Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Beetle-Hunter
Somenervousweaknesskeptthemusclesinaconstantspasm,whichsometimesproducedameretwitchingandsometimesacuriousrotarymovementunlikeanythingwhichIhadeverseenbefore.Itwasstrikinglyvisibleasheturnedtowardsusafterenteringthestudy,andseemedthemoresingularfromthecontrastwiththehard,steady,greyeyeswhichlookedoutfromunderneaththosepalpitatingbrows.
"Iamsorry,"saidhe,"thatLadyRossiterisnotheretohelpmetowelcomeyou.Bytheway,Charles,didEvelynsayanythingaboutthedateofherreturn?"
"Shewishedtostayintownforafewmoredays,"saidLordLinchmere."Youknowhowladies’socialdutiesaccumulateiftheyhavebeenforsometimeinthecountry.MysisterhasmanyoldfriendsinLondonatpresent."
"Well,sheisherownmistress,andIshouldnotwishtoalterherplans,butIshallbegladwhenIseeheragain.Itisverylonelyherewithouthercompany."
"Iwasafraidthatyoumightfinditso,andthatwaspartlywhyIrandown.Myyoungfriend,Dr.Hamilton,issomuchinterestedinthesubjectwhichyouhavemadeyourown,thatIthoughtyouwouldnotmindhisaccompanyingme."
"Ileadaretiredlife,Dr.Hamilton,andmyaversiontostrangersgrowsuponme,"saidourhost."Ihavesometimesthoughtthatmynervesarenotsogoodastheywere.Mytravelsinsearchofbeetlesinmyyoungerdaystookmeintomanymalariousandunhealthyplaces.
