A Strange Story — CompleteLytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron
Science
A Strange Story — Complete
Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron
English fiction -- 19th century
or two later, in a dell, amongst the furze-bushes, I chanced on a
knot of ribbon. I recognized the colour Lilian habitually wore; I felt
certain that the ribbon was hers. Calculating the utmost speed I could
ascribe to her, she could not be far off, yet still I failed to discover
her. The scene now was as solitary as a desert. I met no one on my way.
At length, a little after sunset, I found myself in view of the sea.
A small town nestled below the cliffs, on which I was guiding my weary
horse. I entered the town, and while my horse was baiting went in search
of the resident policeman. The information I had directed to be sent
round the country had reached him; he had acted on it, but without
result. I was surprised to hear him address me by name, and looking at
him more narrowly, I recognized him for the policeman Waby. This young
man had always expressed so grateful a sense of my attendance on his
sister, and had, indeed, so notably evinced his gratitude in prosecuting
with Margrave the inquiries which terminated in the discovery of
Sir Philip Derval’s murderer, that I confided to him the name of the
wanderer, of which he had not been previously informed; but which it
would be, indeed, impossible to conceal from him should the search in
which his aid was asked prove successful,--as he knew Miss Ashleigh by
sight. His face immediately became thoughtful. He paused a minute or
two, and then said,--
“I think I have it, but I do not like to say; I may pain you, sir.”
“Not by confidence; you pain me by concealment.”
The man hesitated still: I encouraged him, and then he spoke out
frankly.
“Sir, did you never think it strange that Mr. Margrave should move from
his handsome rooms in the hotel to a somewhat uncomfortable lodging,
from the window of which he could look down on Mrs. Ashleigh’s garden? I
have seen him at night in the balcony of that window, and when I noticed
him going so frequently into Mrs. Ashleigh’s house during your unjust
detention, I own, sir, I felt for you--”
“Nonsense! Mr. Margrave went to Mrs. Ashleigh’s house as my friend. He
has left L---- weeks ago. What has all this to do with--”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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