reason only dawned on me as I drove back disappointed: they had
followed me already to the gunsmith's!

Convinced of this, I entertained but little hope of another midnight
visitor. Nevertheless, I put my light out early, and sat a long
time peeping through my blind; but only an inevitable Tom, with
back hunched up and tail erect, broke the moonlit profile of the
back-garden wall; and once more that disreputable music (which none
the less had saved my life) was the only near sound all night.

I felt very reluctant to pack Deane and Adams away in his case next
morning, and the case in my portmanteau, where I could not get at
it in case my unknown friends took it into their heads to accompany
me out of town. In the hope that they would, I kept him loaded,
and in the same overcoat pocket, until late in the afternoon, when,
being very near my northern destination, and having the compartment
to myself, I locked the toy away with considerable remorse for the
price I had paid for it. All down the line I had kept an eye for
suspicious characters with an eye upon me; but even my
self-consciousness failed to discover one; and I reached my haven
of peace, and of fresh fell air, feeling, I suppose, much like any
other fool who has spent his money upon a white elephant.




CHAPTER IX

MY CONVALESCENT HOME