The Jade Eye Author:Fergus Hume General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1903 Original Publisher: John Long Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can selec... more »t from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: CHAPTER IV STARTLING NEWS Jack Tyson did not pay much attention to the disappearance of Rebekah. He thought she had merely gone outside to wait for him, and therefore remained to speak a few words to Mrs. Jury. He knew that Miss Salt would overlook his momentary absence when she knew who his companion was. ' The lady is Miss Salt,' he explained carelessly. ' We came down to see the collection, and we return by the six o'clock train. I intended to bring her to see you.' Mrs. Jury shuddered. 'Please don't, Jack,' she said; 'you know I do not like meeting people.' ' Haven't you got over that old nervous feeling ?' inquired Jack, smiling. ' No, and I never shall. I like my quiet and lonely life down here. I have had trouble. Your uncle knew all about it, and he left me the cottageand a small sum that I might live out of the world. I wish to see no one; but, for all that,' she added, with a wan smile, ' I have a young lady staying with me.' ' I am glad to hear it,' replied Tyson heartily; ' company will do you good, Mrs. Jury. You are too much alone, and that is not healthy for anyone. Has the young lady been here long ?' ' Only for a few days. She returns to London in a week. And I am going up to London to-night,' she added with some hesitation. Tyson looked surprised. ' That is a change from your usual habits.' ' Well, it is; but I have a strong reason for going. I return to-morrow. My business will not keep me long. But I am glad you are here, as you might be able to stay with my young lady at the cottage. I dare say you could get a bed at the hotel.' Tyson was ...« less