about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then suddenly, in

the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to change my dress.


“You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to what the

meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly be. They were always

very careful, I observed, to turn my face away from the window, so that I

became consumed with the desire to see what was going on behind my back. At

first it seemed to be impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror

had been broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the

glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst of my laughter, I

put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able with a little management to see

all that there was behind me. I confess that I was disappointed. There was

nothing. At least that was my first impression. At the second glance, however,

I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, a small

bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in my direction. The road

is an important highway, and there are usually people there. This man, however,

was leaning against the railings which bordered our field and was looking

earnestly up. I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find

her eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, but I am

convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my hand and had seen what

was behind me. She rose at once.


“‘Jephro,’ said she, ‘there is an impertinent

fellow upon the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.’


“‘No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?’ he asked.


“‘No, I know no one in these parts.’


“‘Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion

to him to go away.’


“‘Surely it would be better to take no notice.’


“‘No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly

turn round and wave him away like that.’