With a snarl of contempt
he turned upon his heel, and I saw his curved back and white
side-whiskers disappear among the throng.
My observations of No. 427, Park Lane did little to clear up the
problem in which I was interested. The house was separated from
the street by a low wall and railing, the whole not more than
five feet high. It was perfectly easy, therefore, for anyone
to get into the garden, but the window was entirely inaccessible,
since there was no water-pipe or anything which could help the
most active man to climb it. More puzzled than ever I retraced
my steps to Kensington. I had not been in my study five minutes
when the maid entered to say that a person desired to see me.
To my astonishment it was none other than my strange old
book-collector, his sharp, wizened face peering out from a frame
of white hair, and his precious volumes, a dozen of them at least,
wedged under his right arm.
"You're surprised to see me, sir," said he, in a strange,
croaking voice.
I acknowledged that I was.
"Well, I've a conscience, sir, and when I chanced to see you go
into this house, as I came hobbling after you, I thought to myself,
I'll just step in and see that kind gentleman, and tell him that
if I was a bit gruff in my manner there was not any harm meant,
and that I am much obliged to him for picking up my books.
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