Many a time had he hidden there. Something different in this shed now
caught his eye; the former doorway had been boarded up, and a long iron
tube, like a thin chimney, ascended from its roof.
"Who on earth has been adding that to it?" exclaimed Mr. Elster.
A little way onward, and he came to the lodge-gates of Hartledon. The
house was on the same side as the Rectory, its park stretching eastward,
its grounds, far more beautiful and extensive than those of the Rectory,
descending to the river. As he went in at the smaller side-gate, he
turned his gaze on the familiar road he had quitted, and most distinctly
saw a wreath of smoke ascending from the pipe above the shed. Could it
be a chimney, after all?
The woman of the lodge, hearing footsteps, came to her door with hasty
words.
"Now then! What makes you so late this morning? Didn't I--" And there she
stopped in horror; transfixed; for she was face to face with Mr. Elster.
"Law, sir! _You!_ Mercy be good to us!"
He laughed. In her consternation she could only suppose he had dropped
from the clouds. Giving her a pleasant greeting, he drew her attention to
the appearance that was puzzling him. The woman came out and looked at
it.
"_Is_ it a chimney, Mrs. Capper?"
"Well, yes, sir, it be. Pike have put it in. He come here, nobody knew
how or when, he put himself into the old shed, and has never left it
again.
Pages:
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28