I hope that I make it all plain ?' "'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.
"Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which had been intrusted to me.