The Mystery of the Downs
by Arthur J. Rees; John R. Watson
Publication date 2014-10-31
Usage Public Domain Mark 1.0Creative Commons Licensepublicdomain
Topics librivox, audiobooks, Detective, Crime, murder, action
LibriVox recording of The Mystery of the Downs by Arthur J. Rees; John R. Watson.
Read in English by Tony Oliva
"The storm had descended swiftly, sweeping in suddenly from the sea, driving across the downs to the hills at high speed, blotting out the faint rays of a crescent moon and hiding the country-side beneath a pall of blackness, which was forked at intervals by flashes of lightning." - Book's opening sentence
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chapter 1 of the mystery of the downs this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org recording by tony oliva the mystery of the downs by john watson and arthur j reese chapter one the storm had descended swiftly sweeping in suddenly from the sea driving across the downs to the hills at high speed blotting out the faint rays of a crescent moon and hiding the countryside beneath a pall of blackness which was forked at intervals by flashes of lightning the darkness was so impenetrable and the fury of the storm so fierce that harry marzolin pulled his hat well over his eyes and bent over his horse's neck to shield his face from the driving rain trusting to the animal's sagacity and sure-footedness to take him safely down the cliff road in the darkness where a slip might plunge them into the breakers which he could hear roaring at the foot of the cliffs hardly had marslin done so when his horse swerved violently right across the road fortunately to the side opposite the edge of the cliffs slipped and almost fell but recovered itself and then stood still snorting and trembling with fear he patted and spoke to the horse wondering what had frightened it he had seen or heard nothing but the darkness of the night and the roar of the gale would have prevented him even if his face had not been almost buried in his horse's neck however the rain beating with sharp persistence on his face and through his clothes reminded him that he was some miles from shelter on a lonely country road with only a vague idea of his whereabouts so with a few more soothing words he urged his horse onward again the animal responded willingly enough but as soon as it moved marsland discovered to his dismay that it was lame in the off-hind leg the rider was quick to realize that it must have sprained itself in swerving he slipped out of his saddle and endeavored to feel the extent of the horse's injury but the animal had not entirely recovered from its fright and snorted as his master touched it marslin desisted and gently pulled at the bridle the horse struggled onwards a few paces but it was badly lamed and could not be ridden it thrust a timid muzzle against its master's breast as though seeking refuge from its fears and the fury of the storm mosland patted its head caressingly and facing the unpleasant fact that he was on an unknown lonely road with a lame horse in the worst storm he had ever seen drew the bridle over his arm and started to walk forward he found it difficult to make progress in the teeth of the gale but he realized that it would be useless to retrace his steps with the wind at his back for only the bleak bear downs he had ridden over that afternoon lay behind and the only house he had seen was a shepherd's cottage on the hillside where he had stopped to inquire his way before the storm came on there was nothing to be done but face the gale and go forward following the cliff road which skirted the downs or to seek shelter for himself and his horse at the wayside house until...
