The Hepworths' house was, of course, the only one in the
road that showed any light. The man, when he came to the gate,
struck a match for the purpose of reading the number. Satisfied it
was the house he wanted, he pushed open the gate and went up the
path.
But, instead of using the bell or knocker, Jetson was surprised to
hear him give three raps on the door with his stick. There was no
answer, and Jetson, whose interest was now thoroughly aroused,
crossed to the other corner, from where he could command a better
view. Twice the man repeated his three raps on the door, each time
a little louder, and the third time the door was opened. Jetson
could not tell by whom, for whoever it was kept behind it.
He could just see one wall of the passage, with a pair of old naval
cutlasses crossed above the picture of a three-masted schooner that
he knew hung there. The door was opened just sufficient, and the
man slipped in, and the door was closed behind him. Jetson had
turned to continue his way, when the fancy seized him to give one
glance back. The house was in complete darkness, though a moment
before Jetson was positive there had been a light in the ground
floor window.
It all sounded very important afterwards, but at the time there was
nothing to suggest to Jetson anything very much out of the common.
Pages:
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115