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Page 7
"Does this suggest a train of thought?" prompted Harley.
Sir Charles Abingdon cleared his throat nervously. "It does, Mr.
Harley," he admitted, "but a very confusing train of thought. It
leads me to a point which I must mention, but which concerns a
very well-known man. Before I proceed I should like to make it
clear that I do not believe for a moment that he is responsible
for this unpleasant business."
Harley stared at him curiously. "Nevertheless," he said, "there
must be some data in your possession which suggest to your mind
that he has some connection with it."
"There are, Mr. Harley, and I should be deeply indebted if you
could visit my house this evening, when I could place this
evidence, if evidence it may be called, before you. I find myself
in so delicate a position. If you are free I should welcome your
company at dinner."
Paul Harley seemed to be reflecting.
"Of course, Sir Charles," he said, presently, "your statement is
very interesting and curious, and I shall naturally make a point
of going fully into the matter. But before proceeding further
there are two questions I should like to ask you. The first is
this: What is the name of the 'well-known' man to whom you refer?
And the second: If not he then whom do you suspect of being
behind all this?"
"The one matter is so hopelessly involved in the other," he
finally replied, "that although I came here prepared as I thought
with a full statement of the case, I should welcome a further
opportunity of rearranging the facts before imparting them to
you. One thing, however, I have omitted to mention. It is,
perhaps, of paramount importance. There was a robbery at my house
less than a week ago."
"What! A robbery! Tell me: what was stolen?"
"Nothing of the slightest value, Mr. Harley, to any one but
myself--or so I should have supposed." The speaker coughed
nervously. "The thief had gained admittance to my private study,
where there are several cases of Oriental jewellery and a number
of pieces of valuable gold and silverware, all antique. At what
hour he came, how he gained admittance, and how he retired, I
cannot imagine. All the doors were locked as usual in the morning
and nothing was disturbed."
"I don't understand, then."
"I chanced to have occasion to open my bureau which I invariably
keep locked. Immediately--immediately--I perceived that my papers
were disarranged. Close examination revealed the fact that a
short manuscript in my own hand, which had been placed in one of
the pigeonholes, was missing."
"A manuscript," murmured Harley. "Upon a technical subject?"
"Scarcely a technical subject, Mr. Harley. It was a brief account
which I had vaguely contemplated publishing in one of the
reviews, a brief account of a very extraordinary patient whom I
once attended."
"And had you written it recently?"
"No; some years ago. But I had recently added to it. I may say
that it was my purpose still further to add to it, and with this
object I had actually unlocked the bureau."
"New facts respecting this patient had come into your
possession?"
"They had."
"Before the date of the attack upon you?"
"Before that date, yes."
"And before surveillance of your movements began?"
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