That is the name of the big farm by the
Skarso.
I have oftenwondered whether I should see or hear
of you again, and behold!
Youre going backwith me, but not to that infernal
saeter. Did no one evertell you that the best way of hiding a person is to strip him
ofhis memory?
And of course we have as yet no word of any ofthe
three hostages. He strode out welland breasted the steep path like a
mountaineer.
There is always that inhuman hate at theback of his
egotism. Oh, I dare say we can sow suspicion, but I believe hell be toostrong for
us. It was like theassault of a wild beast, and its suddenness rolled me on my back.
Once I was up against an iron pole,and to my surprise saw wires above. Newhover
arrive with a lot of luggage and a big rod-box.
But theyre hunting you, soweve got to go
cannily.
At midday it was time for me to be off, if I was to
be at Hull bysix oclock.
I left it at the Armistice, and Im a farmer now. He
isalways in danger of giving himself away out of sheer arrogance. Im going to take
you downwith me to my lodging in the valley. The ways and means of it I left to
fortune to provide.
He must also have unique hypnotic powers.
Pessimism, you know, is often a form of vanity. It appeared that he was very poor
now, like all the professionalclasses.
Dont go to Germany for a holiday, Dick; itsa sad
country and a comfortless. And of course we have as yet no word of any ofthe three
hostages. He had seen too deep into the vanity of humanwishes to have any ambition
left.
The place seemed ahuge broken tableland and every
hollow glistened as if filled withsnow or water. Brave as a lion, but hell want
watching, for hes a bit of aGascon. He seemed an oldish fellow,with rather a stoop
in his back, wearing an ancient shooting-jacket.
But we are gentlemen; also we are
notchildren.
Also there is said to be first-class ryper-shooting
later in the year, and an occasional bear. Whatever his secret was it was hidden
inSnaasen, and to Snaasen I would presently go. I hadsuddenly made up my mind to
take Gaudian into my full confidence. He must also have unique hypnotic
powers.
Let me up, he said, Im too tired to
fight.
At midday it was time for me to be off, if I was to
be at Hull bysix oclock.
I felt hands on my throat, and grew angry, caught
the wrists andwrenched them away.