human
One thing I cannot understand is why so desperate a scoundrel should pause in the middle of his deadly work, and leave your poor father living, though unconscious. It is deemed the greatest possible disgrace for a Thug to attack his victim with the 'noose' and fail to kill him. Of course, as a rule, the Stranglers--as they are called--work together, but against one old man a single Thug should be able to carry out his grim work thoroughly. I speak as one who knows something about India. You are convinced that nothing unusual was found in the room in which your father was attacked?
gpt
Nothing, as far as I am aware, replied Laurence.
human
Of course, I left the detective to look for any clue in the bedroom, but whether he found anything I do not know. Had he done so I think on his departure he would have handed it over to me.
gpt
And he didn't?
human
No--that is, he merely played a practical joke on me by leaving a cardboard box in a cupboard in which he said I should find a clue. On opening it I was disgusted to find nothing but a dead bat----
gpt
A dead bat! shrieked
human
Doctor Meadows ;
gpt
As to that I cannot tell you. But why?
human
Because, replied the old gentleman,
gpt
Good gracious, what has that got to do with it?
human
Everything. The Thugs are the most superstitious people on earth. When they believe their patron goddess Kalee does not approve of their sacrifice--they call all murders sacrifices to her--they stop short in their deadly operations. In India if they are carrying out one of their gruesome murders, and a girl with a pitcher happens to pass near, they stop instantly. It is a sign that the goddess is displeased with their selection of a victim. That was why I asked you if it was possible that a housemaid with a pail passed the half-open bedroom door when the attack was made. Again, should a murdering Thug see his victim's face reflected in water or a mirror, he will, for the same reason, stop in the very middle of his work. But one of the worst omens--a sign that Kalee is greatly displeased--is the passing of a small chattering bird, or a bat, while the murder is being carried out. The bat which by chance had got into your father's room must have fluttered about when the assassin was carrying out his foul deed. That bat saved your father's life!
gpt
But how did the Thug get into the room, and how did he escape?
human
That question, I think, you have yourself solved. I do not know how you came to reach that door --pointing in the direction of the stone passage--
gpt
But, said Laurence,
human
I entered that secret passage from the barn. If the Thug got out that way--he has evidently been hiding in the secret loft over the barn--how did he get into the Manse when he tried to murder my father?
gpt
I do not know; but do you mean to tell me that the passage leads only to the barn? I cannot believe it.
human
Then don't, but--stay! There was another passage leading from a room under the barn which as yet I have not explored. In this the Thug was probably hiding when I passed the entrance, and, attracted by the light I struck, followed and sprang upon me from behind. That passage may, for all I know, end in the Manse itself.
gpt
Rest assured that such is the case, replied Meadows; and he added,
human
I should not be surprised if you were to find that that other passage led into the Squire's bedroom!
gpt
Now, said Laurence, laying his hand on Meadows' arm,
human
No, no, cried the old man;
gpt
he said slowly,