Suddenly he saw something in the glass. Some one appeared at the window,
looked out as if watching for something, and then withdrew into the bare
little sleeping room. Then the figure in the mirror went to the bed and
carefully turned all the clothes back. The student of science watched
the mirror intently. The figure bent over the uncovered mattress and
quietly opened the sacking and took something out. It sat down on the
edge of the disordered bed and proceeded to examine the box or bundle,
whatever it might be, that it had found in the bed.
Just here there was the sound of a distant door opening and closing. The
figure crouched low on the bed, as if fearing to be seen, and waited
till all was quiet again. Then it slowly opened the box or package, and
took out a folded paper. The student bent over the mirror with the
utmost interest. What did it mean? What would happen next? Nothing in
particular happened. The figure closed the box, returned it to its
hiding place in the bed, and then crept out of the range of reflected
vision.
Why should the confidential clerk hide papers in his bed? What was the
nature of the documents? A strange affair, certainly, but it did not
concern him, and perhaps he had better drop the subject. He turned to
his books and papers, and for an hour or more was too much occupied with
them to heed aught else.
Suddenly there was a brisk series of taps at his door, like this:
- - -- - - -- -- - - -- --
"I'm here. Come in."
Alma, the bright one entered.
"What a room! Such disorder, Elmer."
"Yes. It is quite a comfortable den. I've unpacked everything, and--mind
your steps--feel quite at home--thank you."
"I should say as much. Do look at the dust. I must have Mary up here at
once."
"Madam, I never allow any female person to touch my traps. Mary may make
the bed, but she must not sweep, nor dust, nor touch anything."
"Oh! really. Then I'll go at once."
"Better not."
"Why?"
"Because I've many things to show----"
"Oh, Elmer! What is that--that queer thing on the table? May I look at
it?"
"That's my new camera."
"How stupid. I might have known that. Do you take pictures?"
"Photos? Yes. Will you sit?"
"Oh, dear, no. I hate photographs. It's so disagreeable to see oneself
staring with some impossible expression, and sitting in an impossible
palace, with a distant landscape and drapery curtains."
"Then I'll take a view for you. Find a seat somewhere while I rig
things. See those two people sitting on the little bridge that crosses
the race beyond the mill? I'll photograph them without their
permission."
Alma looked out of the window when Elmer had raised the curtain, but
declared she couldn't see anything.
"They are very far off. Take the field glass, and you'll see them."
Alma took the glass from the table, and looked out on the sunny
landscape.
"I see what you mean, but I can't make out who they are, even with the
glass. It's a man and a woman, and that's as much as I can see."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account