For several days I have been laid
up by the vagaries of an English spring, and
during those days there have been develop-
ments, the true and sinister meaning of which
no one can appreciate save myself. I may say
that we have had cloudy and moonless nights
of late, which according to my information
were the seasons upon which sheep disap-
peared. Well, sheep have disappeared. Two of
Miss Allerton’s, one of old Pearson’s of the Cat
Walk, and one of Mrs. Moulton’s. Four in all
during three nights. No trace is left of them
at all, and the countryside is buzzing with ru-
mours of gipsies and of sheep-stealers. But there is something more serious than
that. Young Armitage has disappeared also. He
left his moorland cottage early on Wednesday
night and has never been heard of since.

Chapter 4