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Chapter 5
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Oneofthemgavemeacigar,whichIsmeltgingerlyandstuckinTurnbull’sbundle.Theygotintotheircarandwereoutofsightinthreeminutes.
Myheartleapedwithanenormousrelief,butIwentonwheelingmystones.Itwasaswell,fortenminuteslaterthecarreturned,oneoftheoccupantswavingahandtome.Thosegentryleftnothingtochance.
IfinishedTurnbull’sbreadandcheese,andprettysoonIhadfinishedthestones.Thenextstepwaswhatpuzzledme.Icouldnotkeepupthisroadmakingbusinessforlong.AmercifulProvidencehadkeptMrTurnbullindoors,butifheappearedonthescenetherewouldbetrouble.Ihadanotionthatthecordonwasstilltightroundtheglen,andthatifIwalkedinanydirectionIshouldmeetwithquestioners.ButgetoutImust.Noman’snervecouldstandmorethanadayofbeingspiedon.
Istayedatmyposttillfiveo’clock.BythattimeIhadresolvedtogodowntoTurnbull’scottageatnightfallandtakemychanceofgettingoverthehillsinthedarkness.Butsuddenlyanewcarcameuptheroad,andsloweddownayardortwofromme.Afreshwindhadrisen,andtheoccupantwantedtolightacigarette.
Itwasatouringcar,withthetonneaufullofanassortmentofbaggage.Onemansatinit,andbyanamazingchanceIknewhim.HisnamewasMarmadukeJopley,andhewasanoffencetocreation.Hewasasortofbloodstockbroker,whodidhisbusinessbytoadyingeldestsonsandrichyoungpeersandfoolisholdladies.
