It was she who insisted
that they leave the train at Hawkins station and walk to Windom's
house. They had encountered no one who knew them, either on the
train or at the station; while on their cold, tortuous journey
along the dark highway they did not meet a solitary human being.
No one, therefore, was aware of their return.
Edward Crown's presence in the neighbourhood was unknown. If David
Windom's plan succeeded, the fact that Crown had returned with his
wife never would be known. To all inquirers both he and his daughter
were to return the flat but evasive answer: "It is something I cannot
discuss at present," leaving the world to arrive at the obvious
conclusion that Alix's husband had abandoned her. And presently
people, from sheer delicacy, would cease to inquire. No one would
know that Crown had been ill up in the mountains for weeks, had
lost his position, and had spent his last penny in getting his wife
back to the house in which she was born,--and where her own child
was soon to be born.
Windom went about the task of secreting his son-in-law's body in a most
systematic, careful manner. He first carried the two "telescopes"
into the house and hid them in a closet. Then he put on an old
overcoat and cap, his riding boots and gloves. Stealing out to the
rear of the house, he found a lantern and secured it to his person
by means of a strap.
Pages:
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41