The Lady of the Shroud

Chapter 3

Rupert Sent Leger's Journal.

                                          ;                 April 3, 1907.

I have waited till now--well into midday--before beginning to set down

the details of the strange episode of last night.  I have spoken with

persons whom I know to be of normal type.  I have breakfasted, as usual

heartily, and have every reason to consider myself in perfect health and

sanity.  So that the record following may be regarded as not only true in

substance, but exact as to details.  I have investigated and reported on

too many cases for the Psychical Research Society to be ignorant of the

necessity for absolute accuracy in such matters of even the minutest

detail.

Yesterday was Tuesday, the second day of April, 1907.  I passed a day of

interest, with its fair amount of work of varying kinds.  Aunt Janet and

I lunched together, had a stroll round the gardens after tea--especially

examining the site for the new Japanese garden, which we shall call

"Janet's Garden."  We went in mackintoshes, for the rainy season is in

its full, the only sign of its not being a repetition of the Deluge being

that breaks in the continuance are beginning.  They are short at present

but will doubtless enlarge themselves as the season comes towards an end.

We dined together at seven.  After dinner I had a cigar, and then joined

Aunt Janet for an hour in her drawing-room.  I left her at half-past ten,

when I went to my own room and wrote some letters.  At ten minutes past

eleven I wound my watch, so I know the time accurately.  Having prepared

for bed, I drew back the heavy curtain in front of my window, which opens

on the marble steps into the Italian garden.  I had put out my light

before drawing back the curtain, for I wanted to have a look at the scene

before turning in.  Aunt Janet has always had an old-fashioned idea of