n in a large, boyiso t o decip. I tried t letter of every  of every line. Or tried replacing one letter for anoted to rials, eyes feverisill a c see somet had escaped him before.

    I kne was hopeless.

    ‘ about t object and couldn’t   no y, dirty-looking ts oils dried up, ted into stiff brohe cracked spine.

    Aurelius sh relief.

    And t one more t  finis ain t mig it closely.

    ‘I tuttered, ”— e bot“— me in  it must be my name.“

    ed. “It got  in t  ured at me to o t. ‘Somet t o, over to look lard, but you can see it, can’t you?“

    I stared at tain.

    ‘Can’t you?“

    I made a vague motion her nod nor shake.

    ‘You see! It’s obvious  it?

    I continued to look, but tom letters t o my eye.

    ‘And t,“ tled on Aurelius. t just as easily be Alphonse, I suppose.“

    urned a you’ve seen t.” o op pocket and took out t our first meeting, ing on t cats flanking teps of Angelfield house.

    ‘And tself,“ I ?“

    ‘Just a bag,“ ed it to  delicately. ”It used to smell of smoke, but not anymore.“  to me, and I bent my nose to it. ”You see? It’s faded now.“

    Aurelius opened took out a tray of pale gold biscuits t  to cool. ttle and prepared a tray. Cups and saucers, a sugar botle plates.

    ‘You take tray to me.  sting room, old comfy c  in a minute.“  o me,  things away.“

    I  into Mrs. Love’s front room and sat in a co stow ance—ance—safely away.

    I left tc my mind. as it sometion tention but  a of or