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Freeman, R. Austin (Richard Austin), 1862-1943

"The Vanishing Man"

Where was this
lot found, Davis?"
"In the pond just off the road in Lord's Bushes, sir, and the inspector
has gone off now to--"
"Never mind where he's gone," interrupted the sergeant. "You just answer
questions and attend to your business."
The sergeant's reproof conveyed a hint to me on which I was not slow to
act. Friendly as my professional colleague was, it was clear that the
police were disposed to treat me as an interloper who was to be kept out
of the "know" as far as possible. Accordingly I thanked my colleague and
the sergeant for their courtesy, and bidding them adieu until we should
meet at the inquest, took my departure and walked away quickly until I
found an inconspicuous position from which I could keep the door of the
mortuary in view. A few moments later I saw Constable Davis emerge and
stride away up the road.
I watched his rapidly diminishing figure until he had gone as far as I
considered desirable, and then I set forth in his wake. The road led
straight away from the village, and in less than half a mile entered the
outskirts of the forest.


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