I am sorry if it offends
you. Doubtless a few days will end the matter and the keys will be
given into your hand. I suppose you are anxious to move in?"
He cast a glance behind him at his dog, gave a whistle which passed
unheeded, and replied with dignity, if but little heart:
"When a man has passed his seventh decade he is not apt to be so
patient with delay as when he has a prospect of many years before
him. I am anxious to enter my own house, yes; I have much to do
there."
I came very near asking him what, but feared to seem too familiar,
in case he was the cold but upright man he would fain appear, and
too interested and inquiring if he were the whited sepulcher I
secretly considered him. So with a nod a trifle more pronounced
than if I had been unaffected by either hypothesis, I remounted the
steps, carelessly remarking:
"I'll see you again after taking a turn through the house. If I
discover anything - ghost marks or human marks which might be of
interest to you - I'll let you know."
Something like a growl answered me. But whether it came from master
or dog, I did not stop to inquire. I had serious work before me;
very serious, considering that it was to be done on my own
responsibility and without the knowledge of my superiors. But I
was sustained by the thought that no whisper of murder had as yet
been heard abroad or at headquarters, and that consequently I was
interfering in no great case; merely trying to formulate one.
Pages:
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104