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canon-blan [2022/03/07 00:12]
stanw created 		canon-blan [2022/03/07 18:59] (current)
stanw
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 that you will be able to tell me what they mean. I've been awake all that you will be able to tell me what they mean. I've been awake all
 night puzzling my brain, and the more I think the more incredible does night puzzling my brain, and the more I think the more incredible does
-it become.+it become."
  
 "When I joined up in January, 1901---just two years ago---young "When I joined up in January, 1901---just two years ago---young
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 from the hospital at Cape Town and one from Southampton. Since then not from the hospital at Cape Town and one from Southampton. Since then not
 a word---not one word, Mr. Holmes, for six months and more, and he my a word---not one word, Mr. Holmes, for six months and more, and he my
-closest pal.+closest pal."
  
 "Well, when the war was over, and we all got back, I wrote to his "Well, when the war was over, and we all got back, I wrote to his
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 I wrote again. This time I had a reply, short and gruff. Godfrey had I wrote again. This time I had a reply, short and gruff. Godfrey had
 gone on a voyage round the world, and it was not likely that he would gone on a voyage round the world, and it was not likely that he would
-be back for a year. That was all.+be back for a year. That was all."
  
 "I wasn't satisfied, Mr. Holmes. The whole thing seemed to me so damned "I wasn't satisfied, Mr. Holmes. The whole thing seemed to me so damned
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 objection, et cetera? In reply I had quite an amiable answer from her objection, et cetera? In reply I had quite an amiable answer from her
 and an offer to put me up for the night. That was what took me down on and an offer to put me up for the night. That was what took me down on
-Monday.+Monday."
  
 "Tuxbury Old Hall is inaccessible---five miles from anywhere. There "Tuxbury Old Hall is inaccessible---five miles from anywhere. There
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 mother in his affections, so I was drawn to her in spite of her queer mother in his affections, so I was drawn to her in spite of her queer
 appearance. The mother I liked also---a gentle little white mouse of a appearance. The mother I liked also---a gentle little white mouse of a
-woman. It was only the colonel himself whom I barred.+woman. It was only the colonel himself whom I barred."
  
 "We had a bit of barney right away, and I should have walked back to "We had a bit of barney right away, and I should have walked back to
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 seated behind his littered desk. A red-veined nose jutted out like a seated behind his littered desk. A red-veined nose jutted out like a
 vulture's beak, and two fierce gray eyes glared at me from under tufted vulture's beak, and two fierce gray eyes glared at me from under tufted
-brows. I could understand now why Godfrey seldom spoke of his father.+brows. I could understand now why Godfrey seldom spoke of his father."
  
 "'Well, sir,' said he in a rasping voice, 'I should be interested to "'Well, sir,' said he in a rasping voice, 'I should be interested to
-know the real reasons for this visit.'+know the real reasons for this visit.'"
  
-"I answered that I had explained them in my letter to his wife.+"I answered that I had explained them in my letter to his wife."
  
 "'Yes, yes, you said that you had known Godfrey in Africa. We have, of "'Yes, yes, you said that you had known Godfrey in Africa. We have, of
-course, only your word for that.'+course, only your word for that.'"
  
-"'I have his letters to me in my pocket.'+"I have his letters to me in my pocket."
  
-"'Kindly let me see them.'+"'Kindly let me see them.'"
  
 "He glanced at the two which I handed him, and then he tossed them "He glanced at the two which I handed him, and then he tossed them
-back.+back."
  
-"'Well, what then?' he asked.+"'Well, what then?' he asked."
  
 "'I was fond of your son Godfrey, sir. Many ties and memories united "'I was fond of your son Godfrey, sir. Many ties and memories united
 us. Is it not natural that I should wonder at his sudden silence and us. Is it not natural that I should wonder at his sudden silence and
-should wish to know what has become of him?'+should wish to know what has become of him?'"
  
 "'I have some recollections, sir, that I had already corresponded with "'I have some recollections, sir, that I had already corresponded with
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 experiences, and both his mother and I were of opinion that camplete experiences, and both his mother and I were of opinion that camplete
 rest and change were needed. Kindly pass that explanation on to any rest and change were needed. Kindly pass that explanation on to any
-other friends who may be interested in the matter.'+other friends who may be interested in the matter.'"
  
 "'Certainly,' I answered. 'But perhaps you would have the goodness to "'Certainly,' I answered. 'But perhaps you would have the goodness to
 let me have the name of the steamer and of the line by which he sailed, let me have the name of the steamer and of the line by which he sailed,
 together with the date. I have no doubt that I should be able to get a together with the date. I have no doubt that I should be able to get a
-letter through to him.'+letter through to him.'"
  
 "My request seemed both to puzzle and to irritate my host. His great "My request seemed both to puzzle and to irritate my host. His great
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 on the table. He looked up at last with the expression of one who has on the table. He looked up at last with the expression of one who has
 seen his adversary make a dangerous move at chess, and has decided how seen his adversary make a dangerous move at chess, and has decided how
-to meet it.+to meet it."
  
 "'Many people, Mr. Dodd,' said he, 'would take offence at your "'Many people, Mr. Dodd,' said he, 'would take offence at your
 infernal pertinacity and would think that this insistence had reached infernal pertinacity and would think that this insistence had reached
-the point of damned impertinence.'+the point of damned impertinence."
  
-"'You must put it down, sir, to my real love for your son.'+"'You must put it down, sir, to my real love for your son.'"
  
 "'Exactly. I have already made every allowance upon that score. I must "'Exactly. I have already made every allowance upon that score. I must
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 but I would ask you to let the present and the future alone. Such but I would ask you to let the present and the future alone. Such
 inquiries serve no useful purpose, sir, and place us in a delicate and inquiries serve no useful purpose, sir, and place us in a delicate and
-difficult position.'+difficult position.'"
  
 "So I came to a dead end, Mr. Holmes. There was no getting past it. I "So I came to a dead end, Mr. Holmes. There was no getting past it. I
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 roaring fire with the lamp on a table beside me, and endeavoured to roaring fire with the lamp on a table beside me, and endeavoured to
 distract my mind with a novel. I was interrupted, however, by Ralph, distract my mind with a novel. I was interrupted, however, by Ralph,
-the old butler, who came in with a fresh supply of coals.+the old butler, who came in with a fresh supply of coals."
  
 "'I thought you might run short in the night-time, sir. It is bitter "'I thought you might run short in the night-time, sir. It is bitter
-weather and these rooms are cold.'+weather and these rooms are cold.'"
  
 "He hesitated before leaving the room, and when I looked round he was "He hesitated before leaving the room, and when I looked round he was
-standing facing me with a wistful look upon his wrinkled face.+standing facing me with a wistful look upon his wrinkled face."
  
 "'Beg your pardon, sir, but I could not help hearing what you said of "'Beg your pardon, sir, but I could not help hearing what you said of
 young Master Godfrey at dinner. You know, sir, that my wife nursed him, young Master Godfrey at dinner. You know, sir, that my wife nursed him,
 and so I may say I am his foster-father. It's natural we should take an and so I may say I am his foster-father. It's natural we should take an
-interest. And you say he carried himself well, sir?'+interest. And you say he carried himself well, sir?'"
  
 "'There was no braver man in the regiment. He pulled me out once from "'There was no braver man in the regiment. He pulled me out once from
-under the rifles of the Boers, or maybe I should not be here.'+under the rifles of the Boers, or maybe I should not be here.'"
  
-"The old butler rubbed his skinny hands.+"The old butler rubbed his skinny hands."
  
 "'Yes, sir, yes, that is Master Godfrey all over. He was always "'Yes, sir, yes, that is Master Godfrey all over. He was always
 courageous. There's not a tree in the park, sir, that he has not courageous. There's not a tree in the park, sir, that he has not
 climbed. Nothing would stop him. He was a fine boy---and oh, sir, he climbed. Nothing would stop him. He was a fine boy---and oh, sir, he
-was a fine man.'+was a fine man.'"
  
-"I sprang to my feet.+"I sprang to my feet."
  
 "'Look here!' I cried. 'You say he was. You speak as if he were dead. "'Look here!' I cried. 'You say he was. You speak as if he were dead.
-What is all this mystery? What has become of Godfrey Emsworth?'+What is all this mystery? What has become of Godfrey Emsworth?'"
  
-"I gripped the old man by the shoulder, but he shrank away.+"I gripped the old man by the shoulder, but he shrank away."
  
 "'I don't know what you mean, sir. Ask the master about Master "'I don't know what you mean, sir. Ask the master about Master
-Godfrey. He knows. It is not for me to interfere.'+Godfrey. He knows. It is not for me to interfere.'"
  
-"He was leaving the room, but I held his arm+"He was leaving the room, but I held his arm."
  
-"'Listen,' I said. 'You are going to answer one question before you +"'Listen,'" I said. 'You are going to answer one question before you 
-leave if I have to hold you all night. Is Godfrey dead?"+leave if I have to hold you all night. Is Godfrey dead?'"
  
 "He could not face my eyes. He was like a man hypnotized The answer was "He could not face my eyes. He was like a man hypnotized The answer was
-dragged from his lips. It was a terrible and unexpected one.+dragged from his lips. It was a terrible and unexpected one."
  
 "'I wish to God he was!' he cried, and, tearing himself free he dashed "'I wish to God he was!' he cried, and, tearing himself free he dashed
-from the room.+from the room."
  
 "You will think, Mr. Holmes, that I returned to my chair in no very "You will think, Mr. Holmes, that I returned to my chair in no very
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 eyes met mine, and they were the eyes of a living man. He sprang back eyes met mine, and they were the eyes of a living man. He sprang back
 when he saw that I was looking at him, and he vanished into the when he saw that I was looking at him, and he vanished into the
-darkness.+darkness."
  
 "There was something shocking about the man, Mr. Holmes. It wasn't "There was something shocking about the man, Mr. Holmes. It wasn't
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 It was more subtle than that---something slinking, something furtive, It was more subtle than that---something slinking, something furtive,
 something guilty---something very unlike the frank, manly lad that I something guilty---something very unlike the frank, manly lad that I
-had known. It left a feeling of horror in my mind.+had known. It left a feeling of horror in my mind."
  
 "But when a man has been soldiering for a year or two with brother Boer "But when a man has been soldiering for a year or two with brother Boer
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 was some little time before I could throw it up. Then I nipped through was some little time before I could throw it up. Then I nipped through
 and ran down the garden path in the direction that I thought he might and ran down the garden path in the direction that I thought he might
-have taken.+have taken."
  
 "It was a long path and the light was not very good, but it seemed to "It was a long path and the light was not very good, but it seemed to
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 the darkness. That was enough, Mr. Holmes, to assure me that what I had the darkness. That was enough, Mr. Holmes, to assure me that what I had
 seen was not a vision. Godfrey had run away from me, and he had shut a seen was not a vision. Godfrey had run away from me, and he had shut a
-door behind him. Of that I was certain.+door behind him. Of that I was certain."
  
 "There was nothing more I could do, and I spent an uneasy night turning "There was nothing more I could do, and I spent an uneasy night turning
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 the old man gave me a clear day in which to make my observations. I was the old man gave me a clear day in which to make my observations. I was
 already perfectly convinced that Godfrey was in hiding somewhere near, already perfectly convinced that Godfrey was in hiding somewhere near,
-but where and why remained to be solved.+but where and why remained to be solved."
  
 "The house was so large and so rambling that a regiment might be hid "The house was so large and so rambling that a regiment might be hid
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 was certainly not in the house. I must explore the garden and see what was certainly not in the house. I must explore the garden and see what
 I could find. There was no difficulty in the way, for the old people I could find. There was no difficulty in the way, for the old people
-were busy in their own fashion and left me to my own devices.+were busy in their own fashion and left me to my own devices."
  
 "There were several small outhouses, but at the end of the garden there "There were several small outhouses, but at the end of the garden there
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 the gardener type---came out of the door. To my surprise, he locked it the gardener type---came out of the door. To my surprise, he locked it
 after him and put the key in his pocket. Then he looked at me with some after him and put the key in his pocket. Then he looked at me with some
-surprise on his face.+surprise on his face."
  
-"'Are you a visitor here?' he asked.+"'Are you a visitor here?' he asked."
  
-"I explained that I was and that I was a friend of Godfrey's.+"I explained that I was and that I was a friend of Godfrey's."
  
 "'What a pity that he should be away on his travels, for he would have "'What a pity that he should be away on his travels, for he would have
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 will renew your visit at some more propitious time.' He passed on, but will renew your visit at some more propitious time.' He passed on, but
 when I turned I observed that he was standing watching me, when I turned I observed that he was standing watching me,
-half-concealed by the laurels at the far end of the garden.+half-concealed by the laurels at the far end of the garden."
  
 "I had a good look at the little house as I passed it, but the windows "I had a good look at the little house as I passed it, but the windows
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 went on with my inquiry. When all was dark and quiet I slipped out of went on with my inquiry. When all was dark and quiet I slipped out of
 my window and made my way as silently as possible to the mysterious my window and made my way as silently as possible to the mysterious
-lodge.+lodge."
  
 "I have said that it was heavily curtained, but now I found that the "I have said that it was heavily curtained, but now I found that the
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 in an attitude of great melancholy, his body turned towards the fire. I in an attitude of great melancholy, his body turned towards the fire. I
 was hesitating as to what I should do when there was a sharp tap on my was hesitating as to what I should do when there was a sharp tap on my
-shoulder, and there was Colonel Emsworth beside me.+shoulder, and there was Colonel Emsworth beside me."
  
 "'This way, sir!' said he in a low voice. He walked in silence to the "'This way, sir!' said he in a low voice. He walked in silence to the
 house, and I followed him into my own bedroom. He had picked up a house, and I followed him into my own bedroom. He had picked up a
-time-table in the hall.+time-table in the hall."
  
-" There is a train to London at 8:30,' said he. 'The trap will be at +"'There is a train to London at 8:30,' said he. 'The trap will be at 
-the door at eight.'+the door at eight.'"
  
 "He was white with rage, and, indeed, I felt myself in so difficult a "He was white with rage, and, indeed, I felt myself in so difficult a
 position that I could only stammer out a few incoherent apologies in position that I could only stammer out a few incoherent apologies in
-which I tried to excuse myself by urging my anxiety for my friend.+which I tried to excuse myself by urging my anxiety for my friend."
  
 "'The matter will not bear discussion,' said he abruptly. 'You have "'The matter will not bear discussion,' said he abruptly. 'You have
 made a most damnable intrusion into the privacy of our family. You were made a most damnable intrusion into the privacy of our family. You were
 here as a guest and you have become a spy. I have nothing more to say, here as a guest and you have become a spy. I have nothing more to say,
-sir, save that I have no wish ever to see you again.'+sir, save that I have no wish ever to see you again.'"
  
-"At this I lost my temper, Mr. Holmes, and I spoke with some warmth.+"At this I lost my temper, Mr. Holmes, and I spoke with some warmth."
  
 "'I have seen your son, and I am convinced that for some reason of "'I have seen your son, and I am convinced that for some reason of
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 desist in my efforts to get to the bottom of the mystery, and I shall desist in my efforts to get to the bottom of the mystery, and I shall
 certainly not allow myself to be intimidated by anything which you may certainly not allow myself to be intimidated by anything which you may
-say or do.'+say or do.'"
  
 "The old fellow looked diabolical, and I really thought he was about to "The old fellow looked diabolical, and I really thought he was about to
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 neglect. Therefore it was not until the beginning of the next week, as neglect. Therefore it was not until the beginning of the next week, as
 my diary records, that I was able to start forth on my mission to my diary records, that I was able to start forth on my mission to
-Bedfordshire in company with Mr. James M. Dodd. As we drove to Eustonn+Bedfordshire in company with Mr. James M. Dodd. As we drove to Euston
 we picked up a grave and tacitum gentleman of iron-gray aspect, with we picked up a grave and tacitum gentleman of iron-gray aspect, with
 whom I had made the necessary arrangements. whom I had made the necessary arrangements.
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 "When I came to myself it was nightfall, and I raised myself up, "When I came to myself it was nightfall, and I raised myself up,
 feeling very weak and ill. To my surprise there was a house close feeling very weak and ill. To my surprise there was a house close
-beside me, a fairly large house with a broad stoep and many windows. It+beside me, a fairly large house with a broad //stoep// and many windows. It
 was deadly cold. You remember the kind of numb cold which used to come was deadly cold. You remember the kind of numb cold which used to come
 at evening, a deadly, sickening sort of cold, very different from a at evening, a deadly, sickening sort of cold, very different from a
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 But, man alive! you are in far greater danger here than ever you were But, man alive! you are in far greater danger here than ever you were
 on the battlefield. You are in the Leper Hospital, and you have slept on the battlefield. You are in the Leper Hospital, and you have slept
-in a leper's bed.'+in a leper's bed.'"
  
 "Need I tell you more, Jimmie? It seems that in view of the approaching "Need I tell you more, Jimmie? It seems that in view of the approaching
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 to do what I had done. He put me in a private room, treated me kindly, to do what I had done. He put me in a private room, treated me kindly,
 and within a week or so I was removed to the general hospital at and within a week or so I was removed to the general hospital at
-Pretoria.+Pretoria."
  
 "So there you have my tragedy. I hoped against hope, but it was not "So there you have my tragedy. I hoped against hope, but it was not
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 the family to get rid of the delinquent and send him abroad rather than the family to get rid of the delinquent and send him abroad rather than
 keep him concealed at home. I could see no explanation for such a line keep him concealed at home. I could see no explanation for such a line
-of conduct.+of conduct."
  
 "Insanity was more plausible. The presence of the second person in the "Insanity was more plausible. The presence of the second person in the
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 authorities have been duly notified. Why, then, all this desperate authorities have been duly notified. Why, then, all this desperate
 desire for secrecy? Once again I could not get the theory to fit the desire for secrecy? Once again I could not get the theory to fit the
-facts.+facts."
  
 "There remained the third possibility, into which, rare and unlikely as "There remained the third possibility, into which, rare and unlikely as
canon-blan.1646611936.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/03/07 00:12 by stanw

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