第14期:向福尔摩斯叙述故事(8)

'I quite follow you, ' said I. 'The only point which I could not quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press in excavating fuller's-earth,

which, as I understand, is dug out like gravel from a pit. ' 'Ah! ' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process.

We compress the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley,

and I have shown you how I trust you. ' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Eyford at 11:15. '

'I shall certainly be there. ' 'And not a word to a soul. ' He looked at me with a last, long, questioning gaze,

and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank grasp, he hurried from the room.