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Updated: June 3, 2025
No more singular anomaly could well be pictured than that afforded by the lean, neatly-groomed Scotsman, with his fresh, clean-shaven face and typically British air, in this setting of Eastern voluptuousness. The dusky servitor drew back a curtain and waved him to enter, bowing low as the visitor passed. Cairn found himself in Antony Ferrara's study.
Surely, doctor, since I am in my own " "Uncover what you have on the table. Or must I do so for you!" Antony Ferrara placed his hand upon the end of the black robe which lay across the table. "Be careful, Dr. Cairn," he said evenly. "You are taking risks." Dr. Cairn suddenly leapt, seized the shielding hand in a sure grip and twisted Ferrara's arm behind him.
"One of the Paul Pry brigade who fatten on scandal sent a veiled paragraph in to us at The Planet yesterday, linking Ferrara's name with Lady Lashmores. Of course we didn't use it; he had come to the wrong market; but Ferrara was with Lady Lashmore when I met him to-day." "What of that?"
A man with a large photographic camera, standing upon the opposite pavement, was busily engaged in focussing the house! "What is this?" muttered Robert Cairn, also stepping to the window. "It is a link between sorcery and science!" replied the doctor. "You remember Ferrara's photographic gallery at Oxford? the Zenana, you used to call it!
"Is it something important?" Ferrara's voice was husky but not unmusical. "Why, are you busy?" "Well er " Ferrara smiled oddly. "Oh, a visitor?" snapped Cairn. "Not at all." "Accounts for your delay in opening," said Cairn, and turned on his heel. "Mistook me for the proctor, in person, I suppose. Good-night." Ferrara made no reply.
There was something very terrifying in the quietude of the court a quietude which to others might have spelt peace, but which, to Robert Cairn, spelled menace. That Ferrara's device was aimed at his freedom, that his design was intended to lead to the detention of his enemy whilst he directed his activities in other directions, seemed plausible, if inadequate.
Sir Elwin Groves, whom he had seen that evening, had hinted broadly at mental trouble as the solution of Sir Michael Ferrara's peculiar symptoms. Although Sir Michael had had certain transactions with his solicitor during the early morning, he had apparently forgotten all about the matter, according to the celebrated physician.
During the closing days of the year Cardinal Sanseverino and Cæsar presented some plays. The one given by Cæsar was an eclogue, with rustic scenery, in which the shepherd sang the praises of the young pair, and of Duke Ercole, and the Pope as Ferrara's protector. The first day of the new year was celebrated with great pomp.
"It will give you some idea, Sime, of the pitch to which things had come, when I tell you that my father drove to Ferrara's rooms one night, with a loaded revolver in his pocket " "For" Sime hesitated "for protection?" "No." Cairn leant forward across the table "to shoot him, Sime, shoot him on sight, as one shoots a mad dog!" "Are you serious?"
Peter Ferrara's house at the Cove stood empty and deserted in the spring sun. People had to shift, to grasp opportunities as they were presented, MacRae knew. They could not take root and stand still in one spot like the great Douglas firs. But he missed the familiar voices, the sight of friendly faces. He had nothing but his own thoughts to keep him company.
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