the red house mystery-第24章

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back　again；　what　was　the　least　time　they　could　safely　allow？　Perhaps　it　
would　be　better　to　go　round　to　the　front　of　the　house　and　watch　for　his　
return　there；　the　light　in　his　bedroom；　before　conducting　their　experiments　
at　the　pond。　But　then　they　might　miss　his　second　visit　in　this　way；　if　he　
made　a　second　visit。　It　was　difficult。　

His　eyes　were　fixed　on　the　boat　as　he　considered　these　things；　and　
suddenly；　as　if　materialized　from　nowhere；　Cayley　was　standing　by　the　
boat。　In　his　hand　was　a　small　brown　bag。　

Cayley　put　the　bag　in　the　bottom　of　the　boat；　stepped　in；　and　using　an　

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oar　as　a　punt…pole；　pushed　slowly　off。　Then；　very　silently；　he　rowed　
towards　the　middle　of　the　pond。　

He　had　stopped。　The　oars　rested　on　the　water。　He　picked　up　the　bag　
from　between　his　feet；　leant　over　the　nose　of　the　boat；　and　rested　it　lightly　
on　the　water　for　a　moment。　Then　he　let　go。　It　sank　slowly。　He　waited　
there；　watching；　afraid；　perhaps；　that　it　might　rise　again。　Antony　began　to　
count。。。。　

And　now　Cayley　was　back　at　his　starting…place。　He　tied　up　the　boat；　
looked　carefully　round　to　see　that　he　had　left　no　traces　behind　him；　and　
then　turned　to　the　water　again。　For　a　long　time；　as　it　seemed　to　the　
watchers；　he　stood　there；　very　big；　very　silent；　in　the　moonlight。　At　last　
he　seemed　satisfied。　Whatever　his　secret　was；　he　had　hidden　it；　and　so　
with　a　gentle　sigh；　as　unmistakable　to　Antony　as　if　he　had　heard　it；　Cayley　
turned　away　and　vanished　again　as　quietly　as　he　had　come。　

Antony　gave　him　three　minutes；　and　stepped　out　from　the　trees。　He　
waited　there　for　Bill　to　join　him。　

〃Six；〃　whispered　Bill。　

Antony　nodded。　

〃I'm　going　round　to　the　front　of　the　house。　You　get　back　to　your　tree　
and　watch；　in　case　Cayley　comes　again。　Your　bedroom　is　the　left…hand　
end　one；　and　Cayley's　the　end　but　one？　Is　that　right？〃　

Bill　nodded。　

〃Right。　Wait　in　hiding　till　I　come　back。　I　don't　know　how　long　I　
shall　be；　but　don't　be　impatient。　It　will　seem　longer　than　it　is。〃　He　
patted　Bill　on　the　shoulder；　and　with　a　smile　and　a　nod　of　the　head　he　left　
him　there。　

What　was　in　the　bag？　What　could　Cayley　want　to　hide　other　than　a　
key　or　a　revolver？　Keys　and　revolvers　sink　of　themselves；　no　need　to　put　
them　in　a　bag　first。　What　was　in　the　bag？　Something　which　wouldn't　
sink　of　itself；　something　which　needed　to　be　helped　with　stones　before　it　
would　hide　itself　safely　in　the　mud。　

Well；　they　would　find　that　out。　There　was　no　object　in　worrying　
about　it　now。　Bill　had　a　dirty　night's　work　in　front　of　him。　But　where　
was　the　body　which　Antony　had　expected　so　confidently　or；　if　there　were　

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no　body；　where　was　Mark？　

More　immediately；　however；　where　was　Cayley？　As　quickly　as　he　
could　Antony　had　got　to　the　front　of　the　house　and　was　now　lying　in　the　
shrubbery　which　bordered　the　lawn；　waiting　for　the　light　to　go　up　in　
Cayley's　window。　If　it　went　up　in　Bill's　window；　then　they　were　
discovered。　It　would　mean　that　Cayley　had　glanced　into　Bill's　room；　had　
been　suspicious　of　the　dummy　figure　in　the　bed；　and　had　turned　up　the　
light　to　make　sure。　After　that；　it　was　war　between　them。　But　if　it　went　
up　in　Cayley's　room…

There　was　a　light。　Antony　felt　a　sudden　thrill　of　excitement。　It　was　
in　Bill's　room。　War！　

The　light　stayed　there；　shining　vividly；　for　a　wind　had　come　up；　
blowing　the　moon　behind　a　cloud；　and　casting　a　shadow　over　the　rest　of　
the　house。　Bill　had　left　his　curtains　undrawn。　It　was　careless　of　him；　
the　first　stupid　thing　he　had　done；　but　

The　moon　slipped　out　again。。。。　and　Antony　laughed　to　himself　in　the　
bushes。　There　was　another　window　beyond　Cayley's；　and　there　was　no　
light　in　it。　The　declaration　of　war　was　postponed。　

Antony　lay　there；　watching　Cayley　into　bed。　After　all　it　was　only　
polite　to　return　Cayley's　own　solicitude　earlier　in　the　night。　Politeness　
demanded　that　one　should　not　disport　oneself　on　the　pond　until　one's　
friends　were　comfortably　tucked　up。　

Meanwhile　Bill　was　getting　tired　of　waiting。　His　chief　fear　was　that　
he　might　spoil　everything　by　forgetting　the　number　〃six。〃　It　was　the　
sixth　post。　Six。　He　broke　off　a　twig　and　divided　it　into　six　pieces。　
These　he　arranged　on　the　ground　in　front　of　him。　Six。　He　looked　at　the　
pond；　counted　up　to　the　sixth　post；　and　murmured　〃six〃　to　himself　again。　
Then　he　looked　down　at　his　twigs。　One…two…three…four…five…six…seven。　
Seven！　Was　it　seven？　Or　was　that　seventh　bit　of　a　twig　an　accidental　
bit　which　had　been　on　the　ground　anyhow？　Surely　it　was　six！　Had　he　
said　〃six〃　to　Antony？　If　so；　Antony　would　remember；　and　it　was　all　right。　
Six。　He　threw　away　the　seventh　twig　and　collected　the　other　six　together。　
Perhaps　they　would　be　safer　in　his　pocket。　Six。　The　height　of　a　tall　
man　…　well；　his　own　height。　Six　feet。　Yes；　that　was　the　way　to　

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remember　it。　Feeling　a　little　safer　on　the　point；　he　began　to　wonder　about　
the　bag；　and　what　Antony　would　say　to　it；　and　the　possible　depth　of　the　
water　and　of　the　mud　at　the　bottom；　and　was　still　so　wondering；　and　
saying；　〃Good　Lord；　what　a　life！〃　to　himself；　when　Antony　reappeared。　

Bill　got　up　and　came　down　the　slope　to　meet　him。　

〃Six；〃　he　said　firmly。　〃Sixth　post　from　the　end。〃　

〃Good；〃　smiled　Antony。　〃Mine　was　the　eighteenth　…　a　little　way　past　
it。〃　

〃What　did　you　go　off　for？〃　

〃To　see　Cayley　into　bed。〃　

〃Is　it　all　right？〃　

〃Yes。　Better　hang　your　coat　over　the　sixth　post；　and　then　we　shall　see　
it　more　easily。　I'll　put　mine　on　the　eighteenth。　Are　you　going　to　undress　
here　or　in　the　boat？〃　

〃Some　here；　and　some　in　the　boat。　You're　quite　sure　that　you　
wouldn't　like　to　do　the　diving　yourself？〃　

〃Quite；　thanks。〃　

They　had　walked　round　to　the　other　side　of　the　pond。　Coming　to　the　
sixth　post　of　the　fence；　Bill　took　off　his　coat　and　put　it　in　position；　and　
then　finished　his　undressing；　while　Antony　went　off　to　mark　the　eighteenth　
post。　When　they　were　ready；　they　got　into　the　boat；　Antony　taking　the　
oars。　

〃Now；　Bill；　tell　me　as　soon　as　I'm　in　a　line　with　your　two　marks。〃　

He　rowed　slowly　towards　the　middle　of　the　pond。　

〃You're　about　there　now；〃　said　Bill　at　last。　

Antony　stopped　rowing　and　looked　about　him。　

〃Yes；　that's　pretty　well　right。〃　He　turned　the　boat's　nose　round　until　it　
was　pointing　to　the　pine…tree　under　which　Bill　had　lain。　〃You　see　my　tree　
and　the　other　coat？〃　

〃Yes；〃　said　Bill。　

〃Right。　Now　then；　I'm　going　to　row　gently　along　this　line　until　we're　
dead　in　between　the　two。　Get　it　as　exact　as　you　can　…　for　your　own　sake。〃　

〃Steady！〃　said　Bill　warningly。　〃Back　a　little。。。。　a　little　more。。。。　a　little　
more　forward　again。。。。　Right。〃　Antony　left　the　oars　on　the　water　and　

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looked　around。　As　far　as　he　could　tell；　they　were　in　an　exact　line　with　

each　pair　of　landmarks。　

〃Now　then；　Bill；　in　you　go。〃　

Bill　pulled　off　his　shirt　and　trousers；　and　stood　up。　

〃You　mustn't　dive　from　the　boat；　old　boy；〃　said　Antony　hastily。　〃You'll　
shift　its　position。　Slide　in　gently。〃　

Bill　slid　in　from　the　stern　and　swam　slowly　round　to　Antony。　

〃What's　it　like？〃　said　Antony。　

〃Cold。　Well；　here's　luck　to　it。〃　

He　gave　a　sudden　kick；　flashed　for　a　moment　in　the　water；　and　was　
gone。　Antony　steadied　the　boat；　and　took　another　look　at　his　landmarks。　

Bill　came　up　behind　him　with　a　loud　explosion。　〃It's　pretty　muddy；〃　
he　protested。　

〃Weeds？〃　

〃No；　thank　the　Lord。〃　

〃Well；　try　again。　

Bill　gave　another　kick　and　disappeared。　Again　Antony　coaxed　the　
boat　back　into　position；　and　again　Bill　popped　up；　this　time　in　front　of　
him。　

〃I　feel　that　if　I　threw　you　a　sardine；〃　said　Antony；　with　a　smile；　〃you'd　
catch　it　in　your　mouth　quite　prettily。〃　

〃It's　awfully　easy　to　be　funny　from　where　you　are。　How　much　longer　
have　I　got　to　go　on　doing　this？〃　

Antony　looked　at　his　watch。　

〃About　three　hours。　We　must　get　back　before　daylight。　But　be　
quicker　if　you　can；　because　it's　rather　cold　for　me　sitting　here。〃　

Bill　flicked　a　handful　of　water　at　him　and　disappeared　again。　He　was　
under　for　almost　a　minute　this　time；　and　there　was　a　grin　on　his　face　when　
it　was　visible　again。　

〃I've　got　it；　but　it's　devilish　hard　to　get　up。　I'm　not　sure　that　it　isn't　
too　heavy　for　me。　〃That's　all　right；〃　said　Antony。　He　brought　out　a　ball　
of　thick　string　from　his　pocket。　〃Get　this　through　the　handle　if　you　can；　
and　then　we　can　both　pull。〃　

〃Good　man。〃　He　paddled　to　the　side；　took　one　end　of　the　string　and　

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paddled　back　again。　〃Now　then。〃　

Two　minutes　later　the　bag　was　safely　in　the　boat。　Bill　clambered　in　
after　it；　and　Antony　rowed　back。　〃Well　done；　Watson；〃　he　said　quietly；　as　
they　landed。　He　fetched　their　two　coats；　and　then　waited；　the　bag　in　his　
hand；　while　Bill　dried　and　dressed　himself。　As　soon　as　the　latter　was　ready；　
he　took　his　arm　and　led　him　into　the　copse。　He　put　the　bag　down　and　felt　
in　his　pockets。　

〃I　shall　light　a　pipe　before　I　open　it；〃　he　said。　〃What　about　you？〃　

〃Yes。〃　

With　great　care　they　filled　and　lit　their　pipes。　Bill's　hand　was　a　little　
unsteady。　Antony　noticed　it　and　gave　him　a　reassuring　smile。　

〃Ready？〃　

〃Yes。〃　

They　sat　down；　and　taking　the　bag　between　his　knees；　Antony　pressed　
the　catch　and　opened　it。　

〃Clothes！〃　said　Bill。　

Antony　pulled　out　the　top　garment　and　shook　it　out。　It　was　a　wet　
brown　flannel　coat。　

〃Do　you　recognize　it？〃　he　asked。　

〃Mark's　brown　flannel　suit。〃　

〃The　one　he　is　advertised　as　having　run　away　in？〃　

〃Yes。　It　looks　like　it。　Of　course　he　had　a　dashed　lot　of　clothes。〃　

Antony　put　his　hand　in　the　breast…pocket　and　took　out　some　letters。　He　
considered　them　doubtfully　for　a　moment。　

〃I　suppose　I'd　better　read　them；〃　he　said。　〃I　mean；　just　to　see　…〃　He　
looked　inquiringly　at　Bill；　who　nodded。　Antony　turned　on　his　torch　and　
glanced　at　them。　Bill　waited　anxiously。　

〃Yes。　Mark。。。。　Hallo！〃　

〃What　is　it？〃　

〃The　letter　that　Cayley　was　telling　the　Inspector　about。　From　Robert。　
'Mark；　your　loving　brother　is　coming　to　see　you　…　'　Yes；　I　suppose　I　had　
better　keep　this。　Well；　that's　his　coat。　Let's　have　out　the　rest　of　it。〃　He　
took　the　remaining　clothes　from　the　bag　and　spread　them　out。　

〃They're　all　here；〃　said　Bill。　〃Shirt；　tie；　socks；　underclothes；　shoes　

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yes；　all　of　them。〃　

〃All　that　he　was　wearing　yesterday？〃　

〃Yes。〃　

〃What　do　you　make　of　it？〃　

Bill　shook　his　head；　and　asked　another　question。　

〃Is　it　what　you　expected？〃　

Antony　laughed　suddenly。　

〃It's　too　absurd；〃　he　said。　〃I　expected　…　well；　you　know　what　I　
expected。　A　body。　A　body　in　a　suit　of　clothes。　Well；　perhaps　it　would　
be　safer　to　hide　them　separately。　The　body　here；　and　the　clothes　in　the　
passage；　where　they　would　never　betray　themselves。　And　now　he　takes　a　
great　deal　of　trouble　to　hide　the　clothes　here；　and　doesn't　bother　about　the　
body　at　all。〃　He　shook　his　head。　〃I'm　a　bit　lost　for　the　moment；　Bill；　and　
that's　the　fact。〃　

〃Anything　else　there？〃　

Antony　felt　in　the　bag。　

〃Stones　and　…　yes；