第13期:向福尔摩斯叙述故事(7) ' Then the matter stands thus . You are probably aware that fuller ' s - earth is a valuable product , and that it is only found in one or two places in England ? '
' I have heard so . ' ' Some little time ago I bought a small place -- a very small place -- within ten miles of Reading .
I was fortunate enough to discover that there was a deposit of fuller ' s - earth in one of my fields . On examining it , however , I found that this deposit was a comparatively small one ,
and that it formed a link between two very much larger ones upon the right and left – both of them , however , in the grounds of my neighbours . These good people were absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was quite as valuable as a gold - mine .
Naturally , it was to my interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value , but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this .
I took a few of my friends into the secret , however , and they suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little deposit ,
and that in this way we should earn the money which would enable us to buy the neighbouring fields . This we have now been doing for some time , and in order to help us in our operations we erected a hydraulic press .
This press , as I have already explained , has got out of order , and we wish your advice upon the subject . We guard our secret very jealously ,
however , and if it once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our little house , it would soon rouse inquiry , and then , if the facts came out , it would be good - bye to any chance of getting these fields and carrying out our plans .
That is why I have made you promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are going to Eyford to - night . I hope that I make it all plain ? '
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