— XVII —A PUZZLE
The surprise was so complete as to be comical. Indeed, for some moments neither of the four would credit the evidence of his own senses. They entered the summer-house and, while Sir Philip held out the lantern, peered into every nook and cranny, as if the body of a man could be, hidden in a corner like a pin. When at last it was sufficiently plain that there was no one there, they stared at each other, as if by dint of staring the position might be made clearer.
“Well,” observed one of the strangers, with a gasp, as if constrained to say something to relieve his feelings, “this does beat anything! Talk about dead men taking up their beds and walking!”
Sir Philip held up the lantern so that the light shone upon the stranger’s face. His manner was severe yet courteous.
“
