Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Jew's Breastplate
IhavementionedincidentallythattheProfessor’sdaughterwasaverybeautifulgirl.Shewasablonde,tallandgraceful,withaskinofthatdelicatetintwhichtheFrenchcall"mat,"thecolourofoldivory,orofthelighterpetalsofthesulphurrose.Iwasshocked,however,assheenteredtheroomtoseehowmuchshehadchangedinthelastfortnight.Heryoungfacewashaggardandherbrighteyesheavywithtrouble.
"FatherhasgonetoScotland,"shesaid."Heseemstobetired,andhashadagooddealtoworryhim.Heonlyleftusyesterday."
"Youlookalittletiredyourself,MissAndreas,"saidmyfriend.
"Ihavebeensoanxiousaboutfather."
"CanyougivemehisScotchaddress?"
"Yes,heiswithhisbrother,theRev.DavidAndreas,1,ArranVillas,Ardrossan."
WardMortimermadeanoteoftheaddress,andweleftwithoutsayinganythingastotheobjectofourvisit.WefoundourselvesinBelmoreStreetintheeveninginexactlythesamepositioninwhichwehadbeeninthemorning.OuronlycluewastheProfessor’sletter,andmyfriendhadmadeuphismindtostartforArdrossannextday,andtogettothebottomoftheanonymousletter,whenanewdevelopmentcametoalterourplans.
VeryearlyonthefollowingmorningIwasarousedfrommysleepbyatapuponmybedroomdoor.ItwasamessengerwithanotefromMortimer.
"Docomeround,"itsaid;"thematterisbecomingmoreandmoreextraordinary."
WhenIobeyedhissummonsIfoundhimpacingexcitedlyupanddownthecentralroom,whiletheoldsoldierwhoguardedthepremisesstoodwithmilitarystiffnessinacorner.
