"Like one of those pictures of fiends burning in hell, it was."
"Extremely apt, Jesse," said Pons drily. "What was it doing?"
"It was my opinion it was making toward Grimstone Manor, sir. I naturally cried out, I was so startled with the sight. At almost the same moment the figure vanished."
"Vanished?"
"Vanished, sir. Just as though someone had pulled down a blind."
"Interesting, Parker."
"Indeed, Pons. An almost exactly parallel experience to that of Mr. Grimstone."
"I am glad you have seen the connection. Did you go toward the spot where you had seen the figure?"
A look of contempt passed across our informant's face.
"What do you take me for, sir? A fool?" he exclaimed indignantly. "I wouldn't have gone across that causeway for a thousand pounds, I can tell you. I took to my heels and didn't feel myself safe and secure until I was inside my cottage and had the door barred."
Solar Pons nodded and tamped fresh tobacco into his pipe. When it was drawing to his satisfaction he leaned forward and ordered a refill of Jessel's tankard. His penetrating eyes seemed to bore right into the old man.
"Now just pay attention, Jessel, as this is extremely important. When first you saw the figure was it down below the level of the road or up the embankment?"
A startled expression passed across the old man's features. "Down below the steep bank, sir. I am sure of it."
Solar Pons nodded, his eyes glinting.
"And was there a wind that evening? Think carefully."
The old man scratched his head and picked up his tankard with his unoccupied hand.
"Why, a bit of a wind had sprung up, sir. It was gusting and I noticed it was blowing the mist about at the edge of the marsh."
"Thank you, Jessel. You have been extremely helpful. Here is a guinea for your trouble."
Waving away the old man's thanks Solar Pons turned to me. His expression changed.
"Not a word of what we have just been discussing, Parker. Ah, Dr. Strangeways. It is good to see you. Will you not join us? The sherry is excellent."
"Thank you, Mr. Pons. I would prefer a whiskey if it is all the same to you."
"By all means. Allow me to refill your own glass, Parker."
The doctor's bearded face looked chapped and red with cold. He clapped his hands together as he gazed round the crowded bar.
"How is my patient, Dr. Parker?"
I smiled.
"You mean old Mr. Grimstone? We have been out there earlier this evening. I mentioned the matter, but as you have already indicated, I fear it will be a long time before you collect your fees."
Strangeways smiled grimly.
"There are more ways than one of obtaining satisfaction," he said levelly. "He may need medical treatment urgently one of these days."
He chuckled throatily and reached out his hand for the glass Pons was proffering him. I raised my own and found a young man at my elbow. He blinked round at us.
"I am sorry to intrude, gentlemen. My name is Norman Knight. We are fellow guests, I believe."
"Oh, certainly, Mr. Knight. Do join us. May I get you something?"
"No thank you, Mr. Pons." The young man shook his head. "I still have the best part of a pint here. It was just that I understood you were a doctor. I do a good deal of walking hereabouts and I have had the misfortune to turn my ankle earlier tonight. I wondered if Dr. Strangeways might take a look at it."
Strangeways smiled benevolently at the fair-haired young man.
"Save your money, Mr. Knight. Unless there is a bone broken — and I'll wager you would know it if there were — a cold compress left on all night will do the trick."
"Thank you, Dr. Strangeways."
Knight laughed, sipping at his tankard. He tried the weight on his right foot.
"No, I do not think there is anything broken. But it aches infernally and makes me limp."
"A towel soaked in cold water, then," said Dr. Strangeways crisply. "Bind it tightly round the ankle and leave it on all night. You will find it greatly improved by morning."
Strangeways put down his glass.
"And now my dinner is waiting in the dining room yonder, Mr. Pons, if you will excuse me."
Pons nodded and we watched as the huge form of the doctor threaded its way through the crowd.
"At least the medical profession in this country is not on the make," said young Knight carelessly, putting down his glass on the bar.
"You have been abroad much, then?" asked Solar Pons.
"Around the world a good deal, Mr. Pons," said the young man. "And now, if you will excuse me I will say goodnight also. I must put the good doctor's remedy into practice."
He shook hands pleasantly and limped over toward the street door which was more clear than the route taken by Strangeways. He was indeed limping heavily on his right foot.
"The sooner that young man gets into bed the better, Pons," I said. "He has most likely strained a ligament."
"I have no doubt your diagnosis is correct, Parker," said Pons.
I looked around in the smoky interior but could see nothing of Tobias Jessel. Solar Pons smiled.
"He left a good ten minutes ago, Parker. I fancy he had no desire for words with Dr. Strangeways again. Reading between the lines it must have been an interesting interview."
"Superstition versus scientific determinism, Pons," I said. My companion looked at me approvingly.
"Or in layman's terms the truth as seen by Tobias Jessel against the doctor's diagnosis of d.t.'s."
"You may be right, Pons," I said cautiously. "You must admit the whole thing sounds fantastic. If we had not been consulted by Silas Grimstone and had the testimony of himself and his niece, in addition to that of Jessel, you would have dismissed it out of band."
"Perhaps, Parker, perhaps," admitted Solar Pons pleasantly. And he said not a word further on the subject between then and the time we retired to bed.
7
I woke quite early from a refreshing sleep the following morning to find thick white mist lying damply at the window. I dressed quickly and descended to the pleasant atmosphere of the hotel dining room. Early as I was, Pons was already at the table. He looked fresh and alert and greeted me cordially.
"We have a good deal before us today, Parker, so I would advise a hearty breakfast."
He was already halfway through a substantial plate of bacon, kidney and eggs. I lost no time in joining him, my companion pouring the scalding coffee for me from the polished pewter pot. I caught a glimpse of young Knight seated a few tables away and there were several other people, in thick clothing, at various tables.
"There appears to be a curious influx of visitors, Pons," I said, surprise evident on my face.
Solar Pons chuckled.
"Does there not, Parker? A walking party, if you please, on the marshes at this time of year. I salute the hardihood of my compatriots."
"How is our friend’s foot, Pons?" I remarked.
"Still troubling him a little, though it has much eased."
I reached out for the hot buttered toast brought by the old waiter who had served us the previous day and ordered another pot of coffee for the two of us.
"What are your plans for today, Pons?"
"I have a desire to see something of the marshes, Parker. There is nothing like penetrating to the heart of a mystery."
"That is all very well, Pons," said I, my mouth half full of buttered toast, "but did not the local people say they are extremely dangerous?"
"That is precisely the reason I wish to go," said Pons. "The sensible man takes wise precautions and I have already procured a large-scale Ordnance Survey map of the area, which our worthy landlord sells at the reception desk."
"I see, Pons. I hope you know what you are doing."