Mr. Woodley went home in a cart. So ended my country trip,
and it must be confessed that, however enjoyable, my day on the
Surrey border has not been much more profitable than your own."
The Thursday brought us another letter from our client.
"You will not be surprised, Mr. Holmes," said she, "to hear
that I am leaving Mr. Carruthers's employment. Even the high
pay cannot reconcile me to the discomforts of my situation.
On Saturday I come up to town and I do not intend to return.
Mr. Carruthers has got a trap, and so the dangers of the lonely
road, if there ever were any dangers, are now over.
"As to the special cause of my leaving, it is not merely the
strained situation with Mr. Carruthers, but it is the
reappearance of that odious man, Mr. Woodley. He was always
hideous, but he looks more awful than ever now, for he appears
to have had an accident and he is much disfigured. I saw him
out of the window, but I am glad to say I did not meet him.
He had a long talk with Mr. Carruthers, who seemed much excited
afterwards. Woodley must be staying in the neighbourhood, for
he did not sleep here, and yet I caught a glimpse of him again
this morning slinking about in the shrubbery.
Pages:
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170