A Strange Story — Volume 04Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron
Science
A Strange Story — Volume 04
Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron
English fiction -- 19th century
"Your suggestions are sensible, Dr. Fenwick. I have forestalled them. It
is true that the man lodged at a small inn,--the Rising Sun; true that
lie made inquiries about some relations of the name of Walls, who formerly
resided at L----, and afterwards removed to a village ten miles
distant,--two brothers, tradesmen of small means but respectable
character. He at first refused to say at what seaport he landed, in what
ship he sailed. I suspect that he has now told a falsehood as to these
matters. I sent my clerk to Southampton, for it is there he said that he
was put on shore; we shall see: the man himself is detained in close
custody. I hear that his manner is strange and excitable; but that he
preserves silence as much as possible. It is generally believed that he
is a bad character, perhaps a returned convict, and that this is the true
reason why he so long delayed giving evidence, and has been since so
reluctant to account for himself. But even if his testimony should be
impugned, should break down, still we should have to account for the fact
that the casket and the case-knife were found in your bureau; for,
granting that a person could, in your absence, have entered your study and
placed the articles in your bureau, it is clear that such a person must
have been well acquainted with your house, and this stranger to L----
could not have possessed that knowledge."
"Of course not. Mr. Margrave did possess it!"
"Mr. Margrave again! oh, sir!"
I arose and moved away with an impatient gesture. I could not trust
myself to speak. That night I did not sleep; I watched impatiently,
gazing on the opposite wall for the gleam of the Scin-Laeca. But the
night passed away, and the spectre did not appear.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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