“Was it upon a pedestal?”
“No. It was completely modelled, even to the soles of the feet and the nails.”
“Extraordinary!” I muttered. “Uncanny!”
Some little while longer I remained, and then set out, my doubts in no measure cleared up, for the cottage. To my surprise—for I had no idea that I had tarried so long—dusk was come. I will frankly confess it—I experienced a thrill of supernatural dread at the thought that my path led close beside Black Gap. However, it was a glorious evening, and I should have plenty of light for my return journey. I walked briskly across the moorpath toward the scene of the mysterious crime, hoping that I should find East returned when I gained the cottage.
Perhaps in a wandering life I have known more thrilling moments than some men; but never while memory serves shall I forget that, when, coming abreast of the coppice, and glancing hurriedly into the shadow of the trees ... I saw a crouching figure looking out at me!
Speech momentarily failed me; I stood rooted to the spot. Then:
“All right, old man!” I heard. “Shall be with you in a moment!”
It was East!
Fear changed to the wildest astonishment. Carrying a strange-looking bundle, he came out and joined me on the path.
“Did I frighten you?”