The Clock and the Key

in person. I have always found it useful to be referred–if one is to be referred at all–downward, rather than upward. One is more apt to strike a higher level of officialdom, and that means a mo

-morrow, no doubt, it w

ght of the duke. Was it possible that already he had seen the book St. Hilary had just been speaking to me about? That seemed un

e were the person who had been studying up automaton clocks yesterday, I should have passed without

s Mr. Hume to S

g about studies in

n more startled than

,” he cried. “I have been reading a rare b

to consult is also one of

stead of being alarmed or annoyed, it gave me the keenest delight. Brain against brain. Wit against wit. Courage against courage. I could have

ptibly. It was impossible to doubt further. But in an instant

strange, frozen north. Is there not an English poet who has said that the proper study of mankind is man? If he had said woman, he would have spoken the absolute truth

up of the interests of life. We walked on a few steps i

eets a woman as lovely as the exquisite Miss Quintard–ah, knowing her, one know

ne and his reference to Jacqueline. But I said

en in my life, but now I know

ickly–in the one short hour at the Palazzo?

ressions of the hour may be deepened by t

d quit

ek?” I s

must know that I have seen much of the fascinating Mrs. Gordon an

alousy that gnawed at my heart. Indeed, it was not jealousy at all, I think. It was rather fear–fear for my dear Jacqueline. Not simply 107that she was to be won from me–had already been won from me, perhaps. If one whom I respected had gained her love, I do not think I should have cr

he Library opened and the director came out. I raised my hat. He returned my greeting courteously, and

tomaton clocks?” demanded the duke, w

ulders, and bade

moment, if

urn

the de l’Euro

am rarely at home,”

ent 108an agreeable hour together in

wiftly up the steps

me, Mr. Hume, that she has en

s quite

ed at m

clocks. Your interest awakens mine. I myself am anxio

r two,” I ans

ted. “I must see my clock before that. I am th

asized

f the same thing,

d that it is with Mrs. Gordon’s permis

ed coolly, going u

ce dar

109will you kindly write an order to your serv

e. You see, I have forestalled yo

up into his eyes. Then, to my astonishmen

wer. When I receive that answer, I shall come to your hotel and insist that you give me both the name of the maker to whom you have sent the clock and a

ans to evade your police, Duke

zled, then, seeing my contemp

ock. I take it for granted that Mr. Hume has had reasons for my not seeing it. But come, we will play fair. You have the clock, it is true. But, after all, I have the right to it. Let us grant, then, that we stand on even ground. Our right

ain. “The result would be too mu

mined to be unfair

moment. Then I

still laughing, “we will g

m; but, I may say, I had no intention o

written a line, he had recognized an acquaintance in the street. I must excuse him one moment, and

ten minutes more. Still the duke did not return. My patience was exhausted. I went back to the Library. But when I called for my book, to my extre

, but I had been guileless enough to let it work. But it would not avail him long. Granted that he had delaye

Jacqueline had been sent to me to Venice, and retelegraphed to me

for Friday. I am anxious to see you–most anx

e. But why? Why should she expect me “absolutely”? Was it possible she had told Mrs. Gordon of my love for her? Dare I put the most favorable meaning into the message? At any rate, if I we

ore elaborate one? A moment’s thought showed that this was most unlikely. I hurried through my mea

ok was not in use, and in five

the volume carefully to find mention of the da Sestos clock, and presently

d simple entirety. He must have hurried back to the Library when he left me in the telegraph office

e could describe the reader, he replied that he could not. Pressed still further, however, he thought he remembered that the reader of the book had been an old man and had brown eyes. It was useless to say any more. It was evident that the assistant had been bribed and was lying. I might have given th