sort Maybe operations His bandages scared me Mrs Hall unfolded his coat and set it by the fi re Those goggles And holding that napkin over his mouth How odd Perhaps his mouth was hurt too She thought of the strange man all evening When she returned to his room to get the dishes he was sitting in the corner with his back to the window I have some luggage at the station Can it be brought here now he asked Tomorrow sir No one can fetch it until then The roads are steep there and accidents happen Men have been killed in such weather The morning light is better He started to protest You wouldn’t want a man to get hurt now would you she asked If you did it could take him a long time to recover Don’t you agree sir 10
She continued on hoping he’d take the bait My nephew got hurt and had to have some operations Did he said the stranger sounding amused Yes He did He had many bandages that needed caring for Sir if I may be so bold as to ask He cut her off Please get me some matches My pipe is out Mrs Hall blushed annoyed How could he ask for matches when I’m telling him about my nephew Mrs Hall left the room and returned to the kitchen Once or twice she heard him get up and tend to the fi re He often spoke to himself but she couldn’t make out his words What a strange visitor she thought What a strange visitor indeed 11
2 Mr Henfrey’s Suspicions Mr Teddy Henfrey the clock repairman entered the inn’s bar at four o’clock It was then that Mrs Hall got an idea Why don’t you repair the clock in one of my guest rooms she suggested leading him upstairs After knocking she opened the door to see the stranger sitting by the fi re It appeared he had been sleeping Would you mind this man coming to fi x the clock The visitor stirred Certainly he said You may fi x the clock but I wish to be left alone And when the clock mending is over I would like some tea He sat up a bit straighter Any news of my packages 12
Tomorrow That’s the earliest You are certain he asked I should explain that I’m a scientist Oh said Mrs Hall She was impressed Henfrey was not He moved about the room and set his tools down My bags contain important instruments I need said the visitor I’m anxious to get them The reason I came to Iping was to work in solitude In addition to my work an accident Mrs Hall shook her head I thought so My eyes are weak and painful I need to be in darkness for hours at a time The presence of anyone in my room is stressful for me I need to work When I’m not working I need rest Mrs Hall took a deep breath If I may be so bold as to ask That is all said the stranger ending the conversation Henfrey was slow to fi x the clock He found the stranger curious and hoped to learn more about him 13
