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Updated: May 1, 2025
I was consumed with envy, malice, and all uncharitableness; to think that such a thing should or could happen right under my nose, and I all unwitting! And you, too, Sophy, went through such an experience! I'd give a year of my life to have been with you. "When Jelnik had finished, and I'd caught my breath, I apologized for having been a dam' nuisance.
But Doctor Geddes broke in, with mounting anger and astonishment: "Of course we've got the right and the reason to question both of you! You might just as well come off your high horse; you've behaved very badly, Jelnik! To induce Sophy to scuttle off in the middle of the night, without a word to anybody, and go wild-goose-chasing with you, was an unworthy action.
The British have 'illuminating flashes of silence. It is one of their saving graces." I proved it. Mr. Jelnik, with a whimsical, sidewise glance, drew nearer. "Why, instead of sitting at the foot of a pine-tree, which is also a reticent creature, are you not sitting at the feet of our friend The Author, who is perfectly willing to illumine the universe? Very bright man, The Author.
Jelnik has a dozen more surprises up his sleeve, if he chose to let us see them," The Author said pleasantly. "My father's system of education included music. For which I praise him in the gates," Mr. Jelnik replied casually. "'Tinkle out a tune on a piano'!" breathed Alicia, and cast a look of deep disdain upon the blundering doctor. "Why, I've never in all my life heard anybody sing like that!"
"You are not!" I was goaded to reply. The Author merely grinned. "Do you know," he asked, "if that man Jelnik is coming to-night? I hope so. Unusual man. Can't think why he buries himself here! Our old friend Gatchell doesn't seem to admire him. I wonder why?" "I can't possibly imagine," I replied equably, "unless it is that the judge grows old." "Hah!" The Author's eyebrows went up truculently.
And turning a corner of the gray cottage, Alicia, Doctor Geddes, and The Author confronted us. They were still in costume, and the Mephistophelian effect of The Author was such as would turn any actor green with envy. Ensued a pregnant pause. It was a lovely situation! It reduced me, for one, to idiocy. "Sophy! Jelnik!" exploded Doctor Geddes, with a gesture of rage and astonishment. "Yes.
Jelnik is Doctor Jelnik's son." "What!" shrieked The Author. And with unfeigned amazement: "In the name of high heaven, what is Jelnik's son doing here?" "Mr. Jelnik's mother was a Miss Hynds. She met and married your doctor abroad." That sixth sense possessed by him to an unusual degree, warned him that he was on the trail of Copy. "May I ask questions?" he demanded. "Of course."
Now, although we had not found the jewels, we had found Jessamine Hynds, and there remained to be done a thing that called for what strength of will and courage we possessed. And we had need to make haste. Already more time had been consumed than we bargained for. Mr. Jelnik fetched a deep breath, and went over to the Thing in the chair.
Nicholas Jelnik, being talked to by Mrs. Scarboro and an apple-faced Confederate with pellucid blue eyes and a renowned trigger-finger. "That is the most gifted and detached human being I have ever known," said the secretary. "But it is his misfortune to have no saving responsibilities. What he needs is to fall in love with the right woman and marry her."
A really wonderful bit of work," explained Mr. Jelnik. I could only stare, owlishly. "You are wondering where we are?" He answered the unspoken question: "Above the library, between the outside wall and the chimney-stacks. You'd have to tear the house down to find it, without the Key."
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