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Chapter IX. Dr. Bauerstein
“None!”
ShewaswalkingawaywhenJohnsprangafterher,andcaughtherbythearm.
“Mary”—hisvoicewasveryquietnow—“areyouinlovewiththisfellowBauerstein?”
Shehesitated,andsuddenlytheresweptacrossherfaceastrangeexpression,oldasthehills,yetwithsomethingeternallyyoungaboutit.SomightsomeEgyptiansphinxhavesmiled.
Shefreedherselfquietlyfromhisarm,andspokeoverhershoulder.
“Perhaps,”shesaid;andthenswiftlypassedoutofthelittleglade,leavingJohnstandingthereasthoughhehadbeenturnedtostone.
Ratherostentatiously,Isteppedforward,cracklingsomedeadbrancheswithmyfeetasIdidso.Johnturned.Luckily,hetookitforgrantedthatIhadonlyjustcomeuponthescene.
“Hullo,Hastings.Haveyouseenthelittlefellowsafelybacktohiscottage?Quaintlittlechap!Isheanygood,though,really?”
“Hewasconsideredoneofthefinestdetectivesofhisday.”
“Oh,well,Isupposetheremustbesomethinginit,then.Whatarottenworlditis,though!”
“Youfinditso?”Iasked.
“GoodLord,yes!There’sthisterriblebusinesstostartwith.ScotlandYardmeninandoutofthehouselikeajack-in-the-box!Neverknowwheretheywon’tturnupnext.Screamingheadlinesineverypaperinthecountry—damnalljournalists,Isay!Doyouknowtherewasawholecrowdstaringinatthelodgegatesthismorning.SortofMadameTussaud’schamberofhorrorsbusinessthatcanbeseenfornothing.Prettythick,isn’tit?”
“Cheerup,John!”Isaidsoothingly.
