coiled itself around and with heter wrecked  and swelled commenced hissing viciously I saw that there was considerable danger in a thing like that Â
Being at large and surmising that it had escaped from the house having been kept in captivity by  somebody thought of such pets I opened the gate passed it not however without it making a dart Â
At me and walking up to the door rang the bell the house was in total darkness but daylight had only  just faded and in many of the houses in the same Terrace the gas in the hall had not yet been lit I Â
Rang and rang but there was no response in a large house of that character it seemed strange that  no servant was about indeed most of the houses there large roomy and old-fashioned let furnished  apartments but this one seemed to be superior to its neighbors inasmuch as it has a balcony Â
On the first floor and the small front garden is well kept in comparison to the patches of bald  weedy grass with which the others are content as I stood on the doorstep trying to arouse the inmates  I watched the reptiles squirming about the paid path apparently enjoying its Liberty immensely Â
I placed my ear attentively at the door trying to detect some sound of movement which failed  until suddenly I heard within the ringing of an electric Mel subdued by reason of the closed door  it was certain that after all someone was Within was your summons answered I asked eagerly no Â
I rank fully a dozen times but nobody came it occurred to me that within might be an invalid and  that hearing my ring he or she had rung the Bell to the kitchen but the servants were absent there Â
Was an area door so I descended and tried that the handle yielded it was unlocked therefore I  pushed it open and went in though I was certainly not prepared for the discovery I afterwards made  as I entered the electric bill commenced ringing again but it was apparently above me on the ground Â
Floor and not in the kitchen Where I Stood in the cooking stove the fire was dying out and  there were other signs that servants had been around recently finding no one in the basement  I ascended to the first floor when their greeted mind nostrils a most delicious fragrance very Â
Similar to the incense which the Roman Catholics burn the place smelled like the Brompton oratory  well what did you do next I asked excited at his extraordinary narrative  I searched the two big rooms a dining room and a back sitting room on the ground floor Â
But finding no one I stood at the bottom of the stairs and shouted thinking to discover  the whereabouts of the invalid who had rung the Bell there was no answer the place was dark so Â
I struck a match ascended to the first floor and entered the front room which proved to be a good  sized well furnished drawing room dimly lit by the Street Lamp opposite shining through the windows  at the further end suspended from the ceiling a curious lap was burning in red glass just like Â
Those one seasoned Roman Catholic churches and on examining it I found it to be a little float in  oil so arranged that it would burn continuously for many days and nights without attention  it looked strange and weird a red spot in a bit Darkness at the end of the room Â
But what was stranger and more amazing was a discovery I made a moment later when my eyes  having grown used to this semi-up security of the room I discerned two human forms one that of a Â
Woman lying back in an armchair as if asleep any other a man who had fallen close by and was lying  outstretched upon the carpet even the faint light of the match I struck told me that both were dead  and so startled was I by this unexpected Revelation that was scarcely a second glance Â
Around the weird place I hastened downstairs and left by the front door you went on to the station  at once I suppose yes he answered and then after a pause he looked straight into my face adding but Â
To tell you the truth Erwin you and I are the only persons who know of this affair I haven’t recorded  it haven’t reported it I echoed why not delay May prevent the mystery being unraveled I know it’s Â
Absurd I’m foolish he foldered in an unsteady voice but the fact is I entertain a deep rooted  superstition about snakes my poor white was always dreaming of snakes before she died and strangely  enough whenever I have seen those reptiles in my dreams some bad luck catastrophe a bereavement has Â
Always fallen upon me immediately afterwards it isn’t like you to speak to us Patterson I  said knowing him to be a Fearless man who more than once had boldly faced a burglar’s revolver Â
I really don’t know what to do he said it’s nearly two hours ago since I entered the place I was so  upset when I came out that I went to the telegraph office and wired to you in the hope that you might Â
Be able to suggest some plan of action report it once and let’s thoroughly investigate it I  said promptly no I can’t record it on account of that snake if I did I feel is sure that some Â
Fatality would fall upon me you’re unnerved by what you’ve seen I said it certainly was not a  nice position to unexpectedly find oneself alone with the dead in a dark deserted house like that Â
In any case however the matter is a queer one and must be sifted yes he said it appears to be  a most remarkable affair well I explained if you were determined not to report it just at Â
Present I’m ready to go with you and search the place the area door is still unlocked you say  he hesitated pale and agitated the effect of this discovery upon him had been really remarkable  yes the door is still unlocked of course he said reflectively but personally I don’t care about Â
Returning rubbish my dear chap I explained I don’t believe in superstitions the finding of  the snake was curious no doubt but this isn’t the first time snakes have been found in the Streets  of London lots have been discovered about covered garden market having come over in baskets of fruit Â
He was silent evidently his Discovery had been a very unusual one I know well the row of houses he  had indicated the most old-fashioned perhaps in the district for they had formed a part of the  old Kensington over a century ago and even now the great iron extinguishers ornament at some of the Â
Doorways mute remembrancers of the days of sedan chairs and Linkedin let’s go and explore the place  and Report afterwards I urged my appetite for adventure wedded by his strong disinclination to  return I’ll report it as a discovery of my own if you are disinclined to do so very well he answered Â
It less let’s go but before we enter I tell you that it is a very mysterious house recollect that  strange ringing I heard we’ll look into all that later on I said surprised at his unusual agitation Â
There facing one of the busiest thoracas of the West End little harm surely could come to us come  along I said and thus persuade it he quickened his footsteps we passed along Abington Villas  into Earls Court Road where meeting a constable on duty he borrowed his lamp then turning into the Â
Kensington Road we at length reached the house of mystery which as he had said was a gloomy  looking place in total darkness we peered eagerly inside the gate but could distinguish no sign of  the reptile which had so strangely attracted my friend’s attention in the first instance Â
It was no doubt withdrawn among the plants and shrubs in the little smoke-dried garden and was  watching us unseen without hesitation in order not to attract the Curiosity of any passerby whose  attention might be arrested by Patterson’s uniform we walk straight to the area door and gaining the Â
Kitchen at once lit the gas as he had said there was every sign that the place had been recently  occupied but with only a cursory examination of a basement we passed upstairs to the dining room Â
Here we also lit the gas and saw that the table had been laid for three persons in a matter quite  luxurious with real silver cut glass and Tiny bases of fresh flowers arranged artistically  beside each plate were blue glass finger bowls filled with water which gave out a Â
Strong perfume of roses the chairs had been placed the hors d’oeuvres olives Anchovies  and caviar were already on the table showing that all preparations for dinner had been made  yet strangely enough in the kitchen the greater part of the meat and vegetables Â
Remained uncooked from this room we passed into the smaller one adjoining lighting the gas as  we went but this seemed to have been used as a smoking room and contained nothing of note  it was however in the drawing room above where we made the most astounding discoveries the apartment Â
Was spacious for the size of the house upholstered in pale blue with Furniture of expensive character  and large growing Palms planted on stands in the center was a great circular set tea and in the  Corner’s wide soft divines of pale blue velvet with golden Fringe comfort and luxury had been Â
Studied by whoever had furnished a place for as we lit one of the side gas brackets we saw that  it was really a very artistic room the floor covered with a real turkey carpet of softest  Hues while the few paintings of the walls were Choice examples of well-known artists Â
At the end opposite the great was suspended from the ceiling by three guilt chains the mysterious  little red lamp burning steadily without a Flicker and beneath it Fallen back in a large  armchair was a woman whose face although wax in white was eminently beautiful the paleness of Â
Death was upon her yet her handsome head with its wealth of gold brown hair was pillowed upon the  cushion of yellow silk and upon the cold slightly parted lips they’re played a strange bitter smile  she was young 20 or so dressed in an artistically made gown of hail mauve trimmed with lace her Â
Teeth were even and perfect her cheeks round and well molded her chin slightly protruding and if he  could little nose but that smile and death seemed revolting in its hideousness her eyes large of a  deep blue once luminous as stars no doubt but now dull and filmy were wide open as though gazing Â
Out upon us in an Endeavor to speak and tell us the truth of the strange and tragic occurrence  I looked upon her bewildered dumbfounded not three yards away stretched at her feet was a  man of about 35 well-dressed in a frock coat in light-colored trousers with collar and cravat of Â
The latest mode and wearing on his cold stiff hand a ring set with a single Diamond of unusual luster  his face was towards the carpet and while I held the lamp Patterson thin and turned him over  we then saw that he was dark and good looking a gentleman evidently although from the upward Â
Curl of his mustache and his smartness of attire he appeared to be something of a pop  it looks a good deal like murder and suicide Patterson explained still bending over him I  wonder who he is there’s initials on his sleeve links I said for I had detected an Â
Engraved Cipher upon the plain gold buttons at his wrist their two k’s intertwined  surmounted by a Crest my companion said in a strange voice I wonder what’s on him and  he proceeded to search the breast pocket of the Dead Man’s coat the contents which Â
We afterwards examined together consisted only of two prospectuses of new companies an Amber  cigar tube mounted in gold and the envelope of a letter addressed in woman’s hand to George  grow Jose rizante chairing cross and buried the Manchester postmark of three days before Â
The letter had unfortunately been destroyed only the envelope remained but we both recollected that  persons who have letters addressed to the Costa rastante do not usually give their correct names  in one of the best Pockets where three 10-pound notes folded carelessly together while in the Â
Trousers Pockets was a quantity of loose silver beyond that there was nothing else upon him  contrary to the effect of death upon his unfortunate companion his face was slightly  distorted the tip of the tongue protruding and both hands clenched showing that he had endured Â
A momentary spasm of Agony as the last spark of Life died out while from the fact that a small  tripod table with painted plate glass top had been overturned and broken it seemed apparent that he  had staggered and clutched wildly at the first object within his reach but on neither could we Â
Detect any womb nor was there anything to show the cause of death I examined the hand of the  woman a tiny slim cold hand the contact of which thrilled Me by its chilliness and saw that her  rings set with emeralds rubies and diamonds were of the finest quality she’s beautiful Patterson Â
Observed gazing down upon her perhaps she was his wife perhaps I said curious that they should  both have died together in this manner they were evidently sitting here chatting before dinner when  both were either murdered or died suddenly before assistants could reach them she died before he did Â
What makes you think that I ask quickly my eyes wandering around the large comfortable room the  atmosphere of which was Heavy with fragrant odors because he placed that cushion beneath  her head answered the shrewd observant police officer he had kissed her and she was in the Â
Act of smiling at his last Act of love when her heart suddenly failed and soul and body parted  and he died immediately afterwards you think yes that’s what I surmise what’s your opinion  I could form no Theory at present I answered bewildered in the course of years spent in Â
The investigation of crime for journalistic purposes I had had my wits sharpened and rather  prided myself upon the soundness of the theories I propounded in the articles I wrote Patterson knew  this and probably for that reason had invoked my companionship in this curious Affair together we Â
Made a searching examination of the whole room but there was absolutely nothing to show the  motive or even the mode of the tragedy the absence of servants was of course extremely suspicious but  neither of us attached much importance to that a close examination of the scene was our present Â
Object experience having taught that upon the scene of most crimes there remains some trace of  the Assassin the old saying that murder will out is truer than the majority of people believe for  even that night we had had a striking illustration in Patterson’s attention being attracted by the Â
Snake in the Gateway beside the dead woman’s chair was lying a handkerchief a tiny square  of lawn and Lace which I picked up it emitted an odor very sweet and subtle such as I had never  before smelled Patterson sniffed it but placed it down some new Senti said women are always going in Â
For the latest inventions and perfumes but this is an extraordinary one I said again smelling it  terribly strong too I added for the odor had a strange half intoxicating effect upon me  the small red light steadily burning the fragrance of the incense the two dead forms lying there Â
Still and cold and the single gas burner hissing as it flared combined to present a weird lurid  picture each detail of which has ever since been indelibly photographed upon my memory the smile of  death upon that woman’s lips was horrible that look of hers has ever since haunted me for now Â
That I know the truth and have realized all that had taken place in that room prior to the tragedy  that laugh of derision has a significance which renders its recollection bitter gruesome hideous  I know not what prompted me at that moment but bending again beside the prostrate man I placed my Â
Hand inside his vest recollecting that sometimes tailors adopting the French mode made Pockets  there and that therein many men carried articles of value in secrecy and safety as I did so I felt  that there was a pocket in the lining that it was buttoned and that there was something within Â
Quickly I unbuttoned it and Drew forth a small packet wrapped in glazed writing paper dirty and  worn through being carried for a long time with care I opened it and inside found an  object which caused both of us to give Ben to an ejaculation of wonder it was simply a penny Â
His mascot I suppose remarked the inspector a lucky coin but it has no hole through it I observe  the hole is of no importance Bitcoin may have been given him for luck replied my companion lots of  people believe in such things especially betting men he was evidently very careful leban I said at Â
The same time searching and finding another pocket on the other side of the vest and from this I took  a neat little cloth covered case not much larger than those containing cigarette tubes and found  on opening it that it contained a small hypodermic syringe complete with its needles and accessories Â
This shows that he was addicted to the morphea habit I remarked an overdose perhaps my friend  who had now recovered something of his coolness and self-possession took the tiny instrument  and examined it carefully beneath the gas light there’s been no morphea in this late Â
That he said it’s quite dry and certainly hasn’t been used today let’s search the whole house I  suggested we may find something which will give us a clue as to who and what these people were  funny that the servants don’t come back isn’t it I don’t expect they will Andrew Patterson depend Â
Upon it that there’s more mystery in this affair than we at present suspect why look at these he  said passing over to me the three banknotes found upon the dead man they are spurious no Second Â
Glance was needed to convince me that he spoke to the truth they were clever imitations of 10 pound  notes but the paper the despair of the forger was thick and entirely different to that of the  genuine banknote again I glanced at that beautiful woman’s face with a smile of mingled ecstatic Â
Pleasure and bitterness her sightless eyes seemed fixed upon me following me as I moved I drew  back horrified shuddering her gaze was ghastly it certainly is a most mysterious Affair I ejaculated  again glancing around the place you want it once to report it no cried my companion quickly the Â
Discovery must be yours you must report it Mr Irwin why because as I’ve already told you I  fear to do so on account of the snake I smiled at his curious objection but an instant later  grew serious because the sharp and sudden ringing of an electric Bell somewhere on the ground floor Â
It was the belt my companion had heard when first knocking at the door we both listened for a few  moments while the ringing continued until with a sudden resolve I dashed downstairs to ascertain  where the Bell was without difficulty I found it for there in the hall revealed Â
By the gas lamps we had lit was a telephone instrument with its Val agitated violently  without a second delay I placed the receiver to my ear and gave the usual signal hello hello  the were and clicking stopped and a voice squeaky as that of an elderly person said petulantly I’ve Â
Been ringing up for an hour or more what’s wrong that you haven’t replied you’re at 58 aren’t you  yes I answered recollecting net 58 was the number of that house nothing is wrong why can’t you be  patient I felt uneasy answered a mysterious voice apologetically I thought there might possibly have Â
Been some hitch as you haven’t rung up no I responded none then of course it’s all over  inquired The Voice I started at this strange query this unknown Inquirer was evidently in  possession of the truth and believed himself to be talking to an accomplice he knew of the Â
Commission of the crime therefore it occurred to me that by the exercise of due caution I might  be able to discover his identity yes I answered breathless and excitement both asked the boys  both I responded good then I shall see you at the place we arranged eh of course I answered but when Â
I forgotten forgotten echoed the squeaky voice in a tone of undisguised disgust take care of  your blunder yet you’re a confounded idiot why tomorrow at midday I know I’m a fool I replied  but in the excitement it’s quite slipped my memory where you said I was to meet you Â
Then holding the receiver tremblingly to my ear I listened with quick heart beating for  the response of that mysterious far distant voice which squeaks so strangely sounded thin and high  pitched more like that of a woman than of a man you’re a confounded fool to waste time like this Â
If you’re still at 58 said the voice you said so before I responded but where shall I meet you end  of chapter 2 recording chapter 3 an appointment The Voice answered at last I’ll meet you beside Â
The lake at St James’s Park Buckingham Palace end at 12 tomorrow remember that very well I responded  eagerly anything more no was the reply be careful how you get out and where you go so long  then next instant I Knew by the sound that the connection had been switched off what’s the matter Â
Asked Patterson now beside me wait and I’ll tell you afterwards I said at the same time ringing up  again in response I was answered by a feminine voice at the exchange who inquired what number  I desired tell me Miss who was just speaking to me kindly oblige me as it’s most important Â
There was silence for a few moments then the female voice inquired are you there to which I  responded you were on a moment ago with 14 comma 982 the public call opposite Putney Â
How long was I on about 10 minutes have I been on to the same place before this evening I asked no  several numbers have been ringing you up but you haven’t replied who were they oh I really can’t Â
Tell you now it’s quite impossible I remember that the call office at Piccadilly Circus is one and I  think the one in the minorities they were all call offices no private persons I’m unable to  say I’ve been on duty for the past four hours and have connected up thousands of numbers then you Â
Can’t tell me anything else I ask disappointedly no I’m sorry I can’t replied to girl I was about  to place the receiver on its Hook when a sudden thought occurred to me and again I addressed her Â
This matter is a most urgent one I said can you just ask at the call office for a description  of a man who has just been speaking there’s no one there it is merely an instrument placed in Â
A passage leading to some offices was the reply I hung up the receiver and turning to Patterson  repeated the conversation extraordinary he ejaculated when I had concluded we must keep that  appointment the inquiry is plain Troop that murder has been committed and further that more than one Â
Person is in the secret but is it not strange that this person whoever he is should dare to telephone  in that manner it certainly is a bold move my companion answered but from his conversation  it is evident that the Assassin promised a telephone to him and was either Disturbed in Â
His work and compelled to escape hurriedly or else forgot it all together again it’s plain  that to avoid detection the unknown man went from one call office to another always ringing  up to this house and never obtaining a response until you answered his inquiry was certainly a Â
Guarded one and your answers were smart too he left you were careful not to commit yourself  do you think he’ll keep the appointment I asked eagerly that remains to be seen answered my friend  glancing at the bullseye to see if it were burning well if he’s not a blunderer he won’t Â
Well let’s hope he does I said you would arrest him of course I don’t know he answered doubtfully  we might learn more by keeping observation upon him for a day or two well I said we haven’t yet  searched the place thoroughly let’s see what is above my companion followed me upstairs rather Â
Reluctantly I thought passing the room where the mysterious tragedy had occurred and ascending to  the floor above there were four bedrooms each well furnished but finding that they contained  nothing of a suspicious character we continued to the top floor where there were several smaller low Â
Ceiling rooms opening from a narrow passage two of them were evidently the sleeping Departments  of the servants the third was filled with Lumber but the fourth which overlooked the Mac premises  long and narrow was fitted as a kind of Workshop or laboratory a curious smell greeted our nostrils Â
As we opened the door a smell very much like the perfume on the dead woman’s handkerchief  we found a gasket and lit it afterwards gazing around the place with some surprise of hun shelves  around the walls were various bottles containing liquids on the table stood two curious looking Â
Globes of bright steel riveted like those of a steam boiler and connected by a long  tubular coil rolled into three consecutive spirals which ended with a kind of nozzle  from the fact that an electric battery and a lathe also stood in the room we at once came Â
To the conclusion that the master of that house had been engaged in some scientific investigations  from place to place we went searching every corner for any written document or letter until at last  I found crumpled and cast into the empty grate an old envelope on which I read the address Professor Â
Douglas Dawson at any rate we’ve got the name of the occupant of this place I said handing my fine  to the police officer Dawson he repeated Dawson I fancy I’ve heard that name and connection with Â
Scientific discovery I don’t know I said if he’s a well-known man we shall soon find out all about  him at the Royal Institution I was standing near the fireplace with the envelope still in my hand  when of a sudden I was startled by a strange scuttling Noise near my feet good Heavens gas Â
Patterson his eyes riveted on the spot look there look at that glass case there are snakes in it  I sprang away and looking in the direction he indicated saw that a glass case standing on the  ground contained two great snakes with beautiful markings of yellow and black even as I looked Â
They were coiled with their flat heads erect and their bead-like eyes shining like tiny stars of  The Shadow their bodies half hidden in a blanket nice nice kind of pets to keep in a house observe Â
Patterson that’s one of them that escaped into the garden I expect I quite agree I said this place is  decidedly the reverse of cheerful hadn’t we better reported at once there’s been a mysterious tragedy  here and immediate efforts should be made to trace the Assassin but my dear fellow how do you know Â
They’ve been murdered he argued there’s no marks of violence whatever not as far as we’ve been  able to discover a doctor can tell us more after the postmortem I responded there were many very  strange features connected with this remarkable Discovery my friends reluctance to commence an Â
Investigation his firm resolved not to report the discovery the mysterious voice at the telephone  the fact that some experimental scientists had his laboratory in that house and the revelation  of the unaccountable tragedy itself were also extraordinary that I stood utterly bewildered Â
Absolutely nothing remained to show who were the pair lying dead and no explanation seen possible  of that strange red light burning there so steadily and unflickering by the appearance of the  glass and the dust in the oil the tiny lamp must have burned on incessantly for a very long time Â
Strange it was that there within a few yards of one of London’s great arteries of traffic that  Charming woman and her companion should have been cut off swiftly and suddenly without a hand being  stretched forth to save them in company we went downstairs leaving the light in the laboratory Â
Still burning and re-entered the drawing room to take a final glance around as I approached a  prostrate body of the men I felt something beneath my foot and glancing down saw that some coppers  had evidently fallen from his pocket and were lying strewn about the carpet then having remained Â
A few minutes longer we both went out by the door we had entered locking it and taking the key  we must report a Patterson I said it certainly has some queer and very extraordinary features yes he  responded adding slowly did you notice anything strange up in that top room where the chemicals Â
And things were yes a good deal I answered it isn’t everyone who keeps snakes as pets  I don’t mean that he answered but did you notice on the table a glass full of liquid like water yes  well that stuff was bubbling and boiling without any heat beneath perhaps the man who experiments Â
There as a conjurer I suggested smiling at his surprise at seeing liquid boil when exposed to air  police officers know little of any other science saved out of self-defense  now he said seriously as we strobe forward together in the direction of Kensington Church Â
You must go to the station and Report the discovery as if made by you you  understand remember the snake attracted your attention you entered found the man  and woman lying dead lit the gas search the house then left to get assistance and met me Â
That’s all very well I answered but you forget that you borrowed that lamp from one of your own  men and that I called on you first ah he gasped turning slightly pale I never thought of that  why don’t you report it yourself I urge for superstitious reasons he laughed nervously Â
Hang Superstition I cried adding of course I’ll report it if you’d like but it would be far better  for you to do so and risk this mysterious bad luck that you fear he was silent for a moment thinking Â
Deeply then answered it is strange hard voice perhaps you’re right Irwin I I’m a confounded fool  to be afraid and with an effort quite apparent he braced himself up and we entered the police  station ascending the stairs we were soon closeted with Octavius void inspector of the criminal Â
Investigation department attached to that division a middle-aged dark bearded pleasant-faced man in  plain clothes who as soon as he heard our story was immediately ready to accompany us while five  minutes later the clicking of a telegraph told that news of our Discovery was being transmitted Â
To headquarters at New Scotland Yard Patterson took down the London directory and turning it up  at upper Fillmore Place found that the occupier of the house in question was Andrew calendar he  made inquiries in the section House of the men off duty as to what was known of that house but Â
Only one Constable made a statement and it was to the effect that he had while on duty at Kensington  Road seen a youngish lady with Fair hair whose description tallied with that of the dead Â
Woman come out and go across to the shops on the opposite side of the road do you know anything of  the servants inquired Patterson well sir the man answered one was a man and the other a woman how Â
Do you know because the servant of the house next door told me so the woman was the cook and the man  did the housework she said that the house was a most mysterious one is she there now my friend Â
Asked no sir she was discharged a fortnight ago dishonest I think and you don’t know where she is  Boyd had by this time pulled one of his plain clothes men who had obtained lamps turning the  dark slides over the flame the station sergeant had carefully ruled the line and written something Â
In that remarkable register kept in every London Police Station wherein is recorded every event  which transpires in the district from a tragedy to the return of a subdivisional inspector from  his rounds or The Grooming of the horses then after a short conversation with one of the Â
Second class inspectors we all floor accompanied by a sergeant started for upper Fillmore place  in order not to attract attention we separated Patterson walking with me to the opposite side  of the road while the detectives walked together and the sergeant alone little did the passersby Â
Suspect when they saw Patterson and meet strolling leisurely along that we were on our  way to investigate what afterwards proved to be one of the strangest and most remarkable Mysteries  that it ever puzzled the Metropolitan Police end of chapter 3 recording chapter 4 the three cards Â
On reaching the house Boyd an expert officer who had spent years in the investigation of crime  ascended with a subordinate to the drawing room while we remained on the ground floor to complete  our search the sergeant being stationed inside the hall our further investigations were not very Â
Fruitful the fact that dinner was laid for three indicated that a third person had been present  or was expected the room did not differ from any other except that it was perhaps better furnished  than one would have expected in such a house for although in a first class and rather expensive Â
Neighborhood the row of houses had declined in popularity of late years and was now an inhabited  mostly by the lodging house Fraternity in moving about the room however my coat caught the plate Â
Laid for the person who was to occupy the head of the table and it was nearly swept off I saved it  however but beneath was revealed a plain white card which until that moment had been concealed Â
Patterson caught sight of it at the same moment and taking it in my hand I examined it finding  that it was a plain visiting card a ladies size one’s side being blank and the other bearing a  roughly drawn Circle in ink there was nothing else that’s certainly curious my companion remarked Â
Looking over my shoulder yes I said lifting a second plate to see what was there concealed and  finding another card in all appearances similar plane but bearing across its reverse a single  straight line drawn with a pen right Joe observe Patterson lifting the other plate and finding a Â
Third card this is certainly very strange he turned the card over but it was blank on both  sides I wonder what game is this or whether these have any connection with the crime I exclaimed  holding all three of the cards in my hand turning them over and examining them carefully beneath the Â
Light by the ink I have the appearance of having been prepared long ago see I added holding one  of them towards him the corners of this one are slightly turned up and soiled it has been carried Â
In someone’s pocket and is not a fresh card again Patterson took it and examined it it was the one  with the line drawn across it the others were quite clean as if just taken fresh from a packet  there’s some mystery about these he said reflectively as though speaking to himself Â
If we could but solve it we should likewise solve the problem of a crime depend upon it  no doubt I Ascend it each of them having some meaning a cult but extraordinary they were turned  Pace downwards so that the accidental removal of the plate would not reveal the device upon them Â
The devices are simple enough but undoubtedly they have some hidden meaning my friend said  they were evidently concealed there and the three persons unsuspecting were to discover  them when the first place were removed I suggested he placed them together on the table saying better Â
Let Boyd see them when he comes down this affair grows more queer and complicated as we proceed  don’t you recollect I said suddenly in the Dead Man’s Pocket was a card exactly similar  but quite blank you threw it into the fireplace ah of course he answered quickly that fact shows that Â
He had something to do with these mysterious symbols I wonder what is their real meaning  I wonder I said as you say the mystery grows each moment more and more inexplicable curious too that  the snake in the Garden Path should have directed your attention to it no he said quickly his face Â
In an instant pale and serious don’t mention that there is a good fellow I’m trying not to think of  it for when I recollect all that it means to me I’m unnerved nah I laughed surely there’s nothing Â
To fear it only shows that however careful the Assassin is to cover his crime it must be on earth  sooner or later the finger of fate always points to the crime of murder however well it may be Â
Concealed true he sighed his brows knit in serious thought but the finger of fate has in this case  shown me an omen of evil you’re a fool Patterson I said bluntly you have here every chance to Â
Distinguish yourself as a shrewd officer yet you calmly stand by talking of Omens and all that rot  yes he answered I know I’m an idiot Mr Irwin but I can’t help it that’s the worst of it  well I suggest it while Boyd is upstairs why not make inquiries of the next door neighbors Â
Regarding those who occupy this place he had once acted on my suggestion and together we went out  and rang the bell of the house adjoining on the right my friend’s curious apathy in this matter  surprised me for usually he was a quick active fellow who prosecuted his inquiries methodically Â
And worked up evidence in a manner that had more than once called forth the Commendation of the  judge at the Old Bailey that night however he was plainly upset nervous trembling and agitated in a  manner quite unusual to him void the keynote quick-witted detective inspector had noticed Â
This when at the police station but Patterson had only replied I’m a bit unwell that’s all  our summons at the house next door was answered by the occupier’s wife a rather Stout white-haired  gailey-capped old lady named love the appearance of Patterson in uniform surprised her but when Â
She had asked us Ian and we were seated he said there is no occasion to be alarm Madam I have  merely called to make an inquiry of you it is in your power to render us assistance in a rather Â
Confidential matter regarding the occupiers of the house next door your neighbors on the left what do  you know of them nothing she answered they came about six months ago a young lady and a very old Â
Gentleman with a single maid servant they speak to no one and as far as I have observed have very few  friends I have often remarked to my son who is a civil engineer and now a way making the railway in Â
China that they are a mysterious couple what is wrong with them oh it’s simply A Private Matter  my companion answered carelessly not wishing to alarm the neighborhood by news of our discovery  what is the Old Gentleman like can you describe him I inquired no doubt she took me for a detect Â
It but at that moment this spot did not occur to me he is 60 I should think old and decrepit  with white hair and always walks with a stick and the lady was his daughter suggested the inspector Â
I suppose her to be his daughter she answered the old man’s name is Dawson I believe at least  one day a messenger boy brought a note here by mistake addressed to Professor Dawson the  daughter is a very good pianist and plays every morning regularly they are well off as far as Â
You can judge Patterson inquired with his assumed careless heir no I don’t think they are because my  maid heard at vouchers the Grocer’s address across the way that they owed a large bill which they  couldn’t settle again people who have a house of that sort do not have coal by the hundred weight Â
Taken down into the kitchen as they do Patterson nodded no more sure sign of a light purse is there  than the purchase of coal by the half sack yet the interior of that house with its well-laid dinner Â
Table certainly did not betray any sign of poverty indeed I had noticed in the cellar a Dusty stock  of choice wines Hawks quartz and Champagnes of expensive brands you don’t know the young lady’s  name that ask my friend after a slight cause if she’s really his daughter it would I suppose be Â
Dawson she replied with a smile but I’m not certain remember as to either of their names  perhaps your servants may know something about them servants generally gossip and  pick up information about one’s neighbors you know you are right answered the affable old Â
Lady they gossip far too much unfortunately both my servants are out at this moment we chatted on  but it was evident from her conversation that her servants knew little beyond what she did  one statement she made was somewhat curious she alleged that a few nights before she was awakened Â
About two o’clock in the morning by hearing the loud shrill screams of a woman who seemed to be  in the room next hers in the adjoining house she could hear a man’s voice talking low and  gruffly at three or four times where the screams repeated as if the woman were in excruciating pain Â
What visitors came to the house Patterson asked at length very few a youngest gentleman came  sometimes he called the other morning just as I was going out who admitted him the young lady  herself many more questions Patterson put to the old lady but elicited no noteworthy fact Â
Except that two large heavy trunks had been sent Away by parcel’s delivery a couple of days before  therefore thanking Mrs love who of course was extremely curious to know why the police were  taking such an active interest in her neighbor we left and made inquiries of the people in the Â
Adjoining house on the opposite hand it was a lodging house and the owner a rather Surly old  Widow was not at all communicative what she told us about it practically to what we had  already learned she too had long ago set the old man and his daughter down as mysterious Â
Persons and her two servants had never been able to find out anything regarding them  so after nearly half an hour’s absence we returned to the house of mystery watched  of course by the persons in the houses on either side none suspected a tragedy but all remained at Â
Their Windows expecting to see somebody arrested in the dining room we found Dr Knowles the police  divisional surgeon who had been sent for by the police he had already examined the bodies and was  on the point of returning home well doctor what’s your opinion ask Patterson I could form none until Â
After the postmortem answered the prim youngish dark mustached man in silkhead and frock coat a  typical Kensington practitioner who was known to be a great favorite with his lady patience  are there no marks of violence none he responded although there seems no doubt that there has been Â
Foul Play yet the means used to accomplish their death remains an entire mystery that laboratory  too is a very remarkable feature why I asked because the occupant of that place has made a  discovery for which scientists have for years driven in vain the doctor replied what is it Â
You notice those strange Globes with a coil of tubing he said well from what I’ve found it seems  that the experimenter has invented a means for the liquefaction of hydrogen in large quantities  is that anything very remarkable I asked in my ignorance of recent science remarkable he echoed I Â
Should rather say it was the discovery will create the greatest interest in the scientific world  other gases have all been handled as true liquids in measurable quantities  while until now hydrogen has only been seen in clouds or droplets and never collected into a Â
Liquid mass upstairs however there was actually a glass bowl of liquid hydrogen the experimenter  whoever he is has determined at last the exact temperature at which it will liquefy and thus  a field for quite new researches as also for new generalizations has been thrown wide open Â
But why is this discovery so very important I asked still puzzled at the doctor’s unusual  enthusiasm briefly because by it physicists and chemists can henceforth obtain temperatures lying  within 35 degrees from the so-called absolute temperature of zero minus 459 degrees Fahrenheit a Â
Possibility is thus given to study physical bodies in the vicinity of that point which represents so  to say the death of the matter that is absence of the molecular vibrations which we describe as heat  this explanation technical though it was interested me I knew Dr Lee’s Knowles to Â
Be a rising man and Reporting lectures at the Royal Institution had often noticed him among  the audiences there was no doubt that he was highly excited over the discovery for like  myself he had seen the liquid hydrogen boiling without any visible Heat in the papers there have Â
Been Lots about Professor dewer’s experiments in the liquefaction of oxygen fluorine and a  newly discovered helium and I remembered how all his efforts to bring hydrogen to a liquid state  had failed now however the mysterious occupier of that house had succeeded and every known gas could Â
Now be liquefied but the murder observed Patterson his thoughts reverting to the crime for to him the  most wonderful scientific discovery was his not can you form absolutely no opinion as to how it  was accomplished the doctor shook his head there is nothing whatever to account for the sudden Â
Death as far as I can observe he answered to the woman however Nest must have come instantly while  the man must have fallen and expired a few seconds later there’s seen many mysterious features in the  affair the discoverer of this latest scientific fact is undoubtedly the old man who is absent Â
The father of the dead girl from him we may learn something to lead us to form conclusions  I suggested an old man echoed Dr Knowles tell me all about him briefly Patterson related all that  had been told us by the neighbors and when he had finished the doctor exclaimed then I could tell Â
You one thing which has proved undoubtedly the old man seemed to go in and out was in reality a young  one for while looking over the laboratory I came across a white wig and a makeup box such as used Â
By actors go upstairs and you’ll find a complete disguise there broad cloth coat pepper and salt  trousers baggie at the knees old-fashioned white vests and collars of antique pattern surely that  can’t be true Patterson exclaimed in amazement it certainly is the doctor asserted depend upon Â
It that the man lying upstairs dead was the man who had been making these successful experiments  and who for some unknown reason desired to conceal his identity recollect that they  had few friends if any and that their manservant was a most discreet Foreigner who never gossiped Â
Then you think that to the world they assumed the position of father and daughter while in reality  they were husband and wife I said most likely responded the doctor a man to make experiments on  an elaborate scale as he has must necessarily have been absorbed in them indeed that apparatus must Â
Have taken a year to prepare and no doubt he has been making constant trials for months he probably  intended to give forth his Discovery to the world as a great surprise but has been prevented from  doing so by some extraordinary combination of circumstances which has resulted in his death Â
At that instant we heard a voice in the hall a quick sharp voice extremely familiar to me but  nevertheless it caused me to start next instant however there entered the room the well-known  figure of Dick clue hello fellow he explained reading me and taking me aside I thought I’d Â
Run down and see what’s in this plenty of ferret scenes doesn’t it yes I answered a most remarkable  mystery but why have you come out here soon after you left I went to find Lily but she’s Â
Gone into the country so having nothing else to do I came down to see what had occurred I knew  of course from Patterson’s telegram that it was something unusual have you been upstairs yes I’ve  been whirring around this last half hour while you and Patterson have been making inquiries next door Â
I’ve been having a look about with the doctor it seems that there’s some wonderful apparatus in the  laboratory a discovery or liquefying hydrogen has he told you about it yes I responded what’s your  theory my jovo fellow he said smiling the whole Affair is so deadlish uncanny with those snakes Â
Upstairs water boiling without any heat beneath it and one thing and another that I’m utterly at  a loss how to account for it all you think they’ve been murdered of course answered the astute clue  but the doctor can’t discover how there was not a scratch upon them the discovery of those flash Â
Notes on the man looks as though he were a bit of a swell swindler doesn’t it yes I said then taking  him across to the dining table I explained how we had discovered the three cards concealed beneath Â
The plates he took the cards in his hand turning them over and examining them carefully strange he  ejaculated this adds still another phase to the affair it is really a most Sensational Discovery  and will work up well for tomorrow no Mr Clue put in Patterson quickly overhearing his remark I beg Â
Of you to publish nothing whatever about it until I give you permission in this we are bound to  preserve secrecy for the present in order that our inquiries may not be thwarted even the neighbors  will remain in ignorance of the real nature of things so carefully do I intend to guard against Â
Any public sensation whatever information I can give you I will do so willingly in order that  you can prepare your account of it but remember that not a word must be published until I give you  permission quite right observed the doctor in such a matter as this any sensation in the Press might Â
Frustrate all your efforts to arrive at the truth very well and to Dick a trifle disappointedly of  course you’ll give nothing to anybody else I want to be the first in the field with it Â
Of that I give you my word not a soul will know of this discovery outside the persons in this house  at the present moment come let’s go upstairs and speak to Boyd and while the doctor wished us good Â
Evening and left my two friends are copying me upstairs where in the drawing room the detectives  were continuing their searching investigation the woman is decidedly good looking isn’t she observed  clue as we entered instinctively I turned towards the chair in which the body was still reclining Â
But next instant with a loud Cry of dismay which at the same moment was echoed by Patterson I stood  aghast rigid immovable the sight which met our eyes was utterly bewildering the woman we had  discovered there so lovely informant feature had a wealth of auburn hair and eyes of a deep Â
Intense blue while amazing though it was this woman before us was quite 10 years older dark  complexioned with hair which in that light seemed blue black and half closed eyes as dark as jet  good Heavens I cast look why that is not the woman we found when we first entered this place Â
But another where is the fair girl there’s no fair girl answered the detective Boyd as all started  back at surprise at my astounding assertion this is the woman we found you must be mistaken  no Patterson declared in a low hoarse voice of one filled with fear there is no mistake when Â
We first entered there was another woman here younger prettier with light hair and blue eyes  this is the most unaccountable most amazing and most inexplicable of all our discoveries  end of chapter 4 record this is audiobook caboodle YouTube channel  place for finest collection of audio books and novels chapter 5 the second woman Â
The statement that the woman found by Patterson on his first entry there and seen by me afterwards  had disappeared was at first discredited by our companions it seemed too astounding  to be the truth nevertheless there was now reclining in the same armchair a woman who Â
Certainly bore no resemblance whatever to the beautiful pear-haired girl with eyes as  touched deep pure blue those eyes had stared at me so horribly in the ghastly rigidity of death  I recollected that smile upon her lips half of sarcasm half of pleasure that strange expression Â
Which had held the entranced yet horrified she had disappeared and here in her place was a dark  complexion woman older nevertheless handsome a woman in whose refined face was a narrow romance  and tragedy and upon whose hand was the marriage bond she too was dead the doctor had examined her Â
And pronounced like extinct how could this have occurred I exclaimed turning to Patterson as soon  as I had recovered from the shot of the astounding Discovery it’s simply amazing he declared I’m  utterly at a loss to account for it the woman we found here was most distinctly another person Â
Then there must have been a triple tragedy observed void the body of the first woman must  have been conveyed away during the time you were absent at the police station but why I asked what  on Earth could be demoted impossible to tell Patterson answered perhaps the body is hidden Â
Somewhere in the house no Boyd replied we’ve made a complete search everywhere it has undoubtedly  been taken away this fact in itself shows first that there is more than one person implicated in  the crime and secondly that they were absolutely Fearless while further the incident of the Â
Telephone is in itself sufficient proof that they had taken the utmost precautions against detection  are you quite certain that every cupboard and wardrobe has been looked into I asked doubtfully  why from Garrett to seller we’ve thoroughly overhauled the place there are a couple of large Â
Trunks in one of the bedrooms but We examined the contents of both they contain books but Loose  boards or places of that sort I suggested when we search a place respond at the Scotland Yard  inspector with a smile we’re always on the lookout for places of concealment I’ve superintended the Â
Investigation myself and I vouch that nothing is concealed within this house do you think that the  Assassin was actually in the house when we first entered that’s more than likely he answered with  the pensive air evidently the incident you’d gone the body of the fairhair girl was somehow Spirited Â
Away where Ah that’s what we must find out perhaps a taxi driver will be able to throw a light upon  the matter this is certainly a first class mystery observed dick with journalistic Instinct and a  Keen Eye to those special interviews and latest revelations in which readers of his journal always Â
Revel it will make no end of a stir what a godsend now that the Gooseberry season is coming on  a good murder mystery is always welcome to a certain class of London Daily journals but  more especially in the season when Parliament is up the course are closed for the vacation and Â
The Well of Sensations runs low this season is termed in journalistic parlance the Gooseberry  season on account of the annual appearance of the big Gooseberry that mythical monster of our youth  the Sea Serpent and the starting of the usual silly correspondence upon why should we live or Â
Some equally interesting controversial subject we were all held in Black astonishment at this  latest development of the extraordinary affair it had so many remarkable phrases that even to Boyd  one of the shortest officers of the criminal investigation department it was bewildering Â
To me however The Disappearance of that dead woman with a fair pure face was the strangest of  all that tangle of astounding facts that face had impressed me its every feature had been riveted  indelibly upon my memory for it was a face which in life I should have fallen down and worshiped Â
As an idol for there was about a purity and charm which must have been highly attractive of evacity  in those eyes which even in death had held me Spellbound I don’t see that we can do any more Â
Just now void remarked in a business-like tone who is subordinate you’ve seen the three cards which  were beneath the plates on the dining table I asked yes he responded there’s some hidden meaning  connected with them but what it’s impossible at present to guess in order to prosecute our Â
Inquiries we must preserve secrecy nothing must be published yet indeed Patterson you’ll apply to the  coroner at once to take steps to withhold the real State of Affairs from the public  if the Assassins find that no human cry is aroused we may have a far better chance of tracing them or Â
They may betrayed themselves it’s a Pity absorbed dick deeply disappointed a first-class sensation  of this sort don’t occur every day why it’s worth four Columns of a line be patient Patterson urged  you shall have an opportunity of publishing it before long and I’ll see that you are a long Â
Way ahead of your contemporaries don’t let the news agencies have a word they always try and  get in in front of us said clue whose particular antagonists were the central news and the Press  Association which possess facilities for the collection of news and is transmission by wire Â
To the various newspapers that form one of the most marvelous organizations in unknown London  leave it to me said the inspector as soon as it’s wise to let the public know anything I’ll  give you permission to publish the comment shall be the first in the field with it Â
Very well answered dick satisfied with Patterson’s answer that officer had been prominent a few years  ago before in the investigations relative to those mysterious assassinations of women in White Chapel  and was very friendly with the comet man as clue was termed in the journal which he represented Â
Many were the suggestions we put forth as to how the bodies of the victims could have thus  been changed but no Theory we could Advance seemed likely to have any foundation in fact the mystery  was certainly one of the strangest that had ever puzzled the crime investigators of London Â
The cause of its Discovery was a most remarkable incident and at every turn as the investigation  proceeded mystery seemed to follow upon mystery until the whole Affair presented so many curious  features that a solution of the problem seemed utterly impossible I bent beside the body of Â
The woman who reclining in the armchair with one arm followed by her side presented the appearance  of one asleep her presence there was a profound Enigma a thought however occurred to me at that  moment the dining table Below had been laid for three perhaps she was the third person Â
For the greater part of an hour we remained in that house of grim Shadows discussing the various  phases of the astounding Affair until it lasts about 11 we all left to constables in uniform  being stationed Within so secretly had this search been carried out that the neighbors though perhaps Â
Puzzled by Patterson’s inquiries entertain no suspicion of any tragic occurrence in Kensington  Road all the shops facing upper Fillmore Place were closed said the tobacconists and the frequent  public houses the put passengers were few and at that hour the stream of taxis with homeward bound Â
Theater goers had not yet commenced Market Garden cards from Hounslow are felt them piled high with  vegetables rumbled slowly passed on their journey to coved garden and a few empty motor buses rattle  along towards Hyde Park but beyond all was quiet for that great artery of Western London goes Â
Early to rest at the police station we took Leva Patterson and Boyd and entering a motor bus at  Kensington Church arrived at our Chambers shortly before midnight there’s something infernally  uncanny in the whole business said the mystery Monger as we sat smoking prior to turning in Â
It was our habit to smoke and gossip for half an hour before going to bed no matter what the time  our talk was generally of chop events in our world of Journalism [ __ ] had a replete street  intermingled with reminiscences of the day’s doing dick was sitting in the armchair reflectively Â
Sucking his eternal Briar while I sat at my table pondering over a letter I had found there on my  return it was from Mary Blane for whom I had once long ago entertained a very strong affection but Â
Who had since gone out of my life leaving only a shadowy recollection of A Midsummer Madness  of clandestine meetings of idle careless days spent in company with a smart eminently pretty  girl in blue surge skirt cotton blouse and sailor hat all was of the past she had played me false Â
I was poor and she had thrown me over for a man richer than myself her nearly three years I had  heard little of her indeed I confessed that she had almost passed from my memory until Â
That evening when I sat awaiting dick and now on my return I opened that letter to discover it in  her well-known bold hand the hand of an educated woman the letter which had had some wanderings  as its envelope showed and was dated from her father’s house up the river merely expressed Â
Hope that I was in good health and satisfaction at hearing news of me through a mutual friend  such a letter struck me as rather strange I could only account for it by the fact that she desired  to resume our acquaintanceship and that this was a woman’s diplomatic way of opening negotiations Â
All women are born diplomatists and women’s wit and powers of perception  are far more acute than mans the letter brought back to me vividly the memory of  that sweet merry face beneath the sailor hat the wealth of dark hair The Laughing eyes so Â
Dark and Brilliant the small white hands and their wrist confined by their golden Bangles  yes Mary Bane was uncommonly good looking her face was one in ten thousand but she was  utterly heartless I recollected how when with her mother she had spent a summer at Eastbourne what Â
A sensation her remarkable Beauty caused its Sunday parade on the Esplanade she was lovely  without consciousness of it utterly ingenuous and is ignorant of the world’s wickedness as a child  the daughter of a wealthy City man who combined company promoting with wine importing she had from Â
Childhood been nursed in the lap of luxury and being the only child was the idol of her parents  their country house at Harwell near ditkat was in my father’s parish and from the time when  her nurse used to bring her to the rectory until that well-remembered evening when in Â
The leafy Lane I had for the last time turned my back upon her with a hasty word of denunciation  we had been closest friends she had played me false my hopes had been wrecked on life  strange and tracked with sea and now whenever I thought of her it was only in bitterness Â
I have more than a suspicion that old Mr Blaine did not approve of our close acquaintanceship  knowing that I was a mere journalist with an almost untaxable income nevertheless she had  continued to meet me and many were the happy hours we spent together wandering through that Â
Charming country that skirts the upper reaches of the Thames in order to see her I used frequently  to run down from London to my home on Saturdays and remain till Mondays with her mother she sat Â
In her seat in front of the rectory Pew and as she walked down the aisle her face would be illumined  by a glad light of welcome how restful were those Sundays after the wear and tear of London life how Â
Peaceful the days in that sleepy little village hidden the way in a leafy Hollow three miles from  the Great Western Line after we had heard it however I did not go home for six months  then on inquiry I found that the lanes had sold their place presumably because they weren’t one Â
Of money or it was said that they had taken a smaller house facing the Thames near lalam that  Village a little Beyond shepparton were in the churchyard lies Matthew Arnold from all accounts  old Blaine had lost heavily in speculation and had been compelled to sell his carriages and horses Â
Dispose of many of his pictures and even part with some of the Louise says furniture at Shenley  Court where they had lived this was of course indicative of a very severe reverse of Fortune  since those hours of Mary’s love and her subsequent pulseness my life had been a queer Â
Series of ups and downs as it must ever be in journalistic London many dreary days of changeable  care had come and gone since then I sat silent thinking with her letter still open in my hand Â
Why are you so confoundedly glum old man dick ass what’s your screen about duns in the offing and  no it’s nothing I answered evasively smiling then don’t look so down in the mouth years have a Peg Â
And pull yourself together he had been in India and consequently turned a whiskey and soda a peg  the origin of that expression is a little app truce but is supposed to refer poignantly to the Â
Pegs in one’s coffin I thrust the letter into my pocket help myself to a drink and lit a cigarette  it’s a really first class sensation dick said again referring to the Curious Affair  pity I can’t publish something of it tomorrow it’s a good thing chucked away Â
Yes I replied but Patterson has some object in imposing secrecy on us of course he answered  thoughtfully there was a pause we both smoked on metasound penetrated there saved the solemn  ticking of the clock and the distant strains of a piano in some man’s rooms across the square Â
Do you know Frank my companion said after some reflection and looking at me with a  rather curious expression do you know that I have some strange misgivings miss giving  zayako of why well he said did anything strike you as strange in Patterson’s manner Â
To tell you the truth I answered something did his attitude was unusual quite unusual tonight  he’s a funny Johnny that story of the snake and the pavement isn’t it rather too strange to be  believed at first sight it appears extraordinary but remember that in the laboratory of stairs we Â
Found other snakes the occupier of the house evidently went in for the reptiles as pets  I quite agree with you there he said but there are certain circumstances in the case which have  aroused my suspicion old chat of all the Curious cases I’ve ever investigated while I’ve been on Â
The comet this is the most astounding from every point of view and I for one shan’t rest until we  fully solve the problem in that you’ll have my heartiest assistance I said all the time I could  spare away from the office I’ll devote to helping you good dick exclaimed heartily refilling his Â
Pipe between us we ought to find out something for you and I can get at the bottom of things as soon  as most people the two strangest features of this case I pointed out are first the teleponic message Â
And secondly The Disappearance of the first woman we found and those cards and that Penny wrapped so  carefully in paper I added yes there are fully a dozen extraordinary features connected would be a  bear the whole business is an absolute puzzle tell me old chap dick said after a pause what causes Â
You to suspect Patterson I don’t suspect him I answered quickly no I merely think that he has  not told the exact truth of the first discovery of the crime that’s all exactly my own opinion  responded dick he’s concealing some very important fact from us for what purpose we can’t yet tell Â
There’s more on this than we surmise of that I feel absolutely confident the snake story is a  little too good I said rather surprised that his suspicions should have been aroused her I had not  related to him my conversation with Patterson and his very lame excuse for not making a report of a Â
Discovery at the police station what had aroused Dick’s suspicions I was extremely puzzled to know  but he was a shrewd clever fellow whose greatest Delight was the investigation of crime and the  obtaining of those Revelations which middle class London so eagerly devours a very happy invention Â
Of an ingenious mind my dear fellow exclaimed the mystery modern depend upon it Patterson being  already aware that there were snakes in that house invented the story knowing that when the place was  searched it would appear quite circumstantial then you think that he’s not an absolute Â
Ignorant who lived there I exclaimed surprise that my friend’s startling Theory dick not  I shouldn’t be surprised if it’d be provided that he knew all along who the dead man is why well I  noticed that he never once looked at that man’s face it was he who covered it with a handkerchief Â
As though the sight of the white confidence appalled him come come I said proceed you’ll say  that he’s the guilty one next ah no my dear fellow he hastened to assure me you quite misunderstand  my meaning I hold the theory that in light these people were friends of Patterson’s that’s all what Â
Makes you suspect such a thing well I watched our friend very closely this evening and that’s the  conclusion I’ve arrived at you really think that he is concealing facts which might throw light  on the affair I explained much surprise yes he answered I feel certain of it absolutely certain Â
End of chapter 5 recording chapter six what I saw in the park for a long time sitting by the open  window and looking out upon the starry night we discussed the Grim Affair in all its details the Â
Piano had stopped its tinkling a dead silence had fallen upon the old world square one of the relics  of bygone London and the clock upon the wall had struck one o’clock with that solemnity which does  not fail to impress even the most dissipated resident of Grace as a bachelor Abode graze in Â
Is as comfortable and convenient a spot as there is in London for there is always a quiet restful  air within the gray smoke stained houses open on Airy squares and until a couple of years ago Â
Quite a large colony of Brooks made their home into great old trees it is an oasis of peace and  Repose in the very center of that gigantic fevered city where the world of daily life is unceasing  we’re in the east and south toiling Millions struggle fiercely for their bread while in the Â
West is greater wealth than extravagance than in all the world besides I think said dick at last  after he had put forth one or two theories that if we manage to get to the bottom of this affair we  shall discover some very startling facts that’s absolutely certain I answered The Disappearance Â
Of the fair girl and the substitution of the other is in itself a fact absolutely unique  in the annals of crime whoever affected that change must have been indeed a bold person  didn’t the people next door see any taxi driver or notice anything being brought up to the house no Â
That’s the strangest part of it I responded nothing was seen of any cab or conveyance  although of course there must have been one and that inquiry by telephone was a most remarkable  incident dick went on you say that the Inquirer was popping about to various call Rooms ringing up Â
His Confederates that shows that there were two or three in the secret it hardly seems feasible that  the man who rang up from the minerees was the same as the one with whom you spoke at Putney  no but the arrangement to meet in St James’s Park tomorrow is extraordinary to say the least Â
Ah my dear fellow observed my friend with a smile I very much feared that that appointment  won’t be kept men such as they evidently are will hardly risk a meeting on reflection the  individual whoever he is will see that he has given himself away and his natural caution will Â
Prevent him from going near Saint James’s heart well I only hope he does meet me I observed so  do I but to my mind such a circumstance is entirely out of the question you see he went Â
To call boxes in order to avoid detection the Curious Thing is that if it were the same man  who rang up each time he must have traveled from one place to another in an amazingly rapid manner Â
There might be two persons he suggested of course there might I answered but I think not the girl  at the exchange evidently recognized the voice of the persisted Enquirer I’m glad I came down Â
Very glad he said I went over to see Lily but she’s gone to Ipswich with her aunt an old lady  who feared to travel alone it appears she wrote to me this morning but the letter has missed the Â
Post I suppose it will come tomorrow morning you had your journey to Peckham for nothing then yes  he answered she ought to have sent me a wire just like a woman I knew Lily Lowry the pretty friend Â
Of Dick clue very well indeed I did not know that he actually loved her there was undoubtedly a  mutual friendship between them but nevertheless he often would go for a month and see nothing of her  the daughter of a struggling shopkeeper near the elephant and Castle she had been compelled to seek Â
Her own living and was it present assistant at a large cheap Drapers in Rye Lane Peckham  setting the covenances at naught as became a London girl of present decade she had many times  visited ardinjia boat I had always suspected that the love was on her side her she was always giving Â
Him various little things embroidered pouches handkerchiefs and those semi-useful articles  with which girls Delight the men they love but dick did not seen in the least concerned at not  having seen her he was annoyed that he had had a journey on the Chatham and Dover for nothing Â
And sought a great deed more of the mystery of philomore place than of Lily’s well-being  he was a pessimist in every sense of the word once he had told me the story of his first love Â
A strange tragedy of his life that had occurred in his days at Jesus it was this I always suspected  that that had evoked from him the real Ardent affection which a man should have for a woman Â
Who is to be His companion through life man loves but once it is true but the love of Youth is in  the generality of cases a mere heart beating caused by a fantasy begotten of inexperience  the woman we love at 16 too often some kind-hearted housewife who saw speech Â
We mistake for affection we flout when we are 20. the woman who was Angelic in our eyes when  in our teens is old fat and ugly when four years later the glamor has fallen from our Â
Eyes and we begin to find a foothold in the world wisdom comes with a mustache so it was with dick  he had lost the woman he had loved in his college days yet as far as I could judge none other had Â
Ever taken her place in his heart two o’clock had struck air we turned in and both of us were  up at seven our usual hour for evening papers issued as they are at noon are prepared early Â
In the morning we were always at our respective offices at half past seven my first thought was  of the meeting I had arranged in St James’s Park and of my friends misgivings regarding it  full of anxiety I’ve worked on till 11 o’clock when Boyd was shown into my room greeting me Â
Merrily his appearance was in no way that of a police officer or he wore a Shabby suit of Tweed  a soiled collar and an old Silk hat much frayed at the brim presenting the appearance of the typical Â
Very Fleet Street lounger I’ve come to see you Mr Irwin regarding this meeting in the park he  said do you intend going of course I answered surprised that he should ask such a question why  well because I think it would be best to leave it entirely to us you might be Indiscreet and Â
Queer the whole thing I don’t think you’ll find me guilty of any indiscretion I said somewhat peaked  I don’t apprehend that he said but on seeing you at the spot appointed the mysterious person who Â
Made the inquiry last night will at once get away or he will know that the secret is out we must as  you know act with greatest caution in this affair so as not to arouse the slightest suspicion that Â
The keeping of this appointment is in the hands of the police then what in your opinion is the best  course to pursue I inquired first your friend Mr Clue must not go near the park I’ve already Â
Written him a note to that effect secondly you must act exactly as I direct a single slip will  mean that the individual will escape and in this we must not Court failure by any Indiscreet move Â
And how do you intend that I should act I asked sitting back in my writing chair and looking at  the Shrew detective who was known throughout London as one of the cleverest unravelers of  crime and who had been successful in so many cases wherein human life had been involved Â
Well he said hesitatingly truth to tell I would rather that you didn’t go to the park at all  why because you could not wait about in the vicinity of the spot indicated without betraying  a sign that you were an expectation of someone he answered remember you are not a detective Â
No I answered I’m not a detective but I’ve had a few years training in investigations  I think I could disguise my anxiety sufficiently I was extremely anxious to keep the appointment  and his suggestion that I should not go caused me disappointment and annoyance Â
But if you were seen waiting about the man we want would certainly not make his appearance  he’d sent danger at once we’ve evidently got to deal with a very cunning scoundrel  I could conceal myself I declared I promise you I will act with greatest discretion well he said at Â
Length after some further demure I suppose then you must have your own way personally  I don’t think the man will be such a fool as to run his neck into a noose there’s been some  clever work in connection with this matter and Men capable of such Ingenuity must be veritable Â
Artists in crime and not given to the committal of any indiscretion the voice in the telephone  was a squeaky one I think you said yeah so we can thin like an old man’s void the last at his watch Â
A gold hunter with an inscription it had been given him by public subscription in Hampstead  in recognition of his bravery in capturing two armed burglars and fitzjohn’s Avenue it’s time  we went he exclaimed but as we Rose dick entered in hot haste he just received Boyd’s note and had Â
Run round to my office I’ve been out making an inquiry he said having greeted us and expressed  disappointment at boy’s decision I thought in order to satisfy myself and so that I could  use the information later on I would go around to Professor Braithwaite at the Royal Institution and Â
Ask his opinion of the scientific apparatus found in the laboratory I went down to Patterson got  permission to remove it from the house and took the whole Affair in a cab to the Royal Institution  well what’s the result I inquired restlessly the result he answered why the old Johnny when he saw Â
The paraphernalia stood dumbfounded and when he put it together and commenced experimenting seemed  speechless in amazement the discovery he declared was among the greatest and most important of those  made within the last 20 years he sent messages for a dozen other scientific men who when they Â
Saw the arrangement examined it with great care and were equally amazed with old Braithwaite all  were extremely anxious as to the identity of the discoverer of this mode of liquefying almost the  last of the refractory gases but I of course held my tongue for a most excellent reason I did not Â
Myself know I merely explained that the apparatus had fallen into my hands accidentally and I wish  to ascertain its use then quite a flutter has been caused among these driest dust old fossils  I observed laughing a flutter dick echoed why the whole of the scientific world will be in Â
A state of highest excitement tomorrow when the truth becomes known old Braithwaite declared that  the discovery deserves an immediate Knighthood let’s be off Boyd said he took no interest in  the discovery like myself his only object was to solve the mystery then I’m not to go dick said Â
Inquiringly no the detective replied I’m sorry but a crowd of us will queer the thing you shall  have all the details later Patterson has promised that you shall publish first news of the affair  dick was sorely disappointed I saw it in his face nevertheless with a light laugh he wished Â
Us goodbye when we emerged into Fleet Street and hurried away back to the offices of the  Comet while Boyd and myself jumped into a handsome outside saint dunstan’s church and  drove along pow mile as far as Saint James’s place where we alighted and entered the park Â
The detective explained his tactics during the drive they were that we should separate  immediately on entering the park and that he should go alone to the spot indicated by the  mysterious voice while I idled in the vicinity I was to act just as I pleased but we were not to Â
Recognize one another either by look or sign I own therefore that it is with considerable trepidation  that I left the detective on entering the mall and wandered slowly along beneath the trees while  he crossed and entered the park himself in that thoroughfare which forms a short and pleasant cut Â
For taxis going Eastward from Victoria’s station there was considerable traffic at that hour  the sky was blue and the June Sun Shone warmly through the trees giving The Londoner  a foretaste of Summer and causing him to think of straw hats flannels and holiday diversions Â
A bright day in a London Park at once arouses thoughts of the country or the sea  with my face set towards the long regular facade of Buckingham Palace a gray picture  with little artistic touches of red the Scarlet coats of the guards I wondered what would be Â
The outcome of this attempt to obtain a clue that thin squeaky voice sounded in my ear as  distinctly at that moment as it had done on the previous night a weird summons from one unknown  at last Justice Big Ben showing High across the trees chimed and boom Port the hour of Â
Noon Ike entered one of the small Gates of the park and strolled along the grave let him walk  down to the edge of the ornamental water where for some minutes I stood watching a group of  children feeding the waterfowl though trying to look unconcerned my eyes were ever on the alert Â
I had expected to see Boyd but there was no sign of him therefore I strolled along passing the end  of the water the exact spot indicated there was no one there Beyond half a dozen school  children feeding the birds with portions of dinners brought with them from distant homes Â
Undecided whether to Halt there I kept my attention fixed upon the children then  fearing to annoy Boyd by remaining at that point I strolled slowly along the shore in the direction  of Birdcage Walk the detective had certainly concealed himself successfully for although I Â
Kept my eyes on the watch I could discover no sign of him the hour of the appointment had passed but  not daring to turn back to look I kept straight on until at some distance Beyond I came to a Â
Seat beside the path and there I rested drawing a newspaper from my pocket and pretending to read  unfortunately from where I sat at a point opposite the Wellington Barracks I could obtain no view of  the meeting place and although Big Ben struck the quarter I was compelled to remain there inactive Â
Watching furtively the few passersby with a diligence perhaps Unworthy of a journalist I  read and reread my newspaper for nearly half an hour and in the course of that time the people  who went along did not number a dozen of none of these did I entertain any suspicion they included Â
A couple of soldiers two or three old women a lady with a small child a couple of nurses  with children a park keeper and a bank clerk with this wallet chained to his belt secreted  somewhere in the vicinity Boyd was watching but where I knew not his surmise had unfortunately Â
Proved correct I reflected as the half hour Chimes the man whoever he was was no fool  for five minutes longer I remained when a sudden impatient seized me and I folded my paper in rows Â
As I did so there came Round the Bend of the path from the direction of the spot the mysterious  voice had indicated a slim figure in deep mourning evidently a lady she walked with an even swinging Â
Gate not as one who was idling there but as though with some fixed purpose on her approach I saw that  she was retired entirely in black wearing a dress of the latest mode the white skirt  of which rustled as she walked a large hat with swaying feathers which at that moment struck me Â
As somewhat funeral and a thick spotted Veil her black silk sunshade she carried on her arm and as  she came nearer I could not help being struck by her neat as a figure her small waist wide Â
Hips and well-molded bust I lingered at the seat to brush the dust from my coat so that she might  pass and allow me a glance of her face she went by with a loud Frou fro of silk and underskirt Â
And at the same instant I turned my gaze upon her and looked into her face next second I drew  back startled and gassed her hair was fair her eyes large and blue her features familiar even  that thick Veil could not conceal her marvelous Beauty I looked again believing it to be some Â
Chimera of my disordered imagination no there was no mistake it was an astounding inexplicable truth  she was the woman I had discovered cold and dead in that house in Kensington on the previous night  the woman whose body had so strangely disappeared for a few moments I stood rooted to the spot the Â
Discovery held me petrified then with sudden resolve I moved forward and followed her  end of chapter six chapter seven Eva glasslin I glanced behind me but saw no sign of void of  a sudden it crossed my mind that he had not been present at our first discovery therefore expecting Â
A man to keep the appointment he had allowed her to pass the spot unnoticed the appearance of that  neat figure before me the figure of the woman over whose Beauty I had mourned as dead was in itself a  most startling fact adding still another feature to the already dark and inscrutable mystery Â
I wanted to have a word with void and ask his advice for I knew not how to act in such  unexpected circumstances one of the victims was actually keeping an appointment with an accomplice  of the Assassin for there seen no doubt that murder had been committed by some secret means Â
When she passed me I noticed the queer half-suspicious glass she casted me with those  large Blue Eyes of hers a glance in which anxiety was mingled with Terror and despair evidently she  had sought someone whom she had not been able to find and was disappointed in consequence Â
With a silhouette of her figure before me like some Phantom which I was endeavoring to chase in  vain I strolled on at a respectable distance endeavoring to look unconcerned I saw what a  strikingly smart figure hers was how slimmed the waist how wide and well-rounded the hips Â
And how through the bodice of her dress was shown the outline of those narrow French corsets mere  bands for the waist which only women with superb figures ever dare to wear her skirt of fine black  cloth hung in foals unusually graceful her London skirts are always more or less Bunchy dragging Â
Behind and rising in front unless made by the first class houses in Regent Street or Bond Street  London dressmakers cannot cut a skirt well but herb gown was a model of Simplicity and good fit  evidently the creation of some expensive ladies tailored her hair in the full light of day was not Â
Golden brown as I had believed it to be but really Auburn and her black hat suited her admirably  from moment to moment I feared less she should glance back and discover me following her but  fortunately she kept straight on at the same even Pace passing out of the park by story’s gate and Â
Continuing along great George Street until she entered the bustle of Parliament street  here fearing she might Escape me I was compelled to approach Nero at risk of being discovered and  even then was utterly undecided how to act my first impulse was to walk up to her introduce Â
Myself and tell her of the circumstances in which I had discovered her in that house apparently  lifeless on reflection however I judged that by her presence in the park she was acquainted with  the Assassin or his associate and that by keeping close watch upon her I might discover more than Â
By at once exposing my hand there seemed in her very appearance in that deep morning something  Grim weird mysterious at the corner of Parliament street outside the steamy tea rooms she stood for  a few moments gazing anxiously up and down as if in search of an Omnibus a man approached Â
Her crying the second edition of the Comet a copy of which she purchased eagerly holding  it small and placing it within the poles of her sunshade why had she done that I wondered  did she expect to find in that paper an exposure of the secret tragedy of the previous night I Â
Stood reading some Excursion timetables outside the railway booking office on the opposite corner  watching her furtively from her manner I could plainly see how nervous and excited she was  after some hesitation she turned and walked along to King Street where she entered the Â
Telegraph office and dispatched the telegram she evidently knew that part of London or  she would not have known the whereabouts of that office hidden down the short side street  I waited in Parliament street until her return an unnoticed Strode back behind her to the corner of Â
Bridge Street where she at length entered a taxi and drove off from the telegram I might I thought  obtained some clue but alas telegrams are secret and I should be unable to get a glance at it  to apply at the office would be useless the police might perhaps obtain permission to Â
Read it but so many dispatches are daily handed in there that to trace any particular one is always  a difficult matter I was divided in my impulses should I go back to King Street and make instant  application regarding the telegram so that it might be marked and easily traced afterwards or Â
Should I follow the taxi which at that moment was crossing Westminster Bridge I decided upon  the latter course and jumping into another motor pointed out the taxi I desire to follow  our Drive was not a long one only to Waterloo Station the busy platform of the loop line Â
Here I could easily conceal myself in the crowd of persons every moment arriving and departing  and as I stood near the booking office I heard her ask for a first class ticket to  full well a rather Pleasant and comparatively new Suburban District between Twickenham and Hampton Â
The shepparton train was already in the station therefore she had once took her  seat while I entered another compartment in the front of the train I did this in  order to be able to apply quickly leave the station before her and thus avoid recognition Â
The journey occupied about three quarters of an hour but at length we drew into the little rural  station situated in a deep cutting and air the train stopped I sprang out past the barrier and  leaped up the steps escaping air the gate was closed by the ticket inspector by this quick Â
Movement I gained several minutes upon her for the barrier was closed and the lighting  passengers were not allowed to leave before the train had again moved off the high road from  London opened right and left one way leading back to Strawberry Hill the other route to New Hampton Â
I felt certain that she would walk in the direction of a latter Place therefore I started  off bristly until I came to a small Wayside Inn which I entered and going to the window  of the bar parlor called for refreshment at the same time keeping a keen lookout for her passing Â
Several persons who had come by train hurried by and at first I believe she had taken the  opposite direction but at last she came holding her skirts daintily and picking her way for it had  been raining and the path was muddy she however was not alone by her sidewalked a young rather Â
Handsome man about 25 who wore tennis flannels and who had apparently met her at the station she was  laughing merrily as she passed while he Strode on with a light Airy footstep indicative of happiness  there’s a lady just gone past I explained quickly turning to the innkeeper’s wife Â
Who had just brought in my glass of beer I often see her about do you know who she is  with woman’s curiosity she went to the door and looked down after her oh that’s lady glassland’s  daughter she said lady glasslin’s daughter I echoed in Surprise yes it’s Miss Ava and the young Â
Gent with her is Fred Langdale the son of the great sugar refiner up in London they both live  here close by Lady glasslin the Widow is not at all well off and lives Along The Hollies The Big Â
White House with a garden in front on this side of the way while the langdales have a house further  on the road to Hampton overlooking Bushy Park oh that’s who they are I said quite unconsertedly  but secretly delighted with this information and who is this lady glassland has she lived here long Â
Been nearly a year now the good woman answered then confidentially she added they are come down  swells I fancy that they’ve got no money is very evident for the trades people can’t get their  bills paid at all why only last week Jim Horton the gas company’s man was in here and I heard Â
Him tell his laborers that he’s got orders to cut the gas off at The Hollies because the bill wasn’t  paid then they must be pretty hard up I observed many aristocratic families come down in the world  the name of glasslin puzzled me it sounded familiar who was her ladyship’s husband do Â
You know and no sir I’ve heard several stories one was how that he was a baronet who led an  exploring party somewhere in South America and died of fever and another that he was a shady  individual who was connected with companies in the city but nobody here knows the truth I think Â
A glance at dibrat or Burke when I returned to my office would quickly settle that point I reflected  therefore having obtained all the information I could from her I wished her good day and left  along the Hampton Road I strolled in the direction the pair had taken and in the Â
Distance saw the mysterious Ava take leave of her companion and enter a house while he lifted his  hat and walked on I proceeded slowly passing The Hollies on the opposite side of the way  it was a rather large Place decidedly old-fashioned standing back in its own grounds and Â
Approached by a carriage drive a three-storied red brick house with those plain Windows surrounded by  white wooden beams of the early Georgian era in the old world Garden hidden by a high wall  grew a profusion of roses and Wallflowers which diffused the sweet scent as I passed and half a Â
House seen hidden by Ivy and creepers the small lawn in front with its Laurels and monkey trees  were well kept and the place seemed [ __ ] and span and altogether comfortable as I passed I  fancied I saw a black robe figure standing at one of the ground floor Windows what if she recognized Â
Me I dared not to look around but kept on my way walking through New Hampton past the long wall of  Bushy Park until I came to Old Hampton Town went half an hour later I took train back to Waterloo Â
I had at any rate made one discovery which was in itself absolutely bewildering at first I had  doubted that this sweet face clear-eyed woman was actually identical with a dead form that laid back  in her chair on the previous night I believe that she only bore some striking resemblance heightened Â
Perhaps by the agitated state of my mind but all doubts on this point had been set at Rest by one  fact the woman whose cold hand I had grasped had worn in her bodice a brooch of unusual pattern a Â
Tiny enameled playing card a five of diamonds quaintly set in gold and this same ornament  striking on account of its originality of design was at the throat of Ava glasslin  showing plainly against the Dead Black of her dress the mystery was certainly most remarkable Â
In wonder how Boyd had fared or whether Patterson had been Prosecuting inquiries in other directions  I went straight to Kensington from Waterloo and found the inspector in his room over the police  station it was a small apartment with drab painted walls plainly furnished as police stations are Â
The table were at he sat was littered with papers mostly pale straw color and on the mantle shelf  stood an interesting collection of photographs of people wanted each bearing a number in red  ink corresponding to the index book where in a short account of their crime was recorded why Â
He cried as I entered wherever have you been I’ve been hunting high and low for you I’ve been down  to Hampton I laughed Jay Hampton he echoed what on Earth have you been doing down there  making inquiries I answered affecting an air of unconcern I’ve made a rather queer discovery Â
What is it he asked as I took a seat before him I have found the woman whom Patterson and  I discovered late last night and the strangest part about it is that she’s alive and quite well Â
My dear fellow are you mad he asked looking at me strangely people aren’t in the habit of coming  to life again you know I’m well aware of that I responded nevertheless the fact remains that the Â
Woman seen by Patterson and by myself is actually alive I met her in the park and followed her home  to New Hampton met her in the park he cried there was one woman I noticed Fair haired and  dressed in black the same I answered fortunately I recognized her and kept her under observation Â
Then in response to his demand I related to him the whole circumstance in detail  and her name he inquired when I had concluded Ava glasslin daughter of Lady glasslin glasslin  he ejaculated good Heavens surely it can’t be the same why the same I inquired Â
Oh nothing he answered evasively quickly seeking to allay my suspicions there was some mystery or  Scandal or something connected with that Family Once if I recollect all right I may however be  mistaken in the name at any rate Mr Irwin you’ve acted with tact and discretion and discovered a Â
Most important fact what have you been doing I asked well he answered in hesitation the fact  is I’ve had a somewhat exciting experience did you then discover the man I inquired anxiously I  met a man but whether he was the one who made the appointment by telephone I don’t yet know he said Â
I waited until a quarter to one concealed behind some bushes and presently saw a gray-haired Old  Gentleman well-dressed in Brock coat and silk hat strolling in my direction he was quite a  Dandy with well-pressed trousers varnish boots gold-headed cane and single eyeglass his air Â
Was that of a lawyer or doctor as if in search of someone he lingered in the vicinity subsequently  sitting upon a seat at the very end of the lake the exact spot which had been indicated Â
In what did you do I waited and watched there was no one near yet from his sharp glances in  all directions I saw that he wasn’t Fearless someone might approach whom who did wish to see  he appeared violently agitated and at last when he was entirely alone he placed his hand in his Â
Inner pocket took out something and rising from the seat with a swift movement cast the object  far away into the water something he wanted to get rid of suspicious wasn’t it of course said  the detective after that you may rest assured that I didn’t lose sight of him when the object Â
He had thrown away had fallen into the lake he turned and glancing up and down in fear that  his action might have been observed he returned to a seat and waited until Big Ben struck again  then he rose and left the park strolling eerily along the Buckingham Palace Road hearing a good Â
Deal under the Bonnets of the pretty women who were looking in the windows of the shops  he entered the bar of Victoria’s station drank a whiskey and soda and then continuing along to  ebrary Street past twice or three times up and down in front of a house on the left-hand side Â
There were a number of people in that street at the time but the instant he  thought himself unobserved he dived down the area of the house he kept passing and repassing  in a moment I noted that the number was 22 and having done so placed a watch upon the Â
House well satisfied that I had taken the first step towards unraveling the mystery  remarkable I said I wonder what it was he threw away that’s impossible to tell without dragging  the lake and to do that at the present would excite suspicion he evidently went there in order Â
To meet the Assassin but as the latter did not keep the appointment this unknown object which my  crew convicting if found upon him he resolved to get rid of and no better place could there be than Â
At the bottom of the lake there’s lots of pieces of evidence there you bet then there must be some  mysterious connection between the appearance of Ava glasslin at that spot and this man who got  rid of some evidence of the crime I observed most certainly the detective said it almost Â
Seems as though she came there for the purpose of meeting him but he being late she grew impatient  and left before his arrival at every step we take the Enigma becomes more complicated more  extraordinary more bewildering end of chapter 7 record chapter 8 some remarkable evidence Â
Three days went by Days full of wonder and anxiety many were the discussions between Patterson dick  and myself regarding the extraordinary development of the mystery which had now  resolved itself into as complete a puzzle as ever occupied the attention of Scotland Yard Â
In eberry Street and at Hampton most careful observation was being carried out on night  and day but according to Boyd absolutely nothing suspicious could be discovered lady glaslin was  accorded to dorpret Widow of a Sir Henry glasslin a scotch baronet who had died several years before Â
Leaving nowhere to continue the title and only one daughter Ava in the meantime the bodies of the man  and the woman had been removed to the mortuary secretly in the early hours of the morning in  order not to arouse the suspicion of the neighbors and a post-mortem had been held by two local Â
Doctors with the result that it was found possible to hold the inquest on the afternoon of the third  day the corridor held his inquiry in a small back room in the Kensington Town Hall not far from the Â
Scene of the tragedy and in opening made a short address to the jury pointing out the necessity  or preserving the utmost secrecy in the matter and expressing a hope that no one present would defeat  the ends of Justice by giving any facts to the newspapers pardon me sir explain the Tradesmen who Â
Had been elected Foreman but I see two gentlemen of the press present and both have assisted us  in our inquiries Patterson briefly explained to the coroner of course the coroner answered  this is a public court and therefore we cannot exclude anyone yet I am confident the reporters Â
Will respect my wishes this we both promised to do clue well known to the corner speaking first  the coroner when the jury had returned from viewing the bodies made a few further observations  pointing out to the jury that although the affair was one of the most mysterious and inexplicable Â
That had ever come beneath his notice in the course of his 20 years experience as a London  coroner yet they were there to try and decide the cause of death alone they had no concern with  any other facts except the cause of death and he trusted they would give the matter their undivided Â
Attention Patterson was the first witness in first language he gave an account of his  Discovery and of his second visit to the house in my company then when he had concluded I was  called and bore out his statement relating how we had entered the laboratory and found the marvelous Â
Scientific apparatus and how in the pocket of the dead man I had found a penny wrapped in paper  the cards with the strange devices which had been beneath the plates on the dining table were handed  round to the jury for their inspection and that a statement which I made startled even the corridor Â
It was how the body of the woman at present in the mortuary was not the same as the one  we had at first discovered impossible exclaimed a coroner while the twelve jury men stood aghast at  my statement that is quite true sir exclaimed Patterson rising from his seat the lady we Â
First discovered was younger with bare hair then there must have been a triple tragedy observed  a coroner astounded this is most extraordinary I was about to explain how I had recognized in  the girl I met in St James’s Heart The Identical woman whom we had discovered lifeless but a sharp Â
Look from the inspector silenced me we are making diligent inquiries the officer went on and we have  reason to believe that we shall be able to make a further statement later at the adjourned inquiry  the corridor knotted and turning to the jury said of course gentlemen it would not be wise at Â
This stage for the police to disclose any of the information in their possession their success in  such matters is this mainly depends upon secrecy I think we may now perhaps hear the medical evidence  the jury stirred on easily and settled themselves to listen intently as Dr Lee’s Knowles the police Â
Divisional surgeon stepped forward and was sworn I was called by the police in the house he said and  found there were two deceased persons a man and a woman in the drawing room on the first floor Â
The attire of the man was rather disarranged as the police had already searched him but there were  no signs whatever of a struggle you made a cursory examination of course suggested the quarter yes  life had been extinct sometime and rigor mortis had commenced there was however no external sign Â
Of Foul Play and the postmortem the court was silent in anxious anticipation of the doctor’s  response assisted by Dr Linds I made a postmortem but found absolutely nothing to account for debt  there was no Mark of violence on either of the bodies and no physical defect or slightest trace Â
Of disease nevertheless the position of the bodies when found makes it evident that both  persons died with great suddenness and without being able to obtain assistance was there nothing  whatever to give any clue to the cause of death as the coroner himself a medical man and nothing Â
Responded to surgeon one thing however struck us as peculiar on the inside of the right forearm of  both the man and the woman were identical tattoo marks the device nearly an inch in diameter  represented a serpent with its tail in its mouth the ancient emblem of Eternity the mark on the Â
Man had evidently been traced several years ago but that on the woman is comparatively fresh and  could not have been completely healed over more than a month ago it is as though the mark on the Â
Man has been copied upon the woman and what do you think is the signification of this Mark inquired  the coroner looking up from the Blue Pools cap where on he had been writing down the depositions Â
I’m utterly at a loss to know the doctor answered yet it is very curious that upon one of these  cards we found beneath the plates there was a circle drawn while it also seemed that snakes were  kept in the house as pets to my mind all three circumstances have some connecting significance Â
The jury bent together and conversed in Whispers this theory of the doctors seemed  to possess a good deal of truth even though the mystery was increased rather than diminished  many more questions were put to the doctor after which his colleague Dr Linds was called Â
And corroborated the police surgeon’s evidence he too was utterly unable to ascribe any fatal cause  the tattoo marks had puzzled him but he suggested that the man and woman might be husband and wife  and that in a freak of Caprice to which women of some temperaments of subject she had caused the Â
Device on her husband’s arm to be copied upon her own opinions were however divided as to  whether the pair were husband and wife for my own part I did not regard his theory as a sound one Â
You did not Overlook the contents of the stomach of course the coroner exclaimed and now we sent  them in sealed bottles to Dr Marston the analyst of the home office and have we his report inquired  the coroner and Dr Marston is here himself sir he has come to give evidence Patterson answered from Â
The back of the room while at the same time an Old gray-haired Gentleman in gold rim spectacles Rose  and walking forward took the elf you received from the previous Witnesses two bottles suggested to  corner will you please tell us the result of your analysis I tested carefully with group regions for Â
Every known poison and also for tomane he said but all the solvents alcohol benzyl napped the ammonia  and so forth failed I tested for the alkaloids such as strychnine digitalin and can thorogen  and used hydrochloric acid to find either Silver Mercury or lead and also ammonia in an Endeavor Â
To trace tin cadmium or arsenic to none of the known groups does the poison eat poison their B  belong therefore I have been utterly unable to arrive at any definite conclusion is there no  direct trace of any poison none was the answer yet from the result of certain group regions it Â
Would appear that death was due to the virulence of some exotic substance you cannot we take it  decide what that substance was unfortunately no the renowned analysts answered apparently annoyed  at having to thus publicly acknowledge his failure the state of the stomach of either person was not Â
Such as might cause death indeed there was only a secondary and most faint trace of the unknown  substance to which I have referred then to put it quite plainly said the coroner it is your  opinion that they were poisoned I can scarcely go so far as that the witness responded all I Â
Can say is evidence is that I found a slight trace of some deleterious substance which all  tests refused to clearly reveal whether it were an actual poison which resulted in death I hesitate  to say as the result of my analysis is not sufficiently clear to warn any direct allegation Â
Do you suggest that this substance whatever it was must have been painful and injurious  to the human system I think so even that however is not absolutely certain as you  know certain poisons in infinitesimal quantities are exceedingly beneficial then we must take it Â
That presuming these two persons actually die to poison it must have been by a poison unknown  in toxicology observed the corner exactly the analyst responded standing with his hands behind  his back and peering through his spectacles at the expected jury the coroner invited the jury to ask Â
Any questions of the analyst but the 12 Kensington Tradesmen feared to put any query to the man who  had the science of poisoning thus at his fingers ends and whose analysis were always thorough and  absolutely Beyond dispute he was the greatest Authority on poisons and they could think of Â
Nothing further to ask him therefore the coroner politely invited him to sign his depositions  after he had withdrawn the corner placing down his pen side leaned back in his chair with a puzzled  expression and once more addressed the 12 men who had been summoned and warned before him they had Â
Heard the evidence he said and it was now for them to decide whether the two persons had died from  natural causes or whether they had met with Foul Play in the circumstances he acknowledged that  a decision was extremely difficult on account of the many mysterious side issues connected with the Â
Affair Yeti pointed out that if they were in real doubt whether to return a verdict of natural death  or a willful murder there was still a third cross namely to return an open verdict of found dead and Â
Thus lead the matter in the hands of the police he was ready of course to adjourn the inquiry  but from what he knew of the matter together with the evidence which had just been given it was his Â
Honest opinion that no object could be obtained in an adjournment and further by closing the inquest  at once they would prevent any inexpediate facts leaking out to the newspapers the jury retired to  consult in an adjoining room and in 10 minutes returned giving an open verdict of found dead Â
Thus and at the inquiry and while the law had been complied with public curiosity remained  unaroused and the police were unable to work on in secret with clue I lingered behind chatting  with Patterson and Boyd we are keeping observation at upper Fillmore Place Boyd explained in response Â
To my inquiry funny thing that nobody else calls there and that the servants have never come back  have you found the snake that was in the garden who asked of Patterson with the significant glance  at knee and now he responded rather confused do you see any search there might arouse suspicion Â
Therefore we are compelled to be content with watching for the return of anyone to the house  but you haven’t yet succeeded in establishing the identity of the pair dick observed now that’s the  queerest part of it Boyd explained the owner of the house a builder who has an office in Church Â
Street close by says that the place was taken furnished by a Mrs Blaine who gave her address  at Harwell near ditkat she paid six months rent in advance Harwell Echo clue turning  to me isn’t that your home or when yes I guess the name of blame caused me to stand immovable Â
Why dick exclaimed noticing my agitation what’s the matter all fellow do you know the blames  yes I managed to reply they must be the blanes of Shenley court if so they are friends of my family  I had never told my companion of my bygone love affair because it had been a thing of Â
The past before we had gone into diggings together who are they inquired boy quickly  tell me all you know concerning them as we are about to prosecute inquiries in their Direction  first tell me the statement of the house owner I said well he describes Mrs Blaine as a middle-aged Â
Rather Pleasant lady who came to his office about a year ago in response to an advertisement in the  morning post she appeared most anxious to have a house and one fact which appears to strike  the old fellow as peculiar is that she took it and paid a 10 pound notice deposit without ever Â
Seeing the interior of the premises she told him that it was for some friends of hers from  abroad and that they not having arrived she would sign the agreement and accept all responsibility  anything else yes the detected replied she was accompanied by a young lady whom old Triton Â
The landlord took to be her daughter now tell me what you know I paused looking at him fixitly the  disclosure that Mrs Blaine was the actual holder of that house of mystery was certainly startling  it was remarkable too that on the very night of the crime I should receive a letter from Â
Mary the woman who had so long lingered in my memory was that I wondered anything more than a  mere coincidence I don’t know that I can tell you very much about the family I answered determined  to put him off the scent and make inquiries myself they were very much respected when Â
At Shenley where they kept up a fine country house and entertained a great deal they were  parishioners of my father therefore I went there very often do you know Mrs Blaine well quite well  and her daughter suggested dick much interested what’s she liked pretty possible I answered with Â
Affected indifference then they are not a shady family at all suggested to detect it not in the  least that is why the fact of Mrs Blaine having taken the house is so surprising it may have Â
Been sub let clue observed her friends from abroad may not have arrived after all and she might have  relented a circumstance which seems most likely as no one appears to have seen her enter the place Â
At any rate its most extraordinary I said then turning to board I asked why not leave the inquiry  in that quarter to me knowing her I can obtain information far more easily than you can yes clue  urged it would be a better course much better very well answered the detective not however without Â
Some hesitation but be careful not to disclose too much try and find out one fact only the  reason she took the house lead all the rest to us I promised and after drinking together over in the Â
Refreshment bar at High Street stationed we heard it and clue and I took a bus back to our Chambers  he stopped at Holborn to buy some last editions of the papers while I hurried on for being Â
Terribly hungry I wish to give old Mrs Joe early intimation of our Readiness for the diurnal steak  with my latchkey I under Lord Chambers the succulent scent of grilled meat greeted my  nostrils and I Strode eagerly forward shouting for the hag as I entered the sitting room I Â
Started and Drew back a quick word of apology died from my lips for out of our single armchair  there are rows of tall female dark well-fitting dress bowing with the grace that was Charming  I saw before me hap concealed beneath a thin black veil a smiling face eminently pretty a tiny mouth Â
Parted to show an even row of pearly teeth a countenance that was handsome in every feature  that pair of eyes pure importantly held me motionless dumb I stood before my visitor  confused and speechless end of chapter 8 record this is audiobook caboodle YouTube channel Â
Place for finest collection of audiobooks and novels chapter 9 the love of long ago  there are hours in our lives which are apparently without importance but which nevertheless exercise  an influence on our destiny Little Wonder was it that at this instant I stood before my visitor Â
Voiceless in amazement her in her erect neat figure I recognized the broken Idol of those long  past summer days Mary Blane of all the persons she was the one I most desired at that moment to meet  her letter to me and her presence in my chambers that evening were two facts that Â
Appeared pre-arranged with some ulterior motive rather than mere coincidence then  an hour before Boyd had made a most puzzly statement regarding her mother  and he or she was confronting me with that smile I knew so well as if anxious to make explanation Â
I believe I’ve startled you Frank she exclaimed laughing as she held out her loved hand in  meeting is it so long since we met Perhaps it is indiscreet of me to come here to your Chambers but Â
I wanted to see you mother would be furious if she knew why didn’t you answer my letter  forgive me I said an excuse I’ve been busy the life of a daily journalist leads so very little  time for correspondence and I invited her to be reseeded in our only armchair she Shrugged Â
Her shoulders smiling dubiously you men are always Adept at the art of excuse she remarked  she was pretty yes decidedly pretty as I stood looking at her there came back to me Vivid  Recollections of a day that was dead a day when we had exchanged vows of undying affection and Â
Had wandered in secret arm and arm along those quiet leaky Lanes she was a girl then and I not  much more than a stripping youth but we had both grown older now another idea said sprung up in our Â
Minds other jealousies and other loves almost four years had passed since I had last seen her she had  grown a little more plump and matronly and in her dark luminous eyes was it looked more serious than Â
In her ointnish days at Harwell how time flies it did not seem four years since that Autumn evening  when we parted in the golden Sunset yet how great had the change been in the fortunes of her first Â
Proud family and even in my own life there was no love between us now none the days were long passed  since a woman’s touch in word would make me color like a girl even this meeting when she pressed my Â
Hand and her eyelids fluttered did not restor within me the court of love so long untouched  I had heard of her only as a flirt and Fortune Hunter and had read in the newspapers a paragraph  announcing her engagement to the Elder son of a millionaire iron founder of Wiggum nevertheless Â
A month ago the papers contained a further paragraph stating that the marriage arranged  would not take place since we had parted she had evidently been through many love Adventures  still she was nevertheless uncommonly good looking with the grace of manner that was perfect Â
I’ve often wondered Frank what had become of you she said leaning her elbow on the table raising  her bail and looking straight into my eyes we were such real good friends long ago that I’ve never  failed to entertain Pleasant Recollections of our friendship once or twice I’ve heard of you through Â
Your people and of now and then read your articles in the magazines somehow I felt a keen desire for  a long time past to see you and have a chat I feel honored I answered perhaps a trifle sarcastically Â
Her mind was but a bit of recollection it is certainly Pleasant to think that one is remember  after these years then in order to add irony to my words I added I’ve heard you are engaged I was she Â
Responded glancing at me sharply but it is broken off you found someone you liked better I presume  it is always so and no not at all she hastened to assure me the fact is there was very little Â
Love on either side and we parted quite amicably as amicably as we did ourselves eh no Frank she  said with a sudden seriousness dropping her eyes to the table do not refer to that with years has Â
Come wisdom we were both foolish were we not perhaps I was when I believed you’re bound to  be a true one I responded a tribal bitterly for I had thought the summer of my life over and at an Â
End oh no she cried I did not come here to reopen an incident that has been so long closed you love  another woman no doubt no I answered I loved you once until you pursued me I have not loved since Â
But I was a mere girl then she urged ours was but a mid-summer Madness that you’ll surely admit I  was silent I had believed myself proof against all sediment in this respect for of late I had Â
Thought little if at all of my lost love yet alone with her at that moment all the bitter  past flooded upon me my wild passion and my shattered hopes with the vividness that  stirred up a great bitterness Within Me not that I loved her now no on the contrary I hated her she Â
Had played others false and treated them just as she had treated me after Madness there is always  a reaction I answered recollecting how fondly I had once loved her and how since the day we  parted my life even Bohemian as it must ever be in journalistic London was nevertheless Loveless Â
And misanthropic the life of one whose hopes were shattered and whose joy in living had been sapped  Shenley was but the tomb of those summer Recollections I never now visited the place  but all this is very foolish prank she explained with a calm philosophical Heir and a smile Â
Probably meant to be goquettish why recollect the past when one has loved as I once did it  is difficult to rid oneself of the memory of its sweetness or its bitterness I said your visit here Â
Has brought it all back to me all that I have striven so long and so strenuously to forget  she sighed for a single instant her dark eyes met mine and then she avoided my gaze I ventured here  she explained in a low apologetic tone because I believe that our youthful passion had mutually Â
Died and that I might renew your acquaintance not as lover but his friend if by coming here I have  pained you or caused you any particularly unhappy Recollections forgive me Frank forgive me and she  stretched forth her hand and placed it upon my arm with a gesture of deep earnestness and regret Â
Certainly I forgive you I answered annoyed with myself for having thus worn my heart on my sleeve  it was foolish I knew that idyllic Love of ours was a mere dream of Youth like the other Castles Â
In the Air we built when in our teens it was unwise to have spoken as I had for after all truth  to tell I was at that moment secretly glad of my freedom and why because the mysterious woman whose Â
Beauty was perfect yet whose very existence was an enigma had awakened within my soul a newborn love  since that bright morning when she had first passed me in St James’s Park my thoughts had been  constantly of her although I had not exchanged a single word with her I loved her and all thought Â
Of this dark-eyed woman who had once played me false had passed from me thus angry with myself  and having spoken as I had I strove to remedy whatever impression my words had made by treating  my visitor with a study courtesy at the same time seeking to discover the real motive of her call Â
I recollected the mystery together with the fact that had been elicited regarding the  tenancy of the house and felt convinced that her visit was not without some strong incentive  she either came to me in order to learn something or else with the object of satisfying herself Â
Upon some point remaining in doubt this thought flashing through my troubled brain placed beyond  the alert and as we with mutual eagerness change the topic of conversation I sat gazing into her  mobile countenance filled with ecstatic Wonder as you know she chattered on quite frankly in a Â
Rather high-pitched key before we left Shenley father had some very heavy losses in the city  at first we found a smaller house simply horrible but now we are quite used to it  and personally I’m happier there because we are right on the river and can have such Jolly voting Â
But River Dean is not such a very small place surely I said dick who knew the river well had  once told me that it was a fine house situated in one of the most picturesque reaches no she laughed Â
Not really it’s a very small I suppose but why not come down and see for yourself mother often speaks  of you and you know you’re always welcome now in ordinary circumstances I should have refused  that invitation Point Blank but when I reflected that I was bound to make certain inquiries of Mrs Â
Blaine I with apparent reluctance accepted mother will be most delighted to see you we  have tennis very often and boating always it’s awfully Jolly come down the day after tomorrow  in the afternoon I shall tell mother that I met you in the street and asked you down she must of Â
Course never know that I came here to see you and she laughed at her little breach of the covenances  of course now I won’t give you away I said then suddenly I recollect it may I get you a cup of tea Â
Oh no thanks really she answered I’ve been in Regent Street to do some shopping and I had  tea there I was on my way home but thought that being alone I’d venture to try and find you I’m Â
Very glad we have met I said enthusiastically for truth to tell I saw in her opportune invitation a  means by which I might get at the truth I sought there was something extremely puzzling in this  allegation that the calm mannered affable Mrs Blaine whom I had known so well was the actual Â
Tenet of the mysterious house in Fillmore place then looking at her steadily I added in future  our relations shall be as you suggest those of friendship and not of affection if you really wish  of course she replied it is the only sensible solution of the situation we are both perfectly Â
Free and there is no reason whatever why we should not remain friends is there and none at all I said  tell your mother that I should be most delighted to pay you a visit you have a boat I suppose oh Â
Yes and a punt too this season I’ve learned upon quite well I smile because that Pastime shows off  the feminine figure to the greatest Advantage I observe girls who can’t generally wear pretty Â
Brown shoes and their dress is just a triple short so that as they skip from end to end of the punt  they are unable to display a dispute Soups On of lingerie an open work stocking yay ah no she Â
Protested laughing you’re too sarcastic hunting is really very good fun or ladies no doubt I said  but men prefer sculling they’ve no ways to show nor pretty flannel procs to exhibit to the river  crowd ah Frank you always were a little harsh in your conclusions she sighed I suppose it is Â
Because you sometimes write criticisms critics I have always imagined should be old and quarrelsome  persons you are not and no I responded but old critics too often view things through their own  philosophic spectacles the younger School takes a much broader view of life I’m not however a Â
Critic I have I’m only a journalist I could hear old Mrs Job growling to herself because the stake  was ready and she could not lay the cloth because of my visitor meanwhile the room had become filled Â
With Suffocation with the fumes of frizzling meat until a blue hay is seen to hang over everything  so useless eye to this choking state of things that until that moment I never noticed it  then I quickly Rose and opened the window with the word of apology that the place smelt stuffy Â
She glanced around the shabby smoke mellowed room and declared that it pleased her of  course Bachelors had to ship for themselves a good deal she said yet this place was not  at all uncomfortable I told her of my companion who shared the chambers with me of his genius Â
As a journalist and how merrily we kept house together at which she was much interested all  girls are more or less interested in bachelor’s Arrangements our gossip drifted mostly into the  bygones of events at Harwell and the movements of various mutual friends when suddenly dick clue Â
Burst into the room crying I sailed chap there’s another first class Horror oh I beg your pardon  he said an apology drawing back and noticing Mary I didn’t know you had a visitor forgive me  let me introduce you I said laughing at his sudden confusion Mr Clue Miss vain Â
The pair exchanged greetings when clue with that very good humor that never deserted him  said ladies never come to our den you know Miss Blaine therefore please forgive me for blaring  like a bull our old woman who cleans out the kennels is a step as a post therefore we have Â
Contracted a habit of shouting what is the horror of which you spell she asked for the forced lab  I was looking at her at that instant I noticed how unusually pale and agitated her face had  suddenly become oh only a startling Discovery in tonight’s special he answered a discovery Â
She guessed where he glanced at the paper still in his hand while she bent forward in her chair  with an eagerness impossible of concealment her cheeks her palate her eyes dark wild looking  and Brilliant the affairi said seems to have taken place at Lone pit Vale Lewis ham ah she ejaculated Â
Quite involuntarily giving bent to a sigh of relief which clue quick and observant did not  fail to notice my friend threw the paper aside sniffed at the odor of burnt meat and suggested  that the hag was endeavoring to asphyxiate us the hag exclaimed Mary’s surprise who’s the hag Â
Old Mrs Joe responded dick we call her that first because she’s so ugly and secondly because when  she’s cooking for us she croons to herself like the witch of Endor she certainly is decidedly ugly Â
With that cross eye of hers it struck me too that she had an ancient and witch-like aspect when she  admitted me she laughed thus we chatted on until the bell of the hall struck seven and she Rose Â
To go first however inviting dick to a copy me to riverdine an invitation which she gladly accepted  then she bait him a Dew and I copied her into Holborn where I placed her in a taxi for Waterloo Â
On re-entering the room Dick’s first exclamation was did you notice how her face changed when I  mentioned the horror yes I said her name’s Bane and I presume she’s the daughter of Mrs Bane who Â
Was the tenant of the house in Kensington I not an old flame of yours I remember now that you once  spoke of her quite true well old fellow he said it was quite apparent when I mentioned the tragedy Â
That she feared the discovery had been made in Kensington depend upon it she can if she likes  tell us a good deal yes I answered thoughtfully I agree with you entirely dick I believe she can  end of chapter 9 recording chapter 10 on the silent Highway Â
Whatever might have been Mary’s object in thus renewing my acquaintance at the very moment when  I was about to seek her one thing alone was a parrot she feared the revelation of the tragic  Affair at Kensington there were times when men and women whatever Mastery they may possess Â
Over their countenances must involuntarily betray Joy or fear in a manner unmistakable  those sudden and entirely unintentional words of dicks had for the moment Frozen her heart  and yet it was incredible that she should have any connection with this affair so inexplicable that Â
Superintendent Shaw the chief of the criminal investigation department at Scotland Yard had  himself visited the house and according to what Boyd had told me had expressed himself utterly  bewildered next day passed on eventually but on the following afternoon we took the train Â
To shepperton where at the station we found Simpson the chauffeur who had been at Shenley  awaiting us with a smart motor car in which we drove along the white winding road to River d  IX description of the place was certainly not in the least exaggerated when he had said that it Â
Was one of the most Charming old places on the Thames approached from the Highway by a long  drive through a thick velvet of Elms and beaches it stood a long old-fashioned house covered with  Honeysuckle and Roses facing the river with a broad well-kept lawn sloping down to the water’s Â
Edge The Gardens on either side were filled with bright flowers the high leafy trees overshadowed  the house and kept it delightfully cool and the 10 of them long and the several hammocks slung in  the shadow testified to the ease and Repose of those who lived there many riparian residences Â
Had I seen during my frequent picnic and sunny excursions up and down the various reaches but  for pictures perfect quiet and Rural Beauty none could compare with this I had expected to find a Â
Mere Cottage or at most a villa The Humble Retreat of a half ruined man yet on the contrary it was  a fine house furnished with an Elegance that was surprising with men’s servants in every evidence  of wealth City men are reflected made money fast and without doubt Old Henry Blaine had regained Â
Long ago all that he had lost how beautiful how tranquil was that spot how sweet smelling that  wealth of trailing roses which entirely hid one half of the house after the dust and stuffiness  of Fleet Street the incessant rattle of traffic and the horse shouting of the winners beyond the Â
Lawn which we now cross to greet our Hostess and her daughter the river ran cool and deep with its  surface unruffled so that the high poplars on the opposite Bank were reflected into it with Â
All their detail and color as in the mirror it was a warm afternoon and during our drive the sun had  beat down upon us mercilessly but here in the shadow all was delightfully cool and refreshing  the porch of the house facing the river was one mass of yellow roses which spread their fragrance Â
Everywhere Mrs Blaine was seated in a wicker chair with some needlework while Mary was lying  in a Chase Lounge reading the latest novel from muddies and our footsteps falling noiselessly upon  the turf neither noticed our approach until we stood before them I’m so very pleased you’ve come Â
Frank exclaimed the elder lady starting forward enthusiastically as you put down her work and I’m  delighted to meet your friend I have heard of you both several times through your father I wonder  he doesn’t exchange his living with someone he seemed so very unwell of late I’ve always thought Â
That Harwell doesn’t suit him he has tried on several occasions but theocracy has had are  in towns in the north of England so he prefers Berkshire I answered well she said inviting a  spoke to be seated in comfortable wicker chairs standing near it is really very pleasant to see Â
You again Mary has spoken of you and wondered how you were so many many times I’m sure I said the  pleasure is mutual dick after I had introduced him to Mrs Payne had seated himself at Mary’s Â
Side and was chatting to her while I leaning back in my chair looked at this woman before  me and remembered the object of my visit there was certainly nothing at her face to arouse suspicion Â
She was perhaps 50 with just a sign of gray hairs Dark Eyed with a nose of that type one Associates  with employers of Labor a trifle inclined to om bompa she was a typical well-preserved English  woman of motherly disposition even though by birth she was one of the first Shropshire families and Â
In the days of Shenley she had been quite a prominent figure in the May flutter of London  I had liked her exceedingly or she had shown me many kindnesses indeed she had distinctly favored  the match between Mary and myself although her husband a bustling busy man had scouted Â
The idea this Mary herself had told me long ago in those dreamy days of sweet competences  the thought that she was in any way implicated in the mysterious Affair under investigation  seemed absolutely absurd and I laughed Within Myself she was dressed as she always had Â
Dressed after luncheon in black satin Duchess a quiet Elegance which I think rather created  an illusion that she was Stout and as she arranged her needlework aside in order to  chat to me she sighed as matronly ladies are want to side during the drowsy after lunch and hours Â
From time to time I turn and laughed with Mary as she gaily sought my opinion on this and on that  she was dressed in dark blue surge trimmed with narrow white gray her sailor hat cast aside Â
Lying on the grass a smart River costume of a Chic familiar to me in the passion plates of the lady’s  papers as she lay back her head pillared on the cushion there was in her eyes that kokadish smiled Â
And she laughed at ringing musical laugh as a bold a boat full of Merry makers went by looking across  and no doubt envying us res for sculling out there in the blazing sun could scarcely be a pleasure  judging from their appearance they were shop assistants making the best of the Thursday Â
Early closing movement a movement which happily gives the slaves the Suburban counters opportunity  for healthful recreation the boat was Laden to overflowing and prometed in the bows was the  inevitable basket of provisions and the tin Kettle for making tea it’s too hot as yet to go out Mary Â
Said watching them will go later very well dick answered I shall be delighted I love the river  but since my Cambridge days I’ve unfortunately had but little opportunity for sculling you newspaper  men observe Mrs Blaine addressing me must have very little Leisure I think the newspapers are Â
Always full isn’t it very difficult to fill the pages and no I answered that’s a common error  to every newspaper in the Kingdom there comes daily sufficient needs of one sword or another  to fill three sheets the same size the duty of the journalist if of course he is not a reporter or Â
Leader writer is to make a judicious selection as to what he shall publish and what he shall admit  it is this that wears out one’s brains but the reporters she continued I mean those men who go Â
And Hunt up details of Horrors crimes and such things are they well paid that struck me as a  strange question and I think I must have glanced at her rather inquiringly they are paid as well as  most professions are paid nowadays I answered better perhaps than some and their duty is to Â
Make inquiries and scrape up all kinds of details just like detectives I’ve heard it said is that so  exactly I replied one of the cleverest men in that branch of Journalism is our friend here Mr Clue Â
She looked at the man I indicated and I thought her face went slightly paler it may however only  been in my imagination is he really one of those she inquired in a low undertone yes I responded Â
In all Fleet Street he’s the shrewdest man that handing out the truth he is the comet man and  may claim to have originated the reporter investigation branch of Journalism she was  silent for a few moments lines appeared between her eyes then she took up her needlework as if Â
To divert her thoughts and Mr Blaine I asked at last in one of some better topic how is he how  busy as usual he’s in Paris he went a fortnight to go upon business connected with some company Â
He is bringing out and has not been able to get back yet we shall join him for a week or  two only I so much dislike the channel Crossing besides it is really very pleasant here just now  delightful I answered looking round upon the peaceful scene at the steps opposite where we Â
Sat was moored a motorboat together with Mary’s hunt a light wood one with Crimson cushions while  behind us was a well-kept tennis court tea was brought after we had gossiped nearly an hour and  while we were taking it a boat suddenly Drew up at the Landing stage being hailed by Mary who jumped Â
Up enthusiastically to welcome its occupants there were two young men of rather thanified  air and a young girl of 20 smartly dressed but not at all good-looking whom I afterwards Learned  was sister to the Elder of her companions when the boat was at last moored and the trio landed Â
Amid much shouting in Merriman I was introduced to them the name of sister and brother were Moberly  a family who lived somewhere up Beyond value and their companion was a guest at their house  we thought we’d just catch you a tea Mrs Blaine cried Doris Moberly as she sprang ashore and we Â
Are So frightfully Thirsty it come along then said the elder lady sit down my dear we have it  all ready and so three joined us and the circle quickly became a very merry one they kept us so Â
Long in the lock that I feared tea would be all over before we arrived young Moberly said with  a rather affected drawl he appeared to be one of those young sprigs of the city who traveled first Â
Class read the Times and ape the Aristocrat yes DARS went on there was a slight collision between  a barge and a launch resulting in lots of strong language and that the latest otherwise we should  have been here half an hour ago did you call on the Bin’s dad’s Mary asked you know their Â
Houseboat the flame it’s more just to then halfway between the lock and stains Bridge we passed  it but the blinds were down they were evidently taking a nap so we did inhale them Doris responded  then the conversation drifted upon River topics as it always dressed with those who spend the Â
Summer days idling about the upper richest attempts a punts motor launches and sailing  of the prospects of regattas and addresses at Sunbury lock on the previous Sunday they were  all River enthusiasts and River enthusiasm is a malady extremely contagious with those Â
Doomed to spend the Dog Days gasping in a Dusty office in stifled London after T followed tennis  as a natural sequence and while Moberly and his sister played with Dick and the youth who had a  copied the moberly’s Mary and I wandered away into the wood which skirt at the grounds of riverdine Â
She was bright and merry quite her old self of Shenley days saved perhaps for a Graver look which  now and then came to her eyes she showed me the extent of their grounds and led me down a narrow Â
Path in the dark shadow to the bank to show me a nest of Kingfishers the spot was so peaceful and  Rural that one could scarcely believe one cell but 20 miles from London the Kingfisher startled by  our presence flashed by us like a living emerald in the sunlight black-headed bunting splitted Â
Alongside among the Reeds and the shy sedge warbler poured out his chattering imitations while  here and there we caught sight of more hands down in the sedge she had I found developed a love for  fishing where she took me further down where the Willows trailed into the stream and pointed out Â
The swirl over the gravel where trout were known to lie showed me a bush-shaped depth where she  had caught many a big perch and a long swim where she said were excellent roach and you are happier  here than you were at Shenley I inquired as we were strolling back together both bare-headed Â
She with her hat swinging in her hand happy oh yes and she sighed with her eyes cast upon the ground  that sigh of yours does not denote happiness I remark glancing at her what troubles you Â
Nothing she declared looking up at me with a poor smile it is very puzzling to me Mary I said  seriously that in all this time you’re not married you were engaged yet it was broken off why at my Â
Demand she answered with a firmness that surprised me I will never marry a man I don’t love never  then it was that your father’s suggestion that proposed marriage of yours of course I hated him  surely it was unwise to allow the announcement to get into the papers wasn’t it it was my father’s Â
Doing not mine she responded when it was broken off I hastened to publish the contradiction  on reading the first announcement I said I imagined that you had a length found a man  whom you loved and that you would marry and be happy I am sure I regret that it is not so Â
Why she asked regarding me with some surprise do you wish to see me married then  not to a man you cannot love I hasten to assure her I was trying to learn from her  the reason of her sudden renewed friendship and competence yet she was careful not to refer to it Â
Her extreme care in this particular was in itself suspicious her effort at coquetry when at  my Chambers two days before made it apparent that she was prepared to accept my love if I so desired  yet the remembrance of Eva glasslin was ever in my mind this woman at my side had once played Â
Me false and it caused the rent in my heart which was difficult to heal she was pretty in  Charming without doubt yet she had never been Frank even in those long past days at Shenley  once again I told myself that the only woman I had looked upon with thoughts of real genuine Â
Affection was the mysterious Ava whom once with my own eyes I had seen cold and dead when I reflected  upon the latter fact I became puzzled almost to the verge of Madness yet upon me situated as I was Â
Defiled the duty of solving the Enigma life looked at philosophically is a long succession of chances  it is a game of Hazard played by the individual against the multiform forces to which we give  the name of circumstance with cars whose real strength is always either more or less than their Â
Face value and which are packed and forced with an astuteness which would baffle the Wiley as sharper  there were times in the game when the cards held by the Mortal player have no value at all when Â
What seemed to us kings queens and Aces changed to Mere blanks there are other moments when ignoble  twos and threes flush into trumps and enable us to triumphantly sweep the board briefly life is  a game of roulette wherein we always play on Paul as walking at her side I looked into her handsome Â
Face there Came Upon me a feeling of mournful disappointment had we met like this a week before  and she had spoken so softly to me I should I barely believe have repeated my Declaration of Â
Love but the time had passed and all had changed my gaze had been lost in the immensity of a pair  of wondrous Azure eyes I who tired before my time world weary despondent and cynical was angry and  contemptuous at the success of my companions had actually awakened to a new desire for life Â
So I allowed this woman I had once loved the chatter on listening to her light  gossip and now and then putting a question to her with a view to learning something  of her connection with that house of Mystery still she told me nothing absolutely nothing Â
Without apparent intention she evaded any direct question I could to her and seemed brimming over  with good spirits and Merriman it has been quite like old times to have a stroll in a chat with you  Frank she declared as we emerged at last upon the lawn where tennis was still in progress Â
The sun was now declining the Shadows lengthening and a refreshing wind was already beginning to  stir the tops of the Elms yes I laughed of our long walks around Harwell I have many Pleasant  Recollections do you remember how secretly we used to meet fearing the anger of your people Â
How sometimes I used to wait hours for you and how we used to imagine that our love would last always  oh yes she answered I recollect too how I used to send you notes down by one of the stable labs and Â
Pay him with sweets I laughed again all that has gone by I said in those days of our experience we  believe that our mutual liking was actual love even if we now smile at our Recollections they  were nevertheless the happiest hours of all our lives Love Is Never So fervent and devoted as Â
An early youth aha she answered in a serious tone you are quite right I have never since those days  known what it is to really love I glanced at her sharply her eyes were cast upon the ground  in sudden melancholy was that speech of hers A Veiled declaration that she left me still Â
I held my breath for an instant then looking straight before me saw standing a few yards  away in conversation with Mrs Bane a female figure in a boating costume of cream flannel  braided with coral pink look I exclaimed led to avoid responding you have another visitor I think Â
She glanced in a direction I indicated then hastened forward to greet the newcomer  the slim waisted figure turned and next second I recognized the strikingly handsome profile of  Ava glasslin the mysterious woman I secretly loved with such passion order and affection Â
Come Frank let me introduce you Mary cried after enthusiastically kissing her friend  I stepped forward and as I did so she turned and fixed on me her large Blue lapping eyes  not a look not an expression of her pure countenance was altered as I gazed into Â
Those eyes I saw that they were as dear as the purest Crystal and that I could look through  them straight into her very soul I bowed and grasped the tiny refined hand she held forth to me  that soft hand which I had once before touched when it was cold and lifeless Â
End of chapter 10 recorded chapter 11 Beauty at the helm together we stood on the lawn near  the riverbank gossiping and as I looked into Ava’s Paula’s face whereon the expression had now become  softened I longed to tell her the most sacred Secret of My Heart had she I wondered recognized Â
In me the man she encountered in Saint James’s Park when on that mysterious errand of hers  what could have been the nature of that errand whom did she go there to meet  one fact was that that moment to me more Curious than all others namely her friendship Â
With Mrs Blaine the woman who according to the landlord rented that house of Mystery  by the exercise of care and direction I might I told myself learned something which would  perhaps lead if not to the solution of the Enigma then to some clue upon which the police Â
Might work but to accomplish this I should be compelled to exercise The Most Extreme Caution  for both mother and daughter were evidently acute to detect any attempt to gain their  secret while it seemed more than probable that Ava herself if actually aware of the affair Â
Which was of course not quite certain had some motive in keeping all knowledge of it concealed  who a hundred times I wondered was the man who after lingering opposite Buckingham Palace had  entered the house in eidbury street without doubt Ava had gone to the park to meet him but it seemed Â
That growing impatient or fearful of recognition by others she had left before his arrival  true the police had watched the house wherein the man disappeared but up to the present he  had not been seen again Boyd had told me when I had seen him that very morning that he had Â
Left my some exit at the rear and that his entry there was only to throw any Watcher off the sim it  was evident that the man whoever he was had very ingeniously got clear away dick who was playing Â
Tennis at last came forward to be introduced to my Divinity and presently whispered to me his great  admiration for her I was about to tell him who she really was but on reflection felt that I could act Â
With greater discretion if the truth remained mine alone together with the secret of my love for her  therefore I held my peace and he in ignorance that she was the missing victim of that amazing tragedy  walked at her side along the water’s edge laughing merrily and greatly enjoying her companionship Mrs Â
Blaine invited us all to dying but the moberlys were compelled to decline they having a party  of friends at home therefore we saw them off amid many shouts and weigh these and feels of laughter  and when they had gone we sat again on the lawn now brilliant in the golden blaze of sundown Â
It still wanted an hour to dinner therefore Mary suggested that we all four should go out on the  water a proposal accepted with mutual enthusiasm as I was not an expert in hunting Mary and Dick  pushed off on the pump the former handling the long pole with a deafness acquired by constant Â
Practice while with Ava glasslin in the CERN of a gig I rolled up my sleeves and been to the oars  the sunset was one of those gorgeous combinations of crimson and gold with  which those who frequent the Thames know so well Upstream the flood of crimson of the Â
Dying day caused the Elms and Willows to stand out in Black against the cloudless sky while  every Ripple caused by the boat caught the sun glow until the water seemed red as blood  a great piece was there not a single boat was in sight not a sound saved the quiet Â
Lapping of the water against the boughs and the slight dripping of the oars as I feathered them  we were rolling Upstream so that the return would be easier while dick and His companion had punted  down towards churchy for the first time I was now alone with her she was lovely she had settled Â
Herself lazily among the cushions lying back at her ease and enjoying to the full the calm of the  sunset hour remarking now and then upon the beauty of the scene and the charm of summer days Upstream  her countenance was animated and perfected feature distinctly more beautiful than it had been on that Â
Well remembered night when I had found her lying back cold and lifeless how strange it all was  I thought that I should actually be rowing her there when only a few days before I had beheld Â
Her stiff and dead alone with no one to overhear I would have put a direct inquiry to her regarding  the past but I feared that such question if put prematurely might prevent the elucidation  of the secret to get at the truth I must act diplomatically and exercise the greatest caution Â
I sat facing her bending with the oars while she chatted on in a voice that sounded as music to my  ears I love the river she said last year we had a houseboat up Beyond bolters and it was delightful Â
There was really great fun in being boxed up in so small a space and one could also make one’s  Place exceedingly artistic and comfortable at very small expense we had a ripping time  it is curious I remarked that most owners of houseboats go in for the same style of Â
External decoration rows of geraniums along the roof and strings of Chinese lanterns look  at that one over there yes she laughed glancing up in the direction I indicated I fear we were  also sinners in that respect it’s so difficult to devise anything new and she added are you up the Â
River much no I responded not much unfortunately my profession keeps me in London and I generally  like to spend my three weeks vacation on the continent I’m fond of getting a place at other  cities and one travels so quickly that the thing is quite easy there are always more girls than Â
Men of the river she said I suppose it is because men are at business and girls have to kill time  we live down at Hampton not far from the river it’s a quiet Dead Alive sort of place and if Â
It were not for boating and hunting it would be horribly dull and in Winter oh and winter  we are always on the Riviera we go to Khan each December and stay till the end of April mother  declares she could not live through an English winter this statement did not coincide with what Â
The innkeeper’s wife had told me namely that the glasslands were much pressed for money I spent  one season in nice a few years ago I said it is certainly charming and I hope to go there again Â
But it’s not our own times with all its natural picture restness quite as beautiful in its way  she asked looking around I love it people who have been up the Rhine in the room the Moselle  and The Lure say that perpetuous scenery none of those great European rivers compare with ours Â
I believe that to be quite true I answered like yourself I am extremely fond of boating and  picnicking we often have picnics she said I’ll get mother to invite you to the next if you’ll come  certainly I answered much gratified I shall be only too delighted we were at that moment Â
Passing Two Fine houseboats more near one another one of which my companion explained belonged to  a well-known City stock broker and the other two a barrister of repute at the Chancery bar  both were gay with the usual geraniums and creepers having inviting looking deck chairs Â
On the roof and canaries and gilded cages hanging at the windows shall we go up the back water she  suddenly suggested it is more beautiful there than the main stream we might get some lilies  of course I answered and with a pull to the left turned the boat into the narrower stream branching Â
Out at the left a stream that wound among Earl Meadows yellow with buttercups and were long lines  of Willows trailed in the water I was hot after a pretty stiff pull therefore when we had gone some Â
Distance I’d leaned on the oars allowing the boat to drift on under the bank where the long rushes  waved in the Stream and the Pure White of water lilies showed against the dark green of floating Â
Leaves a list of the rudder lines Eva leaned over and gathered some trailing her hand in the water  how quiet and pleasant it is here she remarked her calm sweet beautiful face showing what a Â
Great piece had come to her at that moment it may not have been quite in keeping with the covenances  that she should have gone out like this alone with me a comparative stranger yet girls of today think Â
Little of such things and she was nothing if not moderate in dress speech and practice of manner  we were far from the haunts of men in that calm hour of the dying day indeed already  the Crimson of the sun was Fading Into the rows of the Afterglow and the Stillness precursory Â
Of Nightfall was complete save for the rustle of some water rat or otter among the sedge or  the Swift flight of a nightbird across the bosom of the Stream the Shadows were changing and the Â
Glow in the water was turning from one color to another the cattle had come down to the brink and  waiting to their knees whisked the flies away with their tails as they slowly chewed the cut  yes I agreed there is rest perfect and complete here how different to London ah yes she answered Â
I hate London and very seldom go there except when necessity compels us to do shopping  why do you hate it I asked at once breaking up my ears have you any special reason for disliking it Â
Well no she left I suppose it’s noise and bustle in hurry that I don’t like I’m essentially a lover  of the country even theaters concert and such like amusements have but little attraction for me Â
I know it sounds rather absurd that a girl should make such a declaration but I assure you I speak  the truth I did not doubt her anyone with an open face like hers could not be guilty of lying that Â
Statement was in itself an index to her character she possessed a higher mind than most women and  was something of a philosopher truth to tell this fact surprised me for I had until then regarded Â
Her as of the usual type of the educated woman of today a woman with a penchanted for smartness and  dress freedom of language and the entertainment of the modern music hall in preference to Opera  I was gratified by my discovery she was a woman with a soul Beyond these things Â
With a sweet lovable disposition a woman far above all the others she was my idol in those  moments My Love increased to a man passion and he longed to imprint a kiss upon those smiling Â
Lips and to take her in my arms to tell her the secret that I dared not allow to pass my lips  she leaned backwards on the cushions her hands were tightly classed behind her head her sleeves  fell back showing her well-molded arms her sweet child-like face was turned upward with her blue Â
Eyes watching me through half-close Lids her small mouth was but half shut she smiled a little it  entranced me to look upon her for the first time the loveliness of a woman had made me blind and Â
Stupid I wanted to know more of the cause of her dislike of London for I had sent it suspicion in  her words nevertheless through all she preserved the slight rigidity of manner and I feared to  put any further question at that moment thus we rested in silence dreaming in the darkening hour Â
I sat facing her glancing furtively at her countenance and wondering how she had become a  victim in that inexplicable tragedy by what means that you’ve been spirited from that mysterious  house and another victim placed there in her Stead all was an enigma insoluble inscrutable Â
To be there with her to exchange confidences as we had done and to chat lightly upon River topics  all gave me the greatest gratification to have met her thus was an unexpected stroke of good fortune  and I was overjoyed by her spontaneous promise to invite me to one of their own River parties Â
Joy is the sunshine of the Soul at that restful hour I drank in the sweetness of a rise her eye  was in glamor land and my companion was truly Enchanted we must have remained there for the half Â
An hour for when I suddenly looked at my watch and realized that we must in any case be late for  dinner the light in the wild Red Heavens had died away the soft pale rose pink had faded and in the Â
Stillness of Twilight there seemed a wide profound mystery we must be getting back I said quickly  pulling the boat out into Midstream with a long stroke yes the blanes will wonder wherever we’ve  been she laughed Mary will accuse you of flirting with me would that be such a very grave accusation Â
I asked smiling uh that I really don’t know she asked daily you would be the accused but neither  of us are guilty therefore we can return with absolutely clear consciences can’t we certainly  she left then after a brief call she asked why did you not bring Mary out in preference to me Â
Why do you ask I inquired a surprise well it would be only natural as you are engaged to her engaged  to her I echoed I’m certainly not engaged to Mary Blane aren’t you she exclaimed I always understood Â
You were oh no said I we are old friends we were boy and girl together but that is all  her great blue eyes opened with a rather bewildered Heir and she exclaimed how  strange that people should make such a mistake I had long ago heard of you as Mary’s future Â
Husband then again we were silent both pondering deeply had this remark of hers been mere guesswork  was this carefully concealed question but a master stroke of woman’s Ingenuity to ascertain whether  I loved Mary Blane it seemed very likely to be so but she was so Frank and all that I could Â
Not believe enough her no doubt she had heard some story of our long past love and it had been  exaggerated into an engagement as such stories are so often apt to be soon we emerged from the Â
Backwater into the mainstream and with her bow set in the direction of lalam I wrote down with the  current without loss of time the Twilight had fast deep into dust a high poplars and drooping Willows  along the bank had grown dark though the broad surface of the stream at eating here and there Â
Were a fish Rose was still of a blue Steely Hue and Far Away Upstream only a long streak of grade  showed upon the horizon the Stars Shone down in the first faint darkness of the early night  presently I glanced behind thee and in the distance saw a yellow Ray which my companion Â
Well versed in River geography told me it was a light in one of the windows of Liberty  it had grown quite chilly and The Meadows were raised in faint white Mist therefore I spurred  it forward and soon brought the boat up to the steps I knew that the world now held nothing Â
For me but Ava when we entered the dining room a fine apartment with a table laid with shining  plate decorated with flowers and illuminated with red-shaped candles we were greeted as we expected  by a loud and rather boisterous welcome by dick and Mary we were of course full of apologies being Â
Nearly half an hour late but upriver dinner is a somewhat Movable Feast so Mrs Blaine quickly  forgave us and while I sat by Mary on her one hand dick seated himself at Ava’s side  daily we gossip through a merry meal washed down with the real burn castle and followed by Old Â
Port coffee and koyako yet my mind was full of strange apprehensions what possible connection  could these three women have with that crime which the police were withholding from the public that  they were all three aware that a tragedy had taken place seemed quite clear yet all remained silent I Â
Had detected in Mrs Blaine’s manner an anxiety and nervousness which I had never before noticed yet I  refrained from putting any further question to her lest I might by doing so show my hand she could Â
Not keep from her tone when she spoke to me a note of insincerity which my ear did not fail to detect  our conversation over dessert turned upon dogs the performances of Mary’s hug having started the  discussion and quite inadvertently dick whose mind seemed always centered upon his work for Â
He was nothing not an Enthusiast suddenly said adults are now being used by the police to trace  criminals there is no better method when it can be accomplished for a bloodhound will follow a trail  anywhere with unfailing accuracy even after some hours do they actually use them now ask Mrs Blaine Â
In a strange poldering voice her wine glass poised in her hand the essay responded they’ve been  utilized with entire success in two or three cases this week not only in London but in the provinces  also they are unfailing and will track the guilty one with an accuracy that’s absolutely astounding Â
Ava and Mary exchanged quick glasses across the table while Mrs Blaine sipped her wide and  stirred on easily in her chair I noticed that the color had died out from the faces of all  three and that in their Blanche countenances was the look of mingle fear and suspicion my friend Â
Had led that conversation with remarkable Tech to quite an unlook for result he lifted his eyes to  mine for an instant and read my thoughts my mind became filled with the presentimate of future ill  end of chapter 11 chapter 12. the deformed man’s statement youth is the shortest joy Â
And happiness vanishes like all else in the Mad hurry of life however we heed not such things we  live only for today on our way back to Waterloo that night dick earnestly discussed the situation  and what’s your opinion now I inquired as he sat opposite me in the corner of the Railway Carriage Â
Dick Smiles slightly both mother and daughter are connected with the affair and are in deadly  fear he replied decisively while in the pot with Mary Blaine I had a long chat with her and the  conclusion I formed is that she knows all about it besides she was very anxious to know your recent Â
Movements what you had been doing during the past week or so I wonder whether she suspects  no I don’t think so he answered neither mother nor daughter dreamed that we are in possession  of the secret you see no one has returned to the place since the Fatal night and as nothing has Â
Appeared in the papers they naturally conclude that the affair has not yet been discovered  they evidently devour almost every morning and evening paper as it arrives down there did you  notice the Heap of papers in the morning room I asked of course I kept my eyes well open while Â
There he replied did it strike you that the plate used at dinner was of exactly the same pattern as  that on the table at Fillmore place and further that among a pile of novels in the drawing room Â
Was a book which one would not expect to find in such a place a work known mainly to toxicologists  where it deals wholly with the potency of poisons now I asked in surprise I didn’t notice either of Â
Those things but I did it went on reflectively all these facts go to convince me of what that  we are working in the right direction to obtain a key to the mystery he responded then suddenly he Â
Added by the way that girl glasslin is certainly very beautiful I envy you old fellow when you took  her for a row I smiled I had determined not to reveal to him her identity as to the woman whom Â
I had first discovered lifeless but his natural shrewdness was far greater than mine he was a  born investigator of crime and had not fate placed him at a newspaper office he would I believe have  become a renowned detective glasslin Ava glaslin he repeated as if to himself why surely that’s the Â
Name of the girl you met in Saint James’s Park and followed to Hampton the woman whom you found dead  on your first visit to the house with Patterson is that really so he cried in southern amazement  I nod it without replying then Frank old chap he answered in the low horse voice of Â
One utterly staggered this affair has assumed such a devilishly complicated phase that I fear  we shall never get at the truth to approach any of those three women would only be to  place them on their guard and without their assistance we can’t possibly act with success Â
Then what do you suggest I asked said yes I could suggest nothing he answered the complications  on every side are too great far too great only Ava glassland can assist us I observed yes she  alone can most probably tell us the truth but her friendship for the planes is proved positive that Â
Her secret is a guilty one even though she was so near being a victim she was a victim I declared  when I saw her she was apparently lifeless flying cold and still in the chair with every appearance Â
Of one dead but what causes you to think that her secret is a guilty one I asked hastily  the planes undoubtedly are implicated in the matter and she their friend is in possession  of their secret he argued as a victim she would be prompted to expose them if she did not fear Â
Exposure herself she’s therefore held to enforce silence his argument was a very forcible one  and during the remainder of the journey to London I sat back calmly reflecting upon it  it was a theory which had not before occurred to me but I hesitated to accept it because I Â
Could not believe that upon this woman who held me beneath the spell of her marvelous Beauty put  their rest any such hideous shadow of kill I remember those clear blue eyes that fear open  countenance and that Frank manner of speech and refused to give Credence to my friend’s allegation Â
Slowly past the days summer heat increased and in London the silkheaded  world had already turned their thoughts towards the Open Fields in the sea beach  the summer holidays were Drawing Near at hand how much that brief vacation of a week were Fortnight Â
Means to The toiling Londoner and how much more to his ailing wife and CUNY family doomed to live  year after year in a smoke Halo of some black grimy Street into which the Sun never seems  to shine or in some cheap crowded suburb where the Jerry Built houses standed long in artistic Â
Parallel rows and the cheap streets swarm with unwashed shouting offspring I had arranged to take  my holiday in Winter and go down to the Riviera a treat I had long since promised myself therefore  both dick and I continued our work through those cycling days obtaining from Boyd every now and Â
Then the results of his latest inquiries these results it must be said were absolutely nil I had  agreed with dick to keep our suspicions entirely to ourselves therefore we gave no information to  Boyd preparing to carry out our inquiries in our own method rather than seeking his Aid it was Â
Well perhaps that we did this for the police too often blunder by displaying too great an energy  I was determined if possible to protect Ava at riverdine dick and I were welcomed guests and were  often invited to Sunday River parties thus showing that any suspicions entertained Us in that quarter Â
Have been removed time after time I had met Ava and we had on lots of occasions gone out on the  river together exploring over and over again that winding shade Backwater and picking lilies and  forget peanut at the spot where on that memorable evening we had first exchanged confidences Â
I had received no invitation to The Hollies but she had apologized saying that the usual heat  had prostrated her mother and that for the present they had been compelled to abandon their picnics  many were the afternoons and evenings I idled away in a deck chair on that well-kept lawn or Â
Accompanied by Mary Eva clue and Fred Langdale who by the way turned out to be an insufferable  overdressed mounder who was continually dangling at Ava’s skirts we would go poor and pay visits  to various houseboats up and downstream Langdale looked upon me with a certain amount of jealousy I Â
Think and Truth to tell was not as I had imagined of the milk and water genus Ava seemed to regard  him as a necessary evil and used him as a tame cat a kind of body servant to touch and carry for her Â
From her remarks to me however I had known full well from the first that there was not a shadow  of affection on her side she had explained how she simply tolerated him because companions were  few at Hampton and he was a fairly good tennis player well he on his part was unconsciously Â
Making an arant ass of himself in the eyes of all by his efforts to cultivate a draw  that he deemed aristocratic and to carefully caressing his mustache in an upward Direction  dick clue thorough going Bohemian that he was cared but little I believed for those riparian Â
Gatherings but true he played tennis rode pundit and ate strawberries and cream with his greatest  zest as any of us nevertheless I knew that he accepted the invitation with but one object and  that he would far rather have strolled in one of the parts with Lily Lowry and Roe married Lane Â
Up and down the stream Lily often came to our Chambers she was about 22 of a rather Southern  type of Beauty with a good figure a graceful gate and a decidedly London sheep she spoke  however with that nasal twang which stamps the true South Londoner and her Expressions were not Â
Absolutely deported the slang of the Newington bus yet with all she was a quiet Pleasant girl  thus half the month of July went by practically without incident until one blazing day at noon  when I went forth in the Fleet Street for lunch I unexpectedly encountered dick hot and hurrying Â
His hat tilted back he had left home very early that morning to work up some startling discovery  that had been made out at play style and already forced voice men were crying the fourth Comet with Â
The latest details he had on Earth in reply to his question as to where I was going I  told him that after luncheon I had to go down to Walworth to make some trifling inquiry whereupon Â
He said then I wish you’d do a favor for me old fellow of course I answered promptly what is it  call it the lowrys and tell Lily to meet me at longborough Junction at 8 tonight at the usual Â
Place I want to take her to the Crystal Palace to see the fireworks I was going to wire but  you’ll pass her father’s place will you give us a message certainly I answered but is she at home Â
Yeah she’s got her holidays tell her I’m very busy or I’d have him down myself sorry to trouble you  I promised him to deliver the message and after reading a chop at the [ __ ] I walked along to Â
The gaiety and there took a blue motor bus Which deposited me outside a small very dingy shop a few  doors up the Wallwork Road from the elephant and Castle which bore over the little old-fashioned  window the sign Morris Lowry herbalist displayed to the Gaze of the passers-by where various Â
Assortments of lozengers and bunches of dried herbs boxes of pills guaranteed to cure every  ill and a row of dirty glass bottles filled with yellow liquids containing filthy looking specimens  of various repulsive objects the glaring cards in the window advertise such desirable Commodities Â
As Lowry’s wind Hills Lowry’s cough tablets and Lowry’s herbal ointment while the window itself  and the whole shop front was stirred encrusted one pain being cracked across as I entered the little  dark shop a mere box of a place smelling strongly of chamomile Sarsaparilla and such like herbs Â
Which hung in dried and Dusty confusion all over the ceiling there arose from a chair the queerest  oddest creature that one might ever meet even in a diverse crowds of lower London Morris Lowry the  herbalist was a strange specimen of distorted Humanity hunched back with an abnormally large Â
Semi-balled head a scrubby Gray beard and wearing large old-fashioned steel rim spectacles which  imparted to him and appearance of learning and distinction his legs were short and Stumpy his  body rather Stout and his arms of inordinate length while the whole appearance of a sickly Â
Yellow wizard face was such as might increase one’s belief in the darwinian theory indeed  it was impossible to look upon him without one’s mind reverting to monkeys for his high cheekbones  and square jaws bore a striking resemblance to the facial expression of the ancestral gorilla Â
Dressed in black cloak and conical hat he would have made an ideal stage wizard but attired as  he was in greasy black frock coat and trousers that had long ago passed a glossy stage he was  certainly as curious looking and individual as one could have found of the Surrey side of the Thames Â
He was no stranger to me for on several occasions I had called there with Dick and had chatted  with him trading herbs had dwindled almost to nothing nowadays with all sorts and varieties  of well-advertised medicines the people of Newington Walworth and the New Kent Road did Â
Not patronize the old-fashioned Herbal Remedies which if truth be told are sometimes more potent  and wholesome than any of the quack nostrils plotted in the daily papers and on the hoardings  ten years ago the herbalist did a brush trade in London especially among lower class Housewives who Â
Having come up from the country were glad enough to obtain the old world decoctions but nowadays  the herbalist only source of profit seems to be in the sale of skin soaps and worm tablets old Morris  with this ugly deformed figure and Shining bald head welcomed me warmly as I entered and it once Â
Invited me into the little shop parlor Beyond a mere dark cupboard which still retaining the  odor of the midday meal Irish Stewart must have been and seemed infested with a myriad of flies  possibly the fragrance of the herbs attracted them or else they’d reveled among the succulent Â
Tablets exposed in the open boxes upon the narrow counter these lozenges together with this various  bottle Brews tinctures of this and of that the old man manufactured in a kind of dilapidated  shed at the rear which Viet said often defended the olfactory nerves of the whole neighborhood Â
When certain herbs were in the process of stewing Lily is out Coke the weird old fellow in response  to my inquiry but I’ll of course give her the message she don’t get much chance nowadays poor Â
Child but her mother was alive we used to manage to run down the market for a week or Fortnight  in the hot weather but now and he Shrugged his shoulders with quite a foreign air well there’s Â
Only me to look after the shop he added and things are not so brisk as they were a few years ago he  spoke with a slight accent do fluid told me to the fact that his mother was French and he had lived Â
In France for a number of years few people however noticed it or by many he was believed to be a Jew  I nod it I could see that the trade down there was infinitesimal and quite insufficient to pay the Â
Rent besides was not the fact that Lily had been compelled to go out and earn her own living proof  in itself that the strange-looking old fellow was the reverse of prosperous The herbal trade  in London is nearly as dead as the manufacturer of that once popular medal known as German silver Â
Lily has gone to see an ad of hers over at Patterson the old man explained but she’ll be  home at five she’s got her holidays now and poor girl she’s been sadly disappointed she expected  to go down to her married sister at Huntington but couldn’t go because her sisters laid up with Â
Dramatic fever so she has to stay at home this year and this place isn’t much of a change for her  I glanced around at the dark close little den and at the strong spelling shop Beyond Â
And was Spain to admit that he spoke the truth I suppose your friend Mr Clue is busy as usual with  his murders and his Horrors he remarks smiling he’s a wonderful acute fellow I always read the Â
Paper every day in a generally interested in the results of the inquiries by the comet man half  London reads his interviews and latest details yes I answered he’s kept hard at work always there  seems to be a never ceasing string of Sensations nowadays as soon as one mystery is elucidated Â
Another Springs up somewhere else uh he answered his dark eyes gazing at me through his heavy  Rim glasses it was always so never a day goes past without a mystery of some sort or another  I suppose I said if the truth were told more people are poisoned in London than ever the Â
Police or the public imagine I knew that all herbalists were worse than toxicology more or  less and had a vague idea that I might learn something from him of course he answered there  are several poisons the results of which bear such strong resemblance the symptoms of disease Â
That doctors are very frequently misled and the verdict is death from natural causes in  dozens of cases every year the post-mortem proves disease and thus the poisoner escapes  what causes you to think this I inquired eagerly Recollections of the tragedy in Kensington vividly Â
In my mind well he said I can only make that allegation because every herbalist in London  sells poisons it’s smaller or greater quantity if he’s an unwise man he asks no questions if  he’s wise he makes the usual inquiry and then well the old man croaked with the small eyes Â
Twinkling in the semi-darkness the customer generally pays pretty dearly for the article  which means that an entry is made into poison register which is not altogether the truth they  he smiled and nodded when poisons are sold at a high price the old herbalist answered the Â
Vendor has no desire to know for what purpose the drug is to be used it is generally supposed that  it is to kill Berman you understand and human beings are more often the victims a hazardous  he raised his gray Shaggy brows with an expression of affected ignorance answering who can tell Â
The herbs or drugs are sold unlabeled and wrapped in blank paper as far as the herbalist  is concerned his liability is at an end just as a Cutler sells razors for a gun maker revolvers  and do you really believe that there is much secret poisoning in London at this moment I Â
Inquire greatly interested believe that he echoed why there’s no doubt of it why do  people buy certain herbs which could be used for no other purpose than a destruction of human life  do they actually buy poisons openly I explained in Surprise well no not exactly openly he responded Â
They are most of them very wary how they approach the subject and all are prepared to pay heavily  I looked at the odd ugly figure before me for the first time I had learned the  secret of this trade perhaps even he retailed poisons to those who wanted such undesirable Â
Commodities charging exorbitant prices for them and entering fictitious sales in the poison book  which by law he was compelled to keep have you ever actually had dealings with any poisoners I  inquired remember I added laughing that I’m not interviewing you that we are friends and that I Â
Don’t intend to publish this conversation in the newspapers that’s rather a difficult question he  responded with a look of mystery upon his face perhaps I’d best reply that I before now sold  poisons to people who could want them for no other purpose then the removal of Superfluous friends Â
But do they actually ask openly for this herb or that certainly with excuses for its use of course  and he went on to remark how lucidly the science of poisoning was explained in a certain book which  might be purchased anywhere for seven and six pence a work which had undoubtedly cost thousands Â
Of human lives then instantly I recollected it was a copy of the same book that dick had noticed in  the morning room at Liberty In This Very Room the old fellow went on I’ve had some queer inquiries Â
Made by all sorts of conditions of people only the other day a young girl called to consult me having  heard she said that I sold for a consideration a certain deadly herb by her boy she was evidently  a lady his final observation increased my interest in this remarkable conversation Â
What was she like I inquired with eagerness for since the affair at philomar place I took  the keenest interest in anything appertaining to poisons she was rather tall and slim dressed in Â
Black but my eyes are not so good as they used to be and in the dark here I could see much of  her face through her veil she was pretty I think and did you actually sell her what she wanted he Â
Hesitated a moment certainly and at my own price he answered at last in his thin rasping voice  this step one of the most dangerous and little-known compounds not obtainable through  any ordinary channel is most difficult to handle but I saw that it was not for the first time Â
She had Exotics in her possession and he smiled grimly rendering his face the more hideous from  her attitude and conversation I should imagine her to be a very ingenious but not altogether  desirable acquaintance he added and didn’t you note anything by which you might recognize her Â
Again I inquired surely young girls are not in the habit of buying poison in that manner  well croak the distorted old fellow with the grin I did notice one thing certainly she wore a brooch  of rather uncommon pattern it was a playing card in Golden enamel a tiny five of diamonds Â
A five of diamonds I guess at that instant the truth became plain although I hesitated  to believe it The Broach was Ava glasslands one that she had worn only three days before when I  was last down at rivertine and while on the river with her I had remarked its quaintness could it be Â
Possible that she had actually purchased a deadly drug of this hideous old man or were there other  brooches of similar pattern and design thus will increase the Shadows which seemed to envelop her  my soul seemed killed Within Me end of chapter 12. record this is audiobook caboodle YouTube channel Â
Place for finest collection of audiobooks and novels chapter 13. dick becomes mysterious  the startling statement of Morris Lowry caused me very considerable uneasiness  on my return to Gray’s Inn however I made no mention of our strange conversation to  Dick who returned that evening rather late after a heavy day of news hunting Â
Old Lowry had evidently been in a confidential mood that afternoon and I had no right to expose  any secret of his extraordinary business therefore I kept my own counsel pondering deeply over a  statement when clue had gone forth to meet Lily wondering whether it might have been some other Â
Woman who had worn The Broach with the five of diamonds I sat at the window gloomily watching  the light fade from the lead in London Sky the evening was stifling for no fresh air penetrated  to that small open space surrounded as it was by Miles and Miles of smoke blackened streets and his Â
Night crept on the heavens became a doll red with the reflection of the Myriad Lights of the city  aidless of all I strove to find some solution of the Enigma inquiries by Boyd one of the  shrewdest detectives of London had failed utterly he was now relying solely upon me Â
There was but one clue that given by the landlord of the house and this I had followed with the  result that the circumstances had only grown more and more bewildering as far as could be discerned Â
There was no mode of whatever in taking the lives of either the man or the woman while The Escape  of Eva was an astounding fact of which I longed for an explanation from her ownness I loved her Â
Yes the more I reflected as I sat there gazing aimlessly across the square regardless of the  fleeting time the more I became convinced that she was all the world to me I recollected her  daintiness and her grace the sweetness of her smile and the music of her voice telling myself Â
That she alone was my idol that my love for Mary had after all been a mirror boyish fancy and that  this affection was a true honest deep-rooted one the outcome of a great and boundless love was Â
There however not a great and terrible suspicion upon her by a mere chance that chance which fate  sends so often to court the murderer’s plans or gave him up to Justice I had learned that she  or someone answering exactly to her description had actually purchased some poisonous compound Â
I had believed her to have been a victim on that fatal night but now it seemed that on the other  hand she was herself given to the study of poisons a strange subject indeed for a woman to take up Â
Then calmly I asked myself if it were possible to cast all memory of her aside and after reflection  discovered that such a course was utterly unfeasible to entertain no further thought  of her was entirely out of all questions for I loved her with a Fierce and intense affection Â
And thought of not else but her strange connection with this mystery which it made public would send  a thrill through London there were some very ugly facts hidden somewhere yet try how I would I could  form no distinct straightforward Theory Ava was naive and sincere Frank an open undesigning and Â
Entirely in artificial nevertheless beneath her Candor she seemed to be concealing some dread  secret the latter I was determined to discover and while Knight Drew on and shadowy figures  crossed and re-crossed the square I still sat plunged in thought pondering deeply defined some Â
Means whereby to approach her I love her a woman upon whom the gravest suspicion rested of having  purchased a deadly drug for some nefarious purpose truly in the fitful fever of Life the decree of  Fate is often strange men have loved murderouses and women have before now given their hearts nay Â
Even their lives to Shield cowards and assassins suddenly a movement behind me brought me back to  a sense of my surroundings and I saw that dick had returned why you’re back very early I said  have you been down to the Crystal Palace yes of course he answered daily what have you been doing Â
You lazy beggar it’s past half past 11. nothing I answered surprised that it was so late I tried  to write but it’s too beastly hot to work quite fresh down at the palace he answered big crowd on Â
The Terrace and the fireworks not at all bad Lil all right yes send your regards and all that sort  of thing but and he hesitated at the same time tossing his hat across upon a chair and seating Â
Himself on the edge of the table in that careless Devil May care style eventual to him but what I  inquired he sighed in a grave expression crossed his face fact is old chap he said in an unusually Â
Earnest tone I fear I’m getting a bit tired of her she wasn’t the least bit interesting tonight  sorry to hear that old man I said perhaps she wasn’t very well or you may be out of sorts liver Â
Or something a woman isn’t always in the same mood you know just as a man is liable to attack  some blues yes yes I know all that he exclaimed impatiently but I’ve been thinking over it a long Â
Time and to tell you the truth I’m no longer in love with her it’s no good making a fool of the  girl any longer but she loves you I observed knowing well and what affection she held my Â
Erratic friend that’s the devil of it he snapped to tell the truth it is worried me a lot lately  you’ve neglected her very much I observed but surely she’s good-looking the Charming companion  and has a very even temper you’ve told me so lots of times why have you so suddenly grown Â
Tired I really don’t know he answered smiling at the same time slowly filling his pipe perhaps  it’s my nature I was always a Wanderer you know I looked at him steadily for some moments then said  bluntly look here dick you need and conceal the truth from the old fellow Mary Blane has Â
Attracted you and you are throwing Lil over on her account Robbie she laughed Mary’s a  nice girl but as for loving her and he Shrugged his shoulders without concluding his sentence  notwithstanding this protest however I felt convinced that I had guessed the right and regret Â
It because I knew how well Lily loved him and what a blow it would be to her she and I had been good  friends always and I liked her for she was demure modest and with all dignified even though she were Â
But a shop assistant well is it really fair to Lily I suggest that after a rather painful pause  you surely wouldn’t advise me to tie myself to a girl I don’t love he protested rather hastily you  are a fellow with lots of Common Sense prank and you’re advice I’d follow before that of Â
Any chap I know but here you’re a bit wide of the Mark I think thanks for the compliment old  fellow I responded of course it isn’t for me to interfere in your Private Affairs but all I advise  in this matter is a little hesitation before decision it’s uselessly set I’ve already decided Â
To give up Lily I have given her up I told her tonight that I shouldn’t see her again  you did I exclaimed looking at him in surprise I could not understand this Sudden Change of his  a few hours before he had been full of Lil’s Praises telling me how Charming she could be Â
In conversation and declaring that he loved her very dearly it was more than remarkable  yes he said you know that I can’t bear defeat about the bush so I resolved to tell her the Â
Truth she’d have to know it someday and better at once and later on well all I can say is that  you’re a confounded group I explained plainly I know I am he admitted that’s the worst of it Â
I’m too deuced outspoken any other chap would have simply left her and ended it by letter I  however put the matter to her philosophically and how did she take it his lips compressed for an  instant as his eyes but mine badly he answered in a low voice tears protestations of love and quite Â
A scene fortunately we were alone together in the train I got out with her at the elephant and  castle and took her home did you see her father no and don’t want to he’s no good the ugly old Â
Sinner why I inquired quickly wondering how much he knew but he evaded my question answering I mean  he’s a sanguinary old idiot he idolizes Lily I know that then after a b cross he had it I may Â
Appear a brute a silly fool in all the rest but I tell you Frank I’ve acted for the best  I can’t see it no I don’t suppose you can old chap he answered but you will entirely Â
Agree with my course of action someday are long his words puzzled me for they seem to contain  some hidden meaning are you absolutely certain that you’ve no further love for Lil I inquired  absolutely and you are likewise equally certain that it is not the personal charms of Mary Blane Â
Which have led you to take this step I’m quite certain of it he answered you once left Mary  remember but broke it off surely we are all of us at Liberty to choose our own help made in life Â
Of course I responded it was not however my fault that we parted Mary was infatuated with another  that just Bears out my argument he went on she didn’t love you and therefore  considered herself perfectly justified in her attachment with your rival I Don’t Love Lil Â
But it seems that you have parted from her in a really cruel and heartless manner this isn’t  like you dick I add it reproachfly why are you her Champion he asked lapping are you in love Â
With her not at all I assured him with a smile only I don’t like to see a girl badly treated  by any friend of mine oh that’s good he laughed you treated girls badly in your time I suppose Â
Have a peg old fellow and let’s close the debate then he added in the language of parliament where  he so often reported the speeches of the Irish renters I move that this house do now adjourn  but I don’t consider that you acted with your usual tact in this affair I protested heedless Â
Of his words you could of course have broken an off in a much more honorable way if you had chosen  I’ve been quite honorable he declared in a tone of annoyance I told her plainly that my love  had cooled Park the clock on the in-haul was striking midnight there’s no suspension of the Â
12 o’clock rule shut up Frank and be damned to you he crossed to the sideboard mixed a couple  of whiskey and sodas and handed me one saying thirsty weather this my mouse is dry as a Kipper  I willingly admit it that the summer dust of London was conducive to the wholesale consumption Â
Of liquid but was nevertheless reflecting upon its remarkable change of manner towards Lily  something I believe had occurred of which he had not told me he stretched himself in the armchair  placed his glass at his elbow and began to blow a suffocating cloud from his most cherished Briar I Â
Wish you’d spend six pence on a new pipe I said coughing this one cost four Pence half penny in  Fleet Street nearly two years ago he answered without removing it from his lips don’t you like Â
It my dear fellow it’s awful ah so they set up the office the other day don’t notice it myself  but others do I’ll make you a present of a new one tomorrow don’t want it old chat have a drink Â
Yourself with the money this one’s quite good enough for me besides it’ll keep the Moss out of  our drawing room furniture and he gazed around the shabby apartment where from the leather covered  chairs the mysterious stuffing was in many places peeping forth upon the world we smoked on although Â
I had been considerably annoyed by what he had told me regarding Lily his imperturbable Good  Humor caused me to laugh outright where at he observed you’re really a funny beggar Frank I  like you exceedingly except when you try and dwell upon themes you don’t understand those who do that Â
Are apt to wallow out of their depth you don’t know my reasons for throwing Lil over therefore  it’s impossible for you to Regale me with any good advice you understand but what are your  reasons I inquired you shall know them before long he assured me at present I don’t intend to Â
Say anything this is the first time dick we’ve had secrets from each other I observed greatly  no he answered you love the mysterious APA and have never told me so that’s a secret isn’t it  I was surprised that he had detected my love for her and rather alarmed because if he had noticed Â
It others had doubtless remarked it also therefore I questioned him but he only laughed saying why  anybody who saw you together down at riverdine couldn’t fail to guess the truth people have sharp  eyes you know I was silent if this were actually true then I feared that I had made a hopeless fool Â
Of myself besides wrecking any chance of eliciting those facts which I had set my mind upon reeling  at any hazard presently he rose Crossing to his writing table to scribble a letter while I  lighting a cigarette sat silent still thinking seriously upon the words he had just uttered Â
Through the veil of tobacco smoke I seemed to see that fair smiling face gazing at me ever the same  open countenance the same Clear Eyes of childlike blue the same half-hearted mouth that I had first Â
Seen on that fatal night in Fillmore place in my dream I thought that she beckoned me to her  that she invited me to speak with her and saw in her eyes a calm sweet expression the expression Â
Of true womanly love it was but the Chimera of an instant a vision produced by my wildly disordered  brain yet so vivid it seemed that when it faded I glanced across to my companion’s bent figure half  fearing that he too had witnessed it there were times when our imagination plays us such tricks Â
Times when the constant concentration of the Mind reaches its Climax and is reflected down  the aimless Vista of our vision causing us to see the person upon whom our thoughts are centered  such a moment was this it arouse within me an instant and intense longing to walk again Â
At her side to speak to her to give her sweet well-modulated voice nay to tell her  the deepest Secret of My Heart thus it was that without invitation or without previous  introduction to lady glaslin I called it The Hollies on the following afternoon Â
A neat maid showed me into a cozy rather small sitting room and for a few moments I remained  there in expectancy although the house was not a large one it bore no stamp of the Nouveau riche it  was exceedingly well furnished and surrounded by spacious grounds wherein were a number of old us Â
And beaches old-fashioned queer in its bygone taste it had stood there on the broad highway  from historic Hampton to London for probably a century and a half being built in the days when  the Villa Dome of full well had not yet Arisen and Twickenham was still a quiet village with Â
Its historic Ferry and where the stagecoaches changed horses at that low-build old hostel rate  the king’s head the play stood back from the dusty High Road half hidden from the Curious  gaze yet surrounded as it now was by smaller houses some of the mere Cottages while a few Â
Cheap shops had also sprung up in the vicinity the place was not really a desirable place of abode  the district had apparently sadly degenerated like all places in the immediate vicinity of  the Metropolis before long the door opened an Ava looking cool and sweet in a washing dress Â
Of white drill and wearing a straw hat with black fan entered and greeted me cordially  mother is out she said I’m so awfully sorry as I wanted to introduce you she’s gone over to River Â
Dean and I too was just about to follow her if you’d been five minutes later I should have left  I’m lucky then to have just caught you a remarked but if you’re going to River Dean may I not Â
Accompany you most certainly she answered of course I shall be delighted and the light inner  clear blue eyes told me that she was not a burst to my company she ordered a glass of court for me Â
And then said it’s a whole week since you’ve been down there Mary has several times mentioned you  and wondered whether you’d grown sick of boating I’ve been rather busy I said apologetically busy  with murders and all sorts of horribles I suppose she observed with a smile yes I answered regarding Â
Her closely of late there have been one or two Sensational Mysteries brought to life Mysteries  she explained starting slightly oh do tell me about them I’m always interested in Mysteries  the facts are in the papers I answered disinclined to repeat stories which had already grown stale Â
The Mysteries to which I referred were very ordinary ones containing no features of particular  interest I’m always interested in those kinds of things she said you may think me awfully foolish  but I always read them mother grows so annoyed it’s only natural I answered we who are engaged Â
On newspapers however soon cease to be interested in the facts we print but of course if they didn’t  interest the public our papers wouldn’t have any circulation she glanced at me and a vague thought  possessed me for the look in her eyes was one of Suspicion when she had drawn on her gloves Â
We together went forth through the garden and down to the road suddenly it occurred to me that  we might go by train to shepperton and then take a boat and row up to River team this I suggested and Â
She gladly welcomed The Proposal declaring that it would be much more pleasant than driving along the  dusty shadowless road from Shepherd to delayum half an hour later we were afloat at shepparton  and although the afternoon sun was blazing hot it was nevertheless delightful on the water Â
With her lilac sun shade open she lulled lazily in the stern laughing and chatting as I pulled  regularly against the stream her conversation was always charming and her countenance I  thought fresher and More Beautiful at that hour than I had ever before seen about her manner was Â
An era of irresponsibility and when she laughed it was so gay a laugh that one would not dream  that she had not a single care in all the world she was dainty from the crown of her hat to the Â
Tip of her white suede shoe and as I sat in the boat before her I felt constrained to take her  in my arms and imprint a fervent kiss of Love upon those sweet lips arched and well formed as a child Â
My position however was to say the least an exceedingly strange one I was actually loving  a woman whom I suspected to be guilty of some unknown but dastardly crime dozens of times had I Â
Tried to impress upon myself the utter Folly of it but my mind refused to be convinced or set at rest  I loved her that was sufficient nothing against her had been proved and until that had been done  ought not I in human Justice to consider her innocent indeed it was impossible to Â
Believe that this bright-eyed pure-faced girl before me light-hearted and graceful in every  movement had actually secretly visited that dark little Den in the Walworth  Road and purchased a drug for the purpose of taking the life of one of her fellow creatures Â
Yet she wore at her throat the small enamel brooch with its five of diamonds the ornament  described by old Lowry the ornament which he had told me she had purchased as a souvenir at  one of the fashionable Jewelers in the Montage de liqueur in Brussels Â
We had passed both lots and were heading up to lalam when we suddenly glided into the cool  shade of some Willows the bows of which overhung the Stream the shadow was welcome after the sun  glare and resting upon the oars I removed my hat yes she said noticing my actions we’ve come up Â
Unusually quick let’s stay here a little time it is so pleasant the breeze seems quite cool what more delightful than the more oneself snugly in the leafy shade and with a pleasant companion  lays away the hours until the time comes to take up the skulls and gently pull against the Placid Â
Stream everything was so peaceful so quiet the Ripple of the skulls alone breaking the Stillness  yet after all what a change had come over the river in recent years good pitches for Anglers  and quiet Nooks for the lazy work 10 years ago to be discovered in every reach now they Â
Must be diligently sought for and when found a note must be made of them warning boards  notifying that Landing a mooring alongside is prohibited were almost unknown now they greet  One in every direction it is a Pity nevertheless there are still many real Joys and river life Â
So we remain there Beneath The Willows where the water was white with lilies and the bank with its  brambles was covered with wild flowers and as I lazed I looked into those clear blue eyes where in Â
My gaze became lost for she held me in Fascination I loved her with all my soul end of chapter 13  recorded chapter 14. this hapless world how it came about I can really scarcely tell I remember  uttering mere common places stammering it first as the bashful Schoolboy stammers then growing Â
More bold until at length I threw all ceremony in reserve to the winds and grasping her tiny hand  raised it to my lips no she said somewhat coldly drawing it away with more Force than I should have Â
Suspected this is extremely foolish Mr Irwin it is of course my fault I have been wrong in  acting as I have done how I inquired her harsh cruel words instantly bringing me to my senses  you have flirted with me on several occasions and perhaps I have even foolishly encouraged you if I Â
Have done so then I am alone to blame every woman is flattered by attention she answered gazing  straight into my eyes and signed slightly but I love you I cried you surely must have seen Ava Â
That from the first day we were introduced I have been irrevocably yours I have not I assure you  uttered these words without weighty consideration nor without calmly putting the question to myself  can you give me absolutely no hope she shook her head there was a sourful expression upon her face Â
As though she pitted me none she answered and her great blue eyes were downcast ah no I cried  in quick protest don’t say that I love you with a fierce Ardent affection such as few men have Â
Within their hearts if you will but reciprocate that love then I swear that the remainder of my  light shall be devoted to you it is impossible she responded in a harsh despairing voice quite  unlike her usual self her head was bowed as though she dared not again look into my face Â
Once more I caught her hand holding it within my grasp it seemed to have grown cold and in  an instant its touch brought back to me the recollection of that fatal night in Kensington  wood that I might lay bare all that I knew and ask her for an explanation but to do so Â
Would be to show that I doubted her therefore I was compelled to remain silent why impossible I  inquired persuasively the many times we have met since our first introduction have only  served to increase my love for you surely you will not withhold from me every hope Â
Alas she faltered with a downward sweep of her lashes her hand trembling in mind I am compelled  compelled I echoed I don’t understand you were not engaged to Langdale no then why are you  forced to give me this negative answer I asked in deep earnestness for until then I had not Â
Known the true strength of my love for her the seriousness of her beautiful countenance relaxed  slightly still her breasts slowly heaved and fell plainly showing the agitation within her  because it is absolutely imperative that I should do so she replied suddenly a thought flashed Â
Through my mind perhaps I said perhaps I’ve been too precipitate if so if I have spoken too plainly  and frankly forgive me Ava it is only because I can no longer repress the great love I bear you I Â
Think of you always always my every thought is of you my every hope is of happiness at your side my  very life depends upon your favor and your love no no she cried with a quick movement of her hand as Â
If to stay my words don’t say that you may remain my friend if you like but you may never be my  lover never never your lover I guess starting back as though she had dealt me a blow I felt at that Â
Moment as though all I appreciated in life was slipping from me I hit States all everything and  lost ah do not give me this Hasty answer I urged I have been too eager I am a fool yet I love you Â
With a stronger fiercer passion that any man can ever love you with Ava you are my very life and  notwithstanding her effort to snatch her hand away I again raised it reverently to my lips no no this Â
Is a mere summer dream Mr Irwin she said with a cool firmness well assumed although she avoided  my gaze I have flirted with you it is true and we have spent many Pleasant hours together but Â
I have never taken you seriously you were always so Merry and careless you know you did not believe  then that I really loved you I observed divining her thoughts exactly she answered still very  grave if I had thought so I should never have allowed our acquaintance to ripen as it has done Â
Are you annoyed that I should have declared only what is but the absolute truth I asked not at all  she responded quickly with something of her old self in her low sweet voice how can I be annoyed Â
And you will forgive my Hasty declaration I urge there is nothing to forgive she replied smiling I  only regret that you have misconstrued my friendship into love I was silent  these last words of hers crushed all hope for my soul she sat with her hand trailing Â
Listlessly in the water apparently intent upon the long rushes waving in the green depths below  then I said in a disappointed voice half choke with emotion then you cannot love me Ava after all  I did not say so she answered slowly almost mechanically what I cried joyously again Â
Bending forward towards her will you then try and love me will you defer your answer until we know  one another better say that you will again she shook her head with sorrowful air she looked at  me with a kind of mingled grief and joy Bliss embittered by despair why should I deceive you Â
She asked why indeed should you deceive yourself I do not deceive myself I protested I only know  that I adore you that you were the sole light of my life and that I love you devotedly ah and in Â
A month perhaps you will tell a similar story to some other woman she observed doubtingly men are  too often fickle I swear that I’ll never do that I declared my Affairs of the heart have been few Â
But Mary she suggested and I knew from her tone that she had been thinking deeply of her ours was  a mere boy and girl liking I hasted to assure her ask her and she will tell you the same we never Â
Really loved she smiled rather dubiously I thought but surely you are aware that she loves you even  now Ava answered loves me I echoed its surprise that’s absolutely ridiculous since we parted not  a single word of affection has ever been uttered between us and you act do not love her she asked Â
In deep earnestness looking straight into my eyes are you really certain I do not I answered I swear  I don’t the boat was drifting and with a swift stroke of the oars I ran her bows into the bank Â
Overhead the Larks were singing their joyous songs and the hot air seemed to throb with the  humming of a myriad insects the afternoon was gloriously sunny and Away In The Meadow on the  opposite Bank a picnic party was busy preparing their tea amid peels of feminine laughter well Â
She sighed I can only regret that you have spoken as you have today I regretted the more because I  esteem your friendship highly Mr Irwin we might have been friends but lovers we may never be  why never I inquired acutely disappointed there are circumstances which entirely prevent such a Â
Course she answered unfortunately it is impossible for me to be more explicit so you are prevented by  some utterly inexplicable circumstances from loving me I observed greatly puzzled yes she  responded toying with the tassel of her sunshade but tell me APA I asked Horsley again grasping Â
Her chilly nervous hand can you never love me are you actually convinced that in your own heart you  have no spark of affection for me she paused then glanced at me I fancied I saw in her blue eyes the Â
Light of unshed Tears your question is a rather difficult one she faltered even if I reciprocated  your love our positions would not be altered we should still be alienated as we now are why  because we may not love each other she answered in a low strained voice the voice of a woman Â
Terribly agitated let us part today and never again meet it will be best for both of us far  the best no I cried intensely in Earnest I cannot Lead You Ava because I love you far too dearly if Â
You cannot love me now then bear with me a little and you will later learn to love me  in one year nay intent my answer must of necessity be the same as it is today she responded  a negative one as vague as it is cool I observed its vagueness is imperative Â
She said you are loved by another and I have therefore no right to a place in your heart  you are cruel Ava I cried reproachfully my love for Mary Blane has been dead these three years by  Mutual consent we gave each other freedom and since that hour all has been over between us Â
But what if Mary still loves you she suggested you were once her affion’s husband true I said  but even if she again loves me she has no further claim whatever upon me for we mutually agree to Â
Separate and have both long been free and if she thought that I loved you Ava asked in an instant I  guess the reason of her disinclination to listen to Maya vowel she feared the jealousy of her  friend she would only congratulate us I answered surely you have no cause for uneasiness in that Â
Direction cause for uneasiness she repeated starting while at the same instant the color  died from her sweet face next second however she recovered herself and with a forced smile said of  course I have no cause other circumstances however prevent us being more than friends and may I not Â
Be made aware of them I inquired in vague Wonder no she said quickly not now it is quite impossible  but all my future depends upon your decision I urged do not answer it lightly Ava you must Â
Surely have seen that I love you yes she answered side I confessed having seen it every woman knows  instinctively when she is loved and when despised the knowledge has caused me deep poignant regret  why because and she hesitated because I have dreaded this day I feared to tell you the truth Â
You haven’t told me the truth I said looking her straight in the face I have she protested  the truth is then that you would love me only you dare not I said clearly is that so she nodded her Â
Eyes again downcast and I saw that hot tears were in them tears she was unable longer to repress  when the heart is fullest of love and the mouthpures were truth there seems a cruel Destiny  in things which often renders our words worse Chosen and sure us to defeat the ends they see Â
Then whom do you fear I ask after a pause she shook her head only a low SOB escaped her  may we not love in secret I suggest it if it is really impossible to love openly no no she Â
Said lifting her right-handed protest we must not love I tell you that it is all a dream impossible  of realization today we must part leave me and we will both forget this meeting but surely you will  not deliberately direct both our lives Ava I cry dismayed your very words have betrayed that you Â
Really entertain some affection for me although you deny it for reasons that are inexplicable  why not be quite plain and straightforward as I am I have been quite clear she answered I tell  you that we can never love one another why for a reason which someday air long will be made Â
Plain to you she answered in a low voice her pure countenance at that moment drawn and Ash and pale  in that day you will hate my very name and yet will think kindly of my memory  because I have today refused to listen to you and have given you your freedom and yet Â
You actually love me I exclaimed bewildered at the strange allegation it is most extraordinary  it may seem extraordinary she said in a voice that appeared to sound soft and afar  but the truth is often strange especially when one is training the cup of life to its very dregs Â
And may I not know the secret of yours Ava I ask sympathetically for I saw by her manner  how she was suffering a torture of the soul my secret she cried glaring at me suddenly as one Â
Brought to Bay a strange hunted look in those clear blue eyes my secret why and she laughed a  hollow artificial laugh as one hysterical why how absurd you are Mr Irwin whatever made you suspect  me of having secrets end of chapter 14 chapter 15 The near Beyond the remainder of our pulled Â
The river Dean was accomplished in comparative silence crushed hopeless and despairing I bent to  the oars mechanically with a feeling that it all else my interest was dead saved in the woman I so  dearly loved who lounging back among her cushions side now and then her face very grave and agitated Â
I spoke at last urging her to reconsider her decision but she only responded with a single word  a word which destroyed all my fondest hopes impossible in that bright hour  when the broad bosom of the Thames sent back the reflection of the Summer sun Â
When the sky was clear as that in Italy when all the world seemed rejoicing and the gay laughter  wafted over the water from the largest boats and hunts gliding past us we alone had heavy hearts  overwhelmed by This Bitter disappointment and sorrow the laughter Jarred upon my ears I tried Â
To shut it out and with my teeth rode with all my might against the stream until skirting a  shady wood we rounded the bend of the stream and suddenly Drew up at the Landing steps of riverdine Â
Why here’s Ava cried Mary running down to the water’s edge her tennis racket in her hand and  Frank too then turning to Ava as we stood together on the lawn a moment later she asked where’s  your mother we expected her all the afternoon isn’t she here asked Ava in Surprise no well Â
She started to come here immediately after lunch and she must have missed the train or something  she must for it’s now passed by I really hope nothing has happened  nothing ever happens to Mother observed Ava with a light lap she’ll turn up presently Â
Then she explained how I had called at The Hollies and she had brought me along on reaching riverdine  she had instantly concealed her agitation and reassumed her old buoyant Spirits in order that  none should suspect she was in Adept at the art of disguising her feelings her none would now Â
Believe that 20 minutes before her face had been blanched almost death like an agitation  together we walked up the lawn being warmly welcomed by Mrs Blaine and introduced to several  friends who seated beneath the tree were idling over afternoon tea a pleasant function in which Â
We were of course compelled to join seated next to Mrs Blaine I gossip for a long time  with her learning that her husband was still in Paris detained upon his company business  he was often there or he was one of the greatest shippers of champagne and much of his business was Â
With firms in the French capital I don’t expect him back for at least the Fortnight she said  the other day when writing I mentioned that you had visited us again and he said his good wishes Â
To you thanks I answered choose to tell I rather liked him he was a typical City man elderly Spruce  smartly dressed always showing a large expense of elaborate shirt front passened by diamond studs  and a heavy gold Albert a fashion which seems to alone belong to wealthy merchants and to that Â
Financial tribe who attend and speak at meetings at Winchester House or the Cannon Street hotel  from time to time when I glasped at Ava I was surprised to see how happily she smiled and  to hear how light and careless was her laughter had she already forgotten my words and the great Â
Overwhelming sorrow her response had brought upon me to Mrs Blaine’s irresponsible chatter  I answered quite mechanically for all my thoughts were of that woman whom I loved deeply I reflected  upon all she had said remembering how intensely agitated she had become when I had implied that Â
She was in possession of some Secret the vehements with which he had denied and the imputation was  quite sufficient to show that I had unconsciously referred to the one object uppermost in her mind  I was undecided in opinion whether her refusal to accept my love was actually in consequence Â
Of her fear of Mary’s jealousy if so then Mary was in possession of this secret of hers  there was no doubt in my mind that she really loved me and that if she were Fearless she  would hasten to reciprocate my affection apparently hers was a guilty secret held Â
Over her as Menace by Mary Blane and knowing this she had been compelled to respond in the negative  this Theory took possession of me and during the hours I spent at riverdine that evening dining  and boating with several of my fellow visitors I reflected upon it viewing it in its every phase Â
And finding it to be well-founded indeed as I sat opposite the two girls at dinner I watched the  actions of both protibly behind the great silver appearance of roses and Ferns and although they  chanted merrily laughing and joking with their male companions I nevertheless fancied that I Â
Could detect a slight expression of concealed annoyance or was it of hatred upon Ava’s face  whenever Mary addressed her ever so slight merely the quivering or slight contraction  of the eyebrows it passed unnoticed by the merry party yet with my eyes on the alert for any sign Â
It was to me a proof sufficient that the theory I had formed was correct and that the woman I loved  went in deadly fear of Mary blade if this were really so did it not add additional color to the  other vague theories that had been aroused in my mind through various inexplicable circumstances Â
Did it not indeed point to the fact that upon APA although she might have been a victim of  that bewildering tragedy in Fillmore place there rested a terrible guilt I recollected how she had  gone to St James’s Park to keep the appointment which the unknown assassins accomplice had made Â
And the remarkable allegation of old Lowry the herbalists two facts which viewed in the light  of other discoveries were circumstances in themselves sufficient evidence of her guilt  besides had she not with her own lips told me that one day air long I should hate her very name and Â
Thank her for refusing to accept my love was not this sufficient proof of the correctness of my  theory his evening wore on and darkness deepened at night the strings of Chinese lanterns at the  bottom of the lawn were lit imparting to the place a very gay almost fairy-like aspect there were Â
Many remarks regarding the net appearance of Lady glaslin Mrs Blaine seemed extremely anxious yet  Ava betrayed no anxiety merely saying she may have felt unwell and returned I shall no doubt find her  at home with one of her bad headaches thus all were reassured nevertheless the incident struck Â
Me as curious for Ava’s calm unconcern showed that her mother must be a woman of somewhat eccentric  habits Simpson drove us both the shepparton station in the motor car and we caught the 10 30  train from which she alighted at Hampton while I continued my journey up to Waterloo during the 15 Â
Minutes or so we were alone together in the train our conversation was mainly of our fellow visitors  of a sudden I asked have you seen Mr Langdale lately yes I often see him he lives quite near Â
Us she answered frankly you told me this afternoon Ava that you were not engaged are you confident  there is not likely to be a match between you a match between us she explained with an expression Â
Of surprise what are you joking or do you actually suspect that I love him I have thought so never  she answered decisively I may be friendly but to love a man of that stamp a man who thinks more Â
Of his dress than a woman never I smiled at this denunciation of his popishness he was certainly a  howling cat forever dusting his patent leather boots with his handkerchief shooting forth his  cuffs and settling his tie he parted his hair in the middle and patronized women because he Â
Believed himself to be a lady killer truly he was a typical specimen of the city Bounder who  might someday develop into a bucket shop keeper a company promoter or perhaps a money lender  at that moment when we were speaking the train entered the station of Hampton and she Rose Â
Tell me Ava I said with deep earnestness as I took her hand to say farewell  is what you told me this afternoon the absolute truth and you never never reciprocate my love  her lips quivered for an instant as her great blue eyes met mine even though she wore a veil I Â
Saw that there were tears in them yes she answered in a horse tone I have told you the truth Mr Irwin  we may never love never the train was already at a standstill and she was compelled to descend herly Â
Good night she said hoarsely as I released her hand then without waiting for my response she  hurried away and was a moment later lost in the darkness of the road beyond the barrier  The Carriage door was slammed the train moved on and as it did so I flung myself back into Â
A corner plunged it Gloom and abject despair she was the only woman I had ever truly loved  yet she was held apart from me it was the first passionate Agony of my life  I suffered now as those do without hope I found dick at home smoking furiously and Â
Visitly writing in duplicate for the morning papers a strange story he had that evening  picked up on at Gypsy Hill concerning a romantic elopement which would cause considerable sensation  in those little tea and Tennis circles which called themselves Suburban Society Â
He briefly related it to me without pausing in his work writing on oil tissue paper and taking  six copies one for each of the great dailies my friend’s position in the journalistic world was  by no means an uncommon one for many men holding good births on newspapers add to their incomes by Â
Doing what impressed parlance is termed lineage that is contributing to other newspapers for the  payment of a penny or perhaps three half Pence a lie I told him that I’d been down to riverdine but Â
So engrossed was he in his work that he hazarded no remark and when he had finished and placed the  copies in separate envelopes already addressed he put on his hat and went forth to the boy messenger  office in Chancery Lane whence they would be distributed to the sub-editors about Fleet Street Â
I lit a cigarette and stretched myself in the armchair who lumily pondering of late we had  spoken but little of the mystery and Fillmore Place her other inquiries had occupied Dick’s  attention and on my part loving Ava as I did I preferred to continue my investigation alone Â
Perhaps I had been sitting there a quarter of an hour or so when suddenly a strange dizziness crept  over me it might I thought be due to my cigarette therefore I tossed it out of the window and sat Â
Quiet but the feeling of nausea accompanied by a gettiness such as I had never before experienced  increased rather than diminished and in order to light against it I Rose and attempted to cross  the room I must have walked very unsteadily for in the attempt I upset a chair the back of which Â
Was broken besides sweeping Dick’s terracotta tobacco pot from the table and smashing at the  fragments I clutched at the table in order to study myself but found myself reeling and  swaying as though I were intoxicated my legs seemed unable to support me and the thought Â
Crossed my mind that this seizure might be one of paralysis the idea was horrible at length  after some difficulty I managed to again crawl back to the chair and sinking down close my eyes  by doing so my brain seemed more evenly balanced yet it seemed as though inside my skull was all Â
On fire and I wondered if exposure to the sun while rowing had caused these remarkable symptoms  I recollected how blazing hot it had been from sheperton up to the second lock and how once Ava Â
Ever solicited us for my welfare had warned me to be careful of Sun’s stroke yes I had been careless  and this was undoubtedly the result my hands were trembling as though palsy just as my legs had done Â
A few minutes before yet strangely enough I felt compelled to clench my fingers into my Palms all  my muscles seemed slowly to contract until even my jaws worked with painful difficulty an appalling  fear fell upon me I was suffering from tetanus resolved not to allow my jaws to close tightly I Â
Opened it shut my mouth knowing that if it became fixed I should die a slow lingering death as so  many thousands had done if I could only keep my jaws working the seizure might perhaps pass Â
I’d long for Dick’s return at that hour there was no one I could summon to call a doctor  I glanced at the clock he had been already gone for nearly half an hour would he never  come back the sickening dizziness increased it seemed to develop into an excruciating pain in Â
My throbbing temples I placed my hand to my head and felt that the veins were standing  out hard and knotted just as though I were exerting every muscle and some feet of strength  then almost at that very instant I was gripped by a fearful pain in the stomach as though it Â
Were being torn by a thousand needles a cold sweat stood upon my brow until it rolled down my cheeks  and great beads I tried to shout for help but my tongue played to the roof of my mouth and my voice Â
Was thin and weak as a child my throat seemed to have contracted I was altogether helpless my  Agony was excruciating yet I could only await Dick’s return perhaps he had met a friend and  was lounging in some bar ignorant of my peril the only Docker I knew in the vicinity was a Hospital Â
Surgeon who lived a little way down Chancery Lane over the safe deposit company bolts I clenched  my teeth to endure the racking frightful pains by which my body was tortured and impatience awaited  my friend’s homecoming my eyes were closed but the gas light was too strong for them perhaps I lost Â
Consciousness at any rate I was awakened from a kind of heavy stupor by Dick’s tardy entry good  got her when he gasped why what’s the matter what’s occurred you’re as white as a Chic man Â
I ill I managed to gasp with extreme difficulty go and get Tweety at once he stood for a moment  looking at me with a frightened expression then turned and dashed away down the stairs I remember Â
Raising myself after he had gone in an Endeavor to reach a cupboard where there was some Brandy in a  bottle but as I made a step forward all strength left me I became paralyzed clutched at the table Â
Missed it and fell had long to the floor then all Consciousness became blotted out I knew no more  how long I remained insensible I have only a very vague idea it must have been many hours when Â
However I slowly became aware of things about me I found myself lying upon my own bed partly dress  I tried to move but my limbs seemed icy cold and rigid I tried to think but my thoughts were at Â
First only a confused jumble of reminiscences there was a tearing pain across my stomach and  across my brow a pain that was excruciating it seemed as though my waist was bound tightly with  a belt of wire while my brain throbbed as if my skull must burst I opened my eyes but the bright Â
Light of day caused me to close them quickly again noises sounded about me strange and distorted  I distinguished voices and I knew that I was not alone again I opened my eyes  thank heaven my dear old fellow you are saved cried dick whose coat was off as he bent down Â
Eagerly to me looking with keena’s anxiety into my face saved I echoed what has happened for at  that moment I recollected little of the past then I saw standing beside dick my friend Dr Tweedy of  the royal free hospital in grazing Road a mild-mannered Old Gentleman whom I had many Â
Times met during my inquiries at that Institution what’s happened the latter repeated that’s what  we want to ask you I don’t know I answered except that I was suddenly taken frightfully  queer taken queer I should rather think you were he said bending down to get a better look at Â
My countenance at the same time feeling my pulse you’re better now much better but it’s been a very  narrow squeak for you I can tell you what’s been the matter with me I inquired mystified you’ve  been eating something that hasn’t quite agreed with you he answered with a mysterious smile Â
But that could have brought on a seizure like this I argued weekly well the doctor said of course  you can tell better what you’ve been eating than I can only one fact is clear to me and what’s that I Â
Asked why that you’ve been within an ace of death young man he answered you’ll want the most careful  treatment too if we are to get you round again but the truth is you’ve been poisoned poisoned Â
I guess yes he responded handing me some medicine and this seizure of yours is a very mysterious one  indeed I’ve never seen such symptoms before that even poisoned is quite plain but how the accident  has occurred remains for us to discover later end of chapter 15 record chapter 16 in the city Â
Through several days I remained in bed my limbs rigid my senses bewildered  although we said nothing to Tweety clue entirely shared my suspicion that if an attempt had  actually been made upon my life it had been made at riverdine the doctor ran in several times a day Â
And Dick assisted by old Mrs Joad was as attentive to my wants as any trained nurse snatching all the  time he could spare from his duties to sit by me and gossip of men and things in Fleet Street and Â
The Latest Scoop of the comet Tweety was puzzled each time he saw me he remarked upon my Curious  symptoms carefully noting them and expressing Wonder as to the exact nature of the deleterious  substance he pronounced the opinion that it was some alkaloid her such it was shown by the regions Â
That he had used in his analysis but of what nature he was utterly at a loss to determine  many were the questions he put to me as to what I had eaten on that day and I explained Â
How I had lunch at one of the restaurants in Fleet Street and afterwards dine with friends at lalam  you ate no sandwiches or anything of that kind it’s stationed refreshment bars he asked when  visiting me one morning in the vague idea I suppose that the poison might after all be a Â
Tow Main none I answered with the exception of what I have told you I had a glass of wine at  the house of a friend at Hampton before rowing up to laylam a glass of wine he repeated slowly Â
As if reflected you noticed no peculiar taste in it what was it or yes I replied an excellent wine  it was without any taste unusual For the First Time The recollection of that glass of wine given Â
Me by Ava The Hollies came back to me surely she could not have deliberately given me a fatal draft  often he said a substance which is poison to one person is harmless to another if we could Â
Only discover what it really was which affected you we might treat you for it and cure you much  more rapidly as matters rest however you must grow strong again by degrees and thank Providence that  you’re still alive I confess when I first saw you I thought you’d only a few minutes to live Â
Was I so very bad as ill as you could be you were cold and rigid and looked as though you were  already dead in fact anyone but a doctor would I believe have pronounced life extinct your breath Â
On a mirror alone showed respiration although the heart’s movement was so weak as to be practically  imperceptible but don’t trouble further over it you’ll be about soon and shortly afterwards he  shook my hand and went on his way to the hospital already late on my account I long to tell him all Â
The Curious events of the past but saw that such a course might be unwise if I did so Ava the woman I  adored must be prematurely judged first because of old Lowry’s Revelations and now secondly  because of the suspicious fact of my illness after partaking of the wine she offered the idea that Â
The attempt had been made upon me at riverdine seemed very improbable because I had dined in  common with the other guests the tea I had taken was poured from the same Queen Anne pot from which Â
The cups of others were filled and in the whiskey and soda I had had before leaving I was joined by  three other men who had rode up from a houseboat about a quarter of a mile lower down as they lay Â
There Restless in my bed trying vainly to read I spent hours in recalling every event of that day  but could discover no suspicious circumstance other than that incident of the wine at The  Hollies I recollected how Ava after bringing for the servant and ordering it had herself gone out Â
Into the dining room and had been absent a couple of minutes or so possibly she might only have gone  there in order to unlock the cellarette yet there were likewise of course other Graver possibilities  this thought which fastened upon my mind so tenaciously allowed me but little rest Â
I tried to rid myself of it tried to scorn such an idea try to reason with myself how plain it  was that she actually held me in some esteem and if so she would certainly not seek to take my life Â
In that cowardly dastardly manner sometimes I felt that I misjudged her at others grave  suspicions haunted me yet with all my love for her never once wavered she was my idol  through those long weary hours of prostration and convalescence I thought always of her always Â
I had written her a short note saying that I was unwell and unable to go down to Riverton not  however mentioning the cause of my illness and in response there came in return a charmingly worded  little letter expressing profound regret and hoping we should meet again very soon Â
A hundred times I read that note was the thin delicate hand that penned it the same that had  endeavored to take my life that was the sole question uppermost in my mind a problem which  wrecked my brain day by day nay hour by hour but there was no solution thus was I compelled Â
To exist in torturing suspicion anxiety and uncertainty one hot afternoon I had risen for  the first time and was sitting among pillows in the armchair reading some magazines which  Dick had thoughtfully brought me during the lunch and hour when a timid knock sounded at the door Â
The hag had left me to attend upon some other young gentleman in the temple and I was alone  therefore I Rose and answered the summons finding to my surprise that my visitor was Lily Lowry  at once at my invitation she entered a slim figure dressed in neat if cheap black without Â
Any attempt at being fashionable but with that premise and severity expected of ladies mates  and Shop assistants her gloves were neat her hat suited her well and beneath her veil I saw  a pretty face pale interesting and anxious looking I didn’t expect to find anyone in except Mrs Joe Â
She said apologetically as she took the chair I offered then noticing my pillows and perhaps the  paleness of my countenance she asked what you are surely not ill Mr Irwin yes I answered I have been Â
Rather queer for a week past the Heat or something of that sort I suppose nothing at all serious  I’m so glad of that she said I only called because I was passing I’ve been matching some silk at the Â
Wholesale houses in the city and as I wanted to give Mr Clue a message I thought I’d leave it with  Mrs Job a message I repeated can I give it she hesitated and I saw that a slight blush suffused Â
Their cheeks no she faltered you’re very kind but perhaps after all it would be better to write  to him as you like I said smiling you don’t of course care to trust your secrets in my keeping eh Â
She looked at me seriously for a moment her lips quivered and she drew a long breath  you’ve always been extremely kind she said in a low voice half choke with emotion  and now that I find you alone I feel impaled to confide in you in seek your advice Â
I am quite ready to offer any advice I can I answered quickly interested if I can render  you any assistance I will certainly do so with pleasure ah she exclaimed sighing again I knew  you would I am in trouble in such terrible trouble what has happened I inquired quickly for I saw how Â
Wide and one she was and of course attributed it to Dick’s action in renouncing his pledge  you of course know that Mr Clue and I have parted she said looking up at me quickly he has told me Â
So I responded Gravely I regret very much to hear it what is the reason has he not told you  she asked her eyes filled with tears no I answered he gave no reason well she explained he has judged Â
Me wrongly I am entirely innocent I assure you in a place of business like ours we are compelled to  be on friendly terms with the male assistance and the other evening as I was leaving the shop to go Â
To the house where we girls live at the other end of Rye Lane one of the men an insufferable  young fellow in the Hosiery Department chance to be going the same way and walk with me on Â
The way dick Mr Clue I mean passed us and now he declares that I’ve been in the habit of flirting  with these men it is not pleasant for any girl to walk alone along right lane at 10 o’clock at night Â
Therefore this young fellow is only escorting me out of politeness yet I cannot make dick believe  otherwise than that he is my lover he’s jealous of you I said it’s not jealousy an index of true love Â
But if he loved me truly she protested bursting into tears he surely would not treat me so  cruelly as this I’ve done nothing to Warrant this denunciation as a worthless flirt indeed I haven’t  and you love him I asked with deep sympathy for I saw how intense was her suffering he knows that Â
I do she answered he could see but little of me because his work prevented him yet I was supremely  happy in the knowledge of his love yet now he has forsaken me she had it sobbing I’m but a poor girl Â
And I suppose that the truth were known he admires someone else better educated and more attractive  than I am no I think not I said although at heart I felt that she spoke the truth this is Â
Merely lover’s quarrel and you’ll quickly make it up again look at the brighter side of things come  but she shook her head gloomily saying never I feel confident that dick will never come back  to me although I shall love him always and she raised her veil to wipe the hot tears from her Â
Cheeks no no I exclaimed endeavoring to comfort her don’t need trouble halfway that’s one of the  secrets of Happiness we all of us have our little spasms of grief and despair sometimes you know  ah yes of course she cried quickly but this sorrow has alas not come alone still another Misfortune Â
Has fallen upon me what’s that I inquired surprise my father she exclaimed huskily and what else am I  asked I called upon him a short time ago surely nothing has happened to him well she replied it  occurred like this I got permission this day week to leave business at five o’clock and as Â
Usual went home when however I arrived at the shop I found it shut and to my amazement a bail it was  in possession her debt I inquired yes he showed me some papers and said it would cost about 400 Â
Pounds to settle both build and costs of the court and your father what was his explanation  I asked greatly interested and surprised he wasn’t there she responded that’s the Curious  part about the whole Affair I made inquiries and discovered that he had suddenly shut up the shop Â
About noon three days before and then got off with a heavy trunk placed on a four-wheel cab  does know and know where he’s gone nobody she answered excitedly it’s so strange that he has  not bit me a single line in explanation I can’t understand it I paused for a few moments deeply Â
Puzzled from the fact that the bailiff was in possession it would appear that he had referred  flight to facing his creditors I said slowly were you aware that he was in debt not in the least she Â
Answered he has some property abroad you know where in France I think he never spoke of it to  anyone although I knew that the rent was remitted regularly by a draft on the credit Leona in palmy Â
I used to go there with him to receive the money it was quite a pile of banknotes each quarter  then he could not really have been so badly off as he appeared I observed no he was eccentric and Â
Very miserly and although he always had enough and despair he used constantly to deplore our  poverty I took a situation merely to satisfy him as he had so often expressed regret that I should  be idling at home there was however absolutely no real necessity but surely I said he has not Â
Intentionally left you alone in the world he will write very soon perhaps just now he does  not write for fear his whereabouts should become known he’s evidently escaped his creditors has he  been speculating do you think not that I am aware of can’t you think of any reason why he should Â
Have fled so precipitously I asked at the same time reflecting that it might be due to the fact  that he had aroused the suspicions of the police by the illegal sale of drugs no she answered none  whatever beyond what I’ve already explained his flight is an entire mystery and it was to seek Â
The advice of dick as my closest friend that I called here how had I best act do you think  I really don’t know I replied after some reflection his disappearance is certainly  remarkable but if he isn’t hiding it is not at all strange that he should admit to write Â
To you he knows your address therefore when he deems it safe in his own interest to communicate  with you and explain he will do so no doubt then I’m to wait in patience and see our  homes sold up she asked tears again Welling at her dark luminous eyes you can do nothing else Â
I said he evidently means that it should be sold for he has made no attempt to rescue it  there are so many of my poor mother’s things there I should so like to keep them her little  Trinkets and such Trifles it seems very hard that they should be sold to a secondhand dealer Â
That’s so but you have no means of rescuing them I pointed out it is certainly very hard indeed for  you to be left alone and friendless like this but without doubt your father has some reason  enacting thus he’s fled like some common Thief she cried with a choking sub and now I haven’t Â
A single friend I am your friend I said echoing or side you have my sympathy Lily and if I can  render you any service I shall always be ready to do so she thanked me warmly in the voice choked Â
By sobs for the two great Sorrows had fallen upon her and she was overwhelmed and broken  I promised I would speak to dick and if possible arrange a meeting between them in order to try and  affect a Reconciliation inwardly however I knew that this was quite impossible for he had really Â
Grown tired of her and had more than once in the past few days openly congratulated himself upon  his freedom she remained a short time longer and before she left had become more composed and was Â
In better spirits then when she shook my hand to go forth she said I thank you so much for all your  kind words Mr Irwin I have at least today found a real friend I hope so I left goodbye goodbye Â
I hope you’ll soon be about again then the door closed and I was again alone I was hardly sorry  for her poor girl the sudden Flight of the old herbalist was to say the least suspicious that Â
He had money and could pay the debt was certain without doubt he had disappeared on account of  a too close attention from the police Maurice Lowry was I knew not very remarkable for paternal  affection therefore I feared that he had as Lily suspected left her at the mercy of the world Â
A week later I was able to go down to my office again and about six o’clock on the second day  I had resumed my duties I accidentally met Boyd at the bottom of Fleet Street  as merry as usual we drag together at the bodega beneath the railway arch in Ludgate Hill but Â
In reply to my eager questions he told me that absolutely nothing fresh had transpired regarding  the Curious of Eric Kensington I explained that I was still a frequent visitor at rivergene but up  to the present had discovered nothing I of course did not tell him all my suspicions preferring to Â
Keep my own counsel and allow him to prosecute his inquiries after his own methods from his  conversation however I saw that he had many other matters in hand and from his attitude it seemed Â
As though he had given up hope of obtaining a clue to the mystery on finishing our wine we Rose from  the barrel on which we had been sitting and he having announced his intention to walk along to Â
The Book Stall at Ludgate Hill station to buy a magazine for his wife or he was just a home  by motorbuster Hammersmith we strolled together through that short arcade leading to the station  at that hour crowded by hungry City men eager to get back to their suburban homes into every door Â
They surged springing up the two staircases to the platform above as though they had not a further  moment to Live While every few seconds the deep voices of the ticket collectors cried the names  of the Stations from the city to Blackheath or Victoria or from Hearn Hill down to Dover amid Â
This black coated silk had IT perspiring Crowd a man suddenly brushed past me rushing up the stairs  two steps at a time slipping through the barrier just as the door was slammed and disappearing  onto the platform hello cried Boyd pressing my arm quickly see look at that man the one with Â
The bag running up the steps do you see him yes I answered myself confounded well that’s the fellow  I saw in Saint James’s Park and who got away so neatly from eberry Street you remember that man I Â
Guess utterly amazed yes we mustn’t lose sight of him this time he can tell us something if he likes  and without further word he dashed away after the man who had hurried to catch his train leaving  me standing alone in amazement that man who had brushed past I had instantly recognized as none Â
Other than Henry Blaine who was supposed to have been in Paris this fresh development was certainly  both startling and mysterious end of chapter 16 record this is audiobook caboodle YouTube channel  place for finest collection of audiobooks and novels chapter 17 a visit from Boyd Â
Without a second’s hesitation I rushed up the steps after Boyd but on gaining the platform  found that a train had just gone out and was at that moment disappearing across the bridge  over the Thames the detective known to the ticket collector as a police officer had been allowed to Â
Pass a barrier and had evidently caught the same train as Blaine there was certainly an element of  deepest mystery in the fact that the unknown man who had kept the appointment in Saint James’s Park  and it afterwards taken such elaborate precautions against being followed should be revealed to none Â
Other than the once first proud proprietor of Shenley quite apparent it was too that  the object of Ava’s visit to the park was to meet him clandestinely for what reason was an enigma  the more I revolved the strange events within my mind the more absolutely bewildering they became Â
True I had made certain discoveries discoveries which rather than tended to throw light on the  real author of the crime or its motive only however increased the Enigma and enveloped a  woman whom I had grown to love so fondly in an impenetrable veil of Suspicion thoughts such as Â
These filled my mind as turning from the station in despair I went back into the dust and turmoil  of Fleet Street crowded at that hour by tired thousands hurrying Homeward I loved Ava even  though every proof I had obtained pointed to her complicity in the dastardly affair she was Â
Still my idol I thought daily hourly only of her refusing always to suspect her and endeavoring to  convince myself that the truths I had elicited had no foundation in fact Love is Blind When  a Man Loves a Woman as I loved Ava glasslin at that moment nothing could turn aside his passion Â
I verily believe that if at that hour I had stood by had seen her in the dock  at the Old Bailey condemned as a murderous my affection for her would have been nonetheless Â
I lived for her alone she was all that was a dearest in the world to me Mary Blane had no doubt  noticed my infatuation yet she had said nothing she herself being I believed in love with dick Â
At least I could congratulate myself that we had mutually agreed to allow the past to fade from  our remembrance nevertheless when I thought of Ava and told myself how passionate my affection  and how Arden my feelings towards her the ogre of Suspicion would sometimes arise and cause Â
Me to pause in my ecstatic dreamings had she not stiffened strangely and refused to reciprocate my  love had she not Point Blank told me that we could never be more than friends had she not  indeed herself hinted at her own guilt in that strange sentence which had fallen from her lips Â
As I passed the Fleet Street that evening jostling with a crowd I thought of these things and was  plunged into Gloom and uncertainty this statement of old Lowry was one of which I felt in Duty bound Â
To obtain proof yet how he had declared that a woman exactly resembling her had hurt a certain  drug which could be required for one purpose alone while the secret attempt had been made to take  mine Life by whom I knew not sometimes in moments of Despair I entertained deep suspicions of her Â
But always I found my love in the ascendancy and ended by refusing to believe the evidence which  I had so diligently and patiently collected for months Scotland Yard had had the matter in hand  but discovering nothing had allowed it to drop of course in face of the statement made by the Â
Landlord of the house and Fillmore Place Boyd was ever anxious to question Mr Blaine but had wisely  left us to need and how had I succeeded only in making discoveries which although startling in  themselves increased the mystery rather than solved it even at that moment the identity Â
Of the victims remained still unknown they were lying in nameless graves in Abney Park Cemetery  having been buried by the parish the planes alone could give us information as to who they were and  who was the unnamed scientist whose Discovery was now creating such a stir throughout Europe Â
Curious it was that he did not come forward and claimed the discovery as a zone for he must have  read accounts of it in the papers my own theory in this matter was that he was unable to communicate Â
With the Royal Institution for one simple reason namely that he was dead that he was the man  whom we found lying lifeless with that strange mascot the penny wrapped in paper in his pocket  I walked along to Wellington Street where I called in to see my friend crutchley one of the Â
Sub-editors of the morning post who had just come on duty and Was preparing for his night’s work  in the offices of the morning papers activity begins when tired London takes her ease her  their night is as day until it dawned the staff weary after hours of work by Electric Light and Â
Stiping rooms go forth chilled and jaded to their homes to sleep while the world works for half an  hour I sat in his den where the table was already piled with telegrams and flimsy while he with code Â
Off short cuffs turned up and a cigarette in his mouth sighed sharpened his big blue pencil  and as he chatted commenced to slaughter wordy descriptions by two eloquent recorders the world  wants news not yes is the motto of every working sub-editor the public prefer facts without padding Â
And to cut out the latter is the duty of the man who then the sub-editorial chair decides upon what  shall appear and what shall be admitted a duty which requires the greatest care and judgment Â
When I left him I recollected that dick had gone to some place down in Essex from the comet and  would not return to eat the diurnal state in company therefore I wandered aimlessly along  the Strand and turned into a restaurant afterwards spending the evening at the theater nearly three Â
Weeks went by and I heard nothing of void although I had written to him at nearly 10 o’clock one  night however when I had returned to grazian alone I found the detective standing in the Half Light  against the mammalpies bad luck the other night he said after we had exchanged greetings what Â
Didn’t you follow him I cried surprised no that’s the devil Levitt he exclaimed in a tone of bitter  disappointment sinking into a chair you’ll remember that that platform at Ludgate Hill  is an island one and just as I got through the barrier a train on the other side was moving off Â
The Snow Hill and moorgate Street while when the Blackheath was just on the point of starting in  the opposite direction I of course jumped into the ladder feeling sure he’d be getting out of town  and you found out your mistake too late I examined all the carriages at low Barrel Junction but there Â
Was no sign of him he evidently took the other train unfortunate I answered then sat for a few  moments in calm reflection unfortunate he echoed it’s more than that we seemed for  doomed a failure in this affair I had three men on the job ever since but with no result Â
Even the narcs know nothing but he added when I pointed him out you seemed to know him am I right  I hesitated wondering whether to tell him all the facts as I knew them and obtain his assistance in  my further inquiries it struck me that he a professional investigator of crime shrewd Â
Clear-headed and acquainted with all the method and subterfuges of evil doers might suggest some  other means which had not occurred to me I had hitherto been deterred from making any explanation  of my discoveries and suspicions on account of my strong Love For Ava but now the idea took Â
Possession of me that if I explained the whole to Boyd and told him of my deep affection for her we  might work together and perhaps at length obtain some solution of this most intricate of problems Â
I was sick with the giddiness of one who falls from some great height I had lost my hold upon  the dreams and hopes of life you’re quite right Boyd I said handing in the cigarettes I know that Â
Man who is he he looks rather gentlemanly that shabby get up of his was a fake unsure  yes I responded he’s a man pretty well to do his name is Blaine and he is the husband of  Mrs Blaine whom you recollect is supposed to have taken the house in Fillmore place Â
The detective gave vent to an unwritable explanation laying he echoed his face  betraying a look of amazement and pausing with a lighted Vesta in his hand well that’s indeed  a Pacer then he added he must in that case know something of the matter as well as his wife Â
At that moment there was a tap at the door of the sitting room an old Mrs Job entered with a  letter which she said had come by the last post and she had forgotten to give it to me by the Â
Writing I saw it was from maava and eagerly read it it was a brief note to say that her mother had  been called away to her brother in Inverness who was seriously ill that The Hollies was closed and Â
That she had accepted an invitation to remain the guest of the blanes until lady glasslands returned  I handed the note to the detective without comment well he exclaimed looking up at me  when he had read it there’s nothing very fishy about that is there then I recollected that he Â
Was an ignorance of my suspicions yet I loved Ava with all my soul and held back from placing any  facts in the hands of this man who with ruthless disregard for my affection or my feelings would Â
Perhaps arrest her for complicity in the crime and yet as I sat before him watching his face through  the blue haze of cigarette smoke I felt impelled to seek his aid for this Tangled chain of recent  events had utterly bewildered and unnerved me I was not yet strong again after the strange Â
Seizure which had so puzzled the doctor and a sense of gloom and despair had since overwhelmed  me arising perhaps from the constant suspicion that a secret attempt had been made upon my life  to remain longer in that state of uncertainty was impossible I felt I should go mad if I did not Â
Make some further determined effort to ascertain the truth someone whom I knew not had attempted  to kill me and why there could be but one reason because I had succeeded in placing myself upon the  actual track of the Assassin an attempt cowardly and dastardly had been made upon me therefore I Â
Had every right to seek the aid of the police to discover its author this argument decided me and  casting my cigarette into the great I asked Boyd to give me his attention while I related to him Â
All that I had discovered in an instant history and easy manner changed and as I spoke he sat  leaning towards me attentively listening to every word but hazarding no remark without attempting  to conceal anything I explained to him first of all my great love for the woman who was under Â
Such terrible suspicion and then as I narrated our conversation when alone on the river and repeated  her curious response to my Declaration of love he knit his dark brows seriously and gave vent  to a grunt indicative of doubt he was no blunderer of this Detective unlike the majority he was well Â
Educated speaking French and Italian fluently an Adept in the art of Disguise a man who formed very  careful theories and whose appearance was never that of an agent of police one would rather have  taken him for a well-titude Jew or perhaps some prosperous City man of foreign extraction for Â
His dark complexion and aqualine features gave him an unenglished appearance and his invariable  Spruce this in dress accounted for his success in following criminals who never dreamed that the  smart well-dressed gentleman a perfect manner was actually an emissary from Scotland Yard Â
His knowledge of foreign languages had caused him to be entrusted with numbers of very important  inquiries political and criminal and in tracking the guilty he had paid flying visits to nearly  all the Continental capitals in his sharp eyes there was a strange glitter I thought as without Â
Interruption I told him what I knew I Advanced no theories whatever but merely lay before him the  plane unvarnished truth then when I hit finished I said now first of all recollect that whatever  may be the result of our inquiries I Will Do no harm whatever to the woman I love understand Â
That entirely I quite understand he said greatly speaking for the first time that’s only natural  but the difficulties in our way of here are almost insurmountable well I asked anxiously what is your  opinion now that I have told you everything he shook his head off thoughtly at the fresh Â
Cigarette he had just lit and then contemplated it awfully I have no opinion at present he responded  one might form half a dozen theories upon these facts all equally white of the mark  then how are we to act I asked a dismay he raised his dark eyebrows a gesture of bewilderment then Â
He gazed Gravely in my face look here Boyd I continued I love Ava glasslin and to you I make  no secret of it whatsoever but it all hazards I mean to ascertain the truth even at the risk of Â
Convicting her he inquired looking across at me quickly convicting her I Echo then you really  entertain the same suspicion as myself we may have suspicions without forming any theories he  responded calmly then he added in a tone of regret is certainly a thousand titties that Â
You love her why upon your own showing she appears to have very little regard for you  how well he answered slowly there’s no doubt that the other day an attempt was made upon your life  and you suspect her we can suspect no one else he answered according to that old herbalist statement Â
She had purchased a certain drug of him what could an innocent young lady require with this unnamed  drug if not to administer it to someone she wanted to get rid of but she has no object admitting Â
Herself of me I urge of that I’m not quite so sure my dear fellow he observed after a brief pause  recollect that on the morning when she went to St James’s Park in order to meet for some mysterious Â
Purpose the man who we now know was old Mr Blaine she met you face to face we have no idea what her  actions were previously but she may have believed that you have been spying upon her therefore on Â
Recognizing you when you were formally introduced at River Dean she conceived the plan for getting  you out of the way it was with that object very possibly that she made the secret purchase at Â
The herbalist no boy I can’t believe it of her I said quickly I won’t believe it very well he said  in the same calm tone as before but there’s still another fact extremely puzzling and that is why Â
This man Lowry should have left in such a hurry I must inquire at the Carter Street police station  the district where any lived and see whether there was anything against him by the way he added does Â
Your friend clue know the whole of these facts you’ve explained to me no not the whole only some  does he know that you’ve declared your love to Lady glaslin’s daughter and been refused no  then don’t tell him said the detective I believe that the reason of a sudden weariness of Lily at Â
Lowry’s Society is due to the fact that he loves Mary Blane all the more reason then why he should  in future remain in entire ignorance of whatever facts we may elicit then he paused furiously  consuming his cigarette and taking a long draft of the whiskey and soda I had mixed and placed Â
At his elbow this is really a most remarkable mystery Erwin he exclaimed at length questing  the plain gold ring upon his finger a habit of his when pondering deeply their seem a thousand  complications it’s absolutely the most astounding case that I’ve ever had in hand even Shaw or Â
Superintendent at the yard a man whose deep rooted conviction is that we never need fail if we really  take an interest in an inquiry acknowledge to me the other day that he could see no way to a clue Â
Of course we might question Mrs Blaine or even arrest Blaine himself on suspicion if we could  find him again but whoever is guilty has taken such careful precautions to obliterate every  trace of a clue that both the superintendent and myself are agreed that the interrogation of either Â
Of the blames would only result in defeating RNs that was exactly my own opinion I had many times  wondered why the police had not made inquiries of Mrs Blaine on account of the statement by  the landlord at Kensington but it was now plain that the director of criminal investigations the Â
Gray-headed loud voice Old Gentleman whom I knew quite well at Scotland Yard had decided otherwise  but why are you so anxious that my friend clue should remain in ignorance of our movements I  inquired you say that he loves Murray Blaine Andrew Boyd he might in that case drop some Â
Unintentional hint to her of the direction of our inquiries this matter to be successful must be  entirely a secret between ourselves you understand today we’ve made a discovery the identity of the  man who threw some object into the lake and it puts a rather fresh complexion upon the affair Â
Even though it further complicates it considerably you said that his wife has all along told you that  her husband was in Paris I think yes I responded she said he was there in connection with some Â
Company which he was trying to promote and all along he’s been in London in hiding he may have  just returned from Paris I suggested recollect that I’ve not been to River Dean for some little  time no my dear fellow Boyd said his Ingenuity in eluding us at eberry Street showed that he Â
Had already prepared a snug hiding place for himself before the tragedy at Fillmore place  besides the other evening his clothes showed an attempted disguise didn’t they certainly he’s  very smartly dressed always indeed rather a flop in his way depend upon it that he’s never dared to Â
Set foot outside London all this time he knows well enough that the Metropolis is the safest  place in the whole world in which a criminal May conceal himself only a bungler attempts to get  away abroad silence again fell between us the quiet was unbroken saved but the slow ticking Â
Of the clock upon the mantle shell of a sudden with a rather curious glance he bent forward to  me eagerly saying now in this affair we must be perfectly candid with each other you must  conceal nothing from me I have concealed nothing I’ve protested surprised at his curious attitude Â
As though he held me in some suspicion I don’t allege that you have he answered but I want you to  answer truthfully a question which is of highest importance I want you to tell me whether on the Â
Afternoon of the day you were called by Patterson to Kensington your friend clue was here at home  no he certainly wasn’t I arrived home first and he came in perhaps 10 minutes or a quarter  of an hour later than usual I answered wondering what connection this could have with the inquiry Â
And after you made the discovery you did not Telegraph or communicate with him in any way  I take it that you were surprised to meet him in that house certainly I was I responded but  he had an appointment with Lily Lowry and finding that she could not keep it he came Â
Along to Kensington to ascertain the nature of the event about which Patterson had wired to me  to detectives features relaxed into a strange smile would you be surprised then to know that  your friend never called at the police station on that evening but went straight to Fillmore Â
Place and there joined me while you were absent inquiring of the neighbors that very evening I  inquired of the Constable on duty at the door of the station and of others all of whom told me that  no one had called to inquire for Patterson except yourself that’s certainly extraordinary I said in Â
Wonderland yes he observed mechanically it’s a very curious fact one which appears to prove  that he knew something more of the mysterious occurrence then he has admitted in fact that  he was aware of it long before we were what I guess gazing at my companion in alarm surely you Â
Don’t mean that you suspect dick of having had any hand in the affair then at that instant I  recollected how when I had received the telegram on that memorable evening his face had suddenly  changed and his hand had trembled end of chapter 17 record chapter 18 you will never know never Â
Dick returned about 11 and shortly afterwards Boyd swallowed another whiskey and soda and left  I thought my friend started slightly at finding the detective with me but he betrayed not the  slightest annoyance indeed he himself started the discussion regarding the mystery appearing in no Â
Way below to discuss it in all its phases the detective suspicion was certainly a  startling one and of course accounted for his anxiety that dick should in the future remain  in utter ignorance of our actions when Boyd had gone he had once commenced to question Â
Me upon what theories he had expressed and in what direction he was Prosecuting inquiries  although I would not allow myself to suspect my best friend I nevertheless preserved the  silence which Boyd had imposed upon me evading giving him direct answers preserving the secret Â
Of the identity of the man seen in Saint James’s Park and managing to put aside his questions by  a declaration that personally I was sick of the whole matter for I felt that it would now ever  remade a mystery that night however I remained awake many hours thinking fondly of Ava and calmly Â
Revolving in my mind all that had fallen from the lips of boy he one of the most skillful officers  in London had formed no theory he only entertained suspicions they perhaps yet by no means groundless  I had not seen Ava since that day when the strange incomprehensible attempt had been made to take Â
My life and a strong desire again possessed me to stole it her side to hear her voice to hold  her hand was it I wondered time after time that hand so soft slim and delicate that had actually Â
Attempted to secretly take my life the detective had calmly reviewed all the facts I have explained  and as a professional investigator of prime had openly expressed a suspicion in the affirmative  often had I wondered what kind of woman was Ava’s mother whom I had never met that she was somewhat Â
Eccentric was evident from her daughter’s words on the last occasion I had visited River d I’d lay  there thinking of Ava scouting every suspicion which the detective’s words had aroused within  me until with the first streak of Dawn I fell asleep and dreamed of her next afternoon without Â
Mentioning anything to Dick saved the sending of a telegram to say that I should not dine at home  I left my office half an hour earlier and full of conflicting thoughts traveled down to riverdine  having been informed by the servant that Mrs Blaine and Miss Mary were absent in London Â
Shopping but that Miss glaslin was at home I was shown into the long Pleasant drawing room which  opened upon the wide lawn sloping to the river’s Bank the great bowls of cut flowers diffuse the  pleasant odor and the books and papers lying in the Cozy Corner with its soft cushions of pale Â
Blue silk he trades signs of recent occupation it was a low ceiling comfortable apartment cool  and restful after the dust and glare of the White Road outside in a few moments the door opened and  Ava entered fresh and Charming in a cool dress of clean flannel her sweet face illumed by a sweet Â
Smile of glad welcome this is quite an unexpected pleasure Mr Irwin she exclaimed rushing towards me  gladly with outstretched hand I had no idea that you’d come down today the blanes are up in town Â
You know I should have gone only I had a rather bad headache we went up to Windsor yesterday with  the thirlies on their lunch and I suppose the sun upset me it was unbearably hot why do you Â
Persist in calling me Mr Irwin I asked in a rather reproachable tone still retaining possession of  her hand cannot you call me Frank she blushed slightly and Drew her hand forcibly away  then motioning me to a seat she cast herself into a low arm chair near me stretching forth Â
Her tiny foot neat in its Silk Stocking and patent leather shoe she made no response to  my suggestion so I repeated it why should I call you by your Christian name she asked because I  call you by your Sava I answered earnestly I really can’t bear this persistent formality Â
She smiled a rather curious smile it was I thought so you’re staying as guest here I  went on after a moment’s pause yes she explained my Uncle Henry in Inverness is very ill and not  expected to live therefore they summoned Mother by Telegraph with other members of the family Â
As the serpents had had no holiday this year she sent them away for Fortnight and closed the house  Mrs Blaine having invited me here have you heard from your mother yes I had a wire to say that  she had arrived safely she answered not however without a second hesitation as though she were Â
Debating whether or not to tell me the truth and Mr Blaine has not returned from Paris yet I asked  no she responded the blanes are talking of joining him next week or perhaps the week after and have Â
Invited me to accompany them I should be delighted for I love Paris you find the shops interesting I  laughed yes she answered all women do I suppose at least I’ve met very few who having been in Paris Â
Haven’t hunted for bargains at the blue of the princess or the bar Marsh Paris is worth visiting  if only maker one’s hats but you can often buy a hat for 20 francs exactly the same style and  a better material than that for which you would pay three or four guineas in region Street Â
I’m not much of an expert in such things I laugh nevertheless reflecting how curious it was that  blame remains still in London might not his wife and daughter have gone up that day to visit him in  his hiding place but you’ve been awfully queer eye here she said conservatively you really don’t look Â
Quite yourself even now what has been the matter we were all so concerned when we heard about it  our eyes met in hers there was a deep Earnest look as though she were really solicitous of  my welfare yet I fancied somehow that those clear blue eyes wavered beneath my steady searching gaze Â
She watched me reading me as easily as she would have read black letters on a white page  I was taken suddenly ill the heat perhaps I answered with affected carelessness I had run  down the doctor said it was nothing very serious she gave them to a perceptible sigh of relief then Â
Smiling sweetly as she ever did said well it is indeed a pleasure to welcome you here again today  she still wore that broach the quaint little playing card which had betrayed her visit to  Morris Lowry its site sent a strange thrill through me for I remembered the object of her Â
Visit to that dark dirty obscure herbalist the pleasure is mutual believe me Ava I answered  putting away from me instantly the gruesome thought oppressing me through this whole month  I have thought only of you she sighed in an instant serious then glancing back to assure Â
Herself that there were no eavesdroppers she said it would be far better Mr Irwin right if you could  leave me and forget but I can’t I said Rising quickly and again taking her soft white hand Â
You know Ava How Deeply how sincerely how devoted Thee I love you how I am entirely yours forever  I spoke simply indirectly what I felt I was calmer that I had been when I rode her beneath the willow Â
Shape ah no she cried in a pain voice rising to her feet with sudden resolution you really must  not say this I will not let you sacrifice yourself I will not allow you to thus it is no sacrifice I Â
Protested interrupting quickly I love you Ava with all my soul one woman alone in all the world holds  me beneath the spell of her grace her charm and her sweetness it is yourself every hour I think Â
Only of you ever before me your face rises in my Daydreams and in those moments when I see your  sweet Smiles I tell myself that no other woman can ever have a place in my heart ah you cannot Â
Know how fondly I love you I said raising the hand tenderly to my lips and imprinting  a kiss upon it if you could only know you would never treat me with this cold common difference  her bosom Rose and fell slowly and she was silent I fancied that she shuddered slightly at Â
That moment my position struck me as an extremely strange one declaring love to one whom an expert  detected suspected of having made a cowardly attempt upon my life was it just I asked myself Â
Yes in this I was justified for I loved her even though I had more than once been inclined to agree  with Boyd in his misgivings I was not aware of any indifference she followed it last raising her Â
Great eyes so clear in Earnest for an instant to mine I had merely urged you to reflect reflection  is unnecessary I answered quickly I know that I love you truly that surely is sufficient Â
It might be if I were free she responded in a low horse voice but I tell you today Frank as I told  you before this love dream of ours is impossible of realization then you do reciprocate my love I Â
Cried in joyous eagerness come tell me do not keep me longer in suspense I have already told  you she answered in a low intense voice of what use is it to continue this painful discussion Â
Of every use I cried in desperation give me one word of Hope Ava tell me that someday you will try  and love me better than you do now that someday in the future you will become my wife tell me no Â
No she cried snatching her hand away and receding from me no Frank I cannot I will not lie to you  then can you never love me never I cry despairingly never she answered hoarsely and her Â
Answer struck deep into my heart I Ascend sinned before God and before man and love no longer knows  a place in my heart and her fine head was bowed before sinned I guessed what do you mean I am Â
A social leper Chief habit raising her head and looking at me with wild unnatural gaze if you knew  the dark and Awful Truth you would shun me rather than kiss my hand yet you say you love me you who Â
Would have so great A Cause to hate me if you knew the ghastly truth but I cried wandering at these  strange words and with my suspicions again aroused I do love you nevertheless Ava I shall always love Â
You I swear it for my very life is yours your life she echoed in a weird harsh voice as she stood  pale-faced swaying before me her hands clasped to her breast her lips cold and white yes she said Â
In a strange aposterical tone yes it is true too true at last that your future is in my hands only  by a miracle have you come back to life a grim shadow of a crime to taunt to defy to denounce Â
Oh Frank you do not know the terrible truth you will never know never I was bewildered horror  possessed me the darkness of an irreversible fact spread over her and made her terrible to me all  must be given up conscience pronounced this dread decree and multiply the pain a thousand times Â
Destiny had once more taken me by the elbow end of chapter 18 chapter 19 Eva makes confession  why may I not know the truth I asked the blanched and agitated woman before me her  involuntary declaration that I had only returned to Life by little short of a miracle was in itself Â
Clear proof that she was aware of the attempt made to assassinate me I therefore determined  to question her further and ascertain whether Boyd’s great suspicion had any absolute Foundation  you know Ava I went on standing before her with my hand upon her shoulder in D earnestness you know Â
How strong is my affection you know that you were all the world to me often during my many visits to  that Riverside home so cool and peaceful after the busy turmoil in which fate compelled me to Â
Earn my bread I had spoken of my love for her and now in my desperation I told her that I could not  lead the woman whom I had so long worshiped in the ideal whom I have instantly recognized as being Â
The embodiment of that ideal of whose presence I could not endure to be deprived even in thought  she stood silent with her back to the table looking into my eyes while I told her these  things a ray of sunlight tipped her auburn hair with gold sometimes she would seem to yield to Â
A kind of bliss as she listened to Maya vowel to forget all else than ourselves and my words  at others a look of Anguish would suddenly clouded features and once she shuddered pressing her hands  to her eyes saying Frank you must not spare me this I cannot bear it indeed I can’t sometimes Â
In the days that had passed when I had spoken of my love joy and pain would succeed each other on  her face indeed often they would be present at the same moment from the look of complete abandonment Â
To happiness that sometimes though never for long shown on her pictures when we idle up that shady  picturesque Backwater where the Kingfishers nested I felt that she loves me and that eventually that  love would gain the victory thus continually I try to elicit an expression of her feelings and words Â
Sweet to me as was the confession of her looks I sought also a confession of speech  at last however she seemed determined to give me no single word of encouragement  but why I asked as she stood there with bent head her hand toying nervously with Â
The Rings why is it that when I speak of what most occupies my heart you become silent or sorrowful  she smiled a strange artificial smile and for an instant her clear blue eyes those eyes which  spoke of an absolute purity of Soul meant mine as she replied can a woman explain her Â
Caprice any more than a man can understand it without hating disinvasion I went on is  it that you are already pledged to marry some other man no she answered quickly and earnestly  then it is because you do not wish to love me I observed reproachfully Â
Her look startled me for it contained besides a world of grief and pity something of self-reproach  she regarded me strangely first as if my words were welcome true then while her brow darkened a  mental anguish forced itself into her expression you were mad to come here to me she said with a Â
Quick apprehensive look if you knew the truth you would never again cross the threshold of  this house why I demand it in an instant alert for a reason that is secret she responded with  a shade of sadness that ring of earnestness in her voice it seemed impossible to counterfeit Â
Puzzled I gazed at her striving to read her countenance her head was bent her color changing  do what she would she could not keep the blood quite steady in her cheek but may I not know Ava Â
I am floored surely you will not refuse to warn or guide one who is so entirely devoted to you as I  am I cannot warn you except to say that treachery may be sweetly concealed in danger alert where you Â
May least suspect its presence you wish to place a golf between us I cried impatiently but that’s  impossible I cannot rest without you I am drawn to you as though by some power of magic I am yours in Â
Life in depth I know she cried suddenly putting up her hands to her face speak not of death you are  making vows that must air long be broken and she sighed deeply was not her attitude standing there Â
Pale and trembling the attitude of a guilty woman who feared the revelation of her crime I looked  again at her and becoming convinced that it was I regarded her with inexpressible scorn and love  horror and adoration she seemed to have changed of late she pondered over my words weighing them Â
Without any idle misleadings of fancy did she never dream as she had done when we first met  why must my vows be broken when my love for you is so ferva Neva I demand it in a voice a tribal Â
Heart I think she shuddered and gave a gesture of Despair as if there were indeed no defense for her  a great Darkness was over my mind like the plague of an unending night I have warned Â
You she responded in a strange low Tone If you really love me as you say you do remain away from  this house why are you so anxious that I should not visit you I demanded puzzled then I added of Â
Course in order to gain your love I am prepared to accept any conditions you may propose if I do  not again come here will you meet me in London I can say nothing of the future she answered Â
Slowly for your own sake indeed for mine also do not come here again promise me I beg of you  this request was the more Curious in the light of recent events was it that she could not bear me Â
To kiss the hand that had attempted to slay me all this is very strange Ava I said with  a sudden seriousness I cannot understand your attitude in the least why not be more explicit  the heart of man is an open page to women love the greatest of all selfish ecstasies must yet Â
Have self-forgetfulness she had none she glanced at me and seemed to Divine my thoughts she cast a  further look across the room to the law and Beyond and I read on her face the birth of some new  design I have been quite explicit she laughed with a strenuous attempt to preserve her self-control Â
I merely give you advice to keep away from this house yes but you give me no reason you do not  speak plainly or openly I protested one cannot speak ill of those of whose Hospitality one is Â
Partaking she answered with a calm smile is it not sufficient for the present that you are warned but  why I demand it I am always a welcome guest here again she smiled with a strange curl of the lip I Â
Thought I do not deny that she answered have I not however already pointed out that treachery  may be marvelously well concealed that she really warn me of the danger of associating with these  intimate friends of hers merely because in her heart she really loved me or had some Â
Ulterior motive in getting me out of the way she was loving hand with the suspected  family therefore the latter seemed the theory most feasible yes she was undoubtedly playing me false  a new thought suddenly arose within me and with my eyes fixed upon her I said in a voice hard Â
And determined Ava just now you gave utterance to a remark which is to me for the meaning you  said that I had escaped death by little short of a miracle true I have then I paused yet if Â
The truth were told have you not also escaped the Swift and sudden End by means almost as miraculous  her face blanched instantly her mouth half opened seemed fixed she was unable to articulate and Â
I saw what an effective speech of mine had upon her she taught her to the table and laid her hand  upon it in order to study herself her eyes glared upon me for an instant like those of some animal Â
Brought to Bay yet with a marvelous self-control her white face a moment later relaxed into a smile  and she replied I really don’t know to what you refer in the course of Our Lives we have many Â
Hair breath escapes and death her dangers are around us on every side by this I saw what a  consummate actress she was and was filled with regret that I had thus referred to the tragedy  at Kensington fearing lest this revelation of my knowledge should have her boy in his inquiries Â
Through all she kept a calm and steady judgment that was remarkable reflected Leisure I responded  and perhaps you will not find my words quite so puzzling as your own veiled references  a few minutes ago she exclaimed reproachfully you declared that you loved me now however you appear Â
To entertain a desire to taught me with what she hesitated for she saw how nearly she had been  entrapped every woman is a born diplomatist so she answered with having endeavored to mislead you  I only know that I love you Ava I said in softer tones again tenderly taking her hand Â
I only know that I think of No Other Woman in all the world besides yourself  I only know that I cannot live without your love her bosom heaved and fell painfully and from her  large Blue Eyes tears sprang quick salt bitter drops that burned her as they fell ah no she cried Â
Protestingly do not let us talk of that do not let us dream of the impossible that you really love me  I cried in quick earnestness bending over her my arm about her slim waist but she shuddered within Â
My grasp her frame was shaken by a convulsive sob and gazing upon me with serious eyes she in  a low whisper gave her answer unless I cannot I I dare not I drew back crushed and hopeless  once again this strange thought possessed me that Mary Blane held her within her power that although Â
She actually loved me she feared the Relentless Vengeance of that woman who posed as her most  intimate friend who smiled upon us both although in her heart was a Fierce and jealous hatred  Avis was a strange character she seemed a brilliant antithesis a compound of contradictions Â
Of all that I most detested of all that I most admire her whole character seemed a Triumph of the  external over the innate even though she presented it first you a splendid and perplexing anomaly  there was yet deep meaning and wondrous skill in the Enigma when I came to analyze and decipher it Â
What was most astonishing in Ava’s character was its antithetical construction its consistent  inconsistency which rendered it quite impossible to reduce it to any Elementary principles  the impression she gave was that a perpetual and irreconcilable contrast  in those months I had known her she had Enchanted me her mental accomplishments her unequal Grace Â
Her woman’s wit and woman’s Wiles her irresistible allureness Her starts of her tour her verbacity of  imagination per petulant Caprice her fickleness and her falsehood her tenderness and her truth  all had dazzled my faculties and bewitched my fancy she held absolute dominion over me Â
My reference to that fatal night when I had discovered her apparently dead in that weird  house in Kensington had utterly unnerved her I had apparently by those words given her proof  of the strong suspicion which she had entertained and now she held the loop for me as from an enemy Â
Again and again void’s forcible words recurred to me try how I would I could not place for me the  increasing belief that she had actually given me that fatal drop on the last occasion when we met Â
Yet after all she had my welfare at heart to some extent or she would not utter this  strange inexplicable warning she would not have so pointedly told me that the family whose yes  she was were my actual enemies the latest passion of my love had long ago kindled into a quenchless Â
Plane and again after this declaration of fear which he had uttered I repeated my inquiry as  to its cause but she shook her head and remained silent to all my entreaty even though her panting  breast painfully showed her agitation had she I wondered really perpetrated a deed of Horror Â
Was she although so pure looking and so beautiful one of those women with  inexorable determination of purpose an actual impersonation of the evil powers  at her invitation we stroll together across the lawn to a shady spot at the river’s Brink where Â
We sat in Long wicker chairs tea being brought To Us by the smart man servant again and again  I sought to discover some truth from her but she was ever wary not to betray either herself Â
Or those under whose roof she was now living as I lounged there by her gazing upon her neat  girdle figure So Graceful and striking in every form I could not help reflecting that in a mind  not utterly depraved and hardened by the habit of crime conscience must awake at some time or other Â
And bring with it a remorse closed by Despair and despair by Death had her conscience been  awakened that afternoon to me it seemed very much as though it had how strangely you talk Ava I said  when we had been conversing together a long time beneath the trees and the sun was already sinking Â
You seemed somehow to entertain an extraordinary antipathy towards me antipathy she echoed oh no  you are really mistaken you asked me to love you and I express myself unfortunately unable but why  unable she sighed but was silent her eyes were fixed far away down the Tranquil river which ran Â
With liquid gold in the sunset from my lips their port Swift eager breathless unconsidered words in  all their unreason all their wisdom their nobility their ignorance their Folly their Sublimity yet I  meant to their very uttermost every syllable I uttered tell me now I urge you wish me to leave Â
You without a single word of hope you give me a negative reply without reason or explanation  I have a reason she answered in a low mechanical tone a voice quite unusual to her what is it I am Â
A Stern fatalist in principle and in action she responded and is it that which prevents you from  reciprocating my affection no she answered shaking her head softly and glancing at her rings I know  that happiness had never more come to me to love would only be to increase my burden of remorse Â
Remorse I cried in a moment recollecting all the mysterious paths yes she answered in a hard tone  of melancholy and despair a remorse that arises from the Pang of a wounded conscience The Recoil  of the violated feelings of my nature a horror of the ghastly past a torture of self-condemnation Â
Strong as my soul deepest my guilt fatal as my result and terrible as my crime your crime  I guess she had at last confessed I sat gazing at her absolutely dumbfounded my brain seemed dead in  me yes my crime she responded her face white and hard set her clenched hands perceptibly trembling Â
Now at least you are aware of the reason that I will not accept your love I the woman whom you  love an unworthy degraded and perverted a woman who would have suffered a thousand deaths of  torture rather than have betrayed myself but who is now Without Pity or fear unconscious helpless Â
Despair stricken although still linked with my sex and and with Humanity death alone would be  welcome to Mia’s bridegroom then panting she added rising to lead me no Frank this must all end today  I could never love you it is utterly impossible you cannot know you will never know how I suffer Â
She had gone from me she was to me a thing terrible and almost loathsome yet she was dear to  me I was ready to give my life to Ransom hers she stretched out her hand and musically touched mine Â
I shrank as if the contact burned me she saw my involuntary gesture of a Virgin It set her  heart harder on the thing she meant to do end of chapter 19. chapter 20. a night adventure  in the silent evening hour as the dust darkened a Twilight slowly faded into night I was conscious Â
Of a kind of Fascination against which my moral sense rebelled but from which there was no Escape  we talked on I striving ever to learn the truth she careful to conceal it from me I saw how  unexpected but natural were her transitions of temper and feeling noting the contest of Â
Various passions the wild hurricane of resentment melting into tears faintness and languishment and  endeavored time after time but always in vain to obtain a further confession from her lips  that she existed in deadly fears of some dread secret being revealed was vividly apparent just Â
As it was also clear that my ill-timed observation regarding her mysterious presence in that house  of mystery at Kensington had placed her upon her guard and proved to her a fact of which before she  had no confirmation her area Caprice and provoking petulance which had so attracted me when we had Â
Been first introduced had now been succeeded by a mixture of tenderness with artifice and fear with  submissive blandishment she quailed before me when I rebuked her tenderly for her lack of confidence  in me partly because of her female subtlety partly owing to Natural feeling nevertheless Â
When I reviewed the situation and calmly and deliberately reflected upon her attitude I  saw plainly that she regarded me as something more than a mere acquaintance even though her  character was so complicated that no one sentiment could exist pure and unvarying in such a mind Â
Therefore sadly with a heavy feeling of none achievement I took a long and lingering leave  of her and was driven back to sheperton station by Simpson my mind overflowing with puzzling thoughts  rate as was my hesitation to believe that her conscience was a guilty one nevertheless Â
Her own words were now sufficient proof that my suspicions were not unfounded  yet I loved her I still adored her with all my soul even though I had kissed a slim white hand  that had sought to send me to the Grave these and a thousand similar thoughts Whirled through Â
My bewildered brain as I sat back alone in the earlip railway carriage puzzled and baffled I  sat plunged in deepest Melancholy in despair when on the train drawing up at the quiet lethargic  station of Hampton the door of the compartment was suddenly flung open and a well-known cheery Â
Voice cried hello Erwin get out here I want to speak to you I roused myself instantly  recognizing Boyd standing on the platform in the semi-darkness with an expression of surprise at  such a meeting I jumped out and joined him he explained that he had come down from Waterloo Â
With the object of finding me and had waited at shepparton station for my arrival there he  however had not spoken to me lest the man Simpson should chance to mention the fact that River team Â
But why are you down here I inquired surprise well he answered in a low voice we’ve got a piece of  most secret investigation before us tonight I’ve waited for your assistance we are going to search  The Hollies search The Hollies I echoed yes he answered you’ll remember Miss glaslin’s letter Â
To you stating that the house was closed and the servants are away on holiday therefore now’s our  time we must however act so that lady glaslin and her daughter have no suspicion that the place has  been overhauled I obtained a search warrant from Sir John Gibbons the chief of the local Â
Bench this morning and now we’ll just satisfy our curiosity but the place is locked up isn’t it I  suggest it amazed at this sudden result of course we must get in how we can only being careful not Â
To attract the attention of any neighbors and to lead no Trace behind that Intruders have entered  then we are to go to work like burglars I observe smiling exactly he answered  we had now left the station and were walking along an ill-lit path which skirted the railway until we Â
Gained the high road leading into Old Hampton he explained the precautions he had taken namely to  tell the Constable on the beat of our intentions and imposing upon Him secrecy and also to arrange  for the local plain clothes officer to be on duty in the vicinity his proposal seemed to Â
Possess all the elements of Adventure therefore notwithstanding my hesitation to commit any act  which might further implicate the woman I love I expressed myself eager and ready to accompany him  nine o’clock chime from the square Old Tower of Hampton church that Landmark so well known to Â
Those who frequent the river and boy declared that it was too early to commence operations people  were about and we might be observed therefore we entered that old-fashioned Inn where the ancient  sign is still suspended from a beam across the road a hostile ring much patronized by boating Â
Parties who dare replenish their hampers and entering the billiard room we wild away the time  playing and gossiping with a couple of Tradesmen who judging from their pronouncements were local  notabilities perhaps District councilors we remained until the landlord called time Gentlemen Â
Please then lighting our cigars went forth strolling through the quaint Old World Village  escorting the long high wall of Bushy Park towards lady glasslands the night was dark and overcast a  Gusty wind had sprung up precursory of rain and in our ears sound at the hum of the telegraph wires Â
The weather favored us for such an Excursion boy did not care for a perfectly still night  at length when we had been walking perhaps a quarter of an hour along the dark deserted  Road a man bearded and rather shabby looking suddenly emerged from the shadow of the wall Â
And greeted Boyd with the policeman’s password alright sir are the things there void inquired  yes sir I put the lamp the gemi in the keys under a laurel Bush on the left of the back door Â
Well said my friend I think you’d better come with us we may have some difficulty in getting in  very well sir the man answered and continued to walk by our side  he was smoking a pipe and as we neared the house he knocked out the ashes and placed it in his Â
Pocket no dogs there I hope Boyd said addressing him no sir none I confessed to feeling a thrill  of excitement for the business of breaking and entering a dwelling house was entirely new to me  the Hampton Road is ill-lit and after 10 at night utterly deserted therefore in our walk Â
We met no one except the solitary policeman who stood beneath a lamp and greeted Boyd with a low  all right sir as we pass on towards The Hollies all was in darkness not a soul was about save  ourselves and the policemen standing watchful and motionless beneath the Street Lamp 50 yards away Â
The well-kept garden with its Laurels its monkey trees and its old use was shut off from the road  by a high wall in which was a pair of heavy iron gates giving entrance to the gravel drive  these Gates were locked and secured by a chain and formidable padlock a fact which showed that Â
To enter we must climb them the houses on either side were a rather meaner order Than The Hollies  and in one of them a light still showed in an upper window in order not to attract the occupiers Â
Of these houses we can burst in low Whispers And in obedience to the local detective’s suggestion  find the gates one after another and carefully descended within the garden on either side of the  house extended walls some 10 feet in height with doors in them giving access to the rear of the Â
Premises and again Guided by the Plain clothes men we scaled this wall a somewhat perilous process it  being spiked on the top as it was indeed I made a serious rent in an almost new pair of trousers Â
Much to Boyd’s amusement at last when we were in the rear Garden our guide began foraging beneath  a laurel Bush and brought forth a dark Lantern a short serviceable looking Gemmy and a big bunch of  skeleton keys I examined the place this afternoon he explained this store is the only one locked Â
From the outside therefore if we can pick the lock we shall be able to enter and get away without  leaving a trace very well said Boyd impatiently let’s get to work and taking the keys he went to Â
The Garden entrance and commenced work upon the lot while his assistant lit and held the lantern  every effort however to open the lock proved a failure it’s a chub a Brahma or one of those Â
Lever locks said Boyd in a low tone giving it up after he had tried all the keys in vain it won’t  do to force the door for that’ll betrayus why not try a window I suggest it no sir said the plain Â
Clothesman they’re all barred I’m afraid but those on the first floor I suggested looking up at one  evidently a landing window over the door we might try if we could only reach it Boyd said laying Â
Down the keys upon the doorstep if we force the catch we could screw it down again before we left  in order to discover something by which we might gain access to the window we all three  crept carefully across the lawn and down the long old-fashioned Garden to an outhouse where after Â
Some search we found an old and rotten ladder half the runs of which seemed missing this we  carried back and a few moments later Boyd mounting with a strong class knife which he had taken from Â
His pocket began slowly working back the catch until at last he was able to throw up the window  and crawl in without a sound I followed the local detective clamoring in after me we found ourselves  on the first floor Landing therefore descending the stairs to the main hall we lit the candles Â
Provided by the Plain clothes men and after taking the precaution to let down the blinds of the  front windows commenced an active search of the drawing room that spacious old-fashioned apartment  in which I had been shown when I had called or search directed by Boyd was careful and methodical Â
Neither Nook nor Corner escaped him although we replaced everything just as we found it so large  were the rooms that we found the lights we carried were not sufficient to give us proper illumination  therefore we sought the gas meter and after turning on the gas lit Jets into various rooms Â
Fortunately all the windows were furnished with Venetian blinds therefore we let them  down and closed them so that no light should be noticed outside an air of desolation hung  about the place and every sound we made echoed weirdly or at the dead of night all noise becomes Â
Exaggerated the drawing room yielded practically nothing therefore we passed into a well-furnished  morning room and dense to the dining room which we likewise thoroughly overhauled none of these  rooms for any trace of the struggle with poverty which the innkeeper’s wife had alleged indeed in Â
The drawing room was a fine grand piano of one of the best known makers together with several rare  works of art all the rooms were signs of being the Abode of a rich and cultured family the old oak in Â
The dining room being I noted genuine evidently antique Italian while the Upholstery and carpets  were of the First Quality on the walls of those ground floor rooms were many examples of old as  well as Modern Masters one portrait hanging in the dining room representing Ava herself a half-length Â
Picture undoubtedly from recent sittings signed by an artist extremely well known in London  in this room also where antique high-backed oak chairs lined with old tapestry the back and arms  bearing Memorial bearings embroidered in colored silks evidently the arms of the glasslands for Â
A similar device was upon the plate on ascending to the first floor we found the house to be a far  larger proportions than we had imagined her off a long well carpeted Corridor opened quite a number Â
Of bed and other rooms Each of which we proceeded to inspect we haven’t found a single thing below  Boyd observed to me as we entered the first of these rooms evidently one of the spare bedrooms  for the place was very dirty and neglected in comparison with the other apartments let’s hope Â
We may come across something here nothing was locked and five minutes suffice to show us that  no attempt had been made to conceal anything in any of the two chested drawers or in the wardrobe  so thoroughly did Boyd search that in each room we went around the waistcoating tapping Â
It with the Jimmy and examining any part which appeared to be loose or movable  the Next Room apparently lady glasslin’s room with a small dressing room adjoining we searched  with redoubled energy but beyond establishing the fact that her lady ship was not in one of Â
Money by defining of three five pound notes placed carelessly in an unlocked drawer there was nothing  to arouse our curiosity adjoining the dressing room with its window overlooking the road was a  small but elegant apartment upholstered in pale blue quite a luxurious little room with a piano Â
Evidently a bourgeois the carpet was so thick and Rich that our feet fell noisestly while  near the window was a handsome Louis XV esquitua inlaid with various woods and heavy mountains of  Chase ormelu a pretty Cozy Corner occupied the angle beside the tiled Hearth while the Â
Little bamboo table with its small shells spoke mutely of cozy five o’clock tea often served here  I wonder what’s in this Boyd said advancing to the esquitua while his assistant lit the Gaslamp  finding it locked my friend bent examined the keyhole carefully and then commenced apply Â
The various skeleton teas for some time he was unsuccessful but at length the lock yielded and  he opened it then while the local officer took the dark Lantern and went along the core to explain  what further rooms there were and their character Boyd and I proceeded to carefully examine every Â
Paper letter or document the escrit hall contained some letters were addressed to Lady glaslin  others to Ava but most of them were ordinary correspondents between relatives and Friends  while the folded documents were receded bills together with a file of papers relating to some Â
Action at law regarding property near Aberdeen behind the receptacle in which we found these  letters was a panel which Boyd at once declared concealed some secret drawers and being well  versed in all the contrivances of Captain making he very soon discovered the means by which the Â
Panel could be released as he had projected its removal disclosed three small drawers  to the first I gave my attention while he took out the contents of the second  the letters of which there were seven or eight secured by an elastic band I took out in red Â
Being puzzled greatly thereby they were all tight written and bore the postmarked London SC  the first had been received about three months before the last this recently as a fortnight ago  they were very friendly commencing dear Eva and although the writer was apparently extremely Â
Innovative there was however not a word of love a fact which gave me some satisfaction  they all without exception contained a most mysterious reference to the silence in terms  extremely guarded and curious one urging the utmost caution and declaring that a  grave Herald had unexpectedly Arisen which must at all hazards be removed Â
The writer did not appear to be a very educated person or in many places there were mistakes in  spelling while all were deployed of both address or signature bearing only the single initial Z  I passed them over to Boyd asking his opinion and as he sat at the writing Â
Flap reading them we were both suddenly started by hearing a plaintiff cry near  us it was a poor lean cat who had accidentally been shut up there and was undoubtedly starving  these letters are very strange void observed looking up at me I wonder to what the silence Â
Refers I don’t know I said there’s evidently some very good reason that they’ve been concealed here  as I was speaking I took from beneath some letters still remaining in the secret drawer Boyd had  opened a wooden pill box from which I removed the lid they’re being disclosed the small quantity Â
Of a peculiar grayish blue Powder hello Boyd exclaimed with a quick glance at it what’s that I  wonder No Label on the box it looks suspicious yes I agreed I wonder what it is that it should be so Â
Carefully concealed leave it aside for a moment he said then taking up a large envelope which  while I had been reading the letters he had been carefully examining he drew from it to photographs  do you recognize the originals of these the inquired with a great smile great happens I Â
Guess why they are the man and the woman whom we found at Fillmore place exactly he said in  a voice of Satisfaction Just as his assistant re-entered then before I could recover from  my bewilderment he took up the little wooden box exclaiming this powder here is a very suspicious Â
Circumstance but we’ll test it at once turning to the local officer he said I saw you eating  something when you met us and you put part of it in your pocket what was it a sandwich my Â
Wife always makes me want when I go out on night Duty the man explained have you any of it left  her answer he drew from his pocket a portion of an uneaten sandwich and placed it upon the table Â
Boyd with his pocket knife cut off a piece of the meat upon it sprinkled the grain or so of the  mysterious powder and threw it down to the Hungry Cat which was mewing loudly and purring around our Â
Legs the thin creature ravenously hungry devoured it but aired 10 seconds at task and while we all  three were watching attentively it staggered with a faint cry and almost without a struggle rolled  over dead as I suspected Boyd observed turning to me this is the powder from the herbalist Â
End of chapter 20. this is audiobook caboodle YouTube channel  place for finest collection of audio books and novels chapter 21 under the lead and seal so  far continued boy thoughtfully pushing his hat to the back of his head we proved one Â
Thing that this stuff is poison yes I said but these photographs is it not extraordinary that  we find them here among Ava’s possessions it’s all Extraordinary he answered the letters more strange  than anything and he unlocked the third drawer expectantly only however to find it contained Â
Something small wrapped in a piece of dirty wash leather he placed it before him carefully  opening it and disclosing something which causes both to give bent to exclamations of surprise  inside was the most commonplace object yet to us it had a meaning peculiarly tragic a single penny Â
Both of us recollected vividly the finding of a similar coin carefully wrapped in paper upon  the body of the man at Fillmore place and there must be decided to be some mysterious connection  between our two discoveries these letters observe Boyd putting aside the coin and its wrapping and Â
Taking up the correspondence he had been examining when I had found the box in mysterious powder they  are all addressed to miss glaslin and in one only as far as I can see is her mother mentioned they Â
Evidently refer to some deep Secret do you think the silence can refer to the affairic Kensington  I suggested holding one of the letters in my hand it’s impossible to tell the answer we have now the  clearest proof that these letters were preserved in secret by Ava glasslin together with some Â
Unknown but fatal drug and the photographs of the victim therefore if circumstantial evidence may  be trusted I should be inclined to believe that these letters refer to the matter which we are  investigating perhaps indeed the Peril mentioned in one of the letters refers to your own Endeavors Â
The fathom the mystery the whole thing is utterly bewildering I said rereading the letter in my hand  a communication which certainly was of a most veiled character evidently being typewritten  to disguise The Writer’s identity there is no object whatever to be gained by adopting Â
Your suggestion it ran the only absolutely safe course is to continue as in the past  the silence is effectual and for the present is enough all your fears are quite groundless  show a bold front and be cautious always if you wish to write send your letter to the old address Â
Each of the others were similarly unintelligible except perhaps the later one in which the writer  said you are right I too have discovered cause for apprehension apparel threatens  but if the secret is preserved it cannot arm us with the massive papers and correspondence Â
Spread before us we all three examine these suspicious letters very carefully  in the drawer which Boyd had opened was among other things a few girlish Trinkets and Souvenirs  of the past and in note science Mary Blane and dated from Liberty a couple of months before Â
In the face of recent events it was a somewhat noteworthy missive her beginning dearest APA it  gave her an invitation for tennis on the following day Tuesday I have also your admirer she went on  and he will no doubt come perhaps I shall be compelled to go to town tomorrow afternoon on Â
Business the Urgent nature of which you may guess if I do I will convey your message to the quarter  for which it is intended be careful how you act and what you say to F meaning I suppose myself Â
For I have no great faith in him his friend is of course entirely well disposed towards us  I passed it to Boyd and when he had read it asked what’s your opinion of that is the person Â
Mentioned myself and is the friend actually dick it seems so he responded with knit browse in that  case they must have long ago suspected you of being aware of their secret this would of  course account for the Cowardly attempt to take your life by means of this unknown drug here a I Â
Suggest it bitterly pointing to the small bot which I had a moment before closed certainly  said the detective there can now be no further doubt of Miss glaslin’s complicity in the affair  I wonder who is the author of these typewritten letters I said if we knew that it would let a Â
Flood of light into the whole matter we shall I hope discover that in due course he answered let’s  finish these investigations before discussing our next move and he continued carefully placing back  the letters in the secret drawers now and then pausing to re-read one which chance to attract his Â
Attention look at this he said passing one over to me after he had glanced at it it was written  on pale green paper in a fine fashionable woman’s hand a few brief lines which ran  my dear Ava I could not come today but shall be there this evening everything is complete Â
When the truth becomes known the discovery will I anticipate startled the world it must  for reasons you know remain a strict secret do not read the word to a soul yours ever Anna  that may refer to the invention we found in the laboratory a scientific discovery which no one Â
Has come forward to claim but who I wonder is Anna she might be the dead woman Boyd suggested true I  agree so she might during fully half an hour we still remained in that small cozy Boudoir which  seemed to be Ava’s own room examining everything carefully and taking the utmost precaution to Â
Replace everything exactly as we found it in this void displayed Real Genius whatever was moved he  rearranged it with an exactness little short of astounding his astuteness was remarkable nothing  escaped him now that he was on the trail yet as I wondered about examining things here and Â
There I could not repress a feeling of reproach or had I not after all assisted in this secret  search which had resulted so disastrously for the strange mysterious woman I so dearly love  she was now under the suspicion of the police they would keep her under surveillance for the evidence Â
We had already obtained was sufficient to induce any magistrate to Grant a warrant for her arrest  a sudden sense of a vast immeasurable loss fell upon me the small box containing the grayish blue  Powder had been replaced in the concealed drawer and everything had been rearranged Â
In the room when the local officer said at the end of the corridor there’s another sitting room  very well Boyd answered let’s see what it’s like and we all three lights at hand followed  our guide until we entered a smaller sitting room an easel stood in it and it was apparently used Â
By Ava as a studio her she I knew took lessons in painting upon the easels through the canvas half  finished while near the door was a small writing table the one long drawer of which was locked Â
The lock was a common one and quickly yielded to Boyd’s skeleton keys but within we only found  another collection of old letters a quantity of pencil sketches colors and other odds and ends  connected with their art studies Boyd was turning them over methodically but suddenly an involuntary Â
Exclamation escaped him ah what’s this he ejaculated at the same time drawing for the card  about the size of a lady’s visiting card and held it out to me upon it was drawn in ink a circle Â
It was executed in exactly the same manner as that we had found concealed beneath the plates in the  dining room at philomar place again he turned the things over and Drew out three or four other cards Â
Of similar size and style each bearing a device one having upon its face the straight line exactly  like that we had found in Kensington you recognize these devices he inquired of course I responded  in an odd voice utterly bewildered what I wonder can they denote he Shrugged his shoulders examined Â
Each card carefully beneath the Rays of his lamp felt it and after carefully examining all the  heterogeneous collection of things in the drawer place them back again closed it and re-locked it  those cards bear some very important part in the tragedy I feel assured he said when he Â
Had finished and turned to me with a puzzle of expression they look innocent enough and  the devices are in no way forbidding nevertheless it is strange that we find here in her possession  exact duplicates not only of the cards but also of that coin carried by the dead man Â
It’s all utterly astounding I declared then with a touch of poignant regret and despair I added  all these discoveries would cause me the highest gratification if I did not love her as fondly as  I do you surely could not make a murderous your wife Irwin my friend said in this matter remember Â
That we are striving to Fathom a mystery which is one of the most profound and remarkable that has  ever been recorded at the yard I know I answered glancing around that small room wherein my well Â
Beloved had spent her days in the study of Art but what I cannot understand is how being an actual  victim of the tragedy she is nevertheless at the same time implicated in the affair  that will be made plain later he said with an error confidence one thing is quite clear Â
That she purchased certain poisons which are only known to those well-versed in toxicology  we have that on Old Lowry’s own authority if then she bought this drug It could only be for one  purpose namely to commit murder well she made an attempt upon you therefore why should you Endeavor Â
To Shield her because I love her I answered still unconvinced by his argument love is entirely out  of the question in this matter my dear fellow he said with a gesture of impatience she may have  fascinated you because of her unusual Beauty but beyond that well in six months time you’ll thank Â
Providence that you’ve not married her mark my words that was exactly what she herself had said  are reflected she had prophecied that one day air long I would hate the very mention of her name  from room to room we passed examining everything allowing nothing to escape us Â
There was a surely no sign of poverty in that house but really the reverse a lavish display  across the objects which showed that its owner was capricious with money at her command no expense  seemed to have been spared to render that Abode the acne of comfort and modern convenience in one Â
Of the bedrooms in that same Corridor a room which we decided was Ava’s room for various dresses and  other things it contained we found standing upon the table a large panel photograph of a kind-faced  middle-aged woman which the local officer at once recognized as that of lady glasslin avoid taking Â
It up examine it long and earnestly beneath the light of the bullseye devilishly good looking for  a woman of her age he remarked thoughtfully as he slowly replaced it upon the table Â
Do you know he had it turning to me I fancy I met her somewhere but where I can’t for the life of  me recollect what do you know about the family very little Beyond what’s in Burke which only Â
Devotes great lines to them the baronessee was conferred in 1839 and Lady glaslin’s husband Sir  Thomas died six years ago no mention is made of their country see so I presume they haven’t won  Boyd stroked his beard and gave vent to a low grunt of Doubt well he said I’m almost positive Â
That I’d met her before somewhere I wonder where it was quickly we rearranged the articles in the  room which we had Disturbed and passed on to the next the door of which faced us forming the end Â
Of the long Corridor hello boy cried what does this mean we both looked and by the Light of the  lantern saw that the door was a double one and that right across it was a long bar of steel or Â
Iron painted ingrained the color of wood so as not to be noticeable and securing it strongly  this is decidedly funny the detective continued bending down to examine something look it’s sealed  I bent eagerly beside him and there saw that the great sliding bolt ran in three large hats and Â
That one of the knobs of the bolt was secured by wire to the house the two ends of the wire  being secured together by a round seal of molten lead about the size of a shilling by this the  boat was rendered immovable extraordinary I guessed as we all stood wondering what Â
Might be there in concealed if we cut the wire then our presence here will be betrayed I said  but Boyd who was still examining the seal with great care exclaimed at last pointing to it Â
Do you see two letters on the seal R and M yes I answered what do you think they do note  they tell us how this seal was impressed the detective responded these initials stand  for ready mediterranea and the Machine with which the seal has been impressed is one of Â
Those used at every Italian Railway Station to seal merchandise and passengers baggage it has  certainly been placed upon the Wire by one who knew how to handle the instrument with dexterity  then there must be something in the room which her ladyship desires to keep secret I remark Â
Both amazed and excited at this latest discovery yes remarked Boyd at all hazards we must explore  but how I queried without tampering with the seal his brow clouded for a few moments then again he  examined the seal and wire with the utmost care he stood motionless looking at it for fully Â
Admitted then turning to the local officer said I’m going downstairs for a moment don’t touch it  till I return we both sat upon an ottoman in the corridor for nearly a quarter of an hour during  which time we heard noises downstairs until Boyd at last rejoined us with a look of satisfaction Â
In his face and bearing in his hands something which looked like a huge pair of Rusty shears  with wooden handles I thought I’d find it he observed wiping the perspiration from his brow  his hands and face were blackened as though he had been groping in a Cellar this is the Â
Seal and opening his other hand he displayed an old discolored pewter t-spone adding and  here’s a bit of lead or what’s as good I took the sealing machine from him and examined it carefully  it was red with dust and had apparently been thrown aside and neglected for a long time Â
Now said boy to his assistant at lit a fire downstairs in the kitchen and by the time we’ve  done it’ll be sufficiently fierce to melt the lead then you intend to break open the door I exclaimed Â
He smiled and for answer took from his pocket a champagne knife cutting the wire with a sharp  click untwisting it from the knob and placing it with his seal in his pocket a breathless eagerness  we watched him push back the bolt and stood expected but when he tried the door he found it Â
To be still locked again he went swiftly to work with his bunch of queer looking keys and at last  he saw one of them gently turn and he pushed wide open the door of the Chamber of Secrets Â
Next second the bright light avoids Bullseye flashed into the interior and all three of us fell  back with exclamations of surprise and horror our Discovery was truly astounding the horrible sight  was most weird and terrifying upon the threshold I stood speechless utterly unable to move for the Â
Ghastly spectacle made my hair rise as my eyes became riveted upon the noise some interior of  that long closed chamber our nostrils were filled with a fetid nauseating smell of Decay which burst  upon us as the door was open and at the shock of witnessing the repulsive sight within the Â
Candlelight had held dropped from my trembling fingers and was extinguished slowly however I  recovered it taking a light from the one held by my friend’s assistant and then entered the place  it was not a large room but the shutters of the window had way afterwards discovered been Â
Secured by screws and strongly barred in the center was a square table covered with dust  and several common wooden chairs stood around in the empty rusted grates go to Kettle and a couple  of cooking pots while upon a side table were a few plates and a couple of cups and saucers Â
Along one side stood at Old Camp bedstead and lying upon it half covered with a dirty  blanket was a figure that had once been human but which was now a sight so gruesome and so horrible Â
That even Boyd used as he was with such things Drew away and held his handkerchief to his nose  the features were beyond recognition but by the shortness of the hair of the body was evidently  that of a man one arm hung helpless shriveled and discolored while on the floor close by were the Â
Broken portions of a cup which had evidently fallen for the dead man’s claw-like fingers  this is another face her Boyd exclaimed in a tone of absolute bewilderment I wonder who he was it  seems by the pots and plates that he was held a prisoner here an invalid or imbecile perhaps Â
Unable to help himself evidently the servants knew nothing of him for he cooked his food himself  let’s get outside in the passage to breathe the air is enough to poison one  half choked we went outside all three of us and discussed the startling situation while Â
Breathing the pure air I offered both my companion cigarettes which they lit eagerly with myself then  after a few minutes we returned and resumed our investigations about the room were several books  in French and German treating a political economy and other subjects a couple of old newspapers two Â
Or three novels and a number of scientific books which showed their reader to be an educated man  the room had originally been a bathroom we concluded for there was a water tap and a  large pipe for waste and this unfortunate man whoever he was had evidently not existed holy Â
In darkness her on examining the shutters we found that one of the panels was movable and  at that spot the pane of glass was broken thus admitting both light and air again there was a  small gas stove ring used so universally in London to boil petals and this was still connected by a Â
Flexible pipe to a gas bracket on the wall hence it was quite apparent that the room had been  specifically fitted for the occupation of the unknown man now dead upon the dusty table were  several pieces of writing paper covered with some writing in German a language which I unfortunately Â
Could not read while beside them I picked up an object which held me amazed and astounded  a playing card similar to those we had found at Fillmore place and among Ava’s secret possessions  Beyond those writings in German we found nothing else to give us a clue to whom the dead man might Â
Be and even these writings were no proof as to his identity we found no writing materials there  hence our doubt that the writing had been traced by his hand into every hole in crevice we peered  disturbing the rats who had scampered here and there on our unexpected intrusion but discovering Â
Nothing else of a special interest we after about half an hour went forth glad to escape from the  poisonous atmosphere I closed and locked the door when Boyd cutting out a piece of bell wire from  one of the bedrooms re-secured the bolt and after melting the pewter spoon Below in the kitchen fire Â
Replaced the seal in such a manner that none could tell it had ever been Disturbed truly  our midnight search had been approved for one what might next transpire I’d rather think all was so  mysterious so utterly astounding that I had become entirely bewildered end of chapter 21 chapter 22. Â
In defiance of the law the discovery of the horror concealed within that closed room open  out an entirely fresh development of the mystery on discussing it with Boyd after we had stealthily  left the house we were in complete agreement that the dead man must have either been in hiding there Â
Or else being an imbecile had been kept under restraint the fact of the door being barred  on the outside strengthened Boyd’s belief in the latter Theory while I made the suggestion that he  might have been imprisoned and died of starvation no Boyd answered I don’t agree with you there or Â
It is quite plain that lady glaslin must have been aware of his presence and perhaps indeed  arranged the room there was every evidence that he was supplied with food at intervals and cooked it  himself which shows that even if an invalid he was sufficiently active my idea is that he may Â
Have been some relation whose dominant condition her ladyship wished to keep from her friends  and other members of the family and that having died suddenly she was compelled to lock and seal  the door dreading the publicity of a Coroner’s inquiry when the truth must have been made public Â
True I said that’s of course a very feasible Theory but if she were in the secret Ava too  must have known of course he said she could tell us everything if she chooses it’s a Pity that the Â
Dead Man’s face is unrecognizable again is it not strange that we should have found in there one of  those same cards yes rather responded my friend but at present it is useless to advance all kinds  of wild theories we must stick closely to facts if we would succeed We Have Tonight made certain Â
Discoveries startling enough in all conscience and among them have elucidated the secret Which  lady glaslin has hidden from everyone now we must seek to discover the motive which caused  her to apply that seal to the door as well as ascertaining the reason her daughter has that Â
Mysterious drug among her possessions together with the photographs of the two unknown victims  I wonder how long it is since the man died in that room I said what a horrible existence he must have  led shut up there gaining all this light and air through a broken pane of glass he was studious Â
At any rate judging from the character of the books with which he had been supplied and the  linguists too void remarked remembering that the books were in other languages besides English  strange that the Curiosity of the servants was not aroused I said they would be certain to wonder Â
What was in a room sealed up as that is to satisfy them would be easy enough the detective answered  her ladyship undoubtedly told them that certain family heirlooms old furniture or something was  stowed away there and that the seal had been placed upon them by their trustees or somebody Â
Trust a woman for an excuse and he smiled grimly we walked on together for some time in complete  silence the young day grew wider and brighter and redder in the sky we had passed through Twickenham  and now in the dawn we’re making our way towards Richmond whence we could catch the early workman’s Â
Train to Waterloo you must keep your friend clue in entire ignorance of all this tell him you’ve  been out to visit some friends say it Ealing or Uxbridge or somewhere and that they compel you to  stay the night if he were to know the whole result of our investigations might be rendered aborted Â
Of course I’ll do as you wish I answered but I can’t for the life of me see why you entertain  any suspicion of Dick he’s been all along eager and ready to assist me to clear up the mystery to Â
Publish the details of the Curious Affair scenes as one object Boyd smiled again with Veil sarcasm  and a very interesting story he’ll have for publication it appears to me he said laughing  then he added after a second’s pause one of the oddest facts in the whole Affair is that Â
The pair we found dead in Fillmore Place have never been missed by their friends  or the dead man at The Hollies for the matter of that I have it yes he said in dubious tone there Â
Are yet some facts which we must learn air we can piece the queer puzzle together and read the whole  only then can we discover who was the man whom lady glaslin has so carefully hidden  it’s a devilish funny business to say the least has it occurred to you that she may have left Â
Not intending to return I asked well no he responded I scarcely think she has flown or  her daughter would have secured the contents of a restaurant she evidently believes her secret  quite safe and is therefore entirely Fearless the Richmond Road with its many trees was pleasant Â
In that hour when the clear Rose flush Dawn was still in the sky and as we walked the cool wind  rose fragrant with the smell of the wet grass refreshing after the fetid atmosphere of that  closed room and its gruesome occupant we chatted on discussing the startling discoveries we had Â
Made he giving me certain instructions until we got to the station and entered a compartment  the latter being crowded with workmen further conversations on the subject was precluded  soon after six I returned to Grace Inn and making an excuse to dick for my absence snatched an hour Â
Sleep before going down to my office my heart was hard my blood fire fate had been merciless I began  to think something had happened old chap dickett said when I had entered his room and awakened him Â
He sat up in bed and looked at me rather Strangely I thought then he added you don’t seem as though  you’ve had much sleep wherever you’ve been in my excitement I quite forgotten that my clothes were Â
Dirty and torn and my face unwashed and I fancied that his point at remark caused a slight flush to  rise to my cheeks how I perform my duties that morning I scarcely knew for my brain was in a Â
Whirl with the Amazing Discoveries of the past night I loved Ava yet the contents of those  concealed drawers were sufficient in themselves to convince Boyd of her guilt a fearful and Perpetual  dread sees me lest she should be arrested Boyd’s method of work was I knew always bold and decisive Â
A detective to be successful must act without hesitation in this affair he had obtained evidence  which from every point of view proved but one fact and one alone her gel indeed I now remembered with  bitterness how she had to me openly declared herself guilty how she had prophecied that one Â
Day I should hate all mention of her name did it not seem quite clear too that this very drug  which I had found in the small wooden box the drug which had been instantly fatal to the poor Â
Brood upon which we had tried it was the same which had been administered to me by her hand  when I thought of that I felt glad that I had assisted my friend of Scotland Yard  and that with my own hands had Unearthed evidence which must lead to her conviction Â
Her arrest was I knew from my friend’s remarks only a matter of days perhaps indeed of hours  you can’t now seek to Shield Miss glaslin he had remarked when we had been waiting for the  train a Richmond platform the proofs are far too strong if we could only discover the author of Â
Those type written letters we would be able to find out what the silence refers to and to move  with much more certainty as we can’t we must fix our Theory firmly and act boldly upon it Â
Do you mean that you intend to apply for a warrant against her I inquire dismay we shall obtain  one against somebody but who it may be of course depends entirely upon the result of our subsequent  investigations people don’t keep bodies locked up in their houses without some very strong motive Â
It now struck me as exceedingly strange why Ava should have been so anxious to prevent  me revisiting riverdine she had hinted that the blames were my enemies yet was it not more likely  that my presence reminded her too vividly of her sin and she also feared the Vengeance of Â
Mary Blane there was undoubtedly some deep motive underlying this effort to prevent  me visiting the planes but as I reflected upon it I failed to decide what it might be  she had spoken of it as though it were for my benefit and as if she had my welfare at heart yet Â
I could not fail to detect how hollow was the Sham for the blames were my friends of long-standing  and since my visit and Mary’s request my welcome had always been a most cordial one  Mary had certainly no cause for jealousy for she and I had on several occasions when alone on the Â
River spoken of the past she had indeed ridiculed my boyish love for her and observed that we were  both older and more discreet nowadays I had long been assured by her words and her attitude  that her affection for me if she had really ever entertained any had entirely passed away Â
No I could not understand Ava’s present attitude it was entirely an enigma she seemed filled with  some nameless Terror the reason of which our discoveries seemed to prove up to the hill  day followed day each to me full of anxiety and bewilderment on parting from Boyd he Â
Had told me to remain impatience until he communicated with me I was not to return to  riverdine neither was I to mention a single word to Dick regarding recent occurrences  I wandered from end to end of London day after day recording the events which daily crop up in Â
The Metropolis it seemed to me as if those days would never end I saw nothing but the face of a  the world which it seemed to me so beautiful had changed heaven was cruel  it created loveliness only to pollute and deform it afterwards out of my dreams I was Â
Brought face to face with facts that sickened me the old landmarks of my faith were gone  whatever happy hopefulness of nature I possessed was crushed I was bewildered and sick at heart  yet through it all I could not thrust away from me Ava’s wondrous Beauty her form her gaze her Â
Smile her sigh I could think of nothing else yet the mockery of it all stunned me to Despair and  despair as man’s most frequent visitor a week thus passed I saw her in the air in the clouds Â
Everywhere her voice rang in my ears she was so lovely and yet she was so vile a poisoner  one afternoon I had returned to Grace in unusually early about three o’clock put on my old Lounge  coat a river Blazer and sat down to write up an interview for publication next day when Â
I heard a ring at the door voices outside the room and a few moments later Mrs jode entered  saying as a lady wants to see you sir a lady I exclaimed turning quickly in my chair ask her in Â
I Rose brushing down my hair with my hand and next moment found myself face to face with Ava  she Advanced with her hand outstretched and a smile upon her face that countenance that was  ever before me in my Daydreams how fortunate I am to find you in she exclaimed half breathless after Â
The ascent of the stairs I’ve been to your office and they told me that you were probably at home  it is I who am fortunate I answered laughing gayly placing the armchair for her and drawing out a  little open footstool A Relic from some bygone generation of men who had tented those grimy Â
Old rooms with a sigh she seated herself and then for the first time I noticed the deathly pallor of  her cheeks even her thick Veil did not conceal it she was in Black neat as usual but her skirt was Â
Unbrushed and Dusty and her hair was just a trifle awry as though she had been traveling about some  hours I have called upon you here for the first and for the last time she said in a broken voice Â
Looking seriously across to me as The Unwanted tears sprang into her eyes the last time I echoed  what do you mean I have come to wish you farewell she said in a low-faltering voice I am leaving  London my mother and I are going abroad abroad where I cried dismayed my mother’s health is Â
Not good and the doctor has ordered her to the South immediately he says that she must never  return to this climate because it will hasten her malady to a fatal termination therefore in future  we must be exiles she was looking straight into my face as she spoke and those great wondrous Â
Eyes of hers that I had believed to be so pure and honest never wavered I leave tomorrow and join her  she at it then she is already gone I exclaimed the truth at once flashing upon me that lady Â
Glasslin had actually fled yes the doctor has so frightened her that I could not induce her to stay  in pack I shall join her in Paris she explained quite calmly there is no help for it we must part Â
But surely I said in desperation you will not lead me thus you will return to England  sometimes I really don’t know she answered in a strained hoarse voice at least you will give me  hope that someday you will be my wife Ava I said tenderly grasping her hand which seemed limp and Â
Trembling you know how fondly I love you how I started quickly and turned puzzled at the unusual  sound of voices without finishing the sentence one voice I recognized speaking in deep tones to Â
Mrs jode and dropping the hand I held I rushed out closing the door behind me as I did so I came face  to face with Boyd accompanied by two plainclothes officers we’ve followed her here he explained she Â
Means to get away abroad therefore we must now execute the warrant I regret it for your sake  at a loud piercing shrieked from within told me that she had overheard those faithful words  no I cried by having you should arrest her and I resolutely barred his passage to the Inner Â
Room as I love her you shall never enter there she shall never be taken as a common Criminal  end of chapter 22 record chapter 23 her ladyship Boyd seeing my Fierce determination held back a Â
Look of undisguised annoyance upon his face I have a duty to perform I beg of you not to obstruct me  Mr Irwin he said coldly it is quite as unpleasant to me as to you unpleasant I Echo I tell you that Â
You shall not arrest her and I stood firmly with my back to the door of my room come he  said in a tone of persuasion this action of yours cannot benefit her in the least she has made every Â
Preparation for flight her trunk is in a cloak room a chair and cross station and she means  within an hour to get away to the continent let me pass I shall not I roared in that case I shall be Â
Compelled to use Force however much I regret it as he uttered these words the door was suddenly flung  back and I saw Ava’s tragic almost unirial figure in the opening she was white to the lips her  countenance terribly Juan and Haggard enough she cried hoarsely let the police enter I am ready and Â
She tottered back clutching at the corner of my writing table for support her outward Purity and  innocence brought rare equipment for the committal of a crime who indeed would have suspected her of  guile an Intrigue When Love Is Dead there is no God we were standing together in my sitting room Â
Boyd being our only companion a dozen times I had implored her to speak the truth but without a bail  she stood pale and trembling yet still silent before us Terror held her dumb those who turned  King’s evidence obtained free pardon the detective Gravely observed speaking for the first time Â
She laughed a little to herself you must have striven forever in vain to solve the mystery  she answered at last apparently bracing herself up for an effort those who aimed that terrible blow  so Swift and so fatal were not the kind of persons to be ever caught napping they never made a false Â
Move and always took such elaborate precautions that to solve the Enigma would be impossible  to anyone unacquainted with previous events her breast Rose and fell quickly in her wild agitation  she was stirred by emotion to the depths of her being I was weak and helpless she faltered God Â
Knows how I have suffered how deep has been my repentance hear me to the end she urged turning  her fine eyes to mine then when I have told you my wretched and astounding story Frank judge Â
Me as you think fit for I am yours speak I said anxiously my Justice shall be tempered with Mercy  by that sentence she had acknowledged her love for me but now I hesitated she was accused of murder Â
Then I must begin at the very beginning for it is a long and most complicated story a story  of a deep late intriguing conspiracy and of a duplicity extraordinary she said her thin  nerveless hand trembling in mind as I held her with my arm about her waist in the days when Â
I had reached my 16th birthday I lived with my mother abroad in Italy for the most part because  it was cheap and further because my father who had been guilty of certain Shady transactions had been  compelled to fly from England he had treated my mother shamefully therefore they were separated Â
And mother and I lived economically in these cheap pensions in Florence and Rome which seemed  to exist as asylums for the well-bred needy a few days after I was 16 while we were at an obscure  pension in Siena my mother took Thai food and died leading the absolutely alone in the world Â
And practically penniless nearly a year before we had received the letter from my father solicitor  in London stating that he had died in poverty and Buenos Aires therefore I was utterly alone the  position of a friendless girl on the continent is always serious she said with a catch in her voice Â
Acting upon the advice of some English people in the pension I went to Florence and saw there  the council General who not only gave me money from the British Relief Fund which is supported  by English residents in that City but also interested himself actively upon my behalf Â
And obtained for me a post as governess in a wealthy Italian family living near bologna  in their service I remained nearly three years until by the death of the head of the house the  family became scattered when I took a fresh engagement with the lady who advertised her Â
An English companion she was a madame de mop a good-looking woman of 45 whose father I understood  had been Italian and whose mother English she spoke English quite as well as I did and had a  fine apartment in Florence where she received a good deal for she was well known there with Â
The winter over we traveled first to Paris where we stayed several months and then to Switzerland  our life was pleasant as Madame had plenty of money and we always lived at the best hotels she  paused and Drew a long breath there was hardness about her mouth and tears were in her eyes Â
It was in Zurich that I had my first misgivings for there one day in late Autumn we were joined  by a strange Old Gentleman apartment by name whom I understood was madame’s brother a curious old  fellow whose main object in life appeared to be the carrying out of certain scientific experiments Â
He remained with us in the same hotel for nearly a fortnight during which time Madame  who was extremely well educated held frequent consultations with him upon scientific matters  until one day I was overjoyed when she announced that we were all free to go straight to London Â
Then the lady glasslin at The Hollies was not your mother I guessed profoundly amazed at this  revelation I am about to explain she went on in a hard voice on the Night Before Our departure  from Zurich I chanced to pass the Dorman Dam’s bedroom after everybody had retired to rest and Â
Seeing a light issuing from the keyhole was prompted by Natural Curiosity to Peak Within  what I saw was certainly strange in one hand she was holding an unopened bottle of Benedictine  liquor upside down while with the other she took a hypodermic syringe filled with some liquid and Â
With a long thin needle pierced to Cork then slowly and with infinite care she injected  the flip from the tiny glass syringe afterwards she withdrew the hollow needle glanced at the  parchment capsule beneath the light and having satisfied herself that the puncture made was Â
Quite unnoticeable she shook the bottle so as to thoroughly mix the injected liquid with the  liqueur then I saw her wrap the bottle carefully in a number of towels and place it in her trunk  next day when packing I glanced at the bottle with some curiosity examining the parchment Â
Covering the cork but so tiny had been the puncture that I failed to discover the hole  the parchment hat I think been touched with gum which had caused the tiny hole to close  that liqueur was evidently poisoned void remarked his brows knit in thought Â
Yes she answered I have every reason to believe so although the true State of Affairs did not  dawn upon me until long afterwards when alone in our compartment in the wagon lit between basil and  Calais Madame however made a very extraordinary proposal to me she confessed that her husband Â
Had been made the scapegoat of some financial fraud in England and was in hiding somewhere  near Paris therefore in going back she feared that as she went under her right name damas that  the police would begin to make active inquiries regarding Monsoor she wished she said to avoid Â
This and set up a house in some pleasant suburb of London so as to have appear to tear in the country  she so dearly loved now my mother was dead and no friends in England knew her so many years had she Â
Lived on the continent why should she not pass as lady glasslin and I as her daughter at first this  proposal utterly staggered me but when she pointed out how much more I would be respected as her Â
Daughter instead of her companion and told me of the manner in which he intended to live a matter  befitting her assumed station I at length gave my consent for which he made the oppressant there  and then of a very acceptable banknote then that woman only poses your mother I exclaimed she was Â
Not the real lady glaslin certainly not answered my beloved frankly at first I was very indisposed  to be a party to any such transactions but she had shown me so many kindnesses and had always Â
Been so generous that I a friendless girl felt compelled to a seed uh if I had but known what  lay behind all that outward show of Good Feelings of sympathy I would have cast a recursive money Â
From me as I would have cast the gold of Satan I would rather have made matches for a starvation  wage or Slave at a shop counter than have remained one day longer beneath the root but she was full  of cool Ingenuity and marvelous cunning and on my acceptance of this proposal instantly set Â
To work to buy me further to secrecy this was not difficult at last for I was entirely unsuspicious  of treachery at least of all of my generous friend and benefactor after some search in many  interviews with house agents we found The Hollies which he purchased together with a Furniture Â
Just as it stood an airline neighbors began to call upon us and we soon entered local Society  many times in those dull winter days I pondered long and deeply upon what I had seen in Zurich  wondering for what reason she had so carefully prepared the bottle which it passed the customs Â
Of Charing Cross undiscovered and still remain blocked in the traveling trunk surrounded by the  wrappings she had placed upon it was any of the liquor given to anyone asked Bond grimly there  she could respond the door was thrown open and Dick entered with Lily Lowry he had it transpired Â
Gone that day and they sought her forgiveness in a single glance he realized what had occurred and  without a word he closed the door and both stood in silence to listen to her statement  how strange a thing is this life of us we are in Hell one hour and in heaven the next Â
End of chapter 23 chapter 24. the truth revealed remain patient and I’ll explain Ava answered  glancing at the newcomers first however let me relay the very curious circumstance  Hartman who lives somewhere in London we saw seldom but very soon after taking possession Â
Of The Hollies there one day called an old friend of madamez accompanied by her husband they were  the blames Mrs Blaine afterwards came frequently to us at The Hollies and we often spent the day  at riverdine while so intimate did the two women become that Madame took the house next Â
To that Reddit by Mrs Blaine in Kensington next door I gasped astounded in Upper Fillmore place  yes the house next to the one you entered on that fatal night was in the occupation of adapt  she explained we seldom went there however although I personally preferred the bright Â
Light in Kensington to that at Hampton for many private conversations meaning looks and mysterious  whisperings exchanged between Madame and Mrs Blaine there was soon aroused within me a vague  suspicion that something secret was in progress I’d liked old Mr Blaine exceedingly and Mary Â
Became my best friend nevertheless my misgivings were strengthened when one day Hartman unusually  shabbily dressed and accompanied by the blanes arrived at The Hollies and the trio were closeted  for quite an hour with madame at length there also arrived a youngish good-looking man with a lady of Â
About his own age and they were at once admitted to the drawing room being enthusiastically  welcoming after half an hour or so we all died together but in the drawing room before dinner I  noticed two tumblers half filled with dirty water in one a tiny glass rod evidently used for mixing Â
As though Hartman had been exhibiting some of his sacred experiments on entering the dining  room Madame introduced her new guest to me as Mr and Mrs culture and sitting beside the husband I  found him a most interesting and intelligent man who literally adored his wife in the course of Â
The conversation it transpired that the newly arrived pair were from India and had taken the  Blaine’s townhouse for the season and further that Parkman who had apparently become one of  their most intimate friends have established his laboratory in one of the top rooms of that house Â
She paused and glanced across to the detective who was listening attentively with folded arms  as she related her story her great Clear Eyes became more luminous a week later she continued  we went to London and there saw a good deal of her next door neighbors Madam was on terms of Â
The closest intimacy with them and frequently we would dine there or they would dine with  us while one evening Hartman who did not live there but only came to continue his scientific  studies assisted by Mr Kerr who took the keenest interest in them invited us up into his laboratory Â
And after showing us Mr Kerr’s collection of pet Indian snakes which I confess and did not  appreciate he exhibited to us an experiment which he told us had never been successfully  accomplished by any other man except himself namely the liquefaction of hydrogen who succeeded Â
This he told us all his efforts have been directed for years and now that he had successfully solved  the problem he would one day launch it upon the scientific world as a bull from the blue  our friends gave excellent dinners were evidently possessed of almost unlimited means and were never Â
So happy as when the blames in ourselves were at their table of playing cards with them soon  however another matter caused us deep reflection one evening at The Hollies after the Blaine’s at  Heartland had been closely closeted with Madame discussing as they so often did their Private Â
Affairs I found lying beneath a book upon the table had apparently overlooked several playing  cards and others with devices lines and circles roughly drawn an ink then two or three days later  when I chanced to call in at the curse I noticed stuck behind a mirror over the mantle shelf some Â
Cards exactly similar I was alone therefore my curiosity prompted me to examine them upon them  I found exactly similar devices ah what connection had those cards with the affair interrupted dick  a very curious one she responded yet now firm in her determination to tell us everything Â
Their Discovery caused me a good deal of thought especially as the secret consultations with Mr  Blaine became more frequent when after a fortnight or so in London we returned to The Hollies one day  however a further incident happened which was to say the least extraordinary well alone in Â
Madame’s bedroom the cook entered asking for some coppers to pay for some small article which she  had brought she wanted seven Pence I had only six pence in my purse but remembering that in  the little cabinet where Madame kept her Jewels I had seen a penny on the previous day I unlocked Â
It and took it out strangely enough this Penny was wrapped up in paper I took it in my hand  to turn it over to assure myself that it was not any rare foreign coin and was about to hand it to Â
The Cook when Madame herself came in what’s that you have she cried in an instant pale-faced in an  alarm I told her that I had taken the penny from the cabinet whereupon she betrayed the  greatest apprehension and snatched up a piece of paper in which she carefully re-wrapped it Â
Then telling me on no account to again touch it or open it she gave the cook a penny from her  pocket and dismissed her almost next instant I felt an Indescribable numbness in the hand Â
That it held the Forbidden coin the fingers seemed paralyzed and I had a faint idea that I had felt a  strange roughness about the face of the copper as though it had been chipped I complained to Madame Â
Of curious feeling where a Punchy fluid were small traveling Medicine Chest which he always kept lock  and took there from a vial from which she poured a few drops of a dark green liquid into a glass of Â
Water there she said retrained quite undue alarm I thought drink that you’ll be better very quickly  I gulped it down it tasted very bitter but within a quarter of an hour I felt in a further pain  my hand had in a few seconds commenced to swell but the medicine it once arrested it Â
Until long afterwards it never occurred to me that upon that Penny was one of those  Insidious but most deadly of poisons known to toxicologists which entering an abrasion of the  skin would have quickly proved fatal had not my employer at once administered an antidote Â
Later I succeeded in obtaining possession of that coin and found upon it a series of  almost infinitesimal steel points a puncture of scratch from any one of which must result in death  I recollected how we had discovered that coin in a respiratory we might congratulate Â
Ourselves that neither of us had held it in our hands without his Rapids for a long time I was  greatly puzzled by these and other circumstances certain scraps of conversation which I overheard  between Madame and Blaine and between my employer and Hartman increased my suspicions Â
And especially so when I found Madame carrying on a series of secret experiments in her own  rooms often boiling certain decoctions over the tiny Spirit lamp used to heat her curling irons  several of the liquids thus manufactured she placed in the tiny vials of her medicine chest Â
All this time while passing everywhere as my mother lady glasslin she was extremely kind to me  until I even began to believe that my suspicions were unfounded only now do I know how subtle was  her cunning how ingenious and how daring she was one day in April I however had my suspicions still Â
More deeply strengthened by a strange request she made to me namely that if at any time I should  chance to witness any uncommon scene at her house that I would Breathe No word to a single soul  this struck me as peculiar and I demanded the reason whereupon she smiled giving me bluntly Â
To understand that my own safety lay alone in my secrecy and pointing out that by obtaining  quantities of goods and jewelry on credit as I had done at her request from firms in Regent Street  and Oxford Street in the name of Lady glassland I had placed myself a great Peril of being arrested Â
For fraud I saw instantly that this woman who had poses my friend had most cleverly spread about me  a web from which there was now no possible Escape she evidently desired my assistance in whatever  nefarious purpose she had in view what a position I explained then the woman had compelled you to Â
Obtain the goods by fraud in order to secure a certain hold over you of course she answered in  a low firm tone but that’s not half the craft and kanesh displayed as you will proceed later  I know I have acted wrongly and should have long ago placed my suspicions before the police but Â
I feared to do so lest I should be arrested for the fraud from day to day I lived on an  anxiety and Reckless Wonder Mrs Blaine or playing himself being constant visitors to  The Hollies while now and then Hartman would come down from London as if called in for consultation Â
At length one day in early chew we returned to the house in Upper Fillmore Place Madame  announcing her intention to remain there a month our neighbors the Colter Kurds were delighted at  our return for they seemed to know hardly a soul in London after we had been there about Â
A week Mrs Blaine and Mary called one afternoon and while I chatted to the ladder in the dining  room Mrs Blaine talked privately with Madame in the room Beyond the door was closed as usual and  they were conversing only in low Whispers when suddenly their voices became raised that he did Â
Discussion a quarrel had Arisen for I heard Mrs Blaine exclaimed quite distinctly I tell you I  have never dreamed of any such thing and I’ll never be a party to it such a suggestion is  horrifying then Madame spoke some low words to which her companion responded I tell you I will Â
Not from this moment I retire from it such a thing is Infamous I never thought that it was intended  to act in such a manner to this Madame made some muttered observation regarding absurd Scruples  and the impossibility of detection whereupon Mrs Blaine flounce forth in the room in a high state Â
Of indignation saying Mary it’s time we should go dear or we shan’t be home for dinner then she made  a call to do to the woman who had been her most into his friend and with her daughter Departed  Ava’s breath came and went rapidly in the intensity of her emotions her thin nostrils Â
Slightly dilated and as she paused her lips were firmly pressed together next morning at about 11  almost before Madame was ready to receive Blaine himself called she went on he was gray-faced and  very great but after a long interview he left in High Spirits wishing me farewell quite gayly Â
On the following day the Colter Kurds were in great distress about their servants for both  were dishonest and upon madame’s declaration that she could immediately find others they had been  discharged at a moment’s notice about five o’clock that afternoon both husband and wife with whom I Â
Was on the most friendly terms came into chat with Madame about the servants and after we had  conversed some time tea was brought of which we all partook then Madame invited them in for Wist  after dinner as was our habit for we were all invertebrate players about six o’clock while I Â
Uncopied Mrs Curry next door in order to prepare their makeshift meal Mrs Kerr Madame always called  her Anna remained behind to make some arrangements for one of our servants to go in temporarily  suddenly about 20 minutes later while I was in the kitchen washing some salad I became conscious of a Â
Strange sharp pain which struck me across the eyes followed almost instantly by a kind of paralysis  of the limbs and a feeling of giddiness I ascended to the hall calling loudly for help and from the  drawing room heard Mr Kerr’s voice hoarse and strange-tounded response with difficulty Â
I struggled up the second flight of stairs put on entering the room where the tiny red light burned  some Curious Indian Superstition of Mrs cars I saw in the dust that Kerr had fallen prone on Â
The floor and was motionless as one dead then help us I tottered across to a chair and sinking into  it all Consciousness left me both Boyd and myself stood breathless at these startling Revelations  when I came to myself she continued I was back in madame’s house next door she had forced some Â
Liquid between my lips and was injecting some other flute into my arms with a hypodermic syringe  I was amazed too to notice that she had changed her dress assumed a gray wig and wore a cap with  bright ribbons in most marvelous imitation of an old lady while I thus remained on the Â
Couch in the back sitting room dazed and only half conscious there came a loud ring at the door and I  overheard a police officer making inquiries of Mrs luff regarding the people next door  then I knew that Kerr’s body had been discovered and that Madame was personating the previous Â
Occupier of that house I was not however aware at that time of how Hartman had called upon Madame  and had carried Mrs Kurtz with small breach made in the fencing of the garden at the rear into her Â
Own house or that eye had been brought back by the same way into ours Madame when all was clear went  that night down to The Hollies leaving me alone with the servants who apparently haven’t been  sent out upon errands during the events described knew nothing I therefore kept my own counsel and Â
Recollecting having overheard blame when taking leave of Madame on his last visit referred to  an appointment he had with Hartman in St James’s Park I resolved also to keep it I did but instead  of meeting him she said addressing me I met you I recollect the meeting well I answered continue Â
Well I returned to The Hollies but it was evident from Adam’s manner that she was in deadly fear  I was not of course aware of what had actually occurred although I entertained the horrible  suspicion that both my friends had fallen victims she took me part of the into her confidence later Â
That day for the police she said would discover an awkward incident next door and that she must not  be seen and recognized as Mrs love she told me that in order to avoid any unpleasant inquiries  heartburn had entered the place before the police and had carried away every scrap of anything that Â
Could lead to their identity and as I knew for Mrs Kerr’s previous conversation that all his letters  were addressed to Drummond’s Bank it seemed improbable that the bodies would be identified  it’s a very serious matter for us Madame said to be earnestly therefore say nothing either Â
To Mrs Blaine or Mary by that another subsequent circumstances I knew that both were an ignorance  they had no hand whatever in the ghastly Affair or after the quarrel they never again met madam  weeks went by she continued after a pause I still remained on friendly terms with Mrs Blaine and her Â
Daughter knowing them to be innocent madab never went out but once or twice Hartman visited her  whenever he did so high words usually arose regarding money it seemed and once blame who by  his family was supposed to be still in Paris came late at night ill-dressed and dirty it was then Â
That I first learned the motive for the ingenious conspiracy Blaine seemed an abject fear that the  police had somehow established the identity of the dead man if so he said all had been futile Hartman Â
It appeared had a daughter whom I had never seen and it was through her that the activity of the  police had been ascertained then turning her eyes again to me with an undisguised love look  Ava exclaimed the tortures of conscience which I have suffered through those summer days when Â
You declared Your Love are known to God Alone my position was a terrible one for I saw that  by preserving this secret I had been an accessory to a most power and cowardly crime and I held back Â
From your Embrace knowing that one day air long I should be arrested and brought to punishment  I lived on my heart gripped by that awful sin in which I had been unwittingly implicated then one Â
Day you called it The Hollies and I gave you some wine from a fresh bottle which I opened myself  it was wine which Madame had specially ordered from the stores on my account because the doctor  had prescribed pork for me that wine was poisoned and you narrowly escaped death the Fatal drop was Â
Attended for me Hartman and Madame DeMont had indeed brought poisoning to a fine art  was poisoned never in your possession inquired boy greatly yes she responded without a second’s  hesitation after the efferent filamor place I discovered Hartman’s address and from a paper in Â
Madame’s Jewel cabinet I copied some strange name Latin I think which I knew related to one of the  secret poisons then in order to satisfy myself as the heartland’s position I went to him to obtain Â
Some my idea was that the information I could thus obtain would be of use if I were arrested  I found that under the name of Boris Lowry he had for years kept an herbalist shop near the elephant Â
And Casper fortunately by reason of my veil he did not recognize me and after some haggling  gave me some grayish powder in a small wooden box securely sealed I discovered afterwards that his  daughter was in love with your friend Mr Clue therefore it must have been through the latter Â
That the Old Man became aware of the movements of police yes said Lily simply it was the Revelation  held her dumbfounded then Hartman and Lowry were actually one of the same I observed bewildered  certainly Ava answered all her soul in her eyes but there was yet a further curious incident Â
A few days after you had taken that fatal drop from my hand Madame and sudden anger discharged  all three servants then when they had gone she had a small square hole about six inches wide  cutting the wall of one of the rooms a bathroom adjoining my bedroom close down to the floor and Â
Before it was fitted a sliding paddle in the wainscoting afterwards she had a strong iron  bar placed upon the door and hole repainted and grained then having furnished the place roughly as  a living room there came secretly late one night The Wretched poisoned her Hartman Alias Professor Â
Douglas Dawson flying from the police from sub previous offense as I afterwards discovered  some German police agents had got wind of his whereabouts he entered that room and when he  was inside Madame fetched an apparatus I had never seen before a kind of punch and with it placed a Â
Lead and seal upon the door fresh servants were at once engaged and these were told that inside that  room was a quantity of antique furniture belonging to a friend who had gone abroad meanwhile Madame  herself supplied The Fugitive with food cooked and uncooked drink and books and for a fortnight or so Â
He lived there in secret I held him in loathing and in hatred yet I dare not utter a word or  even flee from that house of Terror knowing well that in such a case I too would quickly follow Â
The victims to the machinations of what seemed a widespread conspiracy I was in possession of  their secret and might turn Informer that was the reason those half dozen bottles of port wine had  been so generously given to me by my ingenious employer I dared scarcely to eat or drink and Â
Often slipped out secretly and bought cooked meat and bread to satisfy my Hunger one day  when my dad had ventured up to London I chanced to enter the bedroom I had previously occupied  the panel was cautiously pushed back and the man within asked for something to drink I answered Â
That I only had support all the rest being locked up then give me that he said I hesitated then in  sudden desperation I went to the cupboard where the wine was and handed him on an open bottle Â
He gave a grunt of satisfaction and the panel closed that wine Frank she added a death-like  Tyler on her cheeks was the same as that of which you partook Madam had prepared it with a  little syringe as she had done the Benedictine she paused placing her hand upon her planting breast Â
When she returned she continued at last for the nervousness which had agitated her at first gave  place to strength in confidence her first question was apartment I told her of his request and how I Â
Had acceded to it giving him a bottle of the wine she had so generously ordered for me she grew  limit in an instant it stood speechless glaring at me as though she would strike me dead then rushing Â
Up to the room she Drew back the panel and called him by name there was no response in an instant  she knew the truth without uttering a single word to me but ordering the servants to close the Â
House as we were going away for a week or two she made instant preparations for departure and after  seeing everything securely folded and barred she left with a trunk on a cab for full well stationed Â
While I with my small trunk took Refuge with my friends the planes with whom I have since remained  but the motive of that secret assassination at Fillmore place I asked astounded at her story  only within the past few days have I discovered it she answered Â
The crime was planned with extraordinary care and forth if it were not for this confession  which you have rung from me the police would never I believe have elucidated the mystery  the reason briefly was this holder Kerr was an Englishman living in Calcutta who had been left Â
A great Indigo estate in the Northwest by his uncle and had returned to England with a view  of selling it to a company the estate one of the finest in the whole of India realized the very  handsome income but both he and his wife preferred life in England Blaine being a Speculator and Â
Promoter of companies besides an importer of wines having been introduced to him conceived a plan of  obtaining This Magnificent estate and with that object had approached Hartman who in his turn  had Enlisted the services of Madame DeMont both of them being very desperate characters Â
Hartman lived in London and was supposed to be the most expert toxicologist in the whole world  while Madame was a woman whose previous Adventures had earned for her great Renown in certain Shady  circles on the continent Blaine it appeared had already been out to India to visit the estate Â
And on his return had paid a couple of thousand pounds deposit agreeing to purchase it privately  occurred for two hundred thousand pounds the valuation made upon it by a valuer whom he had  taken up with him from Bombay and then turn it into a company a date was arranged when the money Â
Should be paid over at the house in philomar place in exchange for the Deeds duly executed  Hartman whose experiments Kerr was so interested to be present to witness any document necessary  in accordance with Blaine’s request the Deeds were therefore prepared beforehand and executed and all Â
The papers relating to the transaction placed an order into large deed box in which they have  been brought from India in accordance with the cunningly devised plan Blaine called upon the  curse on the afternoon arranged the afternoon of the day of the tragedy and found Kerr ready with Â
All the legal papers and receipts duly executed Blaine however was profused in his apologies  stating that owing us some slight difficulty with his bank he was unable to draw that day but would  do so on the day following and would return at the same hour the curves on their part Express Â
Regret that they could not ask him to remain to dinner but explained that they had no servants  again she paused her story held us all speechless I have already explained how  it occurs afterwards visited me and took tea and the terrible tragedy which followed Â
Hartman was without doubt concealed in that house at the time watching for the unfortunate man’s end  and without delay secured the deed box and all the receipts and papers carrying them next door  searching the body of the man and placing certain things in his pockets namely the porch banknotes Â
And the penny wrapped in paper which would puzzle the police while Blaine had caused that  same evening to be posted from the Grand Hotel in Paris a letter to the man now dead addressed  the Drummond’s Bank expressing satisfaction at the termination of the negotiations and Â
Acknowledging the safe receipt of the deeds and transfers from the messenger he had sent this  was of course to carry out the fiction that for several weeks he had been in Paris on business  connected with the floating of the company and to enable him to prove an alibi if ever required Â
Elaine went in India took good care that it should be widely known that he intended to purchase these  states so that his sudden possession would not be considered strange there was a man it afterwards  transpired who was actually staying at the Grand in Paris in the name of plane and he had posted Â
The letter while I further discovered that this ingenious swindler had actually borrowed the sum  of two hundred thousand pounds for three days to pass through his bank so that he might show  that he had paid for the property then Blaine is a natural possession of the Deeds which only Â
Require the step of the courts in India for the property to become his void observed yes  responded my beloved but the fear that you have discovered the Dead Man’s identity has hitherto  prevented him taking possession or raising money on the Deeds he has placed them somewhere in Â
Safety I suppose and is now most likely out of the country absolutely astounding I guess  then on reflection I inquired the meaning of the cars which had so puzzled us horribly though it  may seem she said they were used to cast lots as to who should actually administer the poison Â
Being shuffled and dealt face downwards there were 50 only two of which were marked it was  I have learned the mode in which the anarchist of Zurich cast lots the person receiving the one with  a line to commit the crime while whoever received the circle became the accomplice and protected Â
With grim disregard for consequences these very cards were afterwards used by the assassins and  their victims to decide upon partners for whisk sometimes being placed beneath the place at  dinner when on entering the groom the guests were allowed to choose their places afterwards turning Â
Up their cards this gave rise sometimes to Great Amusement what would the unfortunate parrot have  thought could they have known the truth alas I did not know it until too late or I would have  given the warning regardless of the consequences Boyd briefly explained how he had seen Blaine Â
Throw something into the lake in St James’s Park whereupon Ava suggested that the object he thus  got rid of was no doubt one of the poison coins with which Hartman had supplied it at his request  I referred to the incident of the telephone and Ava explained how she had since discovered Â
That Blaine had made an inquiry by telephone in phobally that it was Hartman who had responded  when next day he discovered his mistake he saw how narrowly he had escaped the police  Mary’s letter to me had no doubt been a coincidence but her subsequent visit was at her Â
Mother’s instigation it having been discovered that I was aware of the terrible tragedy  you received some type written letters Boyd observed who wrote them Elaine she replied  surprised that she should be aware of this he knew that I had discovered the secret and wrote urging Â
Me to take the utmost precautions to preserve what he guardedly referred to as the silence  but you say that Madame herself took tea with her victims I said she did not suffer certainly  not responded my beloved in her expert hand these poisons discovered by Heartland may be fatal to Â
One person and perfectly harmless to another she no doubt drank some prophylactic first which at  once counteracted any ill-effective poison taken afterwards Hartman seems to have rediscovered  Secrets Dead with abortions from Adam can I believe secrete a Swift and deadly poison within Â
Almost anything whereas she now asked boy quickly we must take immediate steps for her arrest as  well as blames Madame has flown to the continent but where I have no idea she replied tonight  I intended to go to Paris and try to obtain a situation as governance for I feared to remain Â
Longer in England knowing of the body apartment lying in that closed room at The Hollies you must  remain Boyd said quietly your evidence will be required ah no I cannot she declared bursting into  a torrent of tears after this confession I and her voice was choked by sobs as she covered her Â
Haggard face with her hands after this confession darling I said tenderly I love you nonetheless  then clasping her swaying figure to me in Wild ecstasy I felt the swell of her bosom against  my breast and I covered her cold tear stained cheeks with passionate kisses While She For the Â
First Time raised her sweet full lips to mine in a fervid passionate caress and murmured that  she loved me ah what Joy was mine at that moment a new life had been renewed within  me for I knew that by that sacred Bond of an undying affection she was bound to me forever Â
End of chapter 24. chapter 25 conclusion upon events which occurred immediately afterwards  there is little need to dwell saved to declare that the hours that followed were the most joyous  of all our lives and further that the post and the telegraph that night carried over the seas a Â
Demand to the police for the search and arrest of Madame DeMont and the unscrupulous schemer Henry  Blaine a little more than a year has now gone by since that well-remembered day of confession and  Ava and I are happily United men in white while Lily Lowry no longer toils at her counter but is Â
Married to dick against whom Boyd’s suspicions were of course entirely unfounded by the death  of a maiden Aunt who never gave me Sixpence while alive I have fortunately found myself  possessed of sufficient to live independently in a house empowered in trees on the banks of Â
The act in Devon while dick who was still the comet man lives in a neat Villa out at eckenham  Ava and I are frequent guests there and on such occasions the conversation often turns to those  breathless summer days up the Thames and that extraordinary mystery so intricate and puzzling Â
A mystery which Never After All appeared in the comet of Mrs Blaine and Mary we hear but very  little they left riverdine broken and crushed poor things and went to live in a small house  at Bournemouth upon the wreck of the fugitives Fortune no word has since been heard of him but Â
As the deedbots containing many of the papers was found by the police in the Garrett in the  Rue de maw in Paris from which the occupier an Englishman answering to Blaine’s description had  mysteriously disappeared it is almost Beyond doubt that he had committed suicide rather than star Â
Hartman’s unplanned scientific discovery is still The Wonder of the Royal Institution and Patterson  is still stationed at Kensington as for Madame DeMont she was three months ago arrested in Venice  where in the course of a sensational trial it was proved that she had most ingeniously poisoned a Â
Wealthy German contractor whom she had beenveled into marriage and today she is serving a life  term of imprisonment the Italian government does not give up its subjects for offenses committed  abroad or she would otherwise have been brought to London for trial and the readers of newspapers Â
Would have been startled by the details of this one of the most skillful and extraordinary plot of  secret assassination ever devised by the devilish Ingenuity of man or woman this is the end of an  eye for an eye by William Lee Q This was audiobook caboodle YouTube channel presentation we hope you Â
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