The second entry appeared to have been penned by the same hand as the
original, but more neatly and some while later. The ink, at any
rate, was blacker and fresher. It ran:
S.W. ann. aetat. 37. R.I.P.
The handwriting, though rugged--and the indifferent ink may have been
to blame for this--was well formed, and, but for the spelling, might
have belonged to an educated man.
The reader, if he choose, may follow our example and discuss the
above directions for half an hour--I will warrant with as little
result. Miss Belcher ended by harking back to the summer-house and
to the latest crime--if we might guess, the latest of many--for which
this document had been responsible.
"What puzzles me is this: Since the Major had pockets in his coat,
why should he have hidden the parcel as he did? So small a parcel,
too!"
"Captain Coffin," I suggested, "may have known that he was being
followed."
"Well?"
"And in handing it over he may have warned my father that there was
danger."
"I believe the boy is right," said Captain Branscome. "Now I recall
the Major's face at the moment when I rattled the latch, I feel sure
he was on his guard. Yes--yes, he had been warned against carrying
this on his person--he was wrapping it away for the time--"
"Why, what ails the man?" demanded Miss Belcher, as Captain Branscome
stopped short with a groan.
Pages:
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178