you have described. You must also put in a note to say that all the
other papers were burned by your uncle, and that this is the only one
which remains. You must assert that in such words as will carry
conviction with them. Having done this, you must at once put the box
out upon the sundial, as directed. Do you understand?
Entirely.
Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I think
that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our web to
weave, while theirs is already woven. The first consideration is to
remove the pressing danger which threatens you. The second is to clear
up the mystery and to punish the guilty parties.
I thank you, said the young man, rising and pulling on his overcoat.
You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall certainly do as you
advise.
Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the
meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that you are
threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you go back?
By train from Waterloo.
It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that you
may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too closely.
I am armed.
That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case.
I shall see you at Horsham, then?
No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it.
Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news as to
the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every particular.
He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the wind still
screamed and the rain splashed and pattered against the windows. This
strange, wild story seemed to have come to us from amid the mad
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