Page:The Mystery of Madeline Le Blanc (1900).djvu/10

10 a sort of luster in the country there-abouts.

His interest in this unwritten piece of local history was not small; but being a man of scientific pursuits, he had not the patience to hold a pen for any considerable length of time, or, as he himself confessed, the necessary skill with language to set it down in any systematic way available for reading. Having delighted his scientific nature by collecting the materials—statements, letters, records, etc.—and having no further interest, he placed the matter in my hands, begging me to give it voice in my native tongue, which I have endeavored to do in the following chapters.