Tales of Terror and Mystery

           Theincidentled,however,toaninstructivetalkwithRichards,theagent,whohadneverpenetratedintothechamberwhichchancehadopenedtome.Thatveryafternoonhecametome,allcuriosity,andwalkedupanddownthegardenpathwithme,whilemytwochargesplayedtennisuponthelawnbesideus.

           "Youhardlyrealizetheexceptionwhichhasbeenmadeinyourfavour,"saidhe."Thatroomhasbeenkeptsuchamystery,andSirJohn’svisitstoithavebeensoregularandconsistent,thatanalmostsuperstitiousfeelinghasarisenaboutitinthehousehold.IassureyouthatifIweretorepeattoyouthetaleswhichareflyingabout,talesofmysteriousvisitorsthere,andofvoicesoverheardbytheservants,youmightsuspectthatSirJohnhadrelapsedintohisoldways."

           "Whydoyousayrelapsed?"Iasked.

           Helookedatmeinsurprise.

           "Isitpossible,"saidhe,"thatSirJohnBollamore’sprevioushistoryisunknowntoyou?"

           "Absolutely."

           "Youastoundme.IthoughtthateverymaninEnglandknewsomethingofhisantecedents.Ishouldnotmentionthematterifitwerenotthatyouarenowoneofourselves,andthatthefactsmightcometoyourearsinsomeharsherformifIweresilentuponthem.Ialwaystookitforgrantedthatyouknewthatyouwereintheserviceof’Devil’Bollamore."

           "Butwhy’Devil’?"Iasked.

           "Ah,youareyoungandtheworldmovesfast,buttwentyyearsagothenameof’Devil’BollamorewasoneofthebestknowninLondon.Hewastheleaderofthefastestset,bruiser,driver,gambler,drunkard—asurvivaloftheoldtype,andasbadastheworstofthem.