Within this was cut, by a much
rougher hand, an inscription which was plain enough to read, though
making no sense whatever. The writing was arranged in five lines of
three words apiece, and ran thus:--
MOON END SOUTH.
N.N.W. 22 FEET.
NORTH SIDE 4.
DEEP AT POINT.
WATER 1.5 HOURS.
I read the words a full dozen times, and then, failing of any
interpretation, turned to Uncle Loveday--
"Jasper," said he, "to my mind those words make nonsense."
"And to mine, uncle."
"Now attend to me, Jasper. This is evidently but one half of the
clasp which your father discovered. That's as plain as daylight.
The question is, what has become of the other half, of the hook that
should fit into this eye? Now, what I want you to do is to try and
remember if this was all that the man Railton gave you."
"This was all."
"You are quite certain?"
"Quite."
"You did not leave the other piece behind in the cow-shed by any
chance?"
"No, for I looked at the packet before I hid it, and there was only
one piece of metal.
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