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IV. The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge
Middleton,thehousekeeper,andwewentdownthatsameafternoon.YesterdayeveningIwasforcedtoreturntotown,butmywifeandmyuncleremainedon.ThismorningIreceivedthistelegram.”Hehandeditovertome:
“Comeatonceuncleharringtonmurderedlastnightbringgooddetectiveifyoucanbutdocome—Zoe.”
“Then,asyetyouknownodetails?”
“No,Isupposeitwillbeintheeveningpapers.Withoutdoubtthepoliceareincharge.”
Itwasaboutthreeo’clockwhenwearrivedatthelittlestationofElmer’sDale.Fromthereafive-miledrivebroughtustoasmallgreystonebuildinginthemidstoftheruggedmoors.
“Alonelyplace,”Iobservedwithashiver.
Haveringnodded.
“Ishalltryandgetridofit.Icouldneverlivehereagain.”
Weunlatchedthegateandwerewalkingupthenarrowpathtotheoakdoorwhenafamiliarfigureemergedandcametomeetus.
“Japp!”Iejaculated.
TheScotlandYardinspectorgrinnedatmeinafriendlyfashionbeforeaddressingmycompanion.
“Mr.Havering,Ithink?I’vebeensentdownfromLondontotakechargeofthiscase,andI’dlikeawordwithyou,ifImay,sir.”
“Mywife——”
“I’veseenyourgoodlady,sir—andthehousekeeper.Iwon’tkeepyouamoment,butI’manxioustogetbacktothevillagenowthatI’veseenallthereistoseehere.”
“Iknownothingasyetastowhat——”
“Ex-actly,”saidJappsoothingly.“ButtherearejustoneortwolittlepointsI’dlikeyouropinionaboutallthesame.CaptainHastingshere,heknowsme,andhe’llgoonuptothehouseandtellthemyou’recoming.
