The Lost Valley

day of my arrival lay on the table in full view. Beside it was the clean blotting pad that I had never yet seen used. Bryce took no notice of the sheet of figures, but lifte

ped to what he meant. Gradually I made out figures impressed on the rough surface. Our midnight visitor had made a copy of that single sheet, had made it hu

eried, with little laughte

know what the man was after, but he

um-tree instead of under o

ucked it away in my memory, quite confident that sooner or later the march of events would make it clear to me. As a matter of fact, if I hadn't ta

he whole room in one comprehensive gesture. "I'm going back to bed

s fixed on me. There was a look in them that I could not quite fathom; it whirled me back through five years of sorrow and stress, brought me back to the days when--. No, I wasn't going to thi

, and was surprised to note that there w

answering my question by inference.

wounded in my pride. Through four long years of repression the knowledge had rankled in my mind till now the very sight of her standing there and beseeching me with her eyes was more than I could bear. I would not have been human had I not felt the old wound pricking me again, and I certainly would not have been a Carstairs had

o say to you, Jim,"

at you mean. But, Moira, I don't see how things can ever be the same again. It isn't as if it were something I could forget. It isn't. It goes right down to the fundamentals. If our lo

touch and go with me. I very seldom set my mind to anything that I don't carry through, and in this instance I had a very c

said at length. She spoke so slowly

odd

e doing then when I

would only make matters worse if

de me hang on her words. "I was wrong," she repeated. "I said yesterday that you had changed, but I

didn't expect it from you, bu

e said, with a littl

; "as the Spaniards say

she requested. "I do

knife," I

er. "I had hoped that we would be allies," she sa

or all fear of attack seemed to have disappeared. He did not say as much to me, but in many little ways he showed that he was much easier in his mind. I found that I had next

rom the house in so unorthodox a manner. There was logic running right through the piece; every little incident seemed to dovetail into the others, yet, because I did not have the key, I could not read the rid

as Bryce

s he bein

eaning of those f

e so anxious to

seem satisfied when

why was he apparently satisfied e

o do with it, and what connection was the

hat was it all

forward any solution that covered them in toto. So eventually I gave it up, deciding that

y whether it was a week or ten days later that it happened. But I do remember, with that accuracy of deta

d that if he had no further word during the next couple of days he would consider that it was quite safe to try his luck. I didn't understand what he meant, though he seemed to be referring in a gen

Too much time has been wasted already." Then he turned to me and said cas

step in the passage, and I turned my head to view the newcomer. It was only Moira on her way to the study. She went by me with her head in the air, as if I did not exist. I recall taking out my watch and noting that

le of some gaseous liquid. On the heels of that had come the single whip-like crack of a revolver. I swung to my feet in an instant, and the book dropped unheeded to the floor. During the last few days I had got out o

slumped forward in his chair, his big head sunk on his chest. All the color had fled from his face, leaving it ashen pale. The kind eyes that used to sparkle so were glazed now in death, and squinted up at me through the tangled mat of his eyebrows. The whiteness of his immaculate shirt-front was defiled for the first and last time by the big blood stai

emotionless voice that I hardly recognise

h her. She went limp in my arms. I did not need a second glance to tell me that Bryce was dead, and that no one in this world could do anything for him now. So, recognising that my first duty was to the living, I turned my attention to Moira. She had merely fainted, and one

do it," sh

you did?

ooked and spok

" I said consolingly. "I wouldn't have thought s

e a little cry and his head fell forward on his chest. The blood was welling up out of his wound, and I saw that he was killed. His revolver was on the table, so I seiz

ard the glass break. The window had a great big star in the centre of it

hen at the still figure sitting in

we to do?" she

ou understand. He won't be able to do anything. Then we'll have to ring up the police. It's a blessing we've got the 'phone on

e all o

ends on how far you back me up. We can't touch your uncle until the police come; there'd be trouble if

y,

r of that table. Be careful how you get them out; you don't want to have to touch anything more tha

y I wasted no further time, but turned on the hall light and took up the telephone-book. For a wonder I had no difficulty in

wouldn't believe it; but I'm not going to give them a chance. I'm going to rig up things so that they'll look right. What happened is this:-You and I were out in the next room, reading if you like, when we heard a shot. We rushed in and f

she objected. "How can

ee that it's been discharged, and they'll begin to suspect. We mustn't leave the least ground for suspicion. Now, there's the gun ready loaded in all its chambers a

ut, oh, you've got to

ht through. And if there's any questions asked just let me do the answering, and if you're asked anyth

should have to deceive people

n into the room just in time to see you standing over your uncle with a smoking revolver. I know what happened, but th

with a tired little sigh. "But it all does

e of choosing the lesser of two evils, and really, Moira

he could not trust

footsteps on the verandah, an

said in a quick whisper. "Just keep

ssure of her hand on mine tol