What the published statement of this knave has done for me you
will guess. I am leaving the detective service and have found
other occupation. One can only seek to live down my awful
experience. Next year my work will bring me to America and,
when that happens, I shall be very glad to see you again should
you permit me to do so--not that we may speak of the past, with
all its futility and bitterness for me, but that we may look
forward, and that I may see all is well with you in your days
of retirement, honour and ease. Until then I subscribe myself,
your admirer and faithful friend,
MARK BRENDON.
Peter opened his parcel.
It contained an eye made of glass and very exquisitely fashioned to
imitate reality. Its prevailing darkness had prevented the truth
from appearing, and yet, perfect though it was in lustre and
pigment, the false thing had given to Pendean's expression a quality
that never failed to disturb Peter.
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