Every new datum4 acquired, instead of serving to elucidate5, seemed only more completely to obscure the issue. Mystery revealed itself within mystery, and this was indeed a labyrinth6, to the heart of which I sometimes despaired of penetrating7. Who was this woman whose elusive8 figure appeared at every turn in the case? Was she one and the same with the visitor to my cottage who had purloined9 the green enameled10 statuette—and could it be that I had actually sat in conversation with her in the coffee-room of the Abbey Inn and had failed to recognize her for what she was?
Beyond doubt she had extraordinary cleverness and was a weaver11 of spells, so that in a sense she could temporarily disguise her personality. Whilst at one moment she was a repellent, half-animal creature, at another she was a fascinating woman of the world versed12 in strange lores and a most entertaining companion. What object underlay13 her diverse activities? Assuming that she was concerned in the murder of Sir Marcus Coverly, the purpose of her visit to my cottage was not far to seek; she had come to recover incriminating evidence and had been aided, it seemed, by the hand of fate.
But why had she come to visit me at the Abbey Inn and what had she gained by this interview? Perhaps—I reflected, as I plodded14 along the deserted15 country road—she had been interrupted on that occasion by the inopportune appearance of Dr. Damar Greefe. Again, why had he appeared there at that moment if not because he had suspected her presence at the Inn; and what was the relationship existing between these two singular people?
That the strange story related to me by the idiotic16 Edward Hines simply resolved itself into an idle adventure on the part of the mysterious woman, which she had been forced to terminate (somewhat ferociously17, I admit) by the uncouth18 ardor19 of this rustic20 swain I seemed to perceive. But unless her visit to the Abbey Inn portended21 that she had selected me as Mr. Edward Hines' successor, I failed to fit it into the scheme.
I began to long for the presence of Inspector22 Gatton, for the assistance of his trained mind in plumbing23 these depths which defied my single efforts. Who this woman could be I failed to imagine; and assuming that she had been concerned in the death of the late baronet, in what way she stood to profit by it was utterly24 beyond my comprehension, as was the position of Dr. Damar Greefe in the matter.
On I walked and on, unconsciously increasing my pace as is my way when I am lost in abstraction; and, perhaps stimulated25 to greater mental clarity by the exercise, some of my doubts were dispersed26 and I became convinced at last that the shadowy figure which had dogged my footsteps on the night of the crime—the owner of those blazing eyes which had watched me from my garden—the woman who had stolen the amulet27 from my writing-table, and the woman who had mutilated Edward Hines, were one and the same as my visitor at the Abbey Inn—and the unseen speaker who had conversed28 beneath my window on the night of my arrival at Upper Crossleys!
Here then was a definite chain linking the Red House with Friar's Park, or at least with its vicinity, and now so clearly did my ideas fit themselves each into its correct place, that I determined29 upon the identity of that other speaker who had stood in the shadows opposite the Inn when I had awakened30 in the night. Mentally I recaptured the high, rather coarse tones of his voice, and remembering how, touched by the spell which had seemed to lie upon the whole country-side, I had thought of him as Asmodeus, the master of the witches' revels31, I determined that my judgment32 had been not inexact. For now I identified the speaker as Dr. Damar Greefe!
So far my meditations33 had proceeded and I suppose I was about half-way on my journey towards the Abbey Inn, when all at once I became aware again of that uncomfortable feeling of surveillance. As on that night when returning from the Red House to my cottage I had experienced a conviction that I was followed, so now a like conviction impressed itself upon my mind. But whereas on the former occasion I had been less fearful than curious, now I was aware of a positive dread34 of this follower35 whose presence I had detected, by what sense I know not, and of a certainty of a very grave menace.
Accordingly, I determined upon a certain plan which I proceeded to put into execution without delay. I was traversing a stretch of moon-bathed road at the moment that I first fell a victim to this unpleasant suspicion which indeed was more than a suspicion, when ahead of me I observed a patch, some twenty yards in extent, which was entirely36 overshadowed by trees. For at this point the woods, clothing a slope which ran right down to the road, closely impinged upon the highway; and I had noticed something at this spot, on my outward journey, which I now proposed to employ to my advantage.
Into this patch of darkness I walked then, my steps sounding crisply along the road. On I went for some twenty yards until I found the particular spot for which I was seeking. This was a sort of little bay or inlet where until quite recently a heap of stones used by roadmenders had lain, and into this I marched, never once altering my pace. But having gained it I performed an about-turn and continued to mark time there, whilst surveying the moon-bathed road behind me.
The object of this trick will be evident enough; for whilst the sound of my footsteps would lead one in pursuit to suppose that I was proceeding37 upon my way through the shadows, actually I was staring intently back in quest of the pursuer of whose presence I had become assured.
Perhaps in spite of the cautious manner in which he had advanced, he had made some slight sound which, subconsciously38 detected, had nevertheless intruded39 upon my reverie and in this way had acquainted me with his presence. For now, continuing that steady beat, but watching intently, I saw him.
Taking every advantage of the shade cast by the hedge on the right of the road, a softly-moving figure was coming towards me!
That the tracker was desirous of avoiding observation the manner of his approach sufficiently40 proved; and if I had had any doubts respecting his purpose they would have been resolved in a manner painful to myself had I not had the good fortune to detect him in time.
A piece of road there was, which because of a gap in the hedge afforded no shadow, and as the gliding41 shape reached this point and passed it, I obtained a momentary42 but clear view of my pursuer.
I was being tracked by a Nubian mute!
That one glance was sufficient to convince me of the horrible truth. The man was stripped to the waist, in order no doubt that his movements might not be impeded43, and I beheld44 a torso like that of some Milo wrought45 in ebony! The cruel, animal face, the blubber lips, the partly bared teeth—all spoke46 of the fate designed for me. I knew the type and knew what scant47 mercy I could look for at his hands. Indubitably this was a mute such as is sometimes attached to the harêms of great Eastern houses to this day; and even if I had known nothing of the functions of such a servitor, the fact that he carried something in his left hand would have enlightened me.
It was a strangling-cord!
I smiled grimly. Respecting the identity of my would-be assassin there was little room for doubt; he was the black servant of Dr. Damar Greefe. Now, as he passed the bright patch of roadway and began to glide48 silently nearer through the shadows, I marked time with a lighter49 step, the more deeply to confuse him. Of the strange Nubian dialect I knew nothing, but taking it for granted that the man was familiar with Arabic, I raised my voice in a mournful cry, and (in the Arab tongue):
I think I have never witnessed such an exhibition of panic fright as I now beheld. Cassim was less than ten yards away—and I could hear his teeth chattering51!
"Cassim!" I cried again—"Fly! fly! Satan is here!"
A horrible tongueless babbling52 answered the cry. There came a scuffling—and I saw the Nubian's gleaming body leap out into the lighted roadway as he fled.
"Faster! faster! Cassim!" I wailed. "He is behind you! Ah! he is in front!"
Cassim staggered, turned and then stood still, looking this way and that in a perfect delirium53 of fear. Finally he whirled around to the right, shrieking54 wildly (I think some nocturnal insect had brushed against him), plunged55 babbling up the bank to the hedge and heedless of the fact that it contained many thorns which must have cruelly lacerated his bare body, scrambled56 half through it and half over it into the plowed57 field beyond!
Against such an enemy there is no more potent58 weapon than superstition59. Nevertheless I kept my hand upon the pistol in my pocket and proceeded at an increased pace during the latter half of my journey; nor am I ashamed to admit that the lights of the Abbey Inn were a welcome sight, and it was with a feeling of relief that, leaving the highroad behind me, I found myself again in the village street of Upper Crossleys.
What to expect next, I knew not. The other party had made a false move, for I now had definite evidence of the antagonism60 of Dr. Damar Greefe and of his intent to cause my murder through the agency of his Nubian servant.
My plan of nocturnal operations, already sufficiently dangerous, now promised to lead me into extreme peril61. I would have given much for the company of Gatton, but, if I must act alone—alone I would set out. If I am slow in planning, at least I can state with truth that I am tenacious62 in execution. But here, now, was open warfare63: and I must look for an enemy prepared.
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1
brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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datum
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| n.资料；数据；已知数 | |
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elucidate
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| v.阐明，说明 | |
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labyrinth
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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7
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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8
elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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purloined
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| v.偷窃( purloin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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enameled
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| 涂瓷釉于，给…上瓷漆，给…上彩饰( enamel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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weaver
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| n.织布工；编织者 | |
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versed
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| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
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underlay
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| v.位于或存在于（某物）之下( underlie的过去式 )；构成…的基础（或起因），引起n.衬垫物 | |
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plodded
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| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
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15
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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ferociously
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| 野蛮地，残忍地 | |
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uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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21
portended
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| v.预示( portend的过去式和过去分词 )；预兆；给…以警告；预告 | |
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inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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23
plumbing
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| n.水管装置；水暖工的工作；管道工程v.用铅锤测量（plumb的现在分词）；探究 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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amulet
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| n.护身符 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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31
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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32
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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38
subconsciously
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| ad.下意识地，潜意识地 | |
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39
intruded
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| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
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40
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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41
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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42
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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43
impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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45
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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46
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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47
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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48
glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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49
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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50
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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52
babbling
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| n.胡说，婴儿发出的咿哑声adj.胡说的v.喋喋不休( babble的现在分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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53
delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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54
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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55
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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56
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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57
plowed
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| v.耕( plow的过去式和过去分词 )；犁耕；费力穿过 | |
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58
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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60
antagonism
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| n.对抗，敌对，对立 | |
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61
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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62
tenacious
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| adj.顽强的，固执的，记忆力强的，粘的 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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