As it was impossible to carry the case to the Pyramids on that
night, Bolton had placed it in his bedroom at the Sailor's Rest,
a mean little public-house of no very savory reputation near the
water's edge. He was last seen alive by the landlord and the
barmaid, when, after a drink of harmless ginger-beer, he retired
to bed at eight, leaving instructions to the landlord--overheard
by the barmaid--that the case was to be sent on next day to
Professor Braddock of Gartley. Bolton hinted that he might leave
the hotel early and would probably precede the case to its
destination, so as to advise Professor Braddock--necessarily
anxious--of its safe arrival. Before retiring he paid his bill,
and deposited in the landlord's hand a small sum of money, so
that the case might be sent across stream to Brefort, thence to
be taken in a lorry to the Pyramids. There was no sign, said the
barmaid and the landlord, that Bolton contemplated suicide, or
that he feared sudden death. His whole demeanor was cheerful,
and he expressed himself exceedingly glad to be in England once
more.
At eleven on the ensuing morning, a persistent knocking and a
subsequent opening of the door of Bolton's bedroom proved that he
was not in the room, although the tumbled condition of the
bed-clothes proved that he had taken some rest.
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