"
"Well, sir, what of that?"
"Don't you see any bearing upon the case? Well, well, I don't
insist upon it. No doubt I am wrong. And yet it seems to me to
be suggestive. Come with me and introduce me."
We passed down the passage, which was of the same length as that
which led to the garden. At the end was a short flight of steps
ending in a door. Our guide knocked, and then ushered us into
the Professor's bedroom.
It was a very large chamber, lined with innumerable volumes,
which had overflowed from the shelves and lay in piles in the
corners, or were stacked all round at the base of the cases.
The bed was in the centre of the room, and in it, propped up
with pillows, was the owner of the house. I have seldom seen a
more remarkable-looking person. It was a gaunt, aquiline face
which was turned towards us, with piercing dark eyes, which
lurked in deep hollows under overhung and tufted brows. His
hair and beard were white, save that the latter was curiously
stained with yellow around his mouth. A cigarette glowed amid
the tangle of white hair, and the air of the room was fetid
with stale tobacco-smoke.
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