This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1872. Not illustrated. ... chapter xl A talk with my uncle. When I returned home for the Christmas holidays I told my uncle, amongst other things, all that I have just recorded; for although the affair seemed far away from me now, I felt that he ought to know it. He was greatly pleased with my behaviour in regard to the apple. He did not identify the place, however, until he heard the name of the then I saw a cloud pass over his face. It grew deeper when I told him of my second visit, especially while I described the man I had met in the wood. "I have a strange fancy about him, uncle," I said. "I think he "must be the same man that came here one very stormy night—long ago—and wanted to take me away." "Who told you of that?" asked my uncle, startled. I explained that I had been a listener. "You ought not to have listened." "I know that now—but I did not know then. I woke frightened, and heard the voices." "What makes you think it was the same man V "I can't be sure, you know But as often as I think of the man I met in the wood, the recollection of that night comes back to me." "I dare say. What was he like?" I described him as well as I could. "Yes," said my uncle, "I dare say. He is a dangerous man." "What did he want with me?" "He wanted to have something to do with your education. He is an old friend—acquaintance, I ought to say—of your father's. I should be sorry you had any intercourse with him. He is a very worldly kind of man. He believes in money and rank, and getting on. He believes in nothing else that I know." "Then I am sure I shouldn't like him," I said. "I am pretty sure you wouldn't," returned my uncle. I had never before heard him speak so severely of any one. But from this time he began to talk to me more as if I had been a grown man. There was a simplici...
