Page 475 of 657

"Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning

train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The

same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I

arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel

Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a

carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was

there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three

miles off.

"It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined

to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the

police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first

to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to

bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do

exactly what you advise."