the villagers of Fernworthy, then against them, closing one
right of way, opening another, popular one day, burned in effigy
the next, and said to have seven lawsuits on his hands at
present. There are rumours he intends to prosecute Mortimer for
opening a grave without consent of the next of kin, because he dug
up the skull on Long Down. He is also an amateur astronomer,
and lies upon his roof with an excellent telescope sweeping the
moor in the hope of catching a glimpse of the escaped convict.
As to Barrymore & his wife, I have already explained my suspicions
to you. The adventure of last night brings these suspicions to a
head. Being a light sleeper, I was aroused by footsteps passing
my room at about two in the morning. Peeping out of my door, I saw
Barrymore, in shirt & trousers but with bare feet, with a candle
in his hand, walking furtively down the corridor and entering an
empty room. I crept down the passage and looked in. He was
crouching at the window, with the candle against the glass,
