Tales of Terror and Mystery

           "

           "Yes,Iqualifiedinmyyoungerdays,whentherewereseverallivesbetweenmeandthepeerage.Ihavenothadoccasiontopractise,butIhavefounditausefuleducation,allthesame.IneverregrettedtheyearswhichIdevotedtomedicalstudy.ThesearethegatesofDelamereCourt."

           Wehadcometotwohighpillarscrownedwithheraldicmonsterswhichflankedtheopeningofawindingavenue.Overthelaurelbushesandrhododendrons,Icouldseealong,many-gabledmansion,girdledwithivy,andtonedtothewarm,cheery,mellowglowofoldbrick-work.Myeyeswerestillfixedinadmirationuponthisdelightfulhousewhenmycompanionpluckednervouslyatmysleeve.

           "Here’sSirThomas,"hewhispered."Pleasetalkbeetleallyoucan."

           Atall,thinfigure,curiouslyangularandbony,hademergedthroughagapinthehedgeoflaurels.Inhishandheheldaspud,andheworegauntletedgardener’sgloves.Abroad-brimmed,greyhatcasthisfaceintoshadow,butitstruckmeasexceedinglyaustere,withanill-nourishedbeardandharsh,irregularfeatures.TheflypulledupandLordLinchmeresprangout.

           "MydearThomas,howareyou?"saidhe,heartily.

           Buttheheartinesswasbynomeansreciprocal.Theownerofthegroundsglaredatmeoverhisbrother-in-law’sshoulder,andIcaughtbrokenscrapsofsentences—"well-knownwishes...hatredofstrangers...unjustifiableintrusion...perfectlyinexcusable."Thentherewasamutteredexplanation,andthetwoofthemcameovertogethertothesideofthefly.

           "LetmepresentyoutoSirThomasRossiter,Dr.Hamilton,"saidLordLinchmere.