diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/67079-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67079-0.txt | 9807 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 9807 deletions
diff --git a/old/67079-0.txt b/old/67079-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c393157..0000000 --- a/old/67079-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9807 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Red Lodge, by Victor Bridges - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Red Lodge - A Mystery of Campden Hill - -Author: Victor Bridges - -Release Date: January 2, 2022 [eBook #67079] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Al Haines - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED LODGE *** - - - - - - - -[Illustration: Title page] - - - - THE RED LODGE - - _A Mystery of Campden Hill_ - - - BY - VICTOR BRIDGES - - - - GARDEN CITY NEW YORK - DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY - 1924 - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1924, BY - DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY - - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES - AT - THE COUNTRY LIFE PRESS, GARDEN CITY, N. Y. - - - _First Edition_ - - - - - TO - MARGARET - - - - - BOOKS BY - VICTOR BRIDGES - - Another Man's Shoes - Greensea Island: A Mystery of the Essex Coast - Mr. Lyndon at Liberty - Rogue by Compulsion - The Cruise of the Scandal and Other Stories - The Lady from Long Acre - The Man from Nowhere - The Red Lodge - - - - -THE RED LODGE - -_A Mystery of Campden Hill_ - - - -CHAPTER ONE - -A dark green Rolls-Royce limousine slid round the corner of Sydney -Place and, proceeding a few hundred yards along the Fulham Road, drew -up in front of St. Christopher's Hospital. It had scarcely stopped -before the door opened and its solitary occupant--a tall, -well-dressed man of about fifty--stepped out on to the pavement. - -"You can wait here, Simmons," he said, addressing the chauffeur. "I -shan't be more than a few minutes." - -The porter on duty, who was talking to a friend in the hall, touched -his cap respectfully as the newcomer hurried past him in the -direction of the main staircase. - -"See that bloke, Fred?" he whispered, jerking his thumb after the -retreating figure. "That's Sir George Onslow, that is. Some pore -beggar's for it, you can take my word." - -"Well, thank Gawd 'e ain't a-goin' to 'ack me about," returned the -other. "Pack o' butchers, all the lot of 'em, if they gets 'alf a -chance." - -Unconscious of having been the cause of this somewhat drastic -criticism of his profession, the famous surgeon mounted rapidly to -the second landing, where a long, bare, distempered corridor -stretched away in either direction. Choosing the one on the left, he -came to a halt in front of a white door, on which the two words -"House Surgeon" were neatly painted in black letters, and, without -troubling to knock, turned the handle and walked in. - -A broad-shouldered, cheerful-looking young man, who was sitting at -the table reading a medical book, glanced up carelessly at his -entrance. On seeing who the visitor was his expression changed, and -with a certain air of surprise he rose quickly to his feet. - -"Hullo, Sir George," he exclaimed. "We weren't expecting you this -morning." - -The elder man stepped forward and offered his hand. - -"Sorry to interrupt your studies, Gray," he said, smiling. "This -isn't an official visit. I've just looked in on a little private and -personal matter." - -The young house surgeon pulled forward a tattered armchair. - -"Well, I'm delighted to see you, sir," he said heartily. "Won't you -take a pew?" - -Sir George sat down, and, leaning forward, helped himself to a -cigarette from the box which his companion offered him. - -"You were telling me about your plans a week or two ago," he said. -"Have you come to any decision yet?" - -Gray, who was standing with his back to the fireplace, nodded his -head. - -"Yes," he answered. "I've made up my mind to send in my resignation -as soon as the secretary comes back. I can't help feeling that I'm -wasting my time here. I have always meant to go in for research -work, and if I'm to do any good at it it's quite time I started." He -laughed a little awkwardly. "I hope it doesn't sound conceited -talking like this, sir, but I really believe I've got a turn in that -direction." - -Sir George looked up at him with a friendly, half-quizzical twinkle -in his eye. - -"You needn't apologize, my boy," he said gravely. "I don't think any -one would accuse you of having a swelled head." He paused. "If it -doesn't sound an impertinent question, may I ask how you are situated -with regard to money matters?" - -"I can manage all right," replied the other. "I've got a small -private income of about three hundred a year. I should have to give -up the car, of course, but one can't expect luxuries if one goes in -for laboratory work." - -Sir George nodded his head approvingly. - -"That's the proper frame of mind, anyhow," he observed. "There's no -half-and-half business about science. It's a great game if you're -prepared to give up everything else to it, but if you want money and -comfort and reputation--well, you'd better copy my example and spend -your time cutting out the entrails of over-fed millionaires." He -flicked the ash off his cigarette, and, sinking back again in the -chair, crossed his legs. "All the same," he added, "it just happens -that I might be able to put something in your way which would make it -possible for you to keep the car and hunt bugs at the same time." - -Gray's boyish face lit up with sudden interest. - -"By Jove, sir!" he exclaimed. "That sounds promising!" - -"How would you like to go and live with old Carter as a sort of -residential assistant?" - -"Carter?" Gray repeated the name almost reverently. "Do you mean -Professor Carter?" - -"Of course I do. You don't suppose I'm referring to the man who -makes the liver pills?" - -"You can bet I should like it all right," was the eager reply. "Why, -it's a chance for which any chap in my position would sell his soul." - -The surgeon smiled again at his young companion's enthusiasm. - -"Well, I think it might be arranged on less dramatic terms than that. -As a matter of fact, I was talking to the old boy last night. He -doesn't often show up in public nowadays, but he happened to come -along to a special meeting of the Board of Health, and he and I had a -long yarn together. Amongst other things he asked me if I knew a -young fellow who'd make a suitable assistant. He wants someone to -live in the house, and he told me that if he could find the right man -he was prepared to pay a salary of four hundred a year. That, of -course, would be in addition to living expenses." - -"Four hundred a year!" echoed Gray in astonishment. - -"Oh, he can afford it well enough. He's rolling in money, and he -never spends a bob on anything except his work." - -"Why, he can take his pick amongst the best-trained men in England," -declared Gray. "They'd simply fall over themselves to get in with -Carter, whether there's a salary attached to it or not." - -"That may be the case," assented Sir George drily, "but, as it -happens, very few of them possess the particular qualification on -which the Professor insists. You see, he wants someone who's an -expert boxer as well as being a fully qualified scientist." - -Gray stared at his visitor in utter bewilderment. - -"Sounds a bit comic, doesn't it?" pursued the latter tranquilly. -"The fact is the old gentleman's suffering from nerves. About nine -weeks ago his house on Campden Hill was broken into by burglars, and -ever since then he seems to have been living in a mortal funk that -the same thing would happen again." - -"But hasn't he any one in the place besides himself?" demanded Gray. - -"Only a couple of women who cook for him and look after the house. -He had an old servant for about forty years, but I think he's -pensioned him off. Of course, it really isn't very safe as things -are. Carter must be over eighty, and the Red Lodge is a devilish -lonely place, shut in behind a high wall amongst a lot of trees. I -don't wonder he feels a bit jumpy." - -"But is he quite serious about wanting an assistant?" demanded Gray. -"At present it sounds as if he were in more need of a bull-dog." - -Sir George laughed. "It's a genuine enough offer," he said. "He -confided to me that he'd just undertaken some very important -researches, and that it was absolutely necessary he should have a -first-class man to help him. I thought of you at once. I said all -the complimentary things I could about your work, and I added, as a -sort of little extra inducement, that you'd won the inter-hospital -heavyweight boxing competition for two years in succession." - -Gray coloured modestly. "It was awfully good of you, Sir George," he -replied. - -"Not at all," was the answer. "In my opinion he'll be very lucky if -he gets you. I told him I'd look you up and see how you felt about -it, and that if you liked the idea I'd let him know some time to-day." - -"I shall be ready to go directly I can get away from the hospital," -declared Gray. - -Sir George Onslow threw away the stump of his cigarette and rose to -his feet. - -"I don't think there will be any difficulty about that. I'll speak -to the chairman personally, and if Carter wants you at once we can -easily find someone to carry on until the secretary comes back," He -glanced at his watch. "I must be running along now. I've got to be -at the nursing home by twelve-thirty." - -After expressing his gratitude once more, Gray accompanied his -visitor down to the hall, where he remained standing on the steps -until the car drove away. He was just turning back toward the -staircase when the porter, who was engaged with the telephone, thrust -his head out of the box. - -"Gen'leman wants to speak to you, sir--a Mister Ashton." - -Gray walked forward and picked up the receiver. - -"Hullo!" he observed encouragingly. - -"Hullo!" came the answer. "That you, Colin?" - -"Of course it's me." - -"Mark speaking--Mark Ashton. Are you engaged for lunch?" - -"Not if I can get any one else to pay for it," was the candid reply. - -"Well, how would you like to come along and feed with me at the Savoy -Grill?" - -"I've no particular objection. What's the matter? Have you come -into money?" - -There was a chuckle at the other end of the wire. - -"Nothing like that. Just a sudden thirst for your society." - -"It shall be gratified," said Gray. "What time shall I show up?" - -"One o'clock. Suit you all right?" - -"Excellently." - -"That'll do, then. If you get there first order yourself a cocktail." - -The speaker rang off, and, replacing the receiver, Gray glanced at -his watch. - -It was a few minutes past twelve, and, being the day on which he was -off duty, there was nothing to prevent him leaving the hospital as -soon as he pleased. The prospect of a two-mile walk before lunch -distinctly appealed to him, so, remounting the stairs to his small -bedroom at the top of the building, he proceeded to change out of his -white surgeon's kit into something a little more in harmony with the -best traditions of a fashionable restaurant. - -At exactly five minutes to one he passed through the revolving glass -door of the Savoy and entered the already crowded lounge. Before he -had time to glance round, a man, who had been sitting in the farther -corner, rose to his feet and came forward to meet him. - -No one, not even a newspaper reporter, would have called Mark Ashton -handsome. In spite of his roughly cut features, his untidy hair, his -badly fitting frock coat, and his large gold-rimmed spectacles there -was, however, such a genuine and friendly air about his whole -appearance that anybody except a fool would have been attracted by -him at once. Somehow or other he reminded one of a large, shaggy, -good-tempered dog. - -He came up to Gray and shook him heartily by the hand. - -"This is splendid, Colin," he said. "I'm awfully glad you were able -to manage it." - -"So am I," returned his guest. "It would have broken my heart to -refuse an invitation like this." - -Mark grinned broadly, and, thrusting his arm through his companion's, -piloted him across the lounge in the direction of the grill-room door. - -"I've ordered a table," he announced, "so unless you'd rather wait a -bit we may as well have lunch right away." - -"That will suit me," said Colin cheerfully. "I breakfasted at eight, -and I've just walked up from the hospital." - -Following an obsequious gentleman, who apparently recognized Mark, -they threaded their way through the room and took their places at a -small table in the opposite corner, which looked out into the -courtyard. - -Mark picked up the menu and studied it with some care. - -"What do you say about oysters to start with?" he suggested. "A -dozen oysters each and a bottle of Chablis?" - -"It's a good idea," admitted Colin. "Especially the Chablis." - -"We can discuss what we'll have afterward while we're eating them," -continued his host. He gave the order, and, as the waiter departed, -he sat back in his chair and took a genial survey of the restaurant. - -"What is the precise meaning of this debauch?" inquired Colin. "Is -it your birthday or have you been backing the winner of the -Cesarewitch?" - -The other laughed good-naturedly. "I told you over the telephone. -It's just a case of a hard-working East End doctor snatching a brief -interval from his practice to enjoy the society of his most brilliant -and distinguished pupil." He paused. "As a matter of fact," he -added, "the whole thing was Mary's notion. I wanted to have a talk -with you, and she suggested that I should take a couple of hours off -and invite you to lunch." - -"Mary's a great woman," said Colin with feeling. "Why didn't you -bring her along with you?" - -"She's stopped behind to console the patients, shall have scores of -'em hanging round the surgery when I get back." He sighed heavily. - -"Well, cheer up," said Colin. "By the time we've finished lunch -they'll probably be dead." He helped himself to a roll, and, -breaking off a bit of the crust, proceeded to nibble it thoughtfully. -"What did you want to see me about?" he inquired. - -Mark paused, while two waiters, who had suddenly appeared with the -oysters and the Chablis, hovered round the table, intent on their -ministrations. - -"It's nothing much," he replied eventually. "I was wondering if by -any chance you could find me a girl." - -"Find you a girl?" echoed Colin. "Why, you old Mormon, you've got -Mary already." - -"That's just the trouble," was the depressed answer. "Mary has to go -off to Lincoln for a month to nurse her mother. After next Wednesday -I shall be a grass widower." - -Colin looked at him with genuine sympathy. "My poor lad!" he -exclaimed. "This is indeed a blow!" - -"It's worse than that," observed his companion. "It's--it's a damned -knock-out. She's never been away from me for more than a day, not -since we went down to Shadwell. Heaven only knows how I shall get on -without her. She answers the letters, keeps the accounts, pays the -bills, mixes the medicines----" - -"In fact," broke in Colin, "to put it plainly, she's a darn sight -more important to the business than you are." He speared a -recalcitrant oyster and sprinkled it with red pepper. "I wonder you -let her go," he added mischievously. "Why don't you take up the -strong, silent husband stunt and refuse to allow it?" - -"Oh, I can't do that," objected Mark. "You see, the old lady really -is very seedy. She's going to have an operation in about a month's -time, and meanwhile she's got to keep to her bed. She's simply set -her heart on having Mary to come and look after her, and I couldn't -be such an utterly selfish pig as to go and put any difficulties in -the way." - -"No, I don't suppose you could," admitted Colin. "That sort of thing -requires a lot of practice." - -"We've talked it over," continued Mark, "and we've decided that the -best plan would be to try and find some nice, sensible girl who'd -come in for the day and make herself generally useful. Of course, it -isn't exactly easy to get hold of the right person. I want a really -capable, honest, pleasant girl, who can type and keep accounts, and -who'll take a kind of personal interest in the whole show." - -"You don't want much," observed Colin drily. - -"Well, I'm prepared to pay for it, and if she turned out to be any -use I'd keep her on permanently. I've been meaning to do something -of the sort for the last six months. Mary's been working far too -hard, and I'm making such a sinful amount of money I can quite well -afford a little extra help." He pushed away his empty oyster shells -and beckoned to the waiter. "We'd better order some more grub, eh? -Can you manage a cold grouse?" - -"With ease," said Colin. - -He remained silent until the man had departed, and then, picking up -the Chablis, refilled his glass. - -"But where do I come in?" he inquired. "You're not expecting me to -produce angels out of my waistcoat pocket?" - -"We thought you might be able to recommend somebody. Mary said that -a young, dashing, good-looking fellow like you----" - -"She was pulling your leg," protested Colin. "She knows perfectly -well that I'm terrified of girls." - -"How about the hospital? Haven't you a pretty, intelligent nurse -who'd like a nice Christian home?" - -"I've never noticed her if we have." He paused as the recollection -of his conversation with Sir George Onslow suddenly flashed into his -mind. "By Jove!" he added. "That reminds me. I haven't told you my -great news yet. I'm chucking the hospital and going as bottle-washer -to old Carter." - -His companion stared at him half incredulously. - -"Is this a fact?" he demanded. - -"Well, it's practically settled. I've had nothing to do with it -really; Onslow's worked the whole thing for me. I'd just finished -talking to him when you rang up." - -In a few words he described his interview with Sir George and the -curious information which the latter had given him with regard to the -professor's requirements. - -"I can't say if I shall fit the bill," he added, laughing, "but if -the old boy takes a fancy to me I don't care how many damned burglars -he has. I'd tackle half a dozen a night for the sake of being his -assistant." - -"It's a wonderful chance," admitted Mark thoughtfully. "Carter may -be a little queer, but there's no doubt that he's the greatest man at -his game in the world." He looked across rather wistfully into the -strong, smiling face opposite him. "You're a fortunate young devil, -Colin," he added. "Nature's presented you with practically -everything a man can want--brains, good looks, and the strength of a -cart-horse--and now I'm hanged if you're not going to be lucky as -well. I'd have given my head for an opening like this when I was -your age. Just fancy being able to devote one's life to science -instead of wasting it in the futile way I've done." - -"You're talking through your hat," protested Colin indignantly. "If -you chose you could be sitting in an armchair in Harley Street, but -instead of that you and Mary live down there in Shadwell and sweat -your souls out amongst the poorest of the poor. Don't you call that -good work?" - -"Splendid," agreed Mark. "Stuffing 'em up with coloured water and -ginger pills and making fifteen hundred a year out of the poor -blighters for doing it." He smiled with a cheerful good nature that -was rather out of keeping with his words. "I'm not envious, Colin. -I'm only too delighted to know that you've found the right opening. -Two or three years' experience with Carter will be simply invaluable -to you. It will put you in the very front rank of investigators, and -what's more, it will give you the opportunity of carrying on his work -after he's dead. You'll be a great man before you've finished. When -I'm an old buffer of eighty I shall probably go around bragging that -the famous Sir Colin Gray was once my junior house surgeon at Bart's." - -"Always supposing," added the future celebrity, "that I'm not knocked -on the head by a burglar." He rolled up a bread pill and eyed his -host meditatively. "It's a rummy affair, the whole business," he -continued. "I wonder if there's anything behind it? D'you think -Carter's just got the wind up, or d'you think he's one of those old -juggins who keeps thousands of pounds buried in the back cellar?" - -Mark shrugged his shoulders. "Goodness knows," he replied. "Anyhow, -he ought to be safe enough with you. If I were a self-respecting -burglar with a proper regard for my appearance I should give the Red -Lodge a devilish wide berth. I know that right upper-cut of yours; -I've had some of it." - -The appearance of the grouse at this point created a temporary -diversion, and it was not until lunch was finished, and the two of -them were sitting over their coffee and cigars, that Mark returned to -his original subject. - -"You won't forget, will you," he said, "if you run across a likely -damsel. I shall be absolutely in the soup unless I get hold of -somebody the next day or two." - -"I'll do my best for you," Colin assured him. "I'll have a general -inspection of all the nurses at the hospital to-morrow morning, and -if there's a stray angel amongst them I'll send her along. I -shouldn't bank on it though, not from what I remember of them." - -Mark pulled out his note case and beckoned to the waiter. - -"I must be off," he observed resentfully. "Which way are you -going--back to the hospital?" - -Colin shook his head. "This is my day out. I shall roll along to -the garage and spend a nice messy afternoon tinkering at the car. -There are several odd jobs that want doing, and I should like to get -them cleared off before I start chasing burglars." - -Mark paid the bill, and, leaving the restaurant, the two friends -walked together as far as Charing Cross Underground, where they came -to a halt on the bridge inside the barrier. - -"Well, thanks for an excellent lunch," said Colin, shaking his host's -hand. "Remember that if you ever want my advice it's always -available on the same terms." - -Mark grinned. "You must come down and thank Mary," he said. "It was -she who suggested the Savoy. If it had been left to me I should -probably have taken you to Lockhart's." - -As he spoke an East End train clanked noisily out of the opposite -tunnel, and with a hurried good-bye he darted away toward the steps -and disappeared from view. - -About twenty minutes later, with the stump of a cigar in his mouth, -and feeling remarkably at peace with the world, Colin emerged from -Sloane Street Station and strolled across the pavement in the -direction of the barracks. - -He kept his car in a small garage at the bottom of Church Street, a -place which, in addition to being cheap and within easy reach of the -hospital, also possessed the unusual distinction of having an honest -proprietor. It was about three-quarters of a mile from the Square, -but as he was in no hurry, and the weather was extraordinarily genial -for an afternoon in late November, he dismissed his first intention -of taking a motor bus and started off at a leisurely pace along the -King's Road. - -He had got as far as the corner of Radnor Street when his progress -was suddenly arrested by a muffled outbreak of shouts and oaths. The -next moment the door of a small public house opposite burst violently -open, and from its gas-lit interior a tangled cluster of struggling -men swayed out into the main thoroughfare. One of them was evidently -a policeman, for his blue helmet was clearly visible in the centre of -the melee. - -For a second or two the whole mass reeled backward and forward, then -a stick swung up into the air, and, coming down with crashing force -on the back of the constable's head, stretched him out an inert mass -in the gutter. - - - - -CHAPTER TWO - -However underpaid it may be, the training of a house surgeon at a -London hospital induces a certain readiness of action. Before any of -the other passers-by had ceased to gape helplessly at this unusual -spectacle Colin was halfway across the street. - -Quick as he was, however, the situation had already developed. A -big, burly man, clutching another by the collar, had staggered back -against the wall of the pub, where, with his disengaged arm, he was -endeavouring to defend himself as best he could against a rain of -blows and kicks. - -Striking out mercilessly right and left, Colin forced his way through -the gang. He was only just in time, for exactly as he arrived a -vicious kick in the ribs sent the big stranger sprawling to the -pavement, his fingers still gripping the collar of his half-throttled -prisoner. - -The man who had laid him out--a truculent-looking scoundrel in a blue -suit--was stepping in to complete his work when a smashing swing from -Colin caught him full in the mouth. Reeling back from the blow, he -collided violently with one of his friends, and for a second the -whole attacking party were thrown into confusion. - -Before they could recover the shrill note of a police whistle rang -out close behind them. They all spun round instinctively, and -through a gap in their ranks Colin caught sight of the slim figure of -a girl stooping over the prostrate body of the constable. It was -only a brief glimpse, for the next moment one of the ruffians sprang -backward and lashed out at her with his belt. Dropping the whistle, -she sank forward on to her knees, and with a wild, clattering rush -the entire gang took to their heels. - -In two strides Colin was at the girl's side. He was not easily -upset, but the sight of that cowardly blow had filled him with such a -sudden wave of fury that he found it difficult to control his voice -as he bent down over the crouching figure. - -"Are you much hurt?" he asked. - -She raised her head, and a pair of beautiful but rather bewildered -blue eyes looked up into his. - -"No," she said. "I don't think I am. Is it all over?" - -In spite of his anger Colin began to laugh. - -"Yes," he added, "it's all over. They've bolted like a lot of -rabbits, thanks to you." - -He took her by the arm, and a trifle unsteadily, she scrambled to her -feet. - -"How do you feel?" he asked with some anxiety. "I was horribly -afraid he'd hit you on the head." - -"So he did," was the answer, "but luckily for me I've got a good deal -of protection." - -She lifted off the small velvet hat that she was wearing and rather -tenderly patted the thick coils of dark red hair which gleamed like -copper in the fading November sunlight. "The queer thing is," she -added, "that it hasn't even given me a headache." - -"I wish I'd known you were all right," said Colin ruefully. "I'd -have gone after the brute and wrung his neck." - -"You didn't do so badly as it was, mister," observed a voice at his -elbow, and, turning round sharply, he found himself face to face with -the burly stranger, whom he had last seen scuffling on the pavement. -Except for a slight trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth the -latter looked none the worse for his adventures. - -"I owe something both to you and to this young lady," he continued. -"If you hadn't come along just when you did I'd probably have got my -head kicked in." - -"You needn't thank me," protested Colin. "There's nothing I enjoy -better than a good scrap." - -He glanced round the late field of battle with a certain amount of -amused curiosity. Three fresh and energetic-looking policemen had -already appeared. One of them was grasping the arm of the now -handcuffed prisoner, a second knelt beside the body of his injured -comrade, while the third, with that scant ceremony which -distinguishes the Metropolitan force, was thrusting back a rapidly -increasing throng of interested spectators. - -"What's it all about?" asked Colin. - -Rummaging in his waistcoat pocket, the big man produced a dilapidated -card. - -"You'll see my name there," he said. "Inspector Marsden of the -C.I.D." He jerked his head in the direction of the captive--a short, -sandy-haired individual with a face like a rather disagreeable -ferret. "You've helped us to get hold of a gentleman we've been -wanting badly at the Yard for the last two months. That's 'Ginger -Dick,' the leader of the toughest race-course gang in England." - -"He must be fairly popular with his friends," observed Colin. "At -least, they seemed quite anxious not to lose his society." - -The Inspector smiled grimly. "You don't know 'em, sir. You can take -it from me that all they're worrying about is whether he's going to -split on 'em. There isn't a man in that crowd who wouldn't sell his -own mother." He moved over to the second constable, who was still -busy with his unconscious mate. "What's the damage?" he asked. -"Anything serious?" - -Colin stepped across after him. "You'd better let me have a look," -he said. "I'm a doctor." - -The two men at once made way, and, kneeling down in the gutter, he -rapidly examined his patient's condition. - -"You must get him to hospital as quick as you can," he said, looking -up at the Inspector. "He's had a pretty bad crack on the head, and -the sooner he's under treatment the better." He rose to his feet and -brushed off the dust from his trousers. "Take him along to St. -Christopher's," he added. "Tell them that Doctor Gray sent you, and -that it's a case which requires immediate attention." - -The Inspector nodded, and, having despatched one of his assistants to -fetch an ambulance, turned back and addressed himself to the girl. - -"You'll pardon me for not having thanked you before, miss," he said. -"I never saw anything pluckier in my life than the way you chipped in -and blew that whistle. There's not one young lady in a thousand -who'd have had the nerve to do it." - -The recipient of his praises coloured delicately. - -"If you don't mind," he continued, "I'll make a note of your name and -address. We might be glad of your evidence, and I know the -commissioner would like to write you a little letter to send you his -official thanks." - -"Oh, he mustn't trouble to do that," objected the girl hastily. "I'm -sure he's frightfully busy, and, after all, it's quite easy just to -blow a whistle." - -Colin laughed. "You can't get out of it," he said. "Still, if -you'll tell the Inspector your name and where you live I don't -suppose he'll bother you to give evidence unless it's absolutely -necessary." - -"You can count on that, miss," remarked the other reassuringly. - -"Well, I live just round the corner at No. 46 Jubilee Place," said -the girl, "and my name's Seymour--Miss Nancy Seymour." - -The Inspector committed this information to an official-looking -pocketbook, and then held out his hand to Colin. - -"I shan't forget that you've saved my life, doctor," he said. "I -hope that next time you're up in our direction you'll look in and pay -us a visit." He paused. "And remember," he added, "that if there's -ever any little way in which we can be of use to you, you've only got -to let us know. We like to pay our debts at the Yard when we get the -opportunity." - -"I shall remember," said Colin, smiling. "It might come in handy one -of these days." - -He stepped forward as a movement amongst the onlookers heralded the -approach of the ambulance, and, after assisting to lift the injured -constable inside, came back to where the girl was standing. - -"Can I see you as far as your house?" he asked. "I don't suppose any -of those blackguards are still hanging about, but there's no point in -running risks." - -"Thank you," she said simply. "I should be very grateful if you -would." - -Under a fire of curious glances they pushed their way through the -crowd and started off along the pavement in the direction of Jubilee -Place. - -Colin was the first to break the silence. - -"Where did you spring from?" he asked. "I never saw you until you -blew the whistle." - -"I had just come out to buy a stamp," replied his companion. "I was -walking peacefully along to King's Road when I suddenly found myself -right in the middle of it." - -"Well, you've got some pluck," said Colin admiringly. "That -Inspector was quite right in what he said. Most girls would have -given a shriek and flopped down in the gutter." - -She coloured again in the same attractive fashion as before. - -"It wasn't a question of pluck," she objected. "I acted entirely -from impulse. If I had had time to think I should probably have done -what you say." She stopped short with a little gesture of annoyance. -"Oh dear, how stupid I am! I've quite forgotten to buy the stamp -after all." - -"It doesn't matter," said Colin. "I've got one in my pocket I can -let you have." - -They turned up a narrow street with some white buildings on one side -of it, and at the door of the second house the girl halted. - -"This is where I live," she said. "It was awfully kind of you to -walk back with me." - -"Not a bit," said Colin. "I'm very fond of a little gentle -exercise." He pulled out a note-case and began to search through its -various compartments. "If you'll wait half a minute," he added, -"I'll see if I can find you that stamp." - -She stood watching him with a certain look of indecision in her face. - -"I don't know if you'd care to come in," she said rather -hesitatingly. "I have only got a small studio, but I can at least -offer you a cup of tea." - -Colin unearthed the stamp and presented it to her in triumph. - -"If you're quite certain I shan't be a nuisance," he said, "I should -like it immensely. Fighting in the street always gives me a thirst." - -Miss Nancy Seymour's blue eyes twinkled merrily, and, inserting a -Yale key into the lock, she led the way up a small winding staircase -to a door on the first landing. - -"You mustn't mind if it's not very tidy," she remarked -apologetically. "I have been typing all the morning, and I've not -had time to put things straight." - -She opened the door, and, following her inside, Colin found himself -in an oddly shaped but rather attractive apartment, the principal -feature of which was a big glass skylight, shaped like a coach-house -roof. - -The furniture was scanty, consisting chiefly of a low, -comfortable-looking couch, a couple of old Windsor armchairs, and a -stout deal table which at some remote period had evidently been -stained brown. On the latter stood a typewriter flanked by a litter -of loose sheets and several piles of badly written manuscript. - -The farther corner of the room was curtained off, as though to serve -the purpose of a kitchen or bedroom. - -With a wave of her hand Nancy indicated the couch. "Try my patent -sofa," she said hospitably. "I'll tidy up while the kettle's -boiling." - -"Don't do it for me," protested Colin. "I like to see a room a -little topsy-turvy. You can't think how refreshing it seems after -the suffocating neatness of a hospital." - -"I'll put away these horrible manuscripts at all events," returned -his hostess. "I've been working at them ever since nine o'clock. -The mere sight of them makes me feel ill." - -"What are they?" inquired Colin. - -She made as near an approach to a grimace as nature would allow. - -"Stories. And such bad ones! I think that all the worst authors in -the world must live in Chelsea." - -"It was rather unkind to type them out," observed Colin. "Somebody -will probably have to read them now." - -Nancy laughed. "Unfortunately," she said, "it happens to be my -profession." - -She covered up the typewriter and collected all the papers into an -indiscriminate bundle. - -"I sha'n't be long," she added, moving away toward the curtain. -"Make yourself comfortable, and please smoke if you want to." - -Accepting both these invitations, Colin lighted a cigarette and took -up a restful position on the couch. He felt curiously at home, -considering the novelty of his surroundings, but the whole affair had -been so unusual that somehow or other this impromptu tea party seemed -to constitute a natural and appropriate climax. - -That it would also turn out to be an extremely entertaining one he -had no manner of doubt. Whoever Miss Nancy Seymour might be, she was -certainly the most attractive girl he had ever met in his life. Her -looks alone were sufficient to arouse anybody's enthusiasm. With her -vividly coloured hair and almost forget-me-not blue eyes she -possessed that sort of inspiriting beauty which Rossetti in his -healthier and happier moments would have revelled in painting. - -But, delightful as Colin found her appearance, there was something -still more fascinating to him in the unaffected simplicity and -friendliness of her manner. What he had said to Mark about his -knowledge of women was perfectly true. As a medical student he had -worked exceptionally hard, and this fact, combined with his devotion -to football and boxing, had left him little time to cultivate any of -those semi-amorous friendships which seem to be the principal hobby -of so many budding physicians. It was, in fact, the first time that -he had ever been perfectly at ease in a girl's society, and the -sensation was so pleasing that he felt no objection to its indefinite -extension. - -He could hear Nancy moving about behind the curtain, the pop of a gas -ring and the chink of cups giving some clue to the nature of her -activities. Six or seven minutes must have elapsed, however, before -she made her reappearance, this time carrying a tray with all the -necessary equipment for tea. She had discarded her hat and coat, and -in her simple indoor costume Colin thought that she looked prettier -than ever. - -"Don't get up," she said, as he started to rise to his feet. "I'll -bring over that other little table and then we can help ourselves." - -Suiting the action to the word, she deposited the tray on the end of -the sofa, and pulled up a sort of rickety three-legged stool which -looked like the final effort of some disillusioned amateur carpenter. - -"It's all rather primitive," she continued, "but you must pretend not -to notice. You see, I've had to furnish the place myself, and I've -never yet had enough money to do it properly." - -Colin looked round with a contented eye. "I don't see what more you -want," he observed, "not unless you're naturally luxurious." - -"I expect that must be it," she replied, pouring out the tea. -"Anyhow, I know that directly I can afford it I mean to buy some new -curtains and also a nice thick velvety carpet from Harrod's." She -smiled. "That won't be for some time though--not unless there's a -boom in bad stories." - -"If it isn't an impertinent question," said Colin, "how long have you -been in Chelsea?" - -"About eighteen months," she answered, handing him his cup. "I had -always lived in the country before then, but there were reasons why I -had to start work of some sort, and typing was the only useful thing -I happened to know. Somebody told me that Chelsea was full of -authors, so I came here, and here I've been ever since." - -Colin helped himself to a sugared biscuit. "I hope you charge them a -lot," he said, "and I hope they pay regularly." - -"It might be worse," she replied. "As it happens, I've got enough -money of my own to pay the rent of the studio, and what I make out of -my typing just keeps me going in clothes and food and cigarettes." -She paused to refill the teapot. "It's just the feeling that I'm -wasting my time so," she continued, "that annoys me. If I were -working at something really useful I should be quite happy, but this -stuff"--she made a distasteful gesture toward the table--"well, I -can't think how anybody can possibly write it, let alone read it." - -Colin suddenly slapped his leg with a bang which made the china -rattle. - -"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "Why, of course, you're the very girl!" - -He laid down his cup and gazed at her in a kind of triumphant -satisfaction. - -Nancy returned his inspection with a perplexed smile. "I daresay I -am," she admitted. "It's rather hard to tell at present, isn't it?" - -Colin laughed. "I'm not mad," he explained. "If you meant what you -said just now, if you're really looking out for something that's -worth doing, I can put you on to a job straight away." - -There was a moment's silence. - -"It's very nice of you," said Nancy. "The only question is that I -should probably be quite unqualified for it." - -"On the contrary," retorted Colin, "you're the exact person that I've -been commissioned to find." - -"It must be a queer sort of job then," remarked Nancy, still smiling. -"All you know about me at present is that I can type, make tea, and -blow a police whistle." - -"Well, there you are," observed her guest. "It's just that all-round -sort of ability that Mark wants." - -He sat back against the wall, and, without any further delay, -proceeded to enter into a full description of the distressing problem -which overhung the Shadwell ménage. - -"If you'll chip in and fill the gap," he continued, "you'll be doing -a real Christian act. Mark jeers at his own work, but, as a matter -of cold fact, he and Mary have buried themselves down in that beastly -slum out of sheer good nature. They're the sort of people you don't -meet twice in a lifetime. Mark's a brick, and Mary's just the -sweetest and most unselfish woman that ever trod this earth." - -"They sound perfect dears," said Nancy. "I should love to know them -whether I get the job or not." - -"Get the job!" repeated Colin. "Why, good Lord, they'll simply be -all over you as soon as you show yourself." - -Nancy's blue eyes gleamed merrily. "You seem to forget, Doctor -Gray," she said, "everybody isn't quite so rapid and trustful as you -are. They might, for instance, like to know something about me -first." - -"Well, you can tell 'em," replied Colin. "You haven't been in -prison, have you, or anything of that sort? Not that Mark would mind -a bit if you had." - -"What a nice, obliging man!" was the answer. "No, I haven't been in -prison, and I don't think I've ever done anything to deserve it. All -the same, if any one offered me an engagement they would have to take -me absolutely on trust. You see, I have never earned a salary -before, so I've got no testimonials." - -"Yes, you have," objected Colin. "You've got mine and the -policeman's. That ought to be enough for any reasonable employer." -He glanced at his watch. "Look here," he added eagerly, "if you're -doing nothing in particular, why shouldn't we go down there straight -away? Mark usually takes half an hour off for tea about four -o'clock, so we should just catch them at the right time." - -"How does one get to Shadwell?" asked Nancy. "I don't even know -where it is." - -Colin jumped up briskly. "I'll drive you down," he said. "I've got -a little car in Church Street. I was just going along there to do -some repairs." - -Nancy made a movement of protest. "Oh, but, please----" she said. -"I don't want to take up all your afternoon--not if you're busy." - -"That's all right," observed Colin. "You shove on your hat and coat. -I shall have plenty of time to tinker at the car when we get back." - -With an air of resigned amusement Nancy rose to her feet. - -"I am trusting entirely to you, Doctor Gray," she said. "If your -friends throw me out ignominiously I sha'n't be the least surprised." - -She collected the tea things, and, crossing the room to the farther -corner, disappeared again behind the curtain. - -After a surprisingly short interval she returned, ready dressed for -the journey. - -"You look ripping," said Colin, eyeing her with frank approval. "I'm -longing to see old Mark's face when he hears you're his new -secretary." - -"Well, it's more than I am," remarked Nancy. - -She paused for a second or two to make a final inspection of herself -in the looking glass, and then, following her guest out on to the -landing, closed and locked the door behind her. - -They descended the staircase and were just emerging into the street -when a big white Daimler swung into view round the corner of the -King's Road. - -Nancy uttered a little exclamation which sounded like one of -annoyance, but before she could speak the driver turned in toward the -pavement and drew up alongside of them. He proved to be a tall, -clean-shaven, middle-aged man, with rather dissipated blue eyes. - -"Hullo, young lady," he said, raising his hat, "where are you off to? -I was coming along to take you out for a drive." - -Nancy acknowledged his greeting without any apparent enthusiasm. - -"It was very kind of you," she replied, "but I am afraid I can't -manage it to-day. I have promised to go out to tea with some friends -of Doctor Gray's." She paused for a moment, and then glanced -hesitatingly from one to the other of them. "Let me introduce you," -she added. "Doctor Gray--Major Fenton." - -The two men nodded to each other. - -"It will do you much more good to come for a spin," persisted the new -arrival. "Besides, I understood that we more or less fixed it up -last Thursday." - -"Did we?" said Nancy coolly. "I don't remember actually mentioning -the day." - -"Well, I understood so anyhow," returned the other. He leaned across -and opened the door. "Come along," he added persuasively. "I am -sure Doctor Gray will excuse you." - -"I have no doubt he would," said Nancy, "but, as it happens, I -particularly want to meet his friends." She held out a small gloved -hand, which the other accepted with obvious reluctance. "You must -really excuse me, Major Fenton," she continued. "I can't possibly -manage to come to-day though I am very much obliged to you for -offering to take me." - -Except for an ugly glint in his blue eyes, the owner of the car -managed to control his emotions. - -"Oh, very well," he said, with a rather forced laugh, "if you're -really booked up, of course that settles it. We must make it another -day instead, eh? How about to-morrow?" - -"To-morrow would be all right," said Nancy, "as far as I know at -present." - -"I'll call for you at the same time, then--say three o'clock, or -perhaps we'd better make it a quarter past." He lifted his hat -again, and, after bestowing a curt nod on Colin, leaned over and -closed the door of the car. The next moment he was moving away -rapidly up the street. - -Nancy gave a sigh of relief. - -"I'm glad you were with me," she said, as they started off in the -opposite direction. "If I had been alone I couldn't very well have -got out of it." - -Colin looked at her in surprise. "Why on earth should you go if you -don't want to?" he asked. "Is that truculent warrior your guardian -or what?" - -Nancy shook her head. "I don't know anything about him," she -answered, "except that he happens to be an old friend of my -father's." She paused for an instant as they turned the corner into -King's Road. "You see, I am rather alone in the world," she -continued. "My father and mother both died when I was a baby, and as -Major Fenton took the trouble to come and hunt me out about two -months ago I didn't like to seem ungrateful." - -There was a touch of wistfulness in her voice which went straight to -Colin's heart. - -"Of course, that's different," he said gently. "It's rotten bad luck -to be left all by oneself. Haven't you any relations or people of -that sort?" - -"None that I ever heard of," was the answer. "My father and mother -were living in a little village in Cornwall, and one day they were -caught in a storm out sailing, and they were both drowned. No one -seemed to know anything about them at all. A lawyer at Helston, a -very kind man called Mr. Penwarren, advertised in the papers and made -inquiries everywhere. They all led to nothing, however, and it ended -with my going to live with an old farmer and his wife who had offered -to take care of me. There was a little money--something like nine -hundred pounds--which Mr. Penwarren had invested for me, and that -gave me the chance of coming to London and setting up as a typist." -She stopped short, and glanced at Colin with a sudden trace of -embarrassment. "I don't know why I am telling you all this," she -added. "I'm afraid I must be boring you horribly." - -Colin shook his head. "I never felt more interested in my life. I -thought that things like that only happened in books and plays." - -"I wish they did," said Nancy. "I simply hate not knowing who I am. -It makes one feel like a lost dog." - -"But how about our genial friend in the car?" inquired Colin. "If he -was a pal of your father's he must surely have been able to give you -some information." - -"That's just what he can't do," said Nancy. "He met my father years -ago down at Forth Leven, where they used to go out fishing together. -He went abroad with his regiment after that, and it was only when he -came home this spring and happened to be in the same neighbourhood -that he found out about the accident. He took the trouble to go over -to Helston and see the lawyer, Mr. Penwarren, who gave him my -address. I can't imagine why he should have bothered about me at -all, but for some extraordinary reason he seems to have thought it -was his duty. Anyhow, he has certainly gone out of his way to try -and be kind to me, and although I don't like him I naturally feel a -certain amount of gratitude. He must be rather a nice man really or -he wouldn't have behaved as he has." - -"I daresay you're right," said Colin doubtfully. "I have been told -that the most objectionable people often have hearts of gold." - -He piloted her round the corner of Church Street and led the way into -a small garage, where a miscellaneous collection of cars were ranged -along the walls. - -"This is mine," he remarked, coming to a halt in front of a rather -battered four-seater. "She's not a beauty to look at, but she can go -like the devil." - -Before Nancy could offer any comment a young man in dirty overalls -wriggled out from beneath a neighbouring limousine. - -Colin greeted him with a friendly nod. - -"I am going to take her out after all, Davis," he said. "I shall be -back some time this evening, and if you're here we can run over her -together." - -Mr. Davis wiped his hands upon a piece of cotton waste and glanced -appreciatively at Nancy. "Very good, sir," he replied; "but, if -you'll excuse my saying so, I shouldn't drive too fast--not if you've -got a lady with you. The steering gear's none too sound." - -Colin laughed. "You needn't pay any attention to Davis," he observed -to Nancy. "Like all people who have to give credit, he's a hopeless -pessimist." - -He opened the door for her, and, climbing up alongside into the -driving seat, switched on the spark and the lamps. - -With a slight shrug of his shoulders, as though to disclaim further -responsibility, Mr. Davis bent down over the starting-handle. After -several ineffectual jerks the engine suddenly began running, and the -next moment Colin was backing his way out through the open doorway. - -Sitting beside him, with her chin buried comfortably inside her -collar, Nancy made no attempt at conversation. From the hint dropped -by Mr. Davis she concluded that Colin was the sort of driver whom it -was safer not to disturb with unnecessary chatter, an opinion which -had been fully confirmed some time before they arrived at Sloane -Square. - -He drove, indeed, at a pace which would have proved highly -distressing to any one of a timid disposition. Fortunately for -Nancy, however, her nerves were in excellent order, and after the -first half mile had been safely negotiated she began to find that the -sensation of missing buses by a quarter of an inch was not without a -peculiar and exhilarating charm. - -Apart from that, the actual journey through what to her was a totally -unknown quarter of London was in itself a sufficiently stimulating -experience. The crowds in the City, the flaring coster barrows in -St. George's Road, and the gradually increasing squalor and gloom as -they drew nearer to their destination, all provided her with an -unfailing source of interest. - -A little way down Shadwell High Street, at the corner of a side lane, -Colin came to a halt in front of an uninviting-looking public house, -alongside which was a closed gate leading apparently into a yard. - -"This is where I generally leave the car," he announced. "Mark's -place is only a few yards farther on." - -As he spoke the door of the pub opened, and a stout gentleman in -trousers, carpet slippers, and a rather dirty shirt loomed up in the -opening. - -"'Ullo, Mister Gray," he observed, in a kind of hoarse wheeze. -"Quite a stranger, ain't yer?" - -He spat genially into the gutter and, stepping forward, offered his -hand to Colin. - -"Brought a bit o' comp'ny with yer this time, I see," he added. - -"That's right," said Colin. "Let me introduce you to each other. -Mr. Higgins--Miss Seymour." - -The fat man wiped his hand on the back of his trousers and -transferred it to Nancy. - -"Pleased to meet yer, miss," he remarked. "Any friend o' Mister -Gray's a friend o' mine." - -"Can I shove the car in your yard?" inquired Colin. - -"Certainly, an' welcome," was the answer. "You sit where you are an' -I'll open the gaite for yer." - -He produced a key, and, having fumbled for a moment with the rusty -padlock, disclosed the entrance to a narrow courtyard, the only -occupant of which was a surly-looking, red-eyed bull terrier, who was -tethered to an empty barrel. - -"She's as saife 'ere as in the perlice station," continued Mr. -Higgins, as the car came to a stand-still against the wall. "Saifer, -I should say, from wot I seen o' some o' them cops." - -"I shouldn't wonder," said Colin with a laugh. He switched off the -engine, and, getting out of the car, proceeded to rid himself of his -driving gloves. "I don't suppose we shall be very long," he added. -"We're only going to have a cup of tea with the doctor." - -"You'll find me inside, any'ow," returned Mr. Higgins. He stopped -and fixed an admiring glance on Nancy, who was pleasantly employed in -tickling the bull terrier's left ear. "See that?" he continued with -a chuckle. "Dang me if that don't taike the biscuit. Scratchin' of -'is head saime as if 'e was a little lamb." - -"I always select my friends on account of their courage," explained -Colin unconcernedly. - -He strolled forward to the entrance, where Nancy joined him, and the -two of them waited on the pavement while the gate was being -refastened. Then, after declining the pressing offer of a little -refreshment from Mr. Higgins, they strolled off again along the -narrow and unsavoury thoroughfare which is the nearest approach that -Shadwell can boast to a main street. - -"You mustn't judge the place entirely by its smells and its -appearance," said Colin. "You will probably find the people a bit -rough at first, but they're a jolly friendly lot really, and they all -adore Mark. When they know you're working for him they'll be as nice -to you as possible." - -"Perhaps they won't have the chance," returned Nancy. "As I said -before, the doctor may be one of those extraordinary people who -expect to get something useful in return for their money." - -"Well, we'll soon settle that point, anyway," observed Colin. - -He pulled up in front of an old-fashioned two-story house, which had -evidently survived from the days when Shadwell was more or less a -country village. It stood a little way back from the street behind -some battered iron railings, a brass plate on the door and a red lamp -over the side entrance affording sufficient indications of its -owner's profession. - -Colin advanced to the front door and rang the bell. - -Its jangling had scarcely died away when there was a sound of -footsteps inside, and the next moment a flood of light streamed out -into the gloom. - -A slim, sweet-faced woman, with beautiful but rather tired gray eyes, -was standing on the mat. - -As soon as she saw who it was her expression lit up in a smile of -unaffected pleasure. - -"Why, it's Colin!" she exclaimed. "How delightful! I thought it was -someone cadging for subscriptions." - -Colin shook his head. "It's not money we want, lady," he said, "it's -tea." He pulled Nancy forward into the light. "By the way, let me -introduce Miss Nancy Seymour. Nancy--Mary; Mary--Nancy." - -"Oh, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I thought you were alone." -She pressed Nancy's hand in a friendly welcome, and then, stepping -back, shepherded them into the hall. - -"Take Miss Seymour upstairs, Colin," she said. "You'll find Mark in -the study. He's just finished work. You must excuse my deserting -you for a moment. It's Martha Jane's day out, so I'm getting tea." - -"Can I help?" inquired Nancy. - -She shook her head with another smile. "Everything's ready," she -answered. "You go along with Colin, and I'll be up in a minute. -I've only got to fetch the crumpets." - -She disappeared in the direction of the back regions, and having -deposited his hat and coat on the hall table, Colin led the way -upstairs. - -As they reached the first landing a door on the right opened, and -Mark himself appeared on the threshold. He had a large cherry-wood -pipe in his mouth, and he had discarded his frock coat in favour of a -Norfolk jacket. - -"Hullo, Colin!" he exclaimed. "I thought I heard your musical voice. -Why the devil----" - -He stopped short as he suddenly caught sight of Nancy. - -"You shouldn't swear in front of ladies," said Colin reprovingly. -"It's not done in the best medical circles." - -Mark came forward with an embarrassed air. - -"I say, please excuse me," he stammered. "I didn't see there was any -one else there." - -"It's all right," said Nancy, laughing. "I've heard the expression -before--several times." - -Colin looked at them both with mischievous amusement. - -"Hadn't you better introduce us?" suggested Mark. "It would be more -useful than standing there grinning like a Cheshire cat." - -"I didn't think it was necessary," said Colin. "Surely you've -guessed that you're talking to the angel?" - -Mark stared at him in bewilderment. - -"Talking to whom?" he inquired. - -"The angel," repeated Colin. "You asked me to find you an angel, and -here she is!" - -A sudden light seemed to break in upon their host's intelligence. - -"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "You don't say so! Come along into the -study." - -He ushered them both into a snug, comfortably furnished room, lined -all round with books, where a table was set out for tea and a bright -fire was burning in the grate. - -"Now, Colin," he demanded, "were you pulling my leg, or is this -really a fact?" - -"Of course it's a fact," said Colin, "and a very nice one too." - -"I can see that for myself," retorted Mark. He turned to Nancy and -pushed forward a chair. "Do sit down," he added. "You must forgive -my being rather stupid, but I really thought Colin was joking. You -see, I only mentioned the matter to him a few hours ago." - -"It doesn't take me long to do a little job like that," said Colin, -"not when I once start it." - -Nancy was about to speak when she was interrupted by a plaintive -request from outside that someone would open the door. Colin -hastened to comply, and Mrs. Mark, carrying a teapot and a large -covered plate, sailed smilingly into the room. - -"Be careful of the crumpets, Colin," she said, as he relieved her of -her burden. "I have done them with a double lot of butter in honour -of your visit." - -Mark laid his hand on his wife's shoulder. - -"Mary," he said, wheeling her round so that she faced Nancy, "do you -know who this is?" - -"Of course I do," was the answer. "We were introduced to each other -on the doorstep. I had no idea that Colin had such nice friends." - -"But you haven't heard the really thrilling part of it. This is the -dream secretary who is going to get us out of all our troubles." - -"Oh, how splendid!" exclaimed Mary, but before she could add anything -further Nancy rose to her feet with a little protesting gesture. - -"Please," she said, "please! You're making me feel the most dreadful -humbug and impostor!" She turned to Colin. "Do tell them the truth, -Doctor Gray." - -"I'm only waiting for the chance," said Colin. - -With a good-natured chuckle Mark placed his pipe on the mantelpiece, -and pulled up a couple of chairs to the table. - -"Fire ahead, my lad," he observed. "That's to say, if you can eat -crumpets and talk intelligibly at the same time." - -Spurred on by this encouragement, Colin set about his task with -obvious relish. He was a good hand at telling a story, and under his -eloquent treatment the slightly unusual circumstances which had -attended his first introduction to Nancy lost nothing in dramatic -freshness. Retailed, indeed, amid the chink of tea-cups and the -pleasant crackling of the wood fire, they seemed to appear more -romantic than ever, and both Mark and Mary listened to him with a -fascinated interest which showed itself plainly in their faces. - -Having described the capture of "Ginger Dick" and done full justice -to the spirited behaviour of Nancy during the operations, he went on -to relate how he had walked back with her to the studio, and had been -admitted into the secret of her profession. - -"Of course," he finished, "directly I heard that I knew where I was. -You'd asked me to find you a resourceful angel, and here she was -fluttering round Chelsea wasting her life typing out bad stories! -The whole thing was evidently a put-up job on the part of Providence." - -"It seems to be like a direct answer to prayer," said Mark, with -considerable enthusiasm. "I can hardly believe it even now." - -Mary leaned across and began refilling Nancy's cup. "My dear," she -begged, "please say that it's true. You can't imagine how it will -relieve our feelings. If Colin has been misrepresenting the -situation I shall burst into floods of tears." - -"I am afraid he has," declared Nancy, laughing, "but only with regard -to my qualifications. If I really thought that I could be of any use -to you, there's nothing I should like better than to come and work -here." - -Mark rose to his feet and brandished the teacup triumphantly over his -head. - -"This is magnificent," he exclaimed. "What the Prayer Book calls 'a -happy issue out of all our afflictions.'" - -His wife regarded him with an affectionate smile. "You had better -control your feelings, Mark," she said. "If you go on like that Miss -Seymour will think you're mad, and she'll probably resign straight -away." She turned to Nancy. "I should hate to say anything that -could possibly put you off, but I think it's only fair to give you a -word of warning. You are so young and so pretty that it seems a -shame you should bury yourself in Shadwell. We do our best to be -cheerful, but, you know, a doctor's practice in the East End of -London is nearly all hard work and no play. You will probably find -it horribly depressing." - -Nancy shook her head. "I am not afraid of that," she said. "I -rather like hard work as long as it's useful. What I'm doubtful -about is whether I can do what you want." - -"Good Lord, yes," exclaimed Mark hastily. "It's only just a matter -of common sense. Mary would put you up to the ropes in half an hour." - -"What are you doing now?" suggested the latter. "Why don't you stay -on here and have supper with us? There will be plenty of time before -then to give you a rough idea of what the work is like, and we can -settle up the whole thing straight away." - -Mary glanced at Colin. "It sounds a good idea," she agreed. "I -suppose I can get home by train?" - -"You won't have to worry about that," said Colin. "I'll take the car -up to the garage and do my repairs, and then come down again and join -you here." - -In a half-humorous, half-wistful fashion Nancy looked round at all -three of them. - -"I am not used to people being so kind," she said. "Unless -somebody's disagreeable soon I am afraid I shall begin to cry." - -Mary came up to her and again squeezed her hands affectionately. -"You must never cry in this house, my dear," she said. "It's the -only form of dissipation that Mark won't allow." - -* * * * * * * * * - -It was exactly two and a half hours later when Colin, straightening -himself with a grunt, turned triumphantly to the pessimistic Davis. - -"I think we've fixed her this time," he observed, wiping his hands on -his dungaree trousers. "It will be nice to be able to push along at -a reasonable pace without feeling that something's going to give." - -The other lifted up the front seat and thrust away the spanner which -he had been holding in his hand. - -"It didn't seem to make much difference," he replied, "not judgin' by -the way you started off this afternoon. I was half expectin' you and -that young lady to come back on a couple of stretchers." - -"Oh, we got along all right," said Colin. "Miss Seymour enjoyed the -drive very much indeed." - -"Did she?" was the somewhat incredulous answer. "Well, I reckon if -she knew the state that steering gear was in she must be hard up for -a bit of excitement." - -Colin laughed, and, stripping off his overalls, stuffed them away -into an open locker. - -"You had better let me have the key," he said. "I don't suppose I -shall be back till about eleven. I have promised to go down to -Shadwell for supper, only I must slip round to the hospital and tidy -myself up first." - -Davis handed over the desired article, and a few minutes afterward, -leaving his car in the gutter, Colin hurried up the steps of St. -Christopher's and passed in through the swing doors. - -On catching sight of him the porter stepped out from his box. - -"Telegram for you, sir," he announced. "Come in about a quarter of -an hour ago." - -Colin paused beneath the big centre light and, ripping open the -envelope, pulled out its contents. - -The message was short but very much to the point: - - - "Please call at the Red Lodge to-morrow three-thirty.--CARTER." - - - - - -CHAPTER THREE - -In the days when a young and promising draper, called Mr. John -Barker, had recently opened a small shop in the High Street, -Kensington, Campden Hill was a singularly attractive place to live -in. The favourite resort of affluent artists, retired judges, and -other persons of culture and dignity, it still managed to retain a -semi-rural tranquillity unknown to any other part of central London. - -Time, however, which has dealt nobly with Mr. Barker, has -unfortunately robbed the district of most of its former charm. Of -the old-fashioned houses which stood formerly in their own pleasant -grounds only a sadly thinned remnant now survive. Tucked away in odd -corners, amid an ever-encroaching flood of "desirable modern -residences," they seem to wait sadly for the hour when, in a cloud of -dust and mortar, the relentless tapping of the pick serves for their -funeral bell. - -The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the -leisured days of George the Third. It was a square, creeper-clad -house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading -up from the street to the front door. Through the outside gate, the -upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded -passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into -the neglected garden. Whether it were worth his while to indulge in -such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate -expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes -and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his -enterprise. - -Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his -future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity. He was not -in the least fanciful, but even to a thoroughly healthy imagination -the old house certainly presented a forlorn and rather mysterious -aspect. There seemed to him nothing surprising in the fact that, -having once been burgled, the Professor had begun to feel the need of -a trustworthy assistant, especially if he were engaged in researches -which would undoubtedly possess a large financial value. - -On the right of the gate a rusty bell-handle lolled out dejectedly -from its socket. Colin gave it a vigorous pull, and a distant -jingling somewhere inside the house told him that the wire was still -in working order. - -Looking through the grille, he waited patiently for the best part of -a minute. At last he heard the sound of somebody fumbling with a -chain, then the front door opened, and an old, bent woman came slowly -down the steps. - -Holding her shawl together with one hand, she shuffled along to the -end of the passage and peered at him through the ironwork. - -"Are you the gentleman that's expected?" she asked suspiciously. - -"It's quite likely," said Colin. "Anyhow, I had a telegram from -Professor Carter asking me to call at three-thirty." - -"That must be right, then," was the somewhat grudging answer, and, -turning the lock, she pulled back the gate just wide enough for him -to enter. - -Following her up the passageway and through the front door, Colin -found himself in a big, well-lighted hall, at the back of which a -couple of French windows opened out into the garden behind. Several -pieces of massive Victorian furniture were ranged symmetrically round -the walls, and a broad, thickly carpeted staircase led up to the -landing above. - -"If you'll step into the library," observed his guide, "I'll tell Mr. -Carter you've come." - -She opened a door on the right, and, accepting her invitation, Colin -passed through into a long, cheerless apartment, three sides of which -were almost completely lined with books. There was no fire in the -grate, and such chairs as there were looked so extremely -uncomfortable that only the most hardened man of letters could have -described it as an agreeable resort. - -Colin did not attempt to sit down. After a cursory glance round he -walked over to the nearest bookcase and began to examine the titles -of some of the volumes, all of which appeared to deal with scientific -subjects, a fair proportion of them being in French and German. He -was deep in this occupation when he heard the door open, and, -wheeling round quickly, he found the Professor coming toward him. - -Like every other young investigator, Colin was more or less familiar -with photographs of his host, but all the same the latter's -appearance in real life came to him with something of a shock. A -very old man, wearing a skull cap, from which long white hair hung -down over his collar, he seemed at first sight to be almost pitifully -frail and feeble. It was only when a second glance revealed the -gleam which still lurked behind his gold spectacles and the dour, -obstinate lines of his mouth and chin that this sense of physical -weakness was swept away by a sudden impression of extraordinary -intellectual power and immense force of character. - -With a little exclamation of annoyance he advanced to where Colin was -standing. - -"I am sorry that you should have been left alone in this ice house," -he began in a high, quavering voice. "I can't imagine why Mrs. -Ramsay showed you in here, except that she happens to be a born fool." - -Colin accepted the thin, veined hand which the old scientist offered -him. - -"I have been quite happy, thank you, sir," he said. "I have been -inspecting your library." - -"I trust that you found something to entertain you," was the answer. -"There are some interesting books here, but, unfortunately, they are -mixed up with a good deal of trash. Every ignoramus who airs his -views on some subject about which he knows nothing seems to think it -necessary to send me a copy." He turned toward the entrance. "You -had better come into my study," he added. "There is a nice fire -there, and we can talk in comfort." - -Leading the way to the door, he conducted Colin across the hall into -another and almost similarly shaped room exactly opposite. Here also -the walls were lined with bookcases, but, thanks to the fire and one -or two easy chairs, there was a certain air of homeliness altogether -lacking in the library. - -The Professor made a gesture towards a dilapidated couch. - -"Sit down, Mr. Gray," he continued. "I don't know whether you -appreciate a good cigar, but if you do I can offer you something a -little out of the ordinary. Of course, if you are sufficiently young -and barbarous to prefer a pipe don't hesitate to say so." - -"Well, I'm not an expert," admitted Colin. "All the same, I like to -improve my education when I get the chance." - -The old man smiled grimly, and, moving across to a black oak bureau -in the corner, returned with a box of long, delicately shaped Havanas. - -"Smoking is the one pleasure left which I can still enjoy," he -explained. "Under the circumstances, I take particular care to have -the best." - -He waited until Colin had lighted up, and then, following his -example, placed the box on the table between them and seated himself -in a big armchair in front of the fire. - -"And now, my young friend," he said, "let us get to business. I -believe that Onslow has said something to you about my reasons for -asking you to come and see me." - -Colin nodded. "Sir George called at the hospital yesterday," he -said. "I understood from him that you were thinking of engaging a -resident assistant, and that he had suggested me as a possible -choice." - -The Professor drew down the corners of his mouth in a dry smile. - -"Oh, you understood that, did you?" he remarked. "Well, it's hardly -the impression which Onslow conveyed to me. From the enthusiastic -fashion in which he spoke about your abilities I gathered that I -should be remarkably fortunate if you would even consider the -proposal." - -Colin flushed handsomely. "Sir George has always been uncommonly -kind to me," he said, "but he knows that I should regard it as a -tremendous honour to be allowed to work under you." - -The Professor looked at him over the top of his spectacles. - -"Well, I am glad to hear you speak so sensibly. Most clever young -men are intolerably conceited." He paused. "I think I ought to make -the situation quite plain before we go any further. As Onslow may -have mentioned, this suggested arrangement of mine isn't quite the -compliment to your professional skill which it appears to be on the -surface." - -Colin laughed. "Yes, I know about that, sir," he replied. "I can -only say that if you will allow me to assist you in the daytime I -don't care how many burglars I have to tackle at night." - -"It's hardly likely to be a regular feature of your duties," returned -the Professor. "Still, the fact remains that this house has been -broken into once, and there seems to be no apparent reason why the -same thing shouldn't happen again." - -"Did you lose much?" asked Colin. - -The old man shook his head. "Nothing that I am aware of. My -visitor, whoever he was, got into this room by the window. The only -thing damaged was that desk in the corner." He nodded toward the -black oak bureau. "The safe over there in which I generally keep a -certain amount of money, was absolutely untouched." - -"He might have been interrupted in the middle of his job," suggested -Colin. - -"He might have been," assented the Professor, "but as it happens he -wasn't. It was not until Mrs. Ramsay came in here the next morning -that we had the least idea anything was wrong." - -Colin leaned forward and knocked off his ash into the fireplace. "It -seems rather an extraordinary thing," he remarked. "Had you any -specially valuable papers--I mean, anything like a description of -some new scientific process--which people might want to get hold of?" - -"I daresay I had," was the answer, "but if so it was certainly not in -that desk. I keep everything relating to my work in a special -cabinet in the laboratory. You would think that a gentleman who was -sufficiently intelligent to try to steal things of that nature would -at least assure himself first that he was on the right ground." - -"What had the police got to say about it?" Colin inquired. "I -suppose you called them in?" - -"I did nothing of the sort," returned the Professor abruptly. "I -have only a very limited amount of time remaining to me, and there -are plenty of excellent ways in which I can occupy it. Because some -lunatic chooses to break open my desk and rummage through my papers I -fail to see why I should waste several valuable hours standing in a -witness box answering superfluous and probably impertinent questions. -All the same, these sorts of experiences are extremely upsetting to a -man of my age. They alarm the household and they distract me from my -work. In case of a similar experience, I should be glad to feel that -there was someone on the premises who could be trusted to act with -promptness and efficiency." - -"You can depend on me for that," said Colin, "as long as I'm not -asleep." - -There was a brief pause while the Professor took off his spectacles -and polished them with a red silk handkerchief. - -"Well, now that we understand each other," he continued, "I think it -would be as well to discuss one or two practical details. With -regard to your remuneration, for instance. I don't know what you are -getting at St. Christopher's, but I propose to give you four hundred -a year. You will have no expenses living in the house, so unless you -are foolishly extravagant that ought to be quite an adequate salary." - -"It will do me very nicely," said Colin. "As a matter of fact, I've -got a little money of my own, and the only extravagant habit I've -developed so far is keeping a car." - -The Professor grunted. "When I was your age," he remarked, "young -men either walked or rode. Still, as long as you are capable of -amusing yourself it doesn't matter to me how you spend your leisure -time." He replaced his spectacles and returned the handkerchief to -his breast pocket "I shall give instructions that you are to be -properly looked after, but whether they will be carried out is -another matter. Since my man Kennedy left me I have had no one in -the house except Mrs. Ramsay and the cook. They are both old, like -myself, and my own wants are so simple that their ideas of catering -are probably a little on the Spartan side. If you find you are -uncomfortable, or that you are not getting enough to eat and drink, -you must let me know." He paused. "As for recreation or -entertainment--well, if you are expecting anything of that nature you -are coming to the wrong place. The only visitor I ever have is my -solicitor, Mr. Medwin, whom, by the way, I am expecting this -afternoon. I warn you frankly that unless you can throw yourself -into your work you will find life here intolerably dull." - -Colin shook his head. "I don't think we need discuss that, sir," he -said cheerfully. "Anyway, as far as my present feelings are -concerned I wouldn't change places with any one in England." - -With another and rather more approving grunt the Professor hoisted -himself slowly out of his chair. - -"You seem to have some sense, my young friend," he observed. "How -would you like to come along and look at the laboratory? I don't -suppose Medwin will be here for another twenty minutes." - -"I should like it very much," said Colin promptly. - -He rose to his feet, and, dropping the stump of his cigar into the -fire, followed his host out of the room and along the hall. On -reaching the French windows the Professor turned to the left, and, -having descended a couple of steps, pulled up in front of a -solid-looking door, which he proceeded to unlock with a Yale key. - -"This, of course, is not part of the original house," he explained. -"I had it built on about twenty years ago, and one way and another -it's cost me a pretty penny, I can tell you." - -He led the way inside, and, with an air of pride that he made no -effort to conceal, turned on the electric light. - -For a private laboratory the place was certainly unique. A large, -lofty room, roofed with glass and lined with white tiles, it appeared -to have been fitted up with a complete disregard for expense that -would have excited envy in the most lavishly endowed American -university. - -For several seconds Colin stood looking round in voiceless -appreciation. His eyes wandered in turn over the shining array of -taps and switches, the enamelled basins, the big electric furnace, -and all the other up-to-date appliances which gleamed invitingly -under the hard, unshaded light. - -At last, with a sigh of satisfaction, he turned to the Professor. - -"As long as I can work here," he said, "I don't care what I have to -eat or drink." - -Evidently pleased with his companion's enthusiasm, the old man closed -the door carefully behind them, and, having replaced the key in his -pocket, started off on an explanatory tour of the room. With the -absorption of an expert loosed upon his favourite topic, he moved -methodically along from one spot to another, stopping in front of -each object in turn to explain or demonstrate its various uses. - -Colin, who was more than content to play the part of a listener, -followed him round in absolute silence. Familiar as he was with all -the latest developments in research, his acquaintance with many -branches was naturally of a rather superficial nature, and, although -he was prepared for something of the sort, the apparent depth and -accuracy of the Professor's knowledge filled him with amazed respect. - -To what height this feeling might have attained it is impossible to -say, for just as they had arrived at the electric furnace a sudden -tap on the door interrupted their proceedings. - -With an impatient click of his tongue the aged scientist glanced -sharply round in the direction of the sound. - -"Now who the devil's that?" he exclaimed. "I have given orders -repeatedly that when I'm in here I am not to be disturbed." - -He shuffled wrathfully down the room, and, jerking open the door, -revealed the lean figure of Mrs. Ramsay. - -"What's the matter?" he demanded. "Why don't you obey my -instructions?" - -"It's no good getting cross," returned the housekeeper impassively. -"You asked Mr. Medwin to call, and you can't leave 'im sitting in the -study." - -"Oh, he's come, has he?" was the slightly mollified answer. "Well, -in that case I suppose we had better go along and make ourselves -civil to him." He turned to Colin, who had followed him to the door. -"You will stay to tea, of course?" he added. - -Colin, who was trying hard not to smile, expressed his willingness, -and, having closed and locked the laboratory, the Professor conducted -him back through the hall to the room which they had recently quitted. - -A big, clean-shaven, middle-aged man, who was standing in front of -the fire, stepped forward at their entrance. - -"I hope I am not too punctual," he began, in a curiously smooth -voice. "I think four o'clock was the time you mentioned in your -letter." - -He shook hands with his host, and at the same time his glance -travelled inquisitively toward Colin. - -"That's quite correct," replied the Professor. "I was just showing -the laboratory to my young friend here. By the way, let me introduce -you. Doctor Gray--Mr. Medwin." - -Colin felt his hand enveloped in a large, soft palm, while a pair of -very acute eyes rapidly scanned his face. - -"I am delighted to meet you," said Mr. Medwin. - -"It's a pleasure that you will probably have on future occasions," -observed the Professor. "Doctor Gray is coming to live here as my -resident assistant." - -It seemed to Colin that in spite of his bland manner the lawyer was -momentarily disconcerted. - -"Really," he observed, after a slight hesitation, "I had no idea that -you were contemplating anything of that sort." - -"I don't suppose you had," said the Professor drily. "The idea only -occurred to me last week, but when I make up my mind I generally act -upon it at once. If you will forgive my saying so, Medwin, it's a -habit that some members of your profession might cultivate with -advantage." - -Mr. Medwin, who appeared to have recovered his self-possession, -smiled affably. - -"I won't dispute the statement," he said. "There's no doubt that, -taking us altogether, we're a dilatory lot." - -The arrival of Mrs. Ramsay with the tea made a temporary diversion, -and, having requested Colin to officiate, the Professor seated -himself on the couch alongside his visitor. - -"What I chiefly wanted to see you about," he began, "was that new -agreement with the American Dye Company. I had a letter from them -yesterday, and, with their usual transatlantic hustle, they are -anxious to get the matter settled up at once." - -"Well, there's no reason why it shouldn't be," returned the other. -"I went through the papers last night, and they all seem to be in -order. If I had known you were in a hurry I would have brought them -along." He paused. "Perhaps Doctor Gray would be good enough to -stroll back with me as far as my house after tea. In that case I can -hand them over to him. I would fetch them myself, but, -unfortunately, I have an engagement." - -"I can manage that all right," said Colin. "I sha'n't be wanted at -the hospital until seven." - -He finished pouring out the tea, and, having distributed the cups, -took the vacant seat on the farther side of the fireplace. - -Somehow or other the personality of the big, suave solicitor had -already inspired him with a vague distrust. He always disliked men -with soft hands and that particular type of voice, especially when, -as in the present case, their eyes were unpleasantly close together. - -He had, too, an instinctive feeling that, in spite of his apparent -friendliness, Mr. Medwin was by no means disposed to regard him as a -desirable addition to the Red Lodge. Whether it was a mere whim of -the latter's, or whether he resented the prospect of anybody else -being mixed up with the Professor's business affairs, it was -impossible to guess. The only thing Colin felt sure about was that -the announcement of his engagement had come to the other as a -distinctly unwelcome surprise. - -After chatting away amiably for about twenty minutes, Mr. Medwin at -length rose to his feet and announced that it was time for him to be -taking his departure. - -"I live quite close by, in Albert Terrace," he added, turning to -Colin, "so if you are in no special hurry it's hardly worth while -bothering about a taxi. You can walk there and back in a quarter of -an hour." - -"And I shall be extremely obliged to you for your trouble, Gray," -interposed the Professor. "It will be a great convenience to me to -have the papers to-night. I am really beginning to wonder how I have -managed to get along all this time without you." - -Colin laughed, and, picking up his hat from the side table where he -had originally placed it, followed the still smiling Mr. Medwin out -into the hall and along the covered passageway. - -They exchanged no remark until the iron gate had closed behind them, -when, turning down the hill, his new acquaintance addressed him with -an air of good-natured amusement. - -"A queer character, our old friend," he observed. "I always say he -might have stepped bodily out of one of Dickens's books." He paused, -and eyed Colin again with that sharp, penetrating glance of his. -"Have you known him long?" he added. - -"Not very," said Colin. "About an hour, to be exact." - -Mr. Medwin raised his eyebrows. - -"Really!" he exclaimed. "Then I suppose your arrangement to come and -live at the Red Lodge was only decided this afternoon?" - -Colin nodded. - -"I wonder what put the idea into his head," continued the lawyer. -"It's almost the last thing one would have expected from such a -confirmed old hermit." - -For a moment Colin hesitated. The question was natural enough, but -since the Professor had chosen to remain silent he thought it better -to keep his own counsel. - -"There is a lot of hard work in connection with research," he -replied. "When a man gets to his age he's bound to require a certain -amount of help." - -"Yes, yes, that's true, of course," assented the other. "As a matter -of fact, I have suggested to him several times myself that he was -overtaxing his strength. The only thing that surprises me is his -proposal that you should live in the house." He paused. "If you -won't think me inquisitive, may I ask how you came to make his -acquaintance?" - -"There was nothing very remarkable about it," said Colin. "I happen -to be house surgeon at St. Christopher's, and Sir George Onslow, one -of the visiting physicians, was good enough to mention my name to -him." - -"I have often heard of St. Christopher's," returned Mr. Medwin -pleasantly. "A client of mine, Lord Cleveland, was vice-chairman for -several years. You'll find your new existence rather dull, won't -you, after the life and bustle of a big hospital?" - -"I don't expect to," said Colin. "I am extremely interested in -research work, and from what I have seen of the Professor I think we -shall get along together very nicely." - -As he spoke they came out into the High Street, and, not knowing -which way to turn, he glanced inquiringly at his companion. - -"Straight across the road," said Mr. Medwin. "It's only just round -the corner out of Kensington Square." - -They made their way through the traffic, and a few minutes' walk -brought them to a row of small white, semi-detached houses, each one -standing back behind a narrow strip of garden. - -Mr. Medwin pulled up in front of the third, and opened the gate for -Colin. - -"This is my chateau," he announced. "Not quite so magnificent as the -Red Lodge, but it does well enough for a middle-aged bachelor." - -He proceeded up the path, and, unlocking the front door, ushered -Colin into a tiny hall, the walls of which were hung round with -valuable sporting prints. - -"I prefer a small house to a flat," he continued, "and I am lucky -enough to have a French manservant and his wife, who run the entire -place for me." - -He opened a door to the left, and, switching on the electric light, -revealed a charmingly furnished dining-room. - -"Perhaps you won't mind waiting in here for a moment," he added. -"You will find some whisky and soda and a box of cigarettes on the -sideboard. Make yourself at home while I go and fetch the papers." - -With another genial smile he disappeared into the opposite apartment, -and, accepting his invitation, Colin strolled across the room and -helped himself to a cigarette. - -It was quite evident that, although he was contented with a small -house, Mr. Medwin was a gentleman of taste and means. The fine -Persian carpet, the harmoniously coloured curtains, and the admirably -preserved Chippendale chairs could only have been the choice of a man -who was blessed with an ample income and a cultivated feeling for -beautiful surroundings. - -Having surveyed everything with leisurely appreciation, Colin mixed -himself a drink and sauntered back to the fireplace. He had taken a -sip and was reaching up to deposit his glass upon the mantelpiece -when a small photograph in a silver frame suddenly attracted his -attention. He paused mid-way and stared at it with interest. It was -a snapshot of a man upon horseback--a rough amateur effort, -apparently taken just before the start of a steeplechase. - -The rider's face was turned full toward him, and, slightly out of -focus as the negative was, the features seemed curiously familiar. -He lifted it down and examined it more closely. The impression that -it was a picture of someone whom he had met became stronger than -ever, but although he racked his memory he could get no nearer toward -placing the original. - -He was still puzzling over the problem when he heard footsteps -crossing the hall. Replacing the frame in its former position, he -faced round toward the door, and the next moment Mr. Medwin entered -carrying a large envelope in his hand. - -"There are the papers," he said, handing them to Colin. "I am sorry -to have kept you waiting." His eye fell upon the glass, and with an -approving nod he turned away in the direction of the sideboard. "I -think I shall have to follow your example," he added, "if it's merely -to drink success to your new venture." - -He splashed some spirit into a tumbler and filled it up with water. - -"My best wishes!" he said heartily, "and I hope that the experiment -will prove a complete success." - -"I hope so, too," returned Colin. "It certainly looks promising -enough as far as it's gone at present." - -The lawyer emptied his glass and replaced it beside the tantalus. - -"I shall be very interested to hear how you get on," he continued. -"The Professor is a wonderful old gentleman, but of course he's -inclined to be a trifle eccentric. With a little tact, however, I -think you ought to manage him excellently. As soon as you have -settled down you must come round to dinner one night and tell me all -about it." - -Colin made some conventional reply to the effect that he would be -delighted, though, as a matter of strict accuracy, the prospect of -his confiding in Mr. Medwin seemed to him to be a particularly remote -one. - -However, he shook hands cordially enough, and, escorted by his host -as far as the garden gate, started off briskly down the terrace on -his return journey. - -He had reached the corner and was just turning into Kensington Square -when his thoughts suddenly went back to the photograph which he had -been examining in the dining-room. - -At the same moment a flash of memory darted through his mind, and he -pulled up short with a half-stifled exclamation. - -He knew now! - -It was a portrait of Major Fenton, the man to whom Nancy had -introduced him outside her studio. - - - - -CHAPTER FOUR - -Colin finished his coffee and looked inquiringly across the table. - -"Have you any special plans for this afternoon?" he asked. "If not, -I thought I'd get on with that new parcel of stuff from Paris. The -sooner it's sorted out and classified the better." - -The Professor, who was engaged in selecting a cigar, stopped in the -middle of the operation. - -"Let me see, Gray," he observed, "how long have you been with me?" - -Colin reflected for a moment. "I came on a Wednesday," he said. -"That will be three weeks to-morrow." - -"And I believe," continued the Professor, "that except for a few -occasional pauses for sleep and refreshment, you have spent the whole -of that period shut up in the laboratory." - -Colin gave a protesting laugh. "Well, I wanted to get the hang of -things as soon as possible," he replied. "I can stand a lot of work -provided it's interesting." - -"That appears to be the truth," admitted his employer. "All the -same, every piece of machinery has its breaking-point, and, as I am -beginning to find you extremely useful, I have no wish that you -should suddenly collapse. You will therefore oblige me by going out -into the open air and not showing your face inside this house again -until bedtime." - -"Just as you please, sir," said Colin, pushing back his chair. "I -suppose it would be no use my suggesting that you should try a little -of the same prescription yourself?" - -The Professor shook his head. "I am more favourably situated than -you, my young friend," he replied. "In the course of nature I shall -soon have all the rest that I need." He chuckled at his own sombre -jest, and, coming forward, laid his hand on Colin's shoulder. "You -have been of very real assistance, to me, Gray," he added, "but there -is no sense in flogging a willing horse. I can quite well spare you -to-day, so off you go, whether you like it or not." - -Colin, who had been long enough at the Red Lodge to know the futility -of arguing, at once rose to his feet. - -"I will see if I can rout out Mark Ashton," he said, "that doctor pal -of mine I was telling you about the other day. I should think that -with any luck we ought to be able to carry on until midnight." - -He accepted a cigar which the Professor offered him, and, making his -way to the telephone in the hall, rang up the Shadwell surgery. - -"Hullo!" came a voice, "Who's that? Colin? Why, good Lord, man, we -thought you were dead!" - -"Why should I be dead?" retorted Colin. "I'm not one of your -patients." - -He heard a laugh at the other end of the wire. - -"As a matter of fact," he continued, "I'm just starting off to pay -you a visit." - -"Splendid!" was the answer. "Mary's still away up North, but you'll -find me here, and Miss Seymour, too. What more could you want?" - -"Nothing," assented Colin. "I was going to suggest that if you can -get away this evening I should take you both out to a theatre." - -"No chance of that," replied Mark regretfully. "At least, not so far -as I'm concerned. I might spare Miss Seymour if you'll do something -for me on your way here." - -"What is it?" - -"I left an umbrella in a taxi last night, a very superior umbrella, -with Mark Ashton engraved on the handle. If you're driving down you -might look in at the Lost Property Office and see whether it's turned -up." - -"Right you are," said Colin. "I shall be along in about an hour." - -He hung up the receiver, and, putting away the Professor's cigar in -an inside pocket, donned his hat and coat and proceeded to leave the -house. - -A little way down the hill, in a side mews off Vicarage Gardens, he -had discovered a new garage, to which he had recently transferred his -patronage. The car was ready for him, and a few minutes later he was -seated at the driving wheel, skilfully threading his way through the -crowded traffic that renders High Street, Kensington, such a -stimulating thoroughfare. - -Big Ben was in the act of striking three as he arrived at Westminster -Bridge. He pulled up outside the entrance to the Lost Property -Office, and, pushing open the swing door, advanced to the counter, -where a stalwart constable was thoughtfully scratching his head with -the stump of a pencil. - -Having listened in silence to Colin's inquiry, the man got down from -his seat and disappeared into the back regions, returning almost -immediately with the umbrella in his hand. - -"You'll have to sign your name here," he announced, pushing forward -an official-looking paper. - -"And there'll be two and sixpence reward for the driver." - -Without entering upon any superfluous explanations, Colin paid over -the desired sum, and, after neatly forging Mark's signature, made his -way back to the car. He was leaning over the side door, storing away -his trophy, when a gruff voice suddenly addressed him from the -pavement behind. - -"Doctor Gray, unless I'm much mistaken!" - -Turning round promptly, he found himself face to face with the burly, -shrewd-eyed figure of Inspector Marsden. - -"I thought I was right," continued the detective. "It's part of my -business to recognize people by their back view." - -Colin gripped the large and efficient-looking hand which the speaker -extended to him. - -"I'm awfully glad to see you again," he said heartily. "I hope -you're none the worse for that little dust-up in the King's Road?" - -"Still a bit sore in the ribs," was the answer. "I fancy the beauty -who got that kick in must have been a footballer at some time or -other in his career. I'll give him football if I ever find out which -of 'em it was." - -"How about our ginger-haired friend?" inquired Colin. "I've been -expecting to hear every day that I was wanted as a witness." - -"You'll be wanted all right," replied the Inspector. "He's under -remand at present, and I don't suppose the case will come on for -another month. There are several pretty black marks against Master -Dick, and we hope to collect enough evidence to put him out of -business for some considerable period." He paused. "By the way," he -added, "if you've a few minutes to spare, come along up to our place -and let me introduce you to one or two of the boys. I told them what -you did for us the other day, and they'd be glad of the chance of -shaking hands with you." - -Knowing that Mark was unlikely to be free until four o'clock, Colin -decided that he might as well accept the invitation. He had never -been inside Scotland Yard, and the prospect rather appealed to him. - -"What shall I do with the car?" he asked. "Leave it here?" - -"Better bring it into the yard," said the Inspector. "No one will -try to pinch it then--not unless he's a bit of an optimist." - -Getting into his seat, Colin started forward alongside his companion, -and turned in through the big iron gates which guard the headquarters -of the London Police Force. - -There were several other cars standing against the wall, and, leaving -his own in company with them, he followed the Inspector through a low -doorway and up a long flight of stone stairs. - -They emerged into a broad corridor with doors on either side. - -"Here we are!" announced his guide, halting in front of the second. -"I don't know who's on duty to-day, but we're sure to find somebody -about." - -He led the way into a large, business-like apartment, the principal -furniture of which consisted of a couple of roll-top desks. At one -of them was seated an alert-looking man in a well-cut blue suit, who -glanced up sharply at their entrance. - -"Hullo, Pat!" said the Inspector. "I've got someone here I want to -introduce you to. This is Doctor Gray of St. Christopher's Hospital." - -The other laid down his pen, and, rising from his chair, shook -Colin's hand. - -"You're welcome, sir," he said, with a distinctly Irish accent. "We -have heard all about you from our friend Marsden. My name is -O'Brien--Inspector Patrick O'Brien. I am pleased to have the -privilege of making your acquaintance." - -"It's very nice of you to put it like that," said Colin. "I don't -think I deserve any particular compliments, though. I only did what -any one else would have done who had happened to be on the spot." - -Both men smiled. - -"That may be your impression," was the answer, "but you can take it -from me that you're a trifle off the mark. Watching a police officer -kicked to death is one of the public's favourite entertainments." - -"O'Brien comes from Dublin, you see," put in Marsden, "so you must -make allowances for a touch of bitterness." He pulled forward a -chair, and, thrusting his hand into his pocket, produced a large -rubber pouch. "Make yourself comfortable and try a pipe of this -tobacco, doctor," he added. "It was given to me by a ship's captain, -and they don't generally go far wrong--not from what I've seen of -them." - -Colin took the proffered seat, and, drawing out his briar, proceeded -to fill it carefully with the fragrant brown flakes. - -"I'm rather interested in 'Ginger Dick,'" he remarked. "One would -hardly take him for a Napoleon of crime, judging by his appearance." - -"No, his looks aren't anything to shout about," agreed Marsden. "All -the same, he's a dangerous little devil if ever there was one. As I -told you the other day, he's in with all the lowest scum of the Turf, -and, thanks to him and his crowd, there are several of our boys on -the retired list, and likely to remain there." - -"It never occurred to me before," said Colin, "but I suppose there -are healthier occupations than being a detective on a racecourse." - -"You can back on that," was O'Brien's rejoinder. "I've had some of -it myself, and, though I'm partial to what you may call an active -life, I wasn't exactly sorry when they shifted me to another -department." - -"Tell him some of your experiences, Pat," suggested Inspector -Marsden. "It's no use having a distinguished guest if you don't try -to entertain him." - -The Irishman, who apparently only needed this encouragement, plunged -at once into a series of reminiscences, all dealing with that dark -underworld of ruffianism which lurks furtively beneath the brilliant -surface of racing. He told his stories well, and Colin, who knew -little or nothing about the Turf, listened to him with absorbed -interest. It was not, indeed, until the hands of the office clock -were pointing to the half-hour that he reluctantly knocked out his -pipe into the fireplace and rose from his chair. - -"I hate to break up this cheerful party," he said truthfully, "but -I've promised to be down in Shadwell by four, and I've got an -unpleasant sort of feeling that I must be keeping you both from your -work." - -"Oh, you needn't worry about that," replied Marsden, smiling. "I'm -fixed here until midnight anyway, and, no matter how busy Pat is, he -can always find time to talk." - -"I want to hear some more of his reminiscences," said Colin, "and -yours, too. Perhaps if you could both get away together the same -evening you would come out and feed with me? We could go to the -Cheshire Cheese or somewhere like that. I can't ask you to my place, -because at present I'm acting as bottle-washer to Professor Carter." - -"The Cheshire Cheese sounds all right to me," said O'Brien -approvingly. "You give us a ring when you've got a spare night, and -we'll try and fix it up." - -"Things are getting altogether too one-sided," objected Marsden. -"Can't you think of a little service we could do for you, doctor, -just by way of a change?" - -Colin was on the point of making some laughing disclaimer, when an -idea suddenly occurred to him. - -"Would it be a lot of trouble to get me some information about a man -I was introduced to the other day?" he asked. - -"Not a bit," replied Marsden. "What's his name?" - -"Fenton," said Colin. "Major Fenton. He's a chap of about -forty-five, tall, clean-shaven, with rather a red face. All I know -about him is that he has been a long time abroad, and that at present -he is living in London and drives a Daimler car. It's only a matter -of personal curiosity, but if you could find out who he is and what -sort of reputation he has I should be uncommonly grateful." - -Marsden jotted down the particulars and folded up the paper. - -"That ought to be simple enough," he replied. "I'll hand this over -to Ainsworth, who's in charge of all that kind of thing, and if you -look us up in about a week we shall probably be able to give you the -gentleman's life history." - -Colin expressed his thanks, and, having shaken hands with each of -them in turn, made his way back down the staircase and out into the -main courtyard. - -Resuming his journey eastward, he followed the Embankment as far as -Blackfriars Bridge, where he struck off through a maze of side -streets, which eventually brought him out close to the grimy and -retired tavern presided over by Mr. Higgins. - -The yard door was open, and a glance inside revealed the burly -outline of the proprietor himself, engaged in the domestic task of -washing his bull terrier. On hearing the car he paused in his -operations and signalled to Colin to enter. - -"Bring 'er along in, mister," he called out. "Bring 'er along in, -an' look out for that bleedin' bucket." - -Carrying out these instructions successfully, Colin jerked forward -over the cobblestones until he came to a halt alongside the seated -figure. - -"Pleased to see yer," continued Mr. Higgins, in a hospitable tone. -"Quite a time since you was 'ere last, ain't it?" - -"It's getting on for a month," admitted Colin, as he clambered out of -the car. "In fact I've not been since the night I brought Miss -Seymour." - -At the mention of Nancy's name the landlord's mottled face wreathed -itself into a smile. - -"Didn't know then that you was goin' to leave 'er be'ind yer," he -observed jocularly. "Thought you'd give us a kind of pleasant -surprise, eh, guv'nor?" - -"That was the idea," replied Colin. "I was just going to ask you if -you'd seen anything of her." - -"I done more than that," was the proud rejoinder; "I've 'ad a talk -with 'er, I 'ave. I 'appened to be outside when she come by last -Thursday, an' she stopped and chatted away as friendly as kiss me -'and. Ah, she's one o' the right sort, she is; no blarsted frills -nor nonsense about 'er." - -"I suppose she'll be quite safe going about alone?" said Colin. -"People know she's working for the doctor?" - -"Lor' love yer, yus," ejaculated Mr. Higgins. "No one wouldn't -interfere with 'er, not round 'ere. This ain't the West End. We -knows 'ow to be'ave ourselves in Shadwell." - -"I'm just going along to the surgery now," said Colin. "I'll tell -her some of the nice things you've been saying about her." - -"You do," was the answer. "An' you can add, with my best respecks, -mister, that if ever she'd honour this 'ouse by droppin' in and -takin' a cup o' tea, there'd be no prouder man than Bill 'Iggins, not -in the 'ole of London." - -Five minutes later, with a pleasant tingle of anticipation in his -heart, Colin mounted the steps of Mark's residence and jerked briskly -at the bell. The door was opened by Martha Jane, the fat, -grubby-faced little maid-of-all-work, who welcomed him with the grin -of an old acquaintance. - -"You'll find 'em hupstairs in the study," she announced, in answer to -his inquiry. "I know they're expectin' you, 'cos the doctor told me -not to bring tea till you came." - -"Well, here I am," said Colin. "Is there anything good to eat?" - -"I'm makin' scones," replied Martha Jane. "Some o' them yaller ones, -wot you gen'rally seems to fancy." - -Colin stepped inside and deposited Mark's umbrella in the hat stand. - -"You push off and continue the good work," he remarked. "I'll find -my own way up." - -Still grinning, Martha Jane closed the front door and shuffled along -the passage toward the kitchen. Just as she disappeared there was a -sound on the landing above and Mark's spectacled face protruded -itself over the banisters. - -"You've been a devil of a time coming," he observed. "We were -beginning to think you must have had a breakdown." - -"I like that!" retorted Colin, struggling out of his overcoat. "Here -have I been chasing all round London after your infernal umbrella----" - -"Oh, you've got it, have you?" interrupted Mark. "That's topping. -You don't know how deeply indebted I am to you." - -"Yes, I do," said Colin. "Exactly half-a-crown--what I had to give -the cabman as a reward for his honesty." - -Nancy's face appeared suddenly beside that of her employer and smiled -down at him in friendly welcome. - -"Please don't start quarrelling about money," she said pathetically. -"I'm simply dying for a cup of tea." - -There seemed to be something strangely familiar and attractive to -Colin in the mere sound of her voice, and, running lightly up the -staircase, he pressed both their hands in a simultaneous greeting. - -"I'm so sorry," he exclaimed. "I was forgetting the brutal way in -which Mark always treats his staff. I suppose he has been working -you to death and half starving you at the same time." - -"Of course I have," declared Mark. "Look at her worn and haggard -appearance." - -"Well, we haven't been exactly idle," admitted Nancy, laughing. "All -the same, I think I am bearing up pretty well." - -Mark led the way into the study, where a table was already laid, and -waved his hand toward the largest of the armchairs. - -"You take the seat of honour, Colin," he said. "It's a privilege we -always keep for distinguished strangers." - -"There's no need to rub it in," objected Colin. "I should have -looked you up ages ago if it hadn't been for my devotion to duty. -This is the first holiday I've had since I went to the Professor's." - -"How are you getting on?" asked Nancy. - -"Up to the present," replied Colin modestly, "I think I have given -what they call complete satisfaction." - -"What's the old man like?" demanded Mark. "Easy to live with?" - -Colin hesitated. "It all depends," he answered. "We've managed to -hit it off well enough, but then I've rather gone out of my way to -humour his little weaknesses. He's one of the sort that you've just -got to take or leave. As long as you do exactly what he wants he's -kindness itself. If any one tried to oppose him or contradict him I -should think he could be distinctly unpleasant." - -"There must be a lot of people about like that," said Nancy. "At -least, I seem to have run up against a good few." - -"And how do you stand with regard to the job?" inquired Mark. "I -suppose he doesn't let you into more secrets than he can possibly -help?" - -"Oh, yes, he does," replied Colin. "He lets me into everything. -I've soaked up so much knowledge the last three weeks that I'm -beginning to wonder whether there's anything left to learn." - -Mark gazed at him with a certain amount of incredulity. "Do you mean -to say that if he died to-morrow you would be in a position to carry -on his work?" - -"I'd have a damn good shot at it, anyway," declared Colin. "Of -course, I haven't a quarter of his ability, but he's discussed all -his ideas with me, and explained them in such detail that if I -couldn't make something or other out of them I should be next door to -an idiot." - -Mark turned to Nancy and nodded his head. "It's panning out just as -I prophesied," he said sadly. "We sha'n't see much more of him at -Shadwell. Before we can look round he'll be splashing about in a -Rolls-Royce and----" - -His prediction was cut short by the sudden appearance of Martha Jane, -who lurched in through the doorway carrying a large tray and -breathing somewhat heavily from her exertions. - -"I vote that we adjourn the discussion of my future," suggested -Colin, as they pulled up their chairs round the table. "It's your -private affairs that interest me, Mark. As the person responsible -for the engagement I want to know whether you are pleased with your -new assistant." - -Nancy, who had seated herself in front of the tray, paused with the -teapot in mid-air. - -"This is very embarrassing," she observed. "Hadn't I better leave -the room for a few moments?" - -"You go on pouring out," said Mark firmly. "You can blush just as -well here as in the passage." He helped himself to a scone and -pushed the plate across the table toward Colin. "When you told us -you'd found an angel, my lad," he continued, "you were speaking the -literal truth. I had no idea that there was another such woman in -the world apart from Mary." - -"Don't listen to him," interrupted Nancy hastily. "The truth is that -both he and Mrs. Ashton are so ridiculously good-natured that they -hadn't the heart to turn me away." - -"I know Mary's opinion already," said Colin. "I had a touching -little letter from her just before she went North. She seems to -regard me as a highly successful understudy of Providence." - -"And, by Gad, it's true!" broke in Mark with enthusiasm. "I should -have been absolutely in the soup without Miss Seymour. She's simply -splendid, Colin. Down here at nine o'clock every morning, and -working away like a galley slave until seven or eight in the evening." - -"Well, that's what I'm paid for," objected Nancy. "And, besides, I -don't look on it as work. I so enjoy the feeling that I'm doing -something useful, instead of sitting all day typing out a lot of -stories that nobody wants to read." - -"What do the patients think of the arrangement?" asked Colin. "I -gathered from Mr. Higgins that it's one of the principal topics of -local interest." - -"It's been the best advertisement I ever had," replied Mark, with a -chuckle. "I was a little doubtful at first, so I've told everybody -that Miss Seymour and Mary are first cousins. We're rather strong on -the conventions in Shadwell, and that put everything on a nice, -respectable footing." - -"I don't like tampering with the truth," said Colin. "All the same, -it has its advantages at times." He glanced mischievously at Nancy. -"In future, for instance," he added, "it will be obviously necessary -that we should both address you by your Christian name." - -Nancy laughed. "I never thought of that," she said. "It shows how -unaccustomed I am to anything in the nature of deception." - -"You'll soon improve," returned Colin hopefully. "It's wonderful -what one can do after a month or two with the medical profession." -He leaned forward and selected another scone from the rapidly -dwindling pile. "Now what about that theatre idea of mine?" he -continued. "Can't you possibly manage it, Mark? I'll do the thing -in a really generous way--stand you dinner and seats and drive you -both home in the car afterward." - -Mark shook his head reluctantly. "I'd come like a shot if I could," -he replied, "but I've about twenty prescriptions to make up and a -dozen cases to attend to." He paused. "All the same," he added, -"there's no earthly reason why you shouldn't take Miss Seymour." - -"Oh, that's not fair," protested Nancy. "I can't go off and leave -you to do all the work." - -Mark folded his arms. "There's only one thing I demand from my -staff," he observed sternly, "and that is complete and unquestioning -obedience." He turned to Colin. "What you both want," he added, "is -some fresh air and a little healthy amusement. Why not have a run -out into the country first? It's a fine evening, and you can get -back up West in plenty of time for the theatre." - -"Now I call that a jolly bright notion!" exclaimed Colin. "What do -you say, Cousin Nancy?" - -"It sounds most tempting," agreed Nancy. "All the same, I think it -would be horribly selfish. I am sure that if any one needs an -evening off it's the doctor. The last thing I promised Mrs. Ashton -was not to allow him to overwork." - -"I am the head of the family," insisted Mark, "and my orders are that -you leave this house directly you've finished tea. Take her for a -good long spin to start with, Colin, give her a nice dinner, and then -get seats for something really frivolous and cheerful. That's my -prescription, and I depend on you to see that it's properly -administered." - -* * * * * * * * * - -With her eyes shining, and her cheeks flushed by the wind, Nancy -stepped out of the car on to the comparatively deserted pavement of -Whitcomb Street. - -"Oh!" she said with a faint sigh. "That was simply heavenly!" - -Colin, who had jumped down first to open the door, looked at her with -an approving twinkle. - -"Not bad, was it?" he agreed. "We've only been an hour and a half -and we must have done at least forty miles." - -He glanced round in the direction of the Motor Club, outside which -they had alighted, and at the same moment a broad-shouldered, -seedy-looking gentleman in a dilapidated ulster suddenly appeared out -of the darkness. - -"Oh, there you are, Joe," he continued. "I want you to look after -the car for me. We're dining and going to a theatre, so I don't -suppose I shall be back until half-past eleven." - -"That's all right, sir," replied Joe comfortingly. "You'll find me -'ere, no matter wot time you come." - -"Now, where shall we make for?" inquired Colin, turning to Nancy. -"Unless you've any particular choice I suggest Romano's and the -Vaudeville." - -Nancy looked a little doubtful. "I'm thinking of my clothes," she -explained. "I'm not fit to go anywhere really smart." - -Colin studied her critically. "Don't you believe it," he said. "You -could walk straight into Paradise without even tidying up." - -He slipped half-a-crown into Joe's hand, and, taking Nancy firmly by -the elbow, piloted her across the street in the direction of -Leicester Square. - -Ten minutes later, escorted by a sympathetic manager, they were -making their way toward a small table in the balcony of the famous -Strand restaurant. - -"You order the dinner," said Nancy, as they took their seats. "I -always enjoy things much more if somebody else chooses them." - -She leaned forward in her chair and looked down contentedly at the -animated scene below, while Colin picked up the menu and studied it -with becoming gravity. - -"I think we'll have a little clear soup to start with," he began, -"followed by sole _à la bonne femme_, a roast grouse, and iced -meringues." He paused. "Do you prefer champagne or sparkling -Moselle?" - -"I don't know," said Nancy frankly. "I've never tasted either of -them." - -"We'll have a half bottle of both then," said Colin. "You can try -them and see which you like best, and I'll drink the other." - -"By the way," he added, as the waiter hurried off with the order, -"have you been seeing anything of that friend of yours, Major -Fenton--the chap you introduced me to in Jubilee Place?" - -For a moment Nancy remained silent. - -"Why do you ask me that?" she inquired. - -"Oh, I don't know," said Colin casually. "It just happened to come -into my head." - -She paused again. "He has been round at the studio two or three -evenings," she said slowly. "As a matter of fact, he was there last -night." - -"I suppose he's heard all about your new job?" - -She nodded. "Doctor Gray----" she began. - -"Make it Colin," he interrupted. "I can't call you Nancy unless you -back me up." - -"Well, Colin, then----" She hesitated once more. "There's something -I think I ought to tell you about Major Fenton, only--only it's -horribly difficult for me to know how to put it." - -"Wait until you've had some dinner," he suggested. "No one talks -comfortably when they're half starving." - -She shook her head. "No, now I've started I think I'd better go on -and get it over. The first time I saw Major Fenton after we met him -together he naturally asked me who you were. I told him what I knew -about you and how we'd become acquainted, and, although he didn't say -much, he seemed to think that I'd done wrong in asking you back to my -studio. I suppose in a way he looks on himself as a sort of guardian -of mine." - -"Perhaps he does," said Colin gravely. "People who have lived a long -time in hot climates often suffer from hallucinations!" - -"That didn't matter," continued Nancy, "but last night when he came -round he spoke about you again, and this time he said something that -made me really angry--something that I'm perfectly sure isn't true." - -Colin was leaning toward her, his gray eyes alight with interest. - -"What was it?" he demanded briefly. - -"He--well, he didn't put it quite definitely, but he hinted that you -were not the sort of man to make a friend of; that you were leaving -the hospital on account of some dreadful scandal about one of the -nurses." - -For a second Colin stared at her in blank amazement. Then he -suddenly broke into a peal of laughter. - -"Good heavens, Nancy!" he exclaimed. "If you'd only seen 'em!" - -"I didn't believe it, of course," she went on hurriedly. "I was -certain he must be making some stupid mistake." - -Colin's lips tightened. "I object to people making mistakes of that -sort about me," he observed rather grimly. - -Before Nancy could reply the waiter arrived with the soup, followed a -moment later by another, who proceeded to uncork and pour out the -wine. - -"You mustn't take it too seriously," she continued, as soon as they -were alone again. "It was a detestable thing of Major Fenton to say, -but I don't think he meant any real harm by it. He explained that -he'd heard the story from somebody at his club, and that he'd only -repeated it to me because he felt that it was his duty. As I told -you before, just because he once knew my father, he seems to have -some ridiculous notion that he ought to look after me." - -Colin, who had been sprinkling a little pepper into his soup, looked -up with a smile. - -"Well, don't let's waste our time discussing it any more," he said -cheerfully. "It's just a silly lie, and, anyway, there are lots of -much pleasanter things to talk about." He raised his glass. "I'm -going to propose the health of our old pal 'Ginger Dick.' He may -have his faults, but, after all, if it wasn't for him we shouldn't be -sitting here now." - -"That's true," agreed Nancy. "Here's to 'Ginger Dick." She took a -long sip and then set down her glass. "If that's sparkling Moselle," -she added thoughtfully, "I don't think I'll bother about tasting the -champagne." - -* * * * * * * * * - -At about twenty minutes before midnight, faithful to his pledged -word, the reliable Joe slouched forward out of the shadows and -greeted them with a friendly salute. - -"'Ere we are, guv'nor," he announced. "All ready an' waitin' for -yer, as the grave-digger said." - -He opened the door of the car for Nancy, and, making his way round to -the front, succeeded after two or three abortive efforts in starting -up the engine. - -"She's a bit cold, like meself," he continued. "It's bin freezin' -crool 'ard all the evenin', an' I reckon we both got a touch of it in -our innards." - -"You must follow it up with something hot," said Colin, handing him -another half-crown. "Rum's the best as long as you don't put too -much water into it." - -"I ain't likely to," replied Joe, with a grin. "There's quite enough -o' that done before we gets the blarsted stuff." - -He pocketed the coin, and, closing the door after them, stepped back -on to the pavement. - -"Good-night, sir, an' thank yer kindly. Good-night, miss, an' Gawd -bless yer both." - -"I like Joe," said Nancy, as they slid out into the glare and tumult -of Piccadilly Circus. "Is that his profession--standing there all -night looking after cars?" - -"That's his present profession," replied Colin, "but he's what you -might call come down in the world. Before he took to drink he used -to be one of the best middle-weight boxers in England." - -Nancy opened her blue eyes to their fullest extent. - -"A prize-fighter?" she exclaimed. - -Colin nodded. "Joe Bates of Wapping. One of the gamest men who ever -stepped into a ring." - -"What made him take to drink?" inquired Nancy. - -"I think it was chiefly the death of his wife," said Colin. "Anyhow, -he went all to pieces about two years ago, and ended up by getting -run over in the Fulham Road. They brought him along to St. -Christopher's, where we managed to patch him up. I felt sorry for -the poor chap, and when he came out I got him that job at the Motor -Club. As people go, I think he's by way of being rather grateful." - -He swung clear of the traffic outside the Ritz, and with a warning -bark from the horn the little car leaped forward down the long, -brilliantly lit slope. - -Turning up her coat collar with one hand, Nancy settled herself -contentedly in her seat. - -"It's been a most exciting evening," she said. "I've enjoyed every -single minute of it." - -"So have I," agreed Colin with enthusiasm. "What do you say to -repeating the experiment next week?" - -"Only on one condition," replied Nancy. "I've got to take my turn in -paying for dinner." - -"But that's absurd!" protested Colin. "I'm a great deal richer than -you are." - -"No, you're not," was the indignant answer. "Why, I'm simply rolling -in money. I've no expenses now except the rent of my studio, and -Doctor Ashton pays me at least twice what I'm worth." - -"I don't believe that," said Colin. "Still, if you're determined to -be proud and ostentatious I suppose you must have your way." - -He swerved to the left behind St. George's Hospital, and, cutting -through the select precincts of Belgrave Square, came out within a -few yards of the King's Road. In another minute they were turning -the corner into Jubilee Place. - -"Next week's a bargain, then," said Colin, as they stood facing each -other on the empty pavement. "It's no good trying to fix a day at -present; I'll just ring up one morning and we'll arrange it over the -'phone." - -Nancy nodded. "That will be best," she said. "You mustn't desert -the Professor--not unless he can manage all right without you." - -She gave him her hand, which Colin squeezed in a friendly grip. - -"Good-night, Nancy," he said. "Sleep well, and when you see Mark, -tell him that for once in his life he actually prescribed the right -treatment." - -He waited until the front door had closed behind her, and then, -having lit himself a cigarette, climbed back into the car, and -started off again in the direction of Campden Hill. - -It was a few minutes after midnight when he let himself in at the -outer gate of the Red Lodge. The light was still burning in the -hall, and, knowing from experience that the Professor frequently -continued his work until the early hours of the morning, he walked -straight through to the laboratory and tapped lightly on the door. - -As he half expected, there was a creak of footsteps inside, and the -Professor himself, wearing an old Jaeger dressing gown, appeared on -the threshold. At the same moment a peculiarly acrid and unpleasant -smell drifted past him into the passage. - -"So you've come back, eh?" he said in his queer, high-pitched voice. -"I hope you enjoyed your evening?" - -"I didn't do badly," replied Colin. "I went to Shadwell, saw my -friends, had a forty-mile run in the car, and finished up with a -dinner and a theatre." - -The old man nodded grimly. "It sounds rather an exhausting form of -recreation. I should imagine that after all that you must be quite -ready for your bed." - -"Oh, I'm not tired," said Colin, "not in the slightest. If you've -got anything on hand I should like to come in and make myself useful." - -"You'll do nothing of the sort," returned the Professor. "You will -help yourself to a whisky and soda, and then you will go straight -upstairs to your room." - -Colin hesitated. "And how about you, sir? Surely you've done enough -work for to-day?" - -"I shall be following you shortly," was the answer. "I am only -waiting to see the result of a small experiment." - -He nodded a curt good-night, and, stepping back again into the -laboratory, closed the door behind him. - -Dismissed in this unceremonious fashion, Colin made his way into the -dining room, where he found a plate of sandwiches and a siphon set -out ready for him on a tray. It was unthinkable that such an idea -could have occurred to the unaided intelligence of Mrs. Ramsay, and, -rather surprised at the Professor's consideration, he proceeded to -mix a drink, which he carried with him up the staircase. - -His room was situated on the first floor--a large, comfortable -apartment looking out toward the back. It had been fitted up since -his arrival with a gas stove, and, having lighted this and placed his -tumbler upon the dressing table, he began in a leisurely fashion to -get ready for bed. - -The chief subject that occupied his thoughts was the revelation which -Nancy had made to him at dinner. What on earth had induced Major -Fenton to concoct that ridiculous story about a scandal at St. -Christopher's Hospital? That it was an invention of his own Colin -felt certain, and no man would take the responsibility of fathering -such a lie unless he had some particularly strong object in view. - -Could he have fallen in love with Nancy himself? If that were the -case it would certainly supply a possible motive. Passion has a -queer effect upon some characters, and the mere thought of her making -friends with any one else might have filled him with such furious -resentment that he had clutched at the first conceivable chance of -breaking off their acquaintance. - -It was a likely enough solution; and yet, somehow or other, it left -Colin unconvinced. He had carried away a very unfavourable -impression of Nancy's self-adopted guardian, but it was an impression -that declined to fit in with this otherwise plausible theory. Unless -his judgment were badly at fault, there was a hard, calculating -selfishness stamped upon every line of the man's face. People of -that sort are not swept off their feet by sudden outbursts of -romantic jealousy, nor--which was another and extremely significant -consideration--do they concern themselves unduly over the welfare of -a dead friend's offspring. - -It was this latter point, indeed, which puzzled Colin completely. He -felt convinced that Major Fenton must have had some secret purpose in -hunting Nancy out and practically forcing his acquaintance upon her. -His story about a twenty-year-old friendship with her father would -have sounded well enough in a sentimental novel, but having seen the -gentleman for himself, and having had an illuminating example of his -ideas of honour and fair play, Colin found the explanation uncommonly -difficult to swallow. - -Perhaps Inspector Marsden and his colleagues at the Yard would be -able to throw some light on the problem. It would be interesting at -least to know a little about the Major's career, and whether his past -record was at all in keeping with this sudden excursion into -philanthropy. - -There was another possible source of information in the person of Mr. -Medwin. The two men were certainly acquainted, otherwise Fenton's -photograph would not have been adorning the mantelpiece in Albert -Terrace. When he visited the house again he could easily find an -opportunity to make some casual inquiry concerning the original, only -it must be done in a sufficiently tactful manner not to arouse the -lawyer's curiosity. - -In any case, this alternative course could be postponed until he had -received the Inspector's report. The odds were that, if there was -really anything shady in Fenton's history, Marsden would succeed in -unearthing it, and since Nancy seemed to be thoroughly capable of -looking after herself, another week's delay was not likely to produce -any tragical consequences. - -With this consoling reflection Colin donned his pyjamas, and, turning -out the fire, clambered into bed. He was just in that pleasantly -drowsy stage when one feels half reluctant to fall asleep, and, lying -there with the light on, he allowed his thoughts to drift back -contentedly over the various details of his two meetings with Nancy. - -It was an agreeable occupation, and the longer he indulged in it the -more he began to realize what a very necessary part of his life she -had already become. A kind of instinctive friendship seemed to have -sprung up between them at their first encounter, and, although he had -been unable to see her again until to-day, the interval had certainly -not succeeded in making the faintest difference. - -She was a girl in a thousand, there was no doubt about that! Mark -evidently thought so, and, since he compared all women with Mary, his -standard was about as high as any one could reasonably demand. How -enchantingly pretty she had looked as they had sat opposite to each -other at dinner. He had only to shut his eyes and---- - -Hullo! What the devil was that? - -The sound had come from somewhere down below--a queer, half-deadened -noise, like the distant crash of breaking glass. - -In a second Colin was out of bed and had flung open the door. The -lights were still burning exactly as he had left them, and, striding -to the banisters, he peered over into the hall. Nothing seemed to be -stirring; except for the steady ticking of the grandfather clock the -whole house was as silent as a tomb. - -With a momentary feeling of relief he moved toward the staircase. It -was probably only some small accident; the Professor had most likely -dropped a tumbler or broken a retort, and in the stillness of the -night the noise had been naturally exaggerated. All the same, it -would be just as well to have a look round. - -Running lightly down in his bare feet, he crossed the hall and -knocked at the laboratory door. - -"It's I--Gray," he called out. "Anything wrong, sir?" - -As he spoke he turned the handle, and the next moment he found -himself standing in the open doorway, staring blankly in front of him. - -The room was empty. - -For the first time a real sense of misgiving suddenly took possession -of him. He wheeled sharply round, and, hurrying back through the -hall, rapped loudly at the door of the study. - -"Mr. Carter," he shouted, "are you there?" - -There was no answer. - -He caught hold of the brass knob, only to make another and still more -ominous discovery. Somebody had turned the key from inside. - -With a quick breath he stepped back a couple of paces, and then, -hunching up his shoulder, hurled himself against the panel. Under -the impact of twelve stone and a few odd pounds the lock gave with a -splintering crash which echoed through the house. The door swung -open, and at the same moment the shrill scream of a terrified woman -rang out from the top landing. - -Clutching the broken woodwork to steady himself, Colin fumbled for -the switch. His fingers closed on it in the darkness and, half -prepared as he was for some horror, an involuntary cry broke from his -lips as the whole room flared suddenly into light. - -Face upward, in the centre of the French windows, lay the huddled -figure of the Professor. One arm was twisted under him, and his -white hair was dabbled in a stream of blood which still oozed slowly -from a gaping wound in his forehead. - - - - -CHAPTER FIVE - -At the sight of that hideous injury, all Colin's professional -training instinctively asserted itself. Letting go the switch, he -sprang forward, and, heedless of the blood and broken glass, dropped -down on one knee beside the prostrate body. - -It needed no medical knowledge to see that the case was hopeless. A -terrific blow from some blunt instrument had smashed the whole front -of the skull, and portions of the crushed and bleeding brain were -even now protruding from the wound. Death must have come with -merciful abruptness--a sudden and utter annihilation of every sense -and feeling. - -Almost dazed by the blast of fury that swept through him, Colin -stumbled to his feet. He glanced wildly round the room, and the -broken French window, one half of which was standing open, -immediately caught his eye. Since the door had been locked from -inside, it was the only way by which the murderer could have escaped. -He had evidently darted through into the garden with the intention of -climbing the wall, and, moved by a desperate hope, Colin stepped -across the dead body and ran out on to the lawn. A flood of -moonlight, streaming in through the bare trees, lit up the whole -desolate expanse of grass and shrubs. Everything was perfectly -still, and, except for the faint rumbling of a cart in the distance, -the entire neighbourhood seemed to be plunged in absolute silence. - -He was listening intently, with his eyes on the black line of bushes -opposite, when a slight noise in the room behind attracted his -attention. He turned round instantly, and through the window he -caught sight of the panic-stricken figure of Mrs. Ramsay peering in -at the open doorway. - -As he moved forward into the light she uttered a stifled scream. - -"Don't be frightened," he said quickly. "It's I--Doctor Gray." - -Clutching at her dressing-gown with one hand, she pointed a trembling -finger toward the body. - -"Oh, my Gawd, sir," she gasped, "what is it? What's been happening?" - -Colin stood in the window, his face white and set. - -"The Professor has been murdered," he said. - -She stared at him for a moment, as though his words conveyed no -meaning; then with a pitiful sound, like the whimpering of a beaten -dog, she staggered back against the wall. - -Colin strode forward and took her by the arm. - -"You must pull yourself together," he said curtly. "This is no time -for hysterics. I want your help--now--at once." - -As he expected, his almost brutal words had the desired result. She -stopped crying, and once more her terrified glance travelled round in -the direction of the dead man. - -"Who--who killed him?" - -Colin shook his head. "I don't know. When I came down the study -door was locked from inside. I broke it open and found him lying -here--like this." - -"It must have been the same man," she whispered; "the one who tried -to burgle his desk." She caught hold of Colin's sleeve, and looked -up imploringly into his face. "Oh, sir, can't nothing be done? -Isn't there----" - -"I am going to telephone to the police. While I'm doing it I want -you to stand outside in the hall, so that you can see into the room. -If you hear the smallest sound or movement in the garden call to me -at once." - -She gazed fearfully toward the broken window. - -"Do you think he's out there, sir, hiding in the bushes?" - -"I think he's a quarter of a mile away by this time. All the same, -until the police arrive the room mustn't be left unwatched for a -single moment." - -He waited until she had obeyed his instructions, and then, with a -final glance round, walked swiftly down the passage and took off the -receiver. - -"Get me on to Scotland Yard as soon as possible," he said. - -There was a note of urgency in his demand which must have carried -conviction even to the mind of the clerk, for in something less than -ten seconds the reply came. - -"Scotland Yard speaking. Who's that?" - -"Dr. Colin Gray. Can you tell me if Inspector Marsden is still -there?" - -"I think so. Hold on a minute and I'll find out." - -A pause followed. - -"Hullo!" exclaimed a voice. "I'm Marsden. What's the matter, -doctor? I didn't expect to hear from you again at this time of -night." - -"It's a bad business," said Colin quietly. "I'm speaking from the -Red Lodge, Campden Hill. I have just found Professor Carter lying -dead in his study." - -"Dead!" came the sharp rejoinder. "How did he die?" - -"He has been murdered." - -He heard a sudden exclamation at the other end of the wire. - -"Murdered! Good God, doctor! Are you certain of what you're saying?" - -"Perfectly certain. He has been murdered by some man who broke into -the house after I had gone to bed. The whole front of his skull has -been smashed to pieces." - -There was a brief silence, followed by a few indistinct words, as -though Marsden had turned round and was addressing someone else. -Then his voice came again, clear and peremptory. - -"When did this happen?" - -"About six or seven minutes ago." - -"How did the man escape?" - -"I think he ran out into the garden and climbed over the wall." - -"Is there any one else in the house besides you?" - -"There are two old servants. One of them is watching the room now." - -"You had better go back yourself, and stop there until we arrive. -Leave everything exactly as you found it. Don't disturb the body and -don't touch or move a single object. We shall be with you in a -quarter of an hour. Do you quite understand?" - -"Quite," said Colin. - -He hung up the receiver as the detective rang off, and, shivering -slightly from the cold, made his way back to where he had left the -housekeeper. - -"They're coming down almost at once," he said. "I'll wait here and -let them in." - -She moved back, as though glad to escape from the sight of the room. - -"Then I'd better go up and get your dressing gown," she replied. -"You'll catch your death standing about like that with nothing on." - -Colin nodded gratefully. "You might fetch me some slippers, too, -while you're about it," he said. "You'll find a pair alongside the -bed. I turned out in such a hurry I forgot to put them on." - -With trembling steps and holding tightly to the banisters, Mrs. -Ramsay slowly ascended the staircase. She returned in a few minutes -carrying the desired articles, and, stepping forward to meet her, -Colin took them from her hands. - -"Thanks so much," he exclaimed. "Now I think the best thing you can -do is to get back to your room. I expect the police will want to see -you when they come, but until then----" - -Mrs. Ramsay shook her head. - -"It wouldn't be no use, sir. I couldn't close my eyes, not if you -was to offer me a thousand pounds." She turned again toward the -stairs. "Besides, there's Mrs. Wilson--the cook, you know, sir. -I've got to go and look after her." - -"What's the matter? Is she ill?" demanded Colin. - -"I heard her screaming," was the answer. "I shouldn't wonder if -anything had happened, what with being woke up sudden and her having -a weak heart." - -"People don't often die from shock," said Colin. "Take her up a drop -of brandy out of the dining room, and you had better have a little -yourself at the same time." - -He thrust his feet into the slippers, and, putting on his dressing -gown, reentered the study. - -Unlike most people whose ideas on the subject are drawn chiefly from -sensational novels, Colin knew that the surest way of assisting a -criminal was for some well-meaning amateur to conduct a few -preliminary investigations before the arrival of the police. During -his four years at the hospital he had twice been called upon to give -evidence in cases of murder, and the experience had convinced him -that it was only when a properly qualified detective was first in the -field that any really valuable clues were likely to be forthcoming. -Marsden's urgent instructions over the telephone had therefore been -unnecessary; even without them he would certainly have waited for the -Inspector's appearance before attempting any further interference -with the existing condition of the room. - -He walked across to where the Professor was lying and looked down -again at the body. The sight filled him with a mingled grief and -anger that were almost unbearable. He had revered the dead man with -all the ardour of a disciple, and, in addition to this lifelong -homage, their close intimacy during the last few weeks had produced -other and still stronger ties. In spite of the old scientist's -rather dictatorial manner, his attitude throughout had been so -extraordinarily kind and generous that a very real if -half-unconscious affection for him had gradually sprung up in Colin's -heart. The thought that the murder had been committed while he was -actually in the house only increased the horror and bitterness of the -whole affair. No excuses could alter his feeling that he had failed -miserably--failed in the very duty for which he had been selected and -employed. - -Self-reproaches, however, were of little use now, and with a -tremendous effort he wrenched his mind back to the immediate problem -that confronted it. Why, in God's name, should any one have wished -to kill the Professor, and how had it come about that the latter's -body was lying where it did? In order to reach the study from the -laboratory one had to pass through the whole length of the hall. -Colin's hearing was particularly acute, and he felt positive that the -creak of footsteps or the opening or shutting of a door would -instantly have attracted his attention. Nothing of the sort had -happened. Until that one crash of breaking glass the whole house had -been absolutely silent. - -His eyes fell upon the damaged lock, and another question suddenly -presented itself. Who had been responsible for turning the key? -Surely it could not have been the Professor. If he had entered the -room expecting to find it empty, what conceivable reason could he -have had for fastening himself in? If, on the other hand, he had -entertained even the remotest suspicion that somebody was hiding on -the premises, he would certainly have come upstairs before attempting -to approach the study. - -It seemed more likely that the murderer had locked the door after -committing the crime, so that he might have a better chance of making -his escape. There was a coolness about the proceeding which -suggested that he was fully aware of Colin's presence in the house, -and a conviction that the whole thing had been planned and carried -out with the most cold-blooded deliberation forced itself gradually -upon the young surgeon's mind. - -Had Mrs. Ramsay been right? Was it the same man who had ransacked -the Professor's desk? - -If it were so--and all the circumstances seemed to point to that -conclusion--burglary and not murder had probably been the real object -of his visit. There was evidently something in the place, some -document or paper, of which he was desperately anxious to obtain -possession. Having failed to find it at his first attempt, he had -apparently returned to the house a second time in order to make -another and more exhaustive search. - -By some fatal chance the Professor must have taken it into his head -to enter the study just after the intruder had succeeded in gaining -admittance. On finding the window open he had naturally stepped -forward to close it, only to receive a murderous blow out of the -darkness, which had sent him crashing into the glass. - -The one fact which refused to fit in with this theory was the entire -absence of any sound right up to the actual moment of the crime. -There must, of course, be some explanation, and Colin was puzzling -his brains in a vain attempt to discover it when the loud peal of a -bell suddenly jangled out from the kitchen. - -Just pausing to gather his dressing gown about him, he hurried down -the passageway to the outer door, which he unfastened and opened. A -large car was drawn up in the roadway, and five men, two of them -uniformed constables, were standing in a group on the pavement. - -Inspector Marsden, who was in the centre, immediately came forward. - -"Well, what's happened, doctor?" he inquired curtly. "Anything fresh -to report?" - -Colin shook his head. "Only what I told you over the telephone," he -replied. "The Professor is dead, and the man who murdered him has -escaped." - -"That's enough to go on with, anyhow," returned the detective. -"Jackson, you and Roberts stop here for the present. If any one -attempts to leave the house arrest them at once." - -With an obedient salute the two constables fell back, and, followed -by his other companions, Marsden mounted the steps. - -"This is Doctor Sinclair, our divisional surgeon," he announced. "He -tells me that he has already had the pleasure of meeting you." - -Colin shook hands with a tall, gray-bearded man, whose face seemed -vaguely familiar. - -"And this," continued the Inspector, "is Detective Sergeant -Humphries, of the Finger Print Department. Now I think the first -thing we'll do is to go in and have a look at the body. I'll take -your statement as soon as the doctor has finished his examination." - -Without offering any comment, Colin conducted them down the corridor, -and, leading the way across the hall, brought them to the door of the -study. - -Marsden halted in the entrance, and stood staring silently at the -tragic spectacle in front of him. - -"You followed my instructions?" he asked. "Everything is exactly as -you found it!" - -"Exactly," said Colin. - -"Then I'll ask you two gentlemen to wait here for a moment. There's -just one point I should like to make certain about before any one -touches the body." - -He pulled out a notebook from his inside pocket, and, beckoning to -his colleague stepped forward into the room. - -Doctor Sinclair moved across to where Colin was standing. - -"I don't suppose you remember me," he said, "but I called in at St. -Christopher's last year in connection with one of your cases." He -nodded toward the two detectives, both of whom were kneeling down -beside the dead man. "This is a very terrible business," he added. -"I was horrified when I heard that it was Professor Carter." - -Colin, whose mind was in no state for conversation, made an effort to -collect his thoughts. - -"Did you know him personally?" he asked. - -The surgeon shook his head. "No," he replied. "Like everyone else, -I was a great admirer of his work, but I never had the honour of -being introduced to him. The police tell me that you were acting as -his resident assistant." - -"I came here straight from the hospital," said Colin. "I had been -with him for nearly a month." - -"It seems such a particularly brutal and senseless crime," continued -the other, after a short pause. "One would think that even the most -callous ruffian would hesitate about striking down an old man of over -eighty." He glanced at Colin's dressing gown. "I gather that the -murderer broke into the house after you had gone to bed?" - -Colin was about to answer when the Inspector got up suddenly and -turned toward the door. - -"We've seen all we want to for the present, doctor. Perhaps you'll -be good enough to have a look at the body now, and let's hear your -opinion?" - -The surgeon hurried forward, and, following him slowly into the room, -Colin seated himself on the corner of the sofa. From this position -he was able to watch the proceedings of all three of his companions, -none of whom for the moment betrayed any desire to interrogate him -further. Doctor Sinclair, after taking off his coat, became wholly -absorbed in his professional duties. Marsden appeared to be busy -making notes, while the sergeant, who had produced an electric torch -and a large magnifying glass, stepped down into the garden and began -a minute examination of the still open French window. - -At last, after a lapse of several minutes, the surgeon rose to his -feet. - -"It is a clear case of deliberate murder," he said slowly. "The -Professor was struck on the temple by some blunt weapon--probably a -jemmy. There is no doubt that he was killed instantly. I should -think he has been dead for about twenty minutes." - -The Inspector turned to Colin. "You were the first to view the -body," he remarked. "Is there anything in the doctor's report with -which you are not in agreement?" - -"Nothing," replied Colin. "I came to the same conclusion myself -directly I examined the wound." - -Marsden pulled a chair up to the table, and the sergeant, who had -been listening from the window, stepped forward and joined him. - -"I want the full facts now, Doctor Gray," he said brusquely. "Tell -us in your own words exactly what happened from the moment you -returned to the house." - -Amid a profound silence, broken only by the occasional scratching of -the Inspector's pencil, Colin proceeded to relate his story. -Starting with his talk to the Professor at the laboratory door, he -went on step by step to describe the whole of his subsequent -experiences right up to the arrival of his present companions. He -kept strictly to the bare facts, making no attempt to explain his own -views, and all three of his audience listened to him with an absorbed -interest, which showed itself plainly in their faces. - -It was only when he had quite finished that the Inspector offered his -first comment. - -"Well, I wish everyone could make a statement like that," he said -approvingly. "It would save us a lot of trouble in the course of the -year." He leaned forward, and ran his eye over the various notes -which he had jotted down while Colin was speaking. "This other -burglary that the housekeeper referred to," he inquired; "when did -that take place?" - -"I think it was about three months ago," said Colin, after a moment's -reflection. "I wasn't here at the time; in fact, there was no one -else in the house except Mrs. Ramsay and the cook. That was really -the chief reason why the Professor decided to engage an assistant." - -"Why weren't the police notified?" demanded the Inspector. "There -was certainly no report sent in to the Yard." - -"The Professor declared that he didn't want to waste his time. He -was a very busy man, and as nothing appeared to have been stolen he -decided to let the whole matter drop." - -"Nothing stolen!" repeated Marsden, raising his eyebrows. "Are you -perfectly certain about that?" - -"It's what he told me, anyhow," replied Colin. "According to him, -the only damage they did was to smash open his desk and search his -papers." - -Both men glanced across the room in the direction of the oak bureau. - -"Is that the desk?" inquired the Sergeant. - -Colin nodded. - -"Had he any idea what they were after?" - -"Not the slightest. All his papers which are of any scientific value -are kept in the laboratory. I believe he had some money and -valuables in the safe, but they seem to have left that entirely -alone." - -There was a brief silence, and then, without saying anything, the -Sergeant got up from his chair and walked over toward the two pieces -of furniture in question. Marsden remained seated, his keen blue -eyes fixed thoughtfully upon Colin's face. - -"What's your opinion, doctor?" he asked at last. - -"I am inclined to agree with Mrs. Ramsay," said Colin. "I think it -was the same man who broke into the house before. He is evidently -searching for some particular paper or document, and as he couldn't -find it in the desk he came back a second time to try and open the -safe. On his first visit he probably hadn't got the necessary tools -with him." - -"And how about the murder?" - -Colin hesitated. "There's one thing I don't understand," he frankly -admitted. "I left the Professor working in the laboratory, and it's -a mystery to me how he managed to reach the study without my hearing -him. I was awake the whole time, and I can swear that there wasn't a -sound." - -"Well, I can explain that to you," said the Inspector. "Mr. Carter -didn't cross the hall; he entered the room by the window." - -With a sudden exclamation Colin started to his feet. - -"By Jove, what an idiot I am!" he exclaimed. "I never thought of -that. Of course, there's a side door from the laboratory into the -garden." - -"I imagined that there must be," said Marsden, "and I haven't the -least doubt that we shall find it unlocked." He got up from his -chair and glanced at the police surgeon, who was standing by himself -in front of the fire. "I don't think we need keep you any longer, -Doctor Sinclair," he added. "I'll let you know what time we fix for -the P.M. as soon as I've seen Ashford." - -The surgeon, who seemed ready enough to depart, picked up his hat and -coat. - -"You can tell him to 'phone me at my house," he replied. "I shall be -there till midday for certain." - -He nodded a general good-night, and, accepting Colin's offer to -escort him to the front door, accompanied the latter through the hall -and down the outer corridor. - -"We shall be bound to come across each other again during the next -few days," he said as they shook hands. "I only hope that when all -this is over we shall have the pleasure of meeting under less -distressing circumstances." - -Colin returned some more or less suitably polite rejoinder, and, -shutting the door, made his way back to the study. - -He found the two detectives standing in front of the safe, the -sergeant stooping down and apparently engaged in some experiment with -the lock. - -Marsden looked round at his entrance. - -"We'll leave Humphries to finish up here," he said. "I want you to -take me to the laboratory; and afterward, if you'll call down the -servants, I'd like to have a few minutes' conversation with both of -them." - -"I don't suppose you'll get much out of the cook," said Colin -doubtfully. "According to Mrs. Ramsay, she's collapsed for the -night." - -"She'll talk all right," was the somewhat cynical answer. "Women can -always pull themselves together if there's a chance of using their -tongues." - -He stepped forward briskly, and, following Colin to the back of the -house, turned down the side passage which led to the laboratory. - -The door of the latter apartment was still open, and at the sight of -the big, brilliantly lit interior he pulled up with an exclamation of -surprise. - -"Hullo!" he remarked. "I'd no idea it was such a size. The old man -must have been pretty well off if he could afford to run up places -like this." - -He glanced round the room as though in search of the additional exit, -and, without waiting for his question, Colin pointed toward a high -screen which jutted out at right angles from the wall. - -"It's behind there," he explained. "I never thought of looking to -see if it was open. The Professor told me that he only used it in -summer time." - -"He used it to-night," was the detective's reply. "If he hadn't he -would probably be alive now." - -As he spoke he descended the steps, and, with Colin in close -attendance, strode confidently toward the spot. They came to a halt -in front of a small oak door, flush with the wall, and, catching hold -of the handle, Marsden gave it a sharp turn. The next moment a gust -of cold wind was blowing in their faces, and they were staring across -the lawn in the direction of the study windows, from which a flood of -yellow light streamed out into the darkness of the garden. - -It was the Inspector who first broke the silence. "That's clear -enough as far as it goes," he observed. "The question is, Why did he -open the door at one o'clock in the morning?" - -A possible explanation suddenly occurred to Colin. - -"I shouldn't wonder if he wanted to let in a little fresh air. He'd -been making an experiment, and there was a horrible smell in the room -when I spoke to him at the doorway." - -"You've got it," was Marsden's laconic answer. He pulled out an -electric torch, a duplicate of the sergeant's, and allowed the light -to play backward and forward over the patch of gravel outside. "I -don't suppose there will be any footprints," he continued. "It's -been freezing too infernally hard for that, and, in any case, we -shall only do more harm than good by trampling all over the place in -the dark." He switched off the torch, and closing and locking the -door, put away the key in his pocket. - -"We'll get back now," he added, "and if you'll give me a hand I think -we'll move the Professor's body into his own bedroom. When we've -done that you can call down the servants." - -They returned to the study, where they found Humphries still -examining the safe, and after the Inspector had exchanged a few words -with his subordinate, he and Colin set about their task. - -Lifting the frail, bloodstained figure between them, they carried it -slowly up the staircase as far as the first landing. The Professor's -room was situated right at the end of the corridor, a large, sparsely -furnished apartment with an old-fashioned four-poster in the farther -corner. They laid their burden on the bed, and Marsden stood up, cap -in hand, while Colin sponged away the blood and covered over the body -with a clean sheet. - -"It's a wretched sort of ending to a life like his," said the -detective, with an unexpected touch of feeling. "One of the greatest -scholars in the world, so they tell me; and look at him now--knocked -on the head and done for, just like any common drunk in a street -fight!" He paused. "I'm not a rich man," he added, "but I'd give a -couple of months' pay to put a rope round the neck of the party who -did this." - -He walked to the door, and, replacing his cap, glanced up at the -landing above. - -"You might give the servants a call now, doctor," he said. "Don't -frighten 'em; just say that if they feel up to it I'd like to have a -nice friendly little chat in the study." He dived into his pocket -and once more pulled out his notebook. "By the way, can you tell me -the name and address of the Professor's solicitor? We shall have to -get hold of him the first thing in the morning." - -"It's a Mr. Medwin," said Colin. "He lives close by here in Albert -Terrace, but I'm hanged if I can remember his number." - -"That doesn't matter," returned Marsden. "I can easily look him up -in the telephone directory." - -He jotted down the name, and, replacing the book in his pocket, laid -his hand on Colin's arm. - -"There'll be no need for you to stay up any longer," he said. "Both -Humphries and I have got plenty to keep us busy until breakfast time. -You turn in and get some sleep as soon as you've brought down the -servants." - -Colin, who was beginning to feel distinctly weary, contented himself -with a nod. - -"You'll know where to find me," he said, pointing to his room. "If -there's anything you happen to want just give me a call." - -He left his companion at the end of the passage and mounted the -second flight, which led up to the servants' quarters. Somewhat to -his surprise, he found Mrs. Ramsay and the cook, both fully dressed, -standing on the small landing at the head of the stairs. - -"We couldn't stop in bed," explained the former, "not after we heard -the bell ring. Oh, sir, what do the police say? Have they----" - -"The Inspector wants to have a few minutes' talk with both of you," -he said. "Of course, if Mrs. Wilson doesn't feel well enough----" - -The cook drew herself up with a suggestion of injured pride. - -"I know my duty, sir," she remarked. "If the police wishes for my -hevidence they shall have it heven if I drop dead on the carpet, the -same as my poor mother did before me." - -There being apparently nothing further to be said, Colin conducted -his charges as far as the study, where he found the two detectives -waiting to receive them. He remained just long enough to make the -necessary introductions, and then, availing himself of Marsden's -suggestion, returned upstairs again to his own room. - -Now that his services were no longer needed an irresistible reaction -had suddenly set in. He felt tired out in mind and body, and, -scarcely conscious of anything but an intense desire for sleep, he -threw off his dressing gown, and, for the second time that evening, -clambered thankfully into bed. - -* * * * * * * * * - -It seemed to him as though he had scarcely laid his head upon the -pillow when he was abruptly aroused by a touch on the shoulder. He -sat up with a start, and, rubbing his eyes, perceived a burly and -familiar figure standing beside him in the gloom. - -"Hullo, Inspector!" he exclaimed. "What's the matter? Anything -wrong?" - -"Only the time," returned his visitor. "It's just gone eight, and as -we're expecting Mr. Medwin at nine I thought I'd better give you a -knock-up." - -With rather a rueful laugh Colin threw back the clothes. - -"How about breakfast?" he inquired. "Have you made any arrangements?" - -"The cook's on the job," was the encouraging answer. "I was careful -to keep on the right side of her last night, and she's promised us a -dish of eggs and bacon at a quarter past." - -"I'll be there," said Colin, thrusting a leg over the side. "How did -you and the sergeant get on after I'd gone to bed?" - -"Well, we haven't altogether wasted our time," said Marsden, turning -toward the door. "I won't hang about in your way now, however. You -shall have the news--such as it is--while we're waiting for the -solicitor." - -He disappeared with a friendly nod, and, after indulging in a cold -tub and a somewhat hasty toilet, Colin followed him downstairs to the -dining room. - -His arrival synchronized almost exactly with that of Mrs. Ramsay, who -appeared from the kitchen carrying a well-laden tray. She arranged -the contents on the breakfast table, which was already set out, at -the same time expressing an apologetic hope that if there were any -shortcomings they might be attributed to the natural agitation of -herself and the cook. She then retired, and with an air of -businesslike alacrity the two detectives drew up their chairs. - -"This will just suit my complaint," observed Marsden, uncovering the -eggs and bacon. "I was never a believer in working on an empty -stomach, and I reckon Humphries here is pretty much of the same -opinion." - -"There were some sandwiches and whisky on the sideboard last night," -said Colin. "I ought to have told you before I went to bed." - -"Oh, we found them all right," returned Marsden with a smile. "And, -for the matter of that, some very excellent cigars, too." He helped -his companions to a generous portion each, and transferred the -remainder to his own plate. "I only wish," he added grimly, "that -we'd been equally successful in our professional discoveries." - -"Have you any clue at all?" asked Colin. - -"Depends on what you call a clue," was the answer. "I can tell you -one thing for a certainty. Whoever broke into the house was an old -hand at the game, and, what's more, a chap who knew his job from A to -Z." - -"Why do you think that?" - -"Well, you're not likely to find an amateur burglar who can cut out a -pane of glass without making a sound, nor yet one who wears gloves so -as to hide his finger prints. Besides, no one but an expert -cracksman could possibly have forced the lock of the safe." - -"I didn't know it was forced," said Colin. - -"One bolt had gone, anyhow; and a very neat bit of work it was, too, -eh, Humphries?" - -The sergeant, whose mouth was full, confined himself to an -affirmative grunt. - -"That rather knocks the bottom out of my theory," said Colin, after a -short pause. - -"It simplifies things a good deal from our point of view," returned -the Inspector. "Directly we can get a crime into a particular class -we're half way toward finding the man who did it. You see, there are -never more than a certain number of skilled burglars out of prison, -and it's the Yard's business to keep a pretty close eye on what -they're up to. Roughly speaking, a case like this narrows itself -down to about twenty or thirty likely parties. By to-night they'll -all have been put through it, and if there's a single one who can't -account exactly for what he was doing he'll--well, he'll be what the -newspapers call 'detained for further inquiries.' - -"Do you think it was the same man who broke in before?" asked Colin. - -Marsden looked doubtful. "It may be, of course, and if that's so -there's probably more in the case than appears on the surface. A man -like the Professor might very well have had papers and secrets that -certain people were anxious to get hold of, and it's quite on the -cards that they might have taken in a professional thief to do their -dirty work for them. The trouble is that at present we know -practically nothing about his private life." - -"I can't help you there," said Colin. "I believe that Mr. Medwin was -the only person who was at all in his confidence." - -"Well, Mr. Medwin will be able to answer for himself in a few -minutes. Our next best hope is to get on to the track of this old -manservant Kennedy. He seems to have been with the Professor for -about forty years, so if he's still alive he might be able to give us -some useful information." - -"I expect Mrs. Ramsay or the cook could let you have his address." - -"I asked them last night, but neither of them has the least notion -where he is. From the way they spoke I gather that there was -precious little love lost between them. However, he will probably -show up as soon as he reads about the murder, and, if not, we -oughtn't to have much difficulty----" - -A ring at the front door bell interrupted his words, and, glancing at -the clock, he gulped down the remainder of his tea. - -"I wonder if this is our man," he added. "You don't often find a -solicitor ahead of his time." He turned to Colin as Mrs. Ramsay's -steps were heard crossing the hall. "Just a word of caution, doctor. -He knows nothing about the murder yet, and I've told the old lady to -keep her tongue quiet while she's showing him in. Leave me to break -the news if you will; I've a fancy to see how he takes it." - -Colin's only reply was a nod, and the three of them sat in silence -until the door opened and Mrs. Ramsay appeared on the threshold, with -the massive form of Mr. Medwin looming up behind her. - -The solicitor, who was wearing a frock-coat and carrying a top hat in -his hand, took a couple of paces forward. Then with an air of -surprise he came to a sudden halt. - -The Inspector rose instantly. - -"Let me introduce myself, Mr. Medwin. I am Inspector Marsden, of -Scotland Yard." - -Mr. Medwin bowed, his close-set eyes travelling swiftly over the -other occupants of the room. - -"Good morning," he said, in that peculiarly suave voice of his. "May -I inquire what all this signifies?" - -"Professor Carter has been murdered." - -Marsden's answer came with startling bluntness, and there could be no -question as to the effect that it produced. An expression of -incredulous amazement flashed across the big man's face, and for a -moment he stood gripping his hat and staring blankly at the speaker. - -"Murdered?" he exclaimed at last. "Impossible! There must be some -mistake." - -"It's not the sort of thing that lends itself to mistakes," returned -the detective. - -Mr. Medwin drew in a long breath, and Colin, who was watching -intently, saw that he was making a tremendous effort to recover his -self-control. - -"I think I had better sit down for a moment," he said slowly. - -He moved forward, and, laying his hat on the corner of the table, -sank into the vacant chair from which Marsden had just arisen. - -"You must excuse me," he continued. "I feel half stunned at this -appalling news. The Professor was one of my most valued friends." -He moistened his lips and glanced up suddenly at the detective. -"When did it happen?" he demanded. - -"Last night," was the reply, "or, to be more exact, about a quarter -to one this morning." - -"Why wasn't I sent for before?" - -Marsden stroked his moustache, and eyed the other with a kind of -dispassionate interest. - -"Well, Mr. Medwin, I appreciate the importance of your testimony, but -as I happen to be responsible for this case you must permit me to -conduct my investigation in the way that I consider best." - -Instead of betraying any resentment at the snub, the solicitor merely -nodded. - -"Quite so," he assented readily. "Your first step would naturally be -to go into all the circumstances of the murder, and I was forgetting -for a moment what a great deal of work it must have entailed." He -paused. "Have you made any discoveries?" he asked. "Anything that -could possibly be described as a clue?" - -"Several," replied Marsden. "But I think it will save time if I give -you the full details straight away. There are several peculiar -features about the affair, and it's not much use discussing them -until you are in possession of the facts." - -Mr. Medwin folded his arms. - -"Just exactly as you prefer," he remarked. "Please consider me -entirely at your service." - -Without wasting any more words Marsden entered upon a brief -description of everything that had taken place from the moment when -Colin had returned to the house. The curt and matter-of-fact fashion -in which he told his story seemed somehow or other to heighten its -dramatic horror, and, in spite of the solicitor's expressionless -face, it was easy to see the strained attention with which he was -following every word. Once or twice he seemed to be on the point of -asking a question, but on each occasion he apparently changed his -mind at the last moment, as though unwilling to interrupt the -narrative. - -"As far as I can see at present," concluded Marsden, "there are two -probable lines of inquiry, both of which I propose to follow up. -Either it was an ordinary case of burglary, or else the thief was -after some particular object that he believed to be hidden in the -study. With regard to the actual murder, I am inclined to think that -it was more or less of an accident. The silly fool got rattled when -the old man came in at the window, and smashed his head in before he -realized what he was doing. He has probably been cursing himself -ever since." - -"I should say that your first suggestion was the right one," remarked -Mr. Medwin. "An old-fashioned house like this, shut away from the -road, is exactly the sort of place that a professional burglar would -select. It's very improbable there's anything more in it than -that--a sordid attempt at house-breaking, ending up in a brutal and -bloody murder." - -"Well," returned Marsden slowly, "I'm not altogether satisfied on the -point. Take the question of this previous attempt. Granting it was -the same man, why did he content himself with merely examining the -desk?" - -The lawyer glanced swiftly in the direction of Colin. - -"Is that what the Professor told you?" he asked. - -Colin nodded. - -"He said the same thing to me," continued the other, "but I remember -wondering at the time whether his statement could really be trusted. -Like so many gifted men, he was curiously careless in the matter of -money. It's quite possible that he may have had a bundle of notes in -some drawer that he remembered nothing about." - -"And you think that, having whetted his appetite, the thief came back -for more?" - -Marsden put the question almost casually. - -Mr. Medwin spread out his hands. "Surely it's a more likely theory -than to imagine the existence of some mysterious object that nobody -has ever heard of?" - -"I suppose that if the Professor had had any specially valuable paper -or secret in his possession he would probably have mentioned the -fact? I gather that you were entirely in his confidence?" - -"Entirely, as far as his business arrangements were concerned." - -"And how about his private affairs?" - -The solicitor paused. "I am as much in the dark as you are with -regard to them. On anything that concerned himself Mr. Carter was -one of the most reticent men who ever lived." - -"So I understand from Dr. Gray," returned the Inspector. "All the -same, we shall have to look into the matter, and I should think the -easiest way of doing it would be to get in touch with his old -servant, Kennedy. Do you happen to know where he can be found?" - -Colin, who was watching closely, thought that he detected a faint -change of expression in the solicitor's face. If so, it passed away -instantly. - -"I haven't any idea," was the reply. "I am afraid it's very likely -that he's dead. He was partly paralyzed when he left the Professor's -service, and I don't imagine he would have lasted for more than a few -months." - -The Inspector walked to the window and for a moment or two stared -thoughtfully out into the garden. - -"What about the estate?" he asked, turning round suddenly. "Who -comes into the property?" - -Mr. Medwin shrugged his shoulders. "There again I am completely at -sea. I presume that it passes to the next of kin, but who that -fortunate person may be I haven't the remotest notion." - -"Hasn't Mr. Carter made a will?" - -"Not that I'm aware of. I suggested to him several times that he -ought to take some steps in the matter, but he always made the excuse -that he was too busy to be bothered about it at the moment. As so -often happens in these cases, the opportunity has now gone by for -ever." - -"Then if no one comes forward the money passes to the Crown?" - -"That is so; but it's not a situation which is likely to occur. In -view of the large fortune at stake some claimant is certain to put in -an appearance." - -The Inspector raised his eyebrows. "A large fortune, eh?" he -repeated. "Can you give us any idea of what it amounts to?" - -Mr. Medwin reflected. "The Professor has been saving money for -years," he said slowly. "He drew a big income from his various -patents, and his personal expenditure was comparatively trifling. -Some of his experiments were naturally rather costly, but, all the -same, there can be no doubt that he was an extremely wealthy man. As -a rough estimate I should say that he was worth at least a couple of -hundred thousand pounds." - - - - -CHAPTER SIX - -"We find that Professor Carter was wilfully murdered by some person -or persons unknown." - -The foreman of the jury, a stout, pompous little man who was -evidently pleased with his temporary importance, announced the -verdict in a loud and impressive voice. - -A moment's silence followed as the Coroner wrote down the words, and -then, amid a general murmur of voices and shuffling of papers, the -crowded court commenced to break up. - -Colin, who was sitting on one of the back benches, remained in his -place while the building slowly emptied itself. At last, just as it -was clearing, the Inspector and Mr. Medwin appeared together in the -gangway, and, picking up his hat, he stepped out to join them. - -The solicitor was the first to speak. - -"An unsatisfactory verdict," he observed, "but, considering the -entire lack of any definite evidence, I suppose it was the only one -that could be expected." - -"I've no complaint to make," remarked Marsden. "I should say that it -summed up the situation exactly." - -"Well, you're as much concerned with finding out the truth as either -of us," returned the other, "but I must confess to being a little -disappointed that we've made no further progress. It seems -extraordinary that a crime like this can be committed, and that there -should be absolutely no clue to the murderer." - -"It's a remarkable case all round," agreed Marsden. "One of its most -peculiar features is the fact that no one has yet come forward to -claim relationship with the Professor. I suppose you've discovered -nothing fresh about his private affairs since our conversation -yesterday?" - -"Nothing," was the answer. "If I had I should have informed the -Coroner. My own opinion is that before long we are bound to get on -the right track, and in the meanwhile the only thing to do is to go -on with the business of winding up the estate. I am working in -conjunction with the solicitor for the Treasury, and he assures me -that we shall be allowed plenty of time to make the most exhaustive -inquiries before the Crown takes any steps to put forward a claim." -He turned to Colin. "By the way, I wanted to have a talk with you, -Gray," he added. "I understand that your arrangement with the -Professor was only a verbal one, but, all the same, I think you are -at least entitled to six months' salary. I will discuss the point -with the Treasury, and, should they raise no objection, I will take -the responsibility of forwarding you a cheque." - -"It's very good of you," said Colin coolly, "but if you won't think -me ungrateful I would much prefer that you allowed the matter to -drop. I am not in need of money, and the small amount of work I did -has already been exceedingly well paid for." - -Mr. Medwin smiled benevolently. - -"Just as you please," he observed. "It's refreshing to come across -any one who takes such a modest and unmercenary view of their -services." He paused. "I have no idea what your plans are," he -continued, "but should you be anxious to obtain some particular -appointment I shall be only too delighted to do anything I can to -assist you. I know that Mr. Carter entertained the very highest -opinion of your abilities." - -"I am not looking out for a new job at present," replied Colin -bluntly. "I am going to find the man who murdered the Professor. -There'll be time enough to think about my own affairs after he's been -tried and hanged." - -As he spoke the court clock chimed the hour, and with a sudden air of -surprise Mr. Medwin pulled out his watch. - -"One o'clock," he exclaimed. "I didn't realize it was so late. I -have promised to lunch with a client of mine, so I'm afraid I must -hurry off." He shook hands with each of them in turn. "I need -hardly say I wish you both every success in your investigations. You -will no doubt keep me informed of any discoveries you make, and -sooner or later, if we all work together, I feel convinced that the -truth will come out." - -With a friendly nod he turned toward the door, and the next moment -Colin and the Inspector were left alone. - -"I don't know why it is," said Colin. "I've nothing against that -chap, but somehow or other I feel dead certain that he's a wrong 'un." - -"We shall be very unpopular if we stop and discuss the matter here," -replied Marsden. "They've been waiting to shut the court for the -last five minutes." - -"Well, suppose we go and have some lunch," suggested Colin. "I know -quite a decent place round the corner in the High Street, and there -are one or two things I'd like to have a talk about if you're not in -a great hurry." - -"I was going to propose it myself," replied Marsden. "I've got one -of our men coming down to take some photographs at the Red Lodge this -afternoon. He'll be along about a quarter to two, so that will just -spin out the time until he arrives." - -They left the court, and a few minutes later they were seated at a -table in a discreet little French restaurant, the stout proprietress -of which greeted Colin with a motherly and familiar smile. - -"It's curious you should have said that about our legal friend," -began Marsden, as soon as they had given their order. "I don't set -much store myself on what people call instincts; I've seen too many -of 'em go wrong. All the same, from the moment I clapped my eyes on -this fellow Medwin I've had a sort of feeling that he was keeping -something up his sleeve." - -"Something to do with the murder?" demanded Colin. - -Marsden broke off a bit of crust and chewed it thoughtfully. - -"On the whole I should say not," he replied. "There's no getting -away from the fact that he was knocked all of a heap when he heard -the news. I'm more inclined to think that he's up to some -hanky-panky with regard to the old man's money. He may have a notion -who the rightful heirs are, and, if so, he's probably lying low with -the idea of making a bit out of it himself." - -"What sort of a standing has he got in his profession?" asked Colin. - -"Oh, good enough as far as it goes," returned the detective. "Still, -I thought there'd be no harm in making a few inquiries, so I've asked -Ainsworth to tackle the job himself. It will have to be done -carefully, of course; if Medwin got wind of the fact he'd probably -kick up the devil of a dust." - -"Are you any further on at all with regard to the murder?" asked -Colin. - -Marsden gave a warning glance in the direction of the returning -waiter, and for several minutes the two of them remained silent, -while a deftly moving Italian attended to their needs. - -"There's no point in informing the rest of the world," remarked -Marsden, as soon as they were alone again, "but, to tell you the -truth, we seem to be up against a blank wall. I didn't say too much -to the Coroner, chiefly on account of the newspapers. Some of them -are always waiting for a chance to dig out the old stunt about the -incompetence of Scotland Yard, so in a case like this it's just as -well to give the impression that we're keeping something in the -background. As a matter of cold fact, I only wish we were." - -"What about those pet black sheep of yours?" inquired Colin. -"Haven't you succeeded in rounding them up yet?" - -"Oh, we've rounded 'em up all right. We've scraped through our list -of regulars with a fine pocket-comb, and if any of them had so much -as a finger in the job I'll eat my hat in this restaurant." - -"Then you've changed your opinion?" said Colin. "You're beginning to -believe----" - -Marsden shook his head. "No," he interrupted doggedly, "I'll stake -my reputation that the man who opened the lock of that safe was a -professional cracksman. He may have been a foreigner, of course, and -if that's the case it would account for the fact that none of our -people here know anything about him. However, I've cabled to Paris -and New York, and several other places, to ask them if any of their -own experts are missing, and it's quite possible I may get an answer -from them that will put us on the right track. If I do I'll send you -along a line." He paused to refill his glass. "By the way," he -added, "where shall I be able to find you?" - -"I've taken a room at the Kensington Palace Hotel for a day or two," -said Colin. "I've really made no plans yet. As I told Medwin, I -mean to see this thing through before I attempt to settle down to any -fresh work." He pushed away his plate, the contents of which he had -hardly tasted, and lighted himself a cigarette. "How about the -Professor's old servant?" he asked. "Any news of him yet?" - -"That's another of our failures," admitted the detective wryly. -"Ainsworth's men have been ransacking the country, but so far they -seem to have drawn an absolute blank." He stopped suddenly, and, -putting his hand in his pocket, produced a rather crumpled envelope. -"Talking of Ainsworth, I've got something here for you. It's the -report we promised you the other day about some party you wanted us -to look up. I'd have posted it on before only you told me that you -weren't in any particular hurry." - -He passed over the note, and, hastily expressing his thanks, Colin -tore open the flap. In the rush and excitement of recent events his -interest in Major Fenton had been temporarily forgotten, but the mere -mention of the subject was quite sufficient to arouse all his -previous curiosity. - -He extracted the sheet of paper which the envelope contained, and, -unfolding it with eager fingers, spread it out before him on the -table. It was just a single page of neat typewriting, without any -address or date. - - - Major F. is the only son of the late John Mordaunt F., of - Cheltenham, Glos. He is forty-three years of age. He was - educated at Cheltenham College. Entered the 17th Lancers, but - resigned his commission as a captain on account of financial - difficulties. Was in India for several years and also in Canada. - It is believed that he was chiefly engaged in training and - selling polo ponies. Rejoined the Service during the war and - rose to his present rank. Since then his only occupation appears - to have been betting at race-meetings. He is connected with an - undesirable element on the Turf, and his general reputation is - not of the best. As far as this country is concerned, however, - there is no record of his having been connected with any criminal - proceedings. He is an amateur yachtsman, and the registered - owner of a small auxiliary engined boat called _The Swallow_, - which is at present lying in Hole Haven. - - This paper is to be destroyed as soon as its contents have been - noted. - - -As Colin reached the concluding paragraph the Inspector rose from his -chair. - -"I hope you've got the information you wanted," he said. "I must be -off now, or I shall be late for my appointment. Are you coming along -up to the house?" - -Colin thrust away the paper in his inside pocket. - -"As a matter of fact," he said, "I'd half promised to go down to -Shadwell. My pal, the doctor there, is very keen to know the result -of the inquest. Still, if there's any way in which I can be of -help----" - -Marsden beckoned to the waiter. - -"No, no," he interrupted. "You stick to your arrangement. We're -only going to take a few photographs of the study, just to show the -exact position in which the body was lying. They may come in useful -later on." - -He asked for the bill, which, in spite of Colin's protest, he -insisted upon paying, and, leaving the restaurant, they stepped out -on to the crowded pavement. - -"I'm making for the station," explained Colin. "My car's having some -new valves fitted, so I shall go down by train." - -"Well, so long for the present," was the Inspector's reply. "I'll -let you know at the hotel directly there's any news, and if you -should want to get in touch with me yourself you've only got to ring -up the Yard. Even if I'm not there they can always send me a -message." - -With a parting handshake he disappeared among the traffic, and a few -minutes later, having purchased a ticket for Shadwell, Colin was -descending the steps which led down to the underground railway. - -As the train rumbled eastward he again pulled out the paper which -Marsden had handed him, and read it through carefully a second time. -Brief though it was, it certainly presented Major Fenton in a far -from flattering light. Apart from its own uncomplimentary phrases, -it suggested that the account of himself which he had given to Nancy -was probably quite untrue. Whatever his exact reasons for going -abroad might have been, it was clear that they had nothing to do with -the demands of military service. That he had only returned to -England in the spring was also apparently a piece of deliberate -fiction. Unless the police were wrong, he had been a conspicuous -figure at race meetings ever since the conclusion of the war; -conspicuous, too, in a fashion which seemed to clash rather badly -with the chivalrous role he had adopted in his relations toward Nancy. - -Had he really been acquainted with her father at all? It was a -question which Colin had already asked himself on several occasions, -and in view of what he had just read his doubts on the subject became -more pronounced than ever. The details of the story were so -improbable, and the professed motive so extremely unlikely, that in -the absence of any other evidence except the Major's own statement -all his beliefs inclined in the opposite direction. - -It seemed to him that Nancy ought certainly to be enlightened -concerning the somewhat unreliable nature of her "guardian's" claims. -The job was not a particularly attractive one, for she had given him -no authority to make inquiries, and the character of an unauthorized -Paul Pry is about the last that any one would wish to assume. -Besides, there was the awkward fact that Fenton had already cautioned -Nancy against him, and it might well appear to a third person that in -bringing this counter-charge he was merely gratifying his own private -resentment. - -Still, even at the risk of being misunderstood it was clearly his -duty to put her on her guard. He would show her the report, and tell -her frankly how it had come into his possession, and if the -consequences proved to be unfortunate he must put up with them as -best he could. - -It was at the precise moment when he had arrived at this decision -that the train ran into Whitechapel station. He got out in company -with a number of other passengers bound for the less fashionable -quarters of East End London, and, crossing the line by a covered -bridge, descended into the narrow and dimly lit vault where -passengers to Shadwell await their destiny. - -As he reached the platform the figure of a man sitting by himself on -a solitary bench suddenly attracted his attention, and, stepping -promptly forward to the seat, he gave its occupant a sounding slap on -the shoulder. - -"Cheer up, Joe," he said. "There's sure to be a train some time -to-day." - -Mr. Joseph Bates--for it was none other than the ex-pugilist--jumped -to his feet with a grin of welcome. - -"Well, I'm blarsted," he exclaimed. "Caught me proper, that you did, -sir. Who'd ever have thought o' meeting you 'ere?" - -He held out a large and not over-clean hand, which Colin shook -heartily. - -"I was just saying to meself only yesterday," continued Joe, "some -time when I get a free mornin' I must do a trip up to the 'orspital -an' tell the doctor abaht my bit o' good luck." - -"What's that?" demanded Colin, taking a seat beside him on the bench. -"Have you fallen in love, or is somebody offering you a job at a -brewery?" - -"You'd never guess," returned Joe with a chuckle, "not if you was to -try for a month o' Sundays." He removed a short clay pipe from the -corner of his mouth and spat contentedly on to the platform. "I gorn -back into the perfession, guv'nor, that's wot I done." - -Colin eyed him incredulously. "That's a good one, Joe," he observed. -"Who are you going to fight--Jack Dempsey?" - -"'Tain't a joke, guv'nor. I'm back in the old business again, gospel -truth I am, but not as wot you might call a principal." He paused, -as though to give full weight to his coming disclosure. "You've -'eard tell o' Solly Moss and the Palace o' Sport?" - -"What, the new boxing ring in Whitechapel?" - -"That's it--that's the place I'm gettin' at. Well, the very day -after I see'd you and the young lady ahtside the club, who should I -run across in the street but old Solly Moss 'isself. 'Im an' me was -pals once, before 'e come up in the world, an' 'e's got a good 'eart, -Solly 'as--especially for a Sheeny. We 'as a bit of a talk like, an' -a couple o' drinks, an' he says to me, 'Joe,' 'e says, 'you come -along dahn to my 'all, an' damn me if I don't find you a job.' An' -wot's more, 'e's done it, guv'nor. I'm caretaker, chucker-aht, and -one o' the two official seconds, with thirty bob a week an' me name -on the bleedin' programme." - -"I congratulate you," said Colin. "It must be an interesting job, -but it sounds to me as if it was a bit underpaid." - -"There're pickin's," returned Joe, with a wink. "A good second can -do a lot toward pullin' orf a fight, an' it gen'rally means arf a -crown when you 'appen to be in the winnin' corner. Besides"--he -licked his lips--"me bein' in wot you might call an official -position, folks as is interested in the game likes to make 'emselves -civil. Why, this 'ere job will be worth quarts an' quarts o' beer to -me every week." - -As he spoke the train steamed into the station, and with a -simultaneous movement both of them rose to their feet. - -"Where are you off to?" asked Colin. "I get out at Shadwell." - -"That's my mark, too," replied Joe. "I gotter go an' see the bloke -wot supplies us with our jellied eels. They ain't bin up to standard -lately, an' old Solly, 'e's arsked me to call rahnd and tell 'em wot -'e can do with 'em." - -They took their seats along with the rest of the passengers, and a -few minutes more brought them to the equally grimy platform which -serves to connect Shadwell with the outside world. - -As they mounted the long flight of steps up to the street Colin again -addressed his companion. - -"It's no use your coming to the hospital now, Joe," he said. "I've -left there for good." - -"Started one of your own, sir?" inquired Joe innocently. - -"Not yet," replied Colin. "I am what you might call marking time at -the moment, but I expect I shall be settling down again soon, and -when I do I'll let you know my address. However, I shall probably -see you again before then. I am sure to be down here a good deal -with my friend Doctor Ashton, and one afternoon I'll walk over to -your place and see if there's anything doing. I'd like to have the -gloves on again, just for a bit of practice." - -"You come along, guv'nor," returned Joe with enthusiasm. "There's -gen'rally one or two useful lads messin' arahnd, and we'll fix you up -with some bloke who can take a decent punch." - -They surrendered their tickets to the porter on duty, and, having -passed through the doorway, Colin stopped for a moment on the -pavement outside to light himself a cigarette. - -He was in the act of throwing away the match when he happened to -glance across the street. As he did so he caught sight of two men -who were standing in the doorway of a small public house opposite. -To an ordinary observer there was nothing particularly striking about -their appearance, except for the fact that one of them was unusually -well dressed. If they had been Indians in full war-paint, however, -the effect upon Colin could hardly have been more remarkable. He -remained stock still, his eyes riveted upon the taller of the pair. -Although the latter's face was half turned away, there could be no -possible mistake. It was Fenton himself, the very man of all others -who chiefly occupied his thoughts. - -"Anything wrong, guv'nor?" inquired Joe curiously. - -The sound of his companion's voice restored Colin's faculties at -once. With a quick movement he caught hold of the other's arm, and, -drawing him along the pavement for a few paces, pulled up behind the -shelter of a deserted cart. - -"Joe," he said, "you see those two fellows over there in the door of -the pub?" - -Mr. Moss's lieutenant squinted furtively round the backboard. - -"Wot abaht 'em?" he demanded. - -"Have you any idea who either of them is?" - -"Dunno the torf," was the answer. "T'other one's a bloke they call -'Spike' Cooper." - -"Is he a friend of yours?" - -Joe laughed derisively. "Not much. I ain't pertic'ler, but I likes -to draw the line somewhere." - -"Oh, he's a bad lot, eh?" - -"That's as it may be," replied Joe cautiously. "I ain't sayin' -nothing, not one way nor the other, but any'ow, I don't fancy 'is -comp'ny." - -From the security of his retreat Colin subjected "Spike" Cooper to a -critical examination. He was a tough-looking customer with broad, -powerful shoulders and a lean, mahogany-coloured face. In spite of -his somewhat shabby clothes he was evidently on familiar terms with -Fenton, for he lounged back against the wall with his hands in his -pockets and a half-smoked cigarette hanging from the corner of his -lips. - -Colin turned to Joe. "Where did you come across him?" he asked. - -The ex-pugilist wrinkled his forehead. "Well, I can't say to rights. -I think it was the Blue Boar at Shoreditch. 'E's bin 'anging arahnd -these pubs for the last two months, though where 'e come from afore -that Gawd knows. Some kind of a Yank, I reckon, judgin' by 'is talk." - -Colin took another long and deliberate stare at the oddly assorted -couple. - -"Joe," he said, "will you do something for me?" - -"You ain't no call to ask that," returned Joe a little reproachfully. - -"I want to know all I can about that chap. I want you to follow him -round and find out who his pals are and where he's living. Do you -think you could manage it without giving away the show?" - -Joe's eyes brightened. "That's orl right, guv'nor," he replied -encouragingly. "Jes' you push orf an' leave the job to me. I'll -pick up 'is tracks now, after this 'ere cabinet council's over. -There ain't no 'urry abaht them there jellied eels." - -"You're a brick, Joe," said Colin gratefully. "If you do happen to -find out anything you might call round at Doctor Ashton's. You know -his house in the High Street?" - -Joe nodded. - -"If I'm not there you've only got to leave a message that you want to -see me and I'll be over at the Palace as soon as I get it." He put -his hand in his pocket and pulled out a couple of one pound notes. -"Better take these," he added. "You might want to do a little -bribery and corruption." - -Joe accepted the money and slipped it inside his belt. - -"You leave it to me, guv'nor," he whispered, "and don't you start -worryin' if you don't 'ear nothin' fur a day or two. 'E's the sorter -cove that's got to be 'andled cunnin', but I'll run 'im dahn right -enough afore I done with 'im. I'll stick to 'im like 'is bleedin' -shadder." - -As he spoke the two men opposite moved forward out of the shelter of -the door. They stood for a moment on the edge of the pavement, -exchanging a few final remarks, and then, with a curt nod to his -companion, Fenton stepped into the roadway, and began to cross the -street in the direction of the station. - -Keeping well behind the cart, Colin waited until he was safely in the -booking-office. - -"We seem to be in luck, Joe," he observed cheerfully. "The pubs are -shut, so if our pal's got a home he's probably on his way there now." - -He nodded toward the retreating figure of Mr. "Spike" Cooper, who -with his hands still in his pockets was sauntering away casually up -the street. - -"It ain't unlikely," returned Joe, with an appreciative grin. -"Any'ow, we'll 'ave a nice little walk rahnd the 'ouses, an' if we -don't do nothing else, we'll get 'old of a decent thirst." - -He knocked out his pipe, and, thrusting it into his pocket, drifted -off inconspicuously amongst the stream of passers-by. - -The whole thing had happened so quickly that up till then Colin's -chief feeling had been one of complete surprise. Left to himself, -however, the real significance of Fenton's appearance in this -out-of-the-way neighbourhood suddenly came home to him with -convincing force. Shadwell was about the last part of London that -such a man would be likely to patronize unless he had some extremely -definite reason for undertaking the journey. Only one reason -suggested itself to Colin, namely, the presence of Nancy at Mark's -house. That was certainly sufficient to account for the Major's -visit, though why he should be standing in the door of an adjacent -pub, talking to an obvious ruffian like Mr. "Spike" Cooper, was -another problem to which no immediate answer seemed to be forthcoming. - -Pondering over this point as he walked toward the surgery, Colin felt -exceedingly thankful that he had had the happy inspiration to -despatch Joe in pursuit of the stranger. If some underhand business -were going on in connection with Nancy, it would be just as well to -make certain whether this sinister-looking individual had anything to -do with the proceedings. Of course, it was quite possible that the -two men had met merely by chance. Being mixed up with the Turf, -Fenton no doubt possessed a number of undesirable acquaintances, and -he might have stumbled across one of them accidentally just as he was -about to enter the station. That, indeed, seemed to be the most -likely explanation, but, even so, any information that Joe could pick -up would certainly not be wasted. If it served no other purpose, it -would probably assist in opening Nancy's eyes to Fenton's true -character, and for the moment, at all events, that was the principal -object which Colin had in his mind. - -On reaching the front gate of the surgery he found its owner standing -on the doorstep, in the act of bidding good-bye to a patient. Almost -simultaneously the latter took his departure, and with a hail of -welcome Mark stepped forward to greet him. - -"The very lad I wanted," was his opening remark. "In fact, I was -just going to ring up the hotel and see if I could get hold of you." - -"I knew you were keen to hear about the inquest," replied Colin, -"and, being a gentleman of leisure, I thought I might as well oblige -you." - -Mark drew him into the house, and relieved him of his hat and stick. - -"Come along upstairs," he whispered. "Nancy's doing the books, and -there are half-a-dozen blighters in the waiting room, but I must hear -what's happened, even if it ruins the business." - -He led the way to the study, where they found Nancy seated at a -roll-top desk, with a couple of formidable ledgers spread open in -front of her. She glanced up at their entrance, and then, laying -down her pen, swung round smilingly in her chair. - -"You must tear yourself away from work for a minute or two," said -Mark. "Colin has come to report progress." - -He dropped down on the sofa, and, pulling out his pipe, began hastily -stuffing it with tobacco. - -"Fire ahead," he continued. "Let's have the whole story. I'm dying -to hear what's happened, and it will just give me time for a -comfortable smoke." - -"I'm going to shake hands with Nancy first," said Colin. - -He crossed the room, and, having performed the operation, very -deliberately seated himself beside her on top of the padded brass -fire-guard. - -From this position he proceeded to give them a brief but lucid sketch -of what had taken place at the inquest. He described the evidence of -the various witnesses, the summing-up of the Coroner, and the final -and unsatisfying verdict of the jury, concluding with a short account -of how he had met Mr. Medwin and the Inspector after it was over and -the views which they had expressed with regard to the situation. - -"So, you see, we are more or less at a stop for the moment," he -finished. "The police aren't likely to do much until they find the -Professor's old servant or get an answer to their cable, and as for -Medwin--well, I don't believe he cares the least whether the -murderer's discovered or not. The money is what he's interested in, -and both Marsden and I have got a notion that he's playing some -low-down game of his own." - -"What sort of game?" inquired Nancy, who had been listening to the -whole narrative with absorbed interest. - -"We don't know, but Marsden thinks he may have some idea who the -rightful heir is, and that he's lying low until he sees the chance of -pulling off a fat commission." - -Nancy opened her eyes in astonishment. "Surely he wouldn't be so -dishonest!" she exclaimed. - -"I hope not," replied Colin; "but, after all, he's a lawyer." - -Mark hoisted himself up in his chair. "I protest," he said. "I am -not going to have Nancy's ingenuous mind corrupted by any beastly -cynicism." He turned to Colin. "And how about you?" he added more -seriously. "This infernal business must have played the mischief -with all your plans." - -"Oh, I'm just marking time," said Colin. "I mean to see this thing -through before I attempt to do anything else." - -Mark nodded approvingly. "That's right," he remarked. "That's your -job, plain enough." He glanced at Nancy. "I'm afraid our idea won't -work," he added. - -"Is it a secret?" demanded Colin. - -"Well, as a matter of fact I was going to ask you whether you could -do us a good turn. If you're busy, however----" - -"I should have to be devilish busy to let you down," said Colin. -"What's the trouble?" - -"It's Mary's mother," was the answer. "There's been some unexpected -development in the case, and they have got to operate the day after -to-morrow. Mary is desperately anxious for me to go up, and I can't -possibly get away unless I can find someone to look after the -practice. I thought that you might be able to manage it, but----" - -"'But' be blowed," interrupted Colin. "I only want to be around in -case Marsden needs me, and I shall be quite as handy here as at the -Palace Hotel. How long do you expect to be away?" - -"I don't suppose I shall be more than a couple of days. It just -depends whether the operation is a success." - -"Well, consider that settled," said Colin. "It won't interfere with -my plans in the least; in fact, I shall be only too glad to have -something else to think about." - -Mark got up from the sofa, and, crossing the rug, held out his hand. - -"Put it there, my son," he said gratefully. "You're a good pal, and -the family thanks you." - -Colin laughed. "You'd better wait till you come back," he replied. -"You'll probably find that I've cured half your patients." - -"I don't care a hang about what you do with them," said Mark -callously. He turned toward Nancy. "I shall leave you in charge of -each other," he added. "You must keep Colin posted in his job, and -he must look after you and try to make himself agreeable." He -paused, and added chaffingly, "I don't know whether Major Fenton will -approve of the arrangement, but I'm afraid we've hardly time to -consult him." - -There was a brief but pregnant silence. - -"Major Fenton?" repeated Colin blankly. - -Mark chuckled. "You've met him, haven't you? A kind of adopted -uncle of Nancy's. He rolled up here quite unexpectedly about -half-past twelve this morning. I suppose he really came to see -whether the place was respectable or not, and on the whole I think we -managed to set his mind at rest. Anyhow, he made himself extremely -pleasant, so of course I asked him to stop to lunch." - -Colin flashed a quick glance at Nancy, who was looking distinctly -uncomfortable. - -"Oh," he said, "that explains things. I thought I caught sight of -him in the street just as I was leaving the station." - -"He appears to take a great interest in Nancy," pursued Mark, with a -mischievous smile, "but somehow or other she doesn't exactly seem to -appreciate it." - -"I didn't invite him here," protested Nancy, "and I don't think he -had any right to come." - -Before Mark could reply there was a tap outside, and the harassed -features of Martha Jane intruded themselves round the door. - -"If you please, doctor," she said, "there's another four patients in -the waiting room. That makes nine altogether." - -"Oh, damn!" said Mark. "I suppose I must go down and see them. -You'll stay to tea, Colin, of course?" - -"If I'm not in the way," was the answer. "Perhaps I'd better go out -for a stroll and come back." - -"You stop here and talk to Nancy," replied Mark. "There's no hurry -about the books, and she can save me a lot of trouble by explaining -how we run the practice. She really knows rather more about it than -I do." - -He knocked out his pipe, and, thrusting it into his pocket, hurried -off downstairs on the heels of Martha Jane. - -Colin closed the door and came back to where Nancy was sitting. - -"So Fenton's sense of duty is still in good working order," he -observed. - -With a little impatient gesture Nancy brushed aside a stray curl. - -"I was very annoyed at his coming down here," she said. "If I'd -thought for a moment that he was going to do a thing like that I -shouldn't have given him my address." - -Colin took up his old position on the fire-guard and looked -thoughtfully into her indignant blue eyes. - -"What did he want, Nancy?" he asked. - -"Oh, it was only to invite me to dine and go to a theatre with him on -Wednesday. Of course, he could just as well have written to me or -rung me up on the telephone." - -"And did you accept?" - -Nancy shrugged her shoulders. "I couldn't very well help it. He -asked me while we were at lunch, and I didn't like to say I was -engaged, because Doctor Ashton would have known it was untrue." - -"Otherwise you would have refused him?" - -Nancy nodded. "It may seem ungrateful, but as a matter of fact I -don't want to see Major Fenton again. I never liked him very much, -and the last time I was with him he----" She hesitated. "Oh, well, -he was different in a way, and, to put it quite plainly, I liked him -even less. Besides, I haven't forgotten the horrid things he said -about you." - -Colin searched in his pocket and pulled out the report which Marsden -had given him. - -"That makes my job a bit easier," he remarked. - -She gazed curiously at the slip of paper. - -"What's that?" she demanded. - -Colin sat back, still holding it in his hand. - -"I've been doing a quite unpardonable sort of thing, Nancy," he said. -"Before I tell you, will you promise to forgive me?" - -"Certainly," she said, smiling. "I can always forgive anything -that's really unpardonable. It makes one feel so nice and generous." - -Without waiting for further encouragement Colin plunged at once into -a full description of how he had taken advantage of the Inspector's -half-joking offer to make some inquiries with regard to Fenton's -character and reputation. He told the whole story quite simply, -allowing his own motives in the matter to be taken for granted, and -ended by reading her the report. - -Nancy, who had listened to him gravely, made no comment until he had -finished. - -Then with a quaint and rather rueful little laugh she looked up into -his face. - -"It's a disappointing world, isn't it?" she said. "I did honestly -believe that there was something kind and unselfish about his -original intentions." She paused. "And you say you saw him in the -street? Why, he must have left here over an hour ago." - -"I saw him all right," repeated Colin. - -He went on to describe his meeting with Joe and the interesting -events which had ensued on their arrival at Shadwell station. - -"I may be prejudiced," he concluded, "but I'm beginning to think that -he's an even bigger scoundrel than the police give him credit for. -Anyhow, it's perfectly plain that he's been lying to you from start -to finish." - -"But why should he?" objected Nancy. - -It was Colin's turn to hesitate. "Well, after all, you're rather -pretty, you know," he said lamely. - -Nancy laughed again. "I've no doubt you're right," she said, "but I -don't see that it solves the difficulty. He couldn't have known what -I was like when he came and hunted me out." - -"No, that's true," admitted Colin. He got off his seat and paced -slowly up and down the room. "There's something behind all this, -Nancy," he added; "some infernal mystery that we don't understand." - -"There is," agreed Nancy; "but I mean to understand it, and very -soon, too." - -Colin stopped. "You're not thinking of keeping that appointment?" - -She nodded. "Of course I'm going to keep it. If I don't, how can I -find out what he wants?" She rose from her chair and came forward to -where Colin was standing. "I--I'm awfully grateful for what you've -done," she said shyly, "and I can't tell you what a comfort it is to -know that I've got someone who's ready to help me." She paused. -"All the same," she added, "I'm not in the least frightened of Major -Fenton. I've had a lot of practice in looking after myself." - - - - -CHAPTER SEVEN - -With an inward sigh of relief Colin opened the door of the surgery, -and beckoned to the solitary old woman who was still sitting grimly -in the corner of the waiting room. She was the thirty-fourth patient -he had interviewed that morning, and the prospect of a well-earned -lunch with Nancy was beginning to dangle pleasantly in front of his -exhausted spirits. - -The old woman entered the surgery, and, after placing a bulky string -bag upon his consulting table, deposited herself in an armchair -alongside. - -Colin took his own seat and smiled at her encouragingly. - -"Well, mother," he said, "what's the matter?" - -The patient folded her hands. "I've bin pizened," she said. "That's -wot's the matter with me, young man. I've bin pizened." - -Colin sat back and nodded gravely. "When did this happen?" he -inquired. - -"Ha!" said the lady, rather bitterly. "That's the very pint I'm -comin' to. Are you a pertickler friend o' Doctor Hashton's?" - -"I am," said Colin. "That's why I'm taking his practice." - -"In that case," continued the visitor, "I don't mind telling you, -young man, that it was 'im as done it." - -"What, poisoned you?" exclaimed Colin. "Surely not." - -The lady reached for her bag, and, after fumbling among its contents, -produced a half empty bottle of medicine. She handed this to Colin, -who examined the label. - -"Are you Mrs. Jones?" he inquired. - -"That's right, young man," was the answer. "Mrs. Jones o' Baxter's -Rents, and there ain't no one in Shadwell wot can say to the -contrary." - -"And why do you think that Doctor Ashton has poisoned you?" - -Mrs. Jones leaned forward mysteriously and tapped the bottle. - -"You can see for yourself, young man. 'E's given me the wrong -medicine. Mind you, I don't say that 'e done it a purpose. I expect -'e was a bit 'urried and made a mistake. All the same, there ain't -no gettin' away from it. 'E's given me the wrong medicine, an' I'm -pizened." - -Colin extracted the cork and took a sniff at the contents. - -"It seems all right to me," he observed. - -"There's nothing wrong with the smell," admitted Mrs. Jones. "It's -the colour wot I'm speakin' about." - -"What's the matter with the colour?" demanded Colin. "Some of the -best medicines are red." - -"Not mine," returned Mrs. Jones doggedly. "My medicine's yeller, -always 'as bin. The moment I set me eyes on that bottle I says to -meself, ''E's made a mistake.'" - -"Then why on earth did you take it?" - -Mrs. Jones looked a trifle surprised. "Well, young man, I'd paid -ninepence for it, an', not knowin' then as it was pizen, I didn't see -no reason for wastin' the money." - -"And you say it made you ill?" - -"It's only through the mercy o' Gawd that I'm sittin' 'ere now," said -Mrs. Jones impressively. "D'rec'ly the third dose passed me lips I -come over queer." - -Colin poured out a little of the medicine into a glass and tasted it -judiciously. - -"I don't think you've any reason to be anxious, Mrs. Jones," he said. -"Doctor Ashton was only trying you with a new prescription. It's a -very good one indeed, but I suppose it doesn't quite suit your -constitution." - -Mrs. Jones looked round and lowered her voice. "If that's the case," -she demanded, "why 'as 'e run away?" - -"He hasn't run away," said Colin. "He's coming back to-morrow or the -next day. He's only gone up north to look after his wife's mother." - -There was a pause. - -"Well," said Mrs. Jones doubtfully, "I 'as my own opinions on that -point, but seein' as 'ow you're a friend of 'is I don't blame you for -standin' up for 'im. Besides, between you an' me, young man, I -wouldn't get Doctor Hashton into trouble, not on no account. We all -make mistakes at times, even the best of us. You give me a bottle o' -the yeller medicine, the same as I always 'as, an' I sha'n't say no -more about it." - -"Right you are," said Colin. He rose from his chair, and, crossing -to the cupboard where Mark kept two or three innocuous and highly -coloured mixtures ready made up, filled a bottle with the desired -specific. - -Mrs. Jones inspected it with approval. - -"I'm much obliged to you, young man," she observed. "Hall's well -that hends well, as the sayin' is. You can tell the doctor from me -that 'e won't 'ear no more o' this, so 'e can come back 'ome just as -soon as ever 'e likes." - -She tucked away the bottle in her bag and made her exit through the -side door, which Colin had stepped forward to open for her. As she -passed out Martha Jane appeared in the passage. - -"Are you ready for lunch, sir?" she inquired. - -"I'm more than ready," said Colin. "I'm positively aching for it." - -Martha Jane nodded sympathetically. "It must be 'ard work for a -young gentleman like you, sir, 'avin' to sit there and listen to all -them diseases. You go along into the dinin' room and I'll run up and -tell Miss Nancy. I sha'n't keep you waitin' more than a couple o' -minutes." - -Colin returned to his desk, and, having completed his report, with a -brief entry on the subject of Mrs. Jones, made his way out into the -hall, where he encountered Nancy in the act of descending the -staircase. - -"I'll be with you in a second," he said. "I'm just going to remove -the germs." - -He hurried across to the cloak room, and, after changing his coat and -indulging in a welcome bout with a basin of hot water, emerged again -in a hungry but contented humour. - -Nancy was already seated at the table, looking disturbingly pretty in -her severe and businesslike costume. Although, on his arrival at the -surgery, they had spent a crowded quarter of an hour together, -opening the post and discussing the day's work, this was the first -opportunity they had had for anything like a private conversation. - -"Well," she inquired cheerfully, "how have you been getting on this -morning?" - -Colin sank into the vacant chair and stretched out his hand toward -the whisky. - -"I'm still alive," he said, "but that's about all. Every day, in -every respect, my admiration for Mark grows deeper and deeper." - -Nancy pushed across the soda. "I often wonder he hasn't broken -down," she said. "It's only sheer good nature and kindness that keep -him going. He comes in to lunch every day and says the most -blood-curdling things about the patients, but in his heart he just -loves them all." - -"I know he does," returned Colin, "and I've been trying to copy his -example. It's thirsty work, though, when you come to people like -Mrs. Jones." He took a long drink and set down the tumbler. "By the -way, is there any news from him?" - -"Not yet," said Nancy. "The operation was to be at ten o'clock, and -he promised to wire directly he knew the result. We shall probably -get a telegram this afternoon." - -Colin attacked the roast chicken, which Martha Jane had cooked to -perfection, and passed over a generous helping. - -"And what about last night?" he inquired. "I had no time to ask you -anything this morning, but I'm longing to hear how Fenton behaved -himself." - -"Well, to begin with," said Nancy, "he asked me to marry him." - -Colin paused in the act of dissecting a wing. - -"Did he, by Jove! I hope you told him to go to blazes?" - -"Something rather similar," said Nancy, "only I tried to put it as -nicely as possible." - -"And how did he take it?" - -Nancy paused. "It may sound conceited," she replied, "but I should -say he was more angry and disappointed than any one I ever saw in my -life." - -"I can quite believe it," said Colin. "You're just the sort of girl -who'd make a man feel like that." - -She shook her head. "I'm not trying to be modest, Colin. I know I'm -pretty--even other women have told me so--but I assure you my looks -have got nothing to do with the matter. Do you suppose that a girl -doesn't know when a man is really in love with her? Major Fenton -doesn't care that for me." She snapped her fingers. - -"I shouldn't wonder if you're right," agreed Colin. "A chap with a -face like that could hardly have much capacity for romance. I should -say that champagne was more in his line." - -"All the same," said Nancy, "he's quite serious about wanting to -marry me, and, what's more, he's made up his mind that he's going to -do it." - -"How do you mean?" inquired Colin. "Did he turn nasty when you told -him it was a wash-out?" - -"Very nasty," said Nancy calmly. "He accused me of all sorts of -things, my chief crime being that I've allowed myself to be -influenced by you." - -"Well, I don't want to brag," admitted Colin modestly, "but I've -certainly done my best. Does he know that I'm taking Mark's -practice?" - -She nodded. "Yes, I'd told him at the beginning of dinner. I -suppose that was what put the idea into his head." She stopped. -"Colin," she said, "don't think me stupid and melodramatic, but do -you know, I am really rather frightened. There was something in the -way he spoke about you, something that made me feel as if--oh, I know -it sounds ridiculous--but as if you were in actual danger." - -Colin sat back and smiled contentedly. "This is too good to be -true," he observed. "I've been longing to punch his head ever since -he told you that lie about my leaving the hospital." - -"But you don't understand," persisted Nancy. "He wouldn't try -anything himself, of course; he's much more likely to pay someone -else to do it. You go about alone all over the place, and in a rough -neighbourhood like Shadwell----" - -"You needn't be anxious," interrupted Colin. "I shall keep my eyes -open, I promise you. If Fenton's got hold of the idea that I'm in -his way, I can quite believe he'll stick at nothing." He paused. -"What beats me altogether," he added, "is why he wants to make you -his wife. You haven't the least doubt that he's really in earnest?" - -"Not the least. He even went so far as talking about a special -license, and suggesting that we should be married this week." - -"That makes it fishier still," said Colin, frowning. He stared -thoughtfully at his plate for a moment or two, and then suddenly -pushed back his chair. "I know what I shall do," he continued. "I -shall tell Marsden the whole story and ask him for his advice. I'm -perfectly certain there's some damned crooked business at the back of -it." - -"But you can't possibly bother the police," objected Nancy. "After -all, Major Fenton has only asked me to marry him, and there's nothing -very criminal in that." - -"Depends on what you call criminal," said Colin. "I should say he -deserved ten years for his confounded cheek." - -As he spoke the door opened and Martha Jane inserted her head. - -"Would you like any sweet?" she inquired. "There's a nice plum tart -in the kitchen if either of you fancy a bit." - -Colin glanced at his watch. - -"It sounds alluring," he said, "but I don't think I can spare the -time. I must start out on my round at half-past, and I shall have to -run through the cases first and see what I've got to take with me." - -He rose from his chair, Nancy following his example. - -Martha Jane looked at them both with disapproval. - -"You're as bad as the doctor, every bit," she observed. 'Ow do you -expect to keep well if you don't feed proper? What with this here -snatching and picking it's a wonder to me that you ain't all in your -graves." - -"You might give us an extra good tea to make up for it," suggested -Colin. - -"Oh, I forgot to tell you," said Nancy. "I'm afraid I shall be out -when you get back. I've promised to go round and see old Mrs. -Merivale, one of Mark's patients." - -"Oh!" - -Colin's face fell. "That's a blow," he said sadly. "I can never -enjoy my tea properly unless someone pours it out for me." - -"I daresay Martha Jane will do it if you ask her nicely," said Nancy. -"In any case, I'll try and get back in time for the second cup." - -With an encouraging smile she passed out into the hall, and, having -paused to light himself a cigarette, Colin returned to the surgery. - -Half an hour later, with Mark's black bag in one hand and a stout -stick in the other, he set forth into the chill and uninviting -atmosphere of the December afternoon. He was not disturbed by -Nancy's vague alarm with regard to his personal safety, but his -practice took him into a pretty rough neighbourhood, and a good tough -ash seemed to him a distinctly suitable companion. - -As it turned out, however, the precaution was an unnecessary one. -During his long ramble through the lowest parts of Shadwell he met -with nothing but good-natured civility. Wherever he went, down -sordid alleys and up rickety staircases, a friendly welcome -invariably awaited him. His experience at the hospital had given him -the knack of getting on readily with poor people, and, since he had -done the same round on the previous day, he was already on familiar -terms with most of his patients. - -By the time he returned to the surgery it was close on five o'clock. -Darkness was rapidly setting in, and the feeling that his out-of-door -duty was over for the day seemed to lend an additional attraction to -the warmth and comfort of the brightly lit hall. - -As he closed the front door Martha Jane emerged from the kitchen. - -"A man came to see you just after you'd gone out, sir," she informed -him. "Party of the name of Bates. Said he'd call again." - -Colin, who had heard nothing of Joe since they had parted outside the -station, received the news with no little interest. - -"Did he mention any particular time?" he asked. - -"No, sir. 'E just said 'e'd look round again later." - -"Well, let me know at once if he does," he replied. "I'll see him -immediately, no matter how many people are waiting." - -Martha Jane nodded. "There's a letter and a telegram come for you -too, sir. They're over there on the hall table." She paused. -"Per'aps as Miss Nancy's out you'd like your tea in the surgery?" - -"Yes, that will be best," said Colin. "You can bring it along in as -soon as it's ready." - -He divested himself of his coat, and, crossing to the table, picked -up the telegram. As he expected, it bore the Lincoln postmark, and -with eager fingers he slit open the flap and pulled out the contents. - - - "Operation a complete success. Shall be home to-morrow about - one.--MARK." - - -He turned to Martha Jane. - -"This is from Doctor Ashton," he said. "Everything has gone off -splendidly, and he hopes to be back to-morrow." - -"'E would," was the answer. "Wild 'orses wouldn't keep 'im from -work, not so long as 'e's got a breath in his body." - -Colin laughed, and, taking up the letter, walked forward into the -surgery. A bright fire was burning away cheerfully in the grate, -and, having flicked on the electric light, he seated himself at his -desk and proceeded to open the envelope. - -A single glance at the letter inside showed him that it was from -Inspector Marsden. - - - "SCOTLAND YARD, - "Thursday, December 12th. - - "DEAR DOCTOR GRAY,--You will be interested to hear that we have - at last managed to pick up the tracks of William Kennedy, - Professor Carter's servant. It seems that he has been very ill, - and for the last two months has been living in an out-of-the-way - village in Hertfordshire under the care of an old female cousin. - The latter, who is apparently unable to read, had heard nothing - about the murder, and it was only last night that Kennedy was - informed of the facts. I am making arrangements to motor down - and interview him to-morrow, don't suppose I shall be back at the - Yard until the evening, but if you would care to look in any time - after six I shall be pleased to see you and to let you know the - result of my journey. - - "I am, - "Yours sincerely, - "JAMES MARSDEN." - - -With considerable satisfaction Colin folded the letter and put it -away in his pocket. It was a relief to know that things were moving -at last, for, even if Kennedy were unable to throw any direct light -on the murder, the information he could supply with regard to the -Professor's private life might well be the starting-point for further -discoveries. - -He was pondering over the possibilities of the situation when Martha -Jane arrived with his tea. She had evidently accepted her -appointment as Nancy's understudy in a serious spirit, for she not -only filled his cup, but stood by with watchful solicitude until she -was certain that he was provided with everything that he required. - -Just as she was turning to leave the room there came a ring at the -bell. - -"I wonder if that's our friend Joe Bates," said Colin. "If it is, -bring him in at once." - -There was an interval of nearly a minute, and then, looking rather -flushed and ruffled, Martha Jane reappeared, closing the door behind -her. - -"It ain't 'im," she announced; "it's a patient. 'E's waiting -outside." She nodded toward the hall. - -"Oh, hang it all!" exclaimed Colin. "This is my hour off. I'm not -going to see any more patients until six. Why on earth didn't you -tell him?" - -"Tell 'im!" repeated Martha Jane indignantly. "I told 'im right -enough." - -"And do you mean to say he won't go away?" - -"'E just pushed me on one side and sat himself down," was the answer. -"'E says 'e means to wait 'ere until you come out." - -Colin rose to his feet, and, swiftly crossing the room, threw open -the door. - -A man who was seated on one of the hall chairs jumped up at his -appearance. He was a rough-looking customer of the longshoreman -type, with a deep scar on one side of his face and a dirty -handkerchief knotted round his neck. - -Colin walked up to him. - -"What do you mean by forcing your way into the house?" he demanded. -"If you want to see me you can go round to the surgery and wait until -it's open." - -The intruder stood his ground, fumbling awkwardly with his cap. - -"No offence, doctor," he muttered. "If I done wrong I asks yer -pardon." - -"Well, you heard what I said," returned Colin. "There's the door -behind you." - -The man still made no attempt to move. "Don't be 'ard, doctor," he -said hoarsely. "I want yer to come along and see a pal o' mine, a -pore bloke wot's 'ad a haccident dahn at Truscott's wharf." - -Colin shook his head. "I can't manage it now," he said. "I've got -to be here at six to see my patients." - -"You can be back before then, doctor," persisted the other eagerly. -"It's only a step from 'ere--s'elp me Gawd, it is." - -"I know the place," said Colin. "It will take a good twenty minutes -to get there." - -"'E ain't on the wharf now," explained the other. "We've carried 'im -along to 'is own 'ouse." - -"Where's that?" demanded Colin. - -The man hesitated. "It's dahn at the bottom o' Flood Lane. One o' -them old 'ouses backin' on the river." - -Colin recognized the spot from his description--a ruinous and -half-deserted slum, most of which had already been demolished. -Before he could speak, however, the visitor resumed his petition. - -"For Gawd's sake come along an' 'ave a look at 'im, guv'nor. We -can't find no other doctor, an' 'e's sufferin' somethin' crool." - -Colin glanced at his watch. "Oh, very well," he said curtly. "I -sha'n't have time to attend to the man properly, but if I find it's a -matter for surgical treatment I'll give you a note to the hospital. -Just wait here and I'll be with you in a minute." - -He stepped back into the consulting room, and, crossing to the -opposite door, summoned Martha Jane. - -"When Miss Nancy comes in," he said, "you might tell her that I've -been called out on an urgent case. I'm only going as far as the -bottom of Flood Lane, so I shall be back by six." - -He thrust one or two articles which might be needed into his bag, -and, hurrying out again into the hall, unhooked his hat and coat. - -"What sort of injury is it?" he asked, as the front door closed -behind them. "A broken leg or something of that kind?" - -His companion, who was slightly ahead of him, pushed open the small -iron gate and turned to the left in the direction of the river. - -"No," he answered slowly, "'e ain't broke nothing--leastways, not as -I knows of. The pain's inside of 'im, so 'e says. Twisted 'is guts, -I reckon, from the way 'e's carryin' on." - -He relapsed into silence, and, checking his pace a few yards farther -on, led the way down a dark and narrow alley. - -They emerged on to a desolate strip of waste land, where stray piles -of brick and other refuse were dotted about forlornly under the light -of a solitary street lamp. Exactly opposite them were the partly -demolished remains of a large warehouse, with two crazy and -tumble-down houses still standing alongside. Behind these, half a -mile wide, ran the dark and sluggish current of the Thames. - -Colin's guide pointed across toward the dilapidated dwellings. - -"That's the 'ouse," he observed, "the end one o' them two. You want -to step careful, doctor; there's a number o' bad places abaht 'ere." - -He set forward again, picking his way deliberately between the heaps -of débris and the numerous pools of dirty water which infested the -whole district. Colin followed close behind him, and after several -minutes of this unpleasant progress they came out on to a muddy and -deserted roadway which ran parallel with the river. - -Colin glanced back over the route they had come. "A nice open -situation," he remarked, "but I should think that the people who -lived here were rather apt to break their necks." - -"It's an orkard spot to get to in the dark," admitted his companion. -"You'll be all right though, doctor. I'll see yer back meself as far -as Flood Lane." - -He crossed the road and advanced toward the houses, one of which -appeared to be uninhabited. A dim light was burning on the ground -floor of the second, and, mounting the broken step, he rapped twice -on the door with his knuckles. - -After some delay it was opened by a gaunt, haggard-looking woman, who -held up the candle she was carrying and peered suspiciously into the -darkness. She evidently recognized the visitor, for without -inquiring his business she stepped back silently against the wall. - -"That's 'is wife," observed the man, turning to Colin. "She's a bit -queer in the 'ead, so you won't get nothing out of 'er." - -He moved aside to make room for Colin's entrance, and then, closing -the door behind them, addressed himself to the woman. - -With a furtive nod she started off along the passage, at the end of -which there was another room facing the front door. - -Colin, who had turned to follow her, took a pace forward. It was -only one pace, for as his foot touched the ground something soft and -heavy came down with a blinding thud on the back of his head. Half -stunned by the blow, he pitched forward full length on to the rough -and uncarpeted boards, and at the same instant two men sprang forward -out of the room, and flung themselves heavily on top of him. - -What happened during the next few minutes seemed to belong to the -world of nightmare. He had a vague impression of fighting -desperately with fists and teeth and feet; then a savage hand gripped -him by the throat, and everything was wiped out in a sudden and -suffocating blackness. - -* * * * * * * * * - -"I tell yer I knows 'im. It's the swine that was 'elpin' the cops -when they pulled 'Ginger Dick.'" - -The hoarse voice, which sounded very far away, penetrated slowly into -Colin's mind, and, opening his eyes, he stared up at the speaker. - -He was still in the passage, stretched out flat on his back, with his -ankles tied together and his arms bound tightly to his sides. Three -men were standing round him, and, in spite of the dim light and the -almost stupefying pain in his head, he had no difficulty in -recognizing them. The bloodstained face that was scowling at him had -been engraved on his memory ever since the day when he first met -Nancy. It belonged to the ruffian who had led the attack on Marsden -and had kicked him in the ribs when he was lying helpless on the -ground. The other two were the plausible visitor to the surgery and -Mr. "Spike" Cooper. - -It was the latter who replied to the first man's outburst. - -"What the hell's that got to do with it, anyway?" he drawled. "I'm -here on business, and it don't matter a cuss to me whether he's your -long-lost brother." - -"It matters to me though," growled the other. "I 'ad somethin' up -against 'im before, an' now 'e's bashed 'alf me faice in with 'is -blarsted boot. Taike that, yer swine!" - -He lifted his foot, but before he could accomplish his genial purpose -a violent shove from "Spike" Cooper sent him staggering against the -wall. - -"None o' that, you fool! Didn't you hear what the boss said? If -there's any marks on his body we don't get the money." He turned to -the man with the scar, who had watched the fracas with cynical -indifference. "No good messing about, Jake. Catch hold of his feet -and we'll cart him down straight away." - -Suiting the action to the word, the two of them raised him quickly -from the floor and carried him forward through the open doorway. -With a muttered oath the third accomplice pulled himself together and -lurched in after them. - -All effective resistance being out of the question Colin made no -attempt to struggle or cry out. He felt certain that death was very -close at hand, and his whole being was racked with a sick fury as he -thought of the easy way in which he had allowed himself to be trapped. - -Through his half-closed eyes he saw that the room which they had -entered was in a state of indescribable filth. The floor was -littered with empty bottles and old newspapers, the damp plaster was -peeling off the bare walls, and the small window, which apparently -looked out on to the river, was thickly coated with grime. - -In the left-hand corner the raised flap of a trapdoor was just -visible in the gloom. His two bearers dropped him unceremoniously on -the boards alongside, and with a curt air of authority "Spike" Cooper -jerked his thumb toward the hole. - -"You get down first, Jake," he said, "and we'll lower him through." - -Jake accepted the order without comment, and, swinging himself into -the opening, began slowly disappearing from view down the rungs of a -rusty iron ladder. - -A moment later there came a muffled voice from below. - -"Right you are, mate." - -Dragging Colin's feet toward the edge, the other two men jerked him -roughly from the ground. The next instant his legs were dangling in -space, and with the iron rungs bumping against his back he slid -rapidly down into the darkness below. - -Just before he reached the bottom he felt himself clutched round the -waist by a pair of strong arms. Then he was lifted clear of the -ladder, and dumped heavily on to a damp stone floor. - -After a brief interval "Spike" Cooper also descended, and, producing -an electric torch, switched on the light. Colin saw that they were -in a large cellar, the walls of which were dripping with wet slime. -Except for the trapdoor there appeared to be only one other -opening--a heavily barred grating some eight feet from the floor. - -Bending down over his prisoner, "Spike" Cooper flashed the light full -in his face. - -"That was a dandy fight of yours, mister," he drawled slowly, "and -I'm real sorry we got to put you through it." - -Colin looked up at him unflinchingly. "You seem to take a long time -about committing a murder," he said. "Why don't you finish the job -and clear out?" - -The other shook his head. "That's just the trouble," he replied, -with a touch of regret in his voice. "In order to suit the party -that's arranging this little affair you got to be found -drowned--picked out of the Thames. See, mister?" - -Colin glanced round, and in a sudden flash the real meaning of the -dripping walls became hideously apparent. With a strong effort he -managed to control his voice. - -"So that's your plan, is it?" he said. "I'm to be left here until -the cellar's flooded?" - -"Spike" Cooper nodded. "It's a dog's trick," he admitted -reluctantly, "but I guess you'll find it as easy a death as any -other. Soon as the water's up level with that grating it pours in -here like a Gawd-damned Niagara." He paused. "What I'm buckin' up -against," he continued, "is your having to lie here a couple of hours -waiting for the tide. Seems to be kinder cruel, that." - -In spite of the grim prospect in front of him, Colin laughed. - -"Thank you very much," he replied. "I hope that when you're hanged -death will be instantaneous." - -They were interrupted by an impatient movement from the other man. - -"Come along, Spike," he growled. "Wot the hell's the use o' standin' -'ere jawin'?" - -"I guess you're about right," was Mr. Cooper's philosophical answer. - -He bent forward once more, and, having satisfied himself that the -cords were properly fastened, turned to follow his companion, who was -already halfway up the ladder. - -Colin watched them disappear through the opening above, then the -trapdoor closed down, leaving him in complete darkness. - -A moment later he heard a grinding clang as a rusty bolt shot home -into its socket. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHT - -The study clock chimed out the hour of seven, and, laying aside the -paper she had been looking at, Nancy got up from her chair and walked -to the window. She drew back the blind, and stood there for a minute -gazing down at, the lighted pavements, where the usual throng of -poorly dressed women were drifting to and fro, intent upon their -evening shopping. Then with a puzzled and rather anxious expression -in her face she turned toward the door, and, descending the -staircase, made her way along the passage as far as the kitchen. - -She found Martha Jane standing at the sink, peeling potatoes. - -"I can't think what can have happened to Doctor Gray, Martha," she -said. "I'm really beginning to get worried about him." - -"Don't you upset yerself, miss," was the reassuring answer. "'E'll -be along safe enough in a minute or two." - -"I hope so," said Nancy. "All the same, it seems rather -extraordinary. You tell me he said he'd be home by six, and here it -is just gone seven." - -"You can't pay no 'eed to what doctors say," began Martha Jane. "Not -that they ain't as truthful as other gentlemen, but----" - -She was interrupted by a ring at the back-door bell, and, wiping her -hands on her apron, departed to answer the summons. Nancy heard the -low rumble of a man's voice, followed almost immediately by the sound -of returning footsteps. - -"It's the same party that called before, Miss Nancy. A man of the -name of Bates. The doctor said he wanted to see 'im special, so I -s'pose I'd better ask 'im to wait." - -"What, Joe Bates the prize-fighter?" exclaimed Nancy. "Oh, please -bring him in at once. He's the very person I should like to have a -talk to." - -Martha Jane disappeared again into the scullery, and a moment later a -burly figure in a cap and muffler followed her diffidently into the -light. - -Nancy welcomed him with an encouraging smile. - -"We have met before, Mr. Bates," she said. "I don't suppose you -remember, but it was one night in Whitcomb Street, when I was in the -car with Doctor Ashton." - -Joe grinned a trifle nervously. "That's right, miss," he observed. -"I ain't forgot yer--not me." He pulled off his cap and scratched -the back of his closely cropped head. "I got a bit o' noos for the -doctor," he continued. "D'you happen to know when 'e's likely to be -in, miss?" - -"That's the very point we were talking about," replied Nancy. "He -went out at half-past five and he left a message that he would be -back by six at the latest." - -Joe stared at her. "Well, that's a bit queer," he remarked. "'E -ain't the sort to say a thing and then not do it." - -"It's queerer than it looks," was Nancy's answer. "Six o'clock is -the time at which he sees his outdoor patients. He wouldn't forget -that, however busy he was." - -"Did 'e tell yer where 'e was goin' to?" - -"He told me," broke in Martha Jane. "Some 'ouse down at the bottom -of Flood Lane." - -A swift change manifested itself in Joe's face. "Flood Lane!" he -almost shouted. "You're sure 'e said Flood Lane?" - -"Of course I am. I ain't deaf, Mr. Bates." - -Joe took no notice of the snub. "Wot made 'im go there?" he demanded. - -"'E was fetched," replied Martha Jane with some asperity. "Fetched -by a party who hadn't no better manners----" - -"'Ere," interrupted Joe, "wot was the bloke like? You answer me -quick." - -Martha Jane flushed indignantly, but before her lips could frame a -protest she was forestalled by Nancy. - -"It's all right, Martha. Mr. Bates is afraid that something may have -happened to Doctor Gray, and he wants to help us. That's so, isn't -it?" She turned quickly to Joe, who nodded his head. - -"Well," replied Martha Jane, in a slightly mollified voice, "'e was -just a rough common-looking man the same as you can see 'anging about -the street corners I'd know 'im anywhere, though, if only by the scar -on 'is face." - -There was a half-stifled oath from Joe. "Jake 'Udson!" he cried. -"Jake 'Udson it was for a million!" He clenched his fists and glared -savagely at the two women. "Nah ye can see why he ain't come back." - -Nancy's heart was beating swiftly, but to all outward appearance she -remained perfectly cool. - -"Don't waste time," she said. "Tell me what you mean at once. I -know that you're a friend of Doctor Gray's, and I know that he asked -you to follow a man outside the station." - -Joe moistened his lips. "That's it, miss. A bloke of the name o' -'Spike' Cooper. 'E's 'and an' glove with this 'ere Jake 'Udson, an' -there ain't two dirtier blackguards, not in the 'ole o' London." - -Nancy's face had gone very white. "Do you know this place--Flood -Lane?" she demanded. - -"It's where 'Spike' Cooper's lodgin'," was the answer. "Leastways, -not Flood Lane itself, but dahn in one o' them old 'ouses backin' on -the river. I seen 'im go in there twice with me own eyes." He -pulled on his cap and half turned toward the door. "I'll get inside -some'ow, miss. I'll learn wot they done to the doctor if I got to -pull the blarsted place down." - -Nancy stepped forward. "Wait a minute," she said quickly. "I'm -coming with you." - -Joe turned and stared at her incredulously. "You comin' with me?" he -repeated. "Why, wot'd be the good o' that, miss?" - -"I can use a revolver," said Nancy curtly, "and there's one upstairs -in the doctor's room. You stop here while I fetch it." - -There was something so imperative in her manner that Joe attempted no -further argument. Removing his cap again, he seated himself -obediently on a chair, and, leaving him and Martha Jane to keep each -other company, Nancy hurried from the kitchen. - -Going straight to the cloak room, she slipped on a mackintosh over -her indoor costume and, after rapidly donning a hat, ran up the -staircase to the study. From the top drawer of the writing table she -took out a small Service revolver which Mark had once exhibited to -her with some pride as the actual implement with which he had -formerly waged war against the Flanders rats. There was a box of -cartridges alongside, and after filling all six chambers she thrust -the weapon into her pocket, and swiftly made her way downstairs again -to the kitchen. - -Joe, who was still sitting where she had left him, rose up at her -entrance. It was Martha Jane, however, who was the first to speak. - -"You can't go off like this, Miss Nancy," she exclaimed. "Let me -fetch a policeman to come with you." - -Nancy shook her head. "There's no time for that," she replied. -"Besides, what can we possibly say to a policeman? If we tried to -explain he'd only think we were mad." - -"You're right, miss," broke in Joe. "This 'ere's a job wot's got to -be done quick, an' the sooner we get to it the better." - -"Come along then," returned Nancy. "I'm ready." - -She led the way out through the scullery door and, pulling open the -iron gate, turned to Joe, who had followed closely on her heels. - -"You give the orders," she said, "and I'll do whatever you tell me." - -The light of the street lamp was shining full upon her face, and Joe -paused for a moment to inspect her admiringly. - -"You got some sense, you 'ave," he observed, "and guts too." - -"I hope so," said Nancy. "Anyhow, I've got the revolver, and that -seems to me to be almost as useful." - -With a chuckle Joe swung on to the pavement, and, turning to the -left, headed eastward in the direction of Flood Lane. - -"It's this way, miss," he continued, after a short pause. "Seein' as -'ow we're workin' in the dark in a manner o' speakin,' it ain't no -use makin' plans, not till we reach the 'ouse. The first thing we -gotter do is to get inside. It don't sound like an easy job, but -then, yer never knows." - -"How many of them do you think there are?" asked Nancy. - -"I bin watchin' the place for two days, an' I ain't seen no one -except 'Spike' Cooper an' this 'ere Jake 'Udson. I reckon I can -'andle them easy enough so long as they don't start usin' their -knives. If they does--well, that's where that gun o' yourn may come -in 'andy." - -"Shall I give it to you?" suggested Nancy. - -Joe shook his head. "No," he replied. "I likes to 'ave me 'ands -free. You stick to it, miss, but don't you begin pluggin' 'oles in -'em, not unless I tips you the orfice. We don't want no inquests, -not if we can get 'old of the doctor withaht." - -They turned into Flood Lane and, passing rapidly down the narrow and -evil-smelling thoroughfare, emerged on the broad stretch of waste -land that bordered the river bank. - -"That's where we gotter go to," said Joe, pointing across to the -black outline of the warehouse. "There's a way over right enough, -but I guess we'd better stick to the road. If any one 'appens to be -looking out they're less likely to see us." - -He struck off to the right, and, keeping well under the shadow of the -opposite wall, guided Nancy cautiously forward until they reached the -muddy road which ran parallel with the river. Crossing this, he -gained the broken pavement on the farther side, and continued his -advance until they were within a few yards of the warehouse. - -"It's the second 'ouse you come to from 'ere," he whispered. "I bin -thinkin' it over, an' if you ain't afraid, miss, it seems to me the -best plan's for you to go on a'ead, an' knock at the door. If they -sees you alone they may open it jest to find out wot yer after." - -"What shall I say?" inquired Nancy. - -"Don't you say nothin'. I'll be 'anging arahnd close be'ind, and -before they shuts it again I'll 'ave me foot inside. We'll do the -talkin' then." - -Nancy nodded, to show that she understood, and, walking on bravely -through the gloom, pulled up in front of the suspected dwelling. A -glimmer of light in the front room revealed the presence of a -dilapidated knocker. She drew in a long breath, which seemed to -steady her throbbing heart, and then, stepping forward, gave a couple -of sharp raps. - -Almost at once she became conscious that someone was inspecting her -from inside the window. The scrutiny must have lasted for several -seconds, then the face was suddenly withdrawn, and a moment later she -could hear the approach of shuffling footsteps. - -After another pause the door began to open. It went back slowly -until there was a space of about six inches, and through the gap a -pair of suspicious eyes peered out at the visitor. - -"Well," demanded a croaking voice, "wot d'yer want 'ere?" - -Even if Nancy had been prepared with a reply she would have had no -time to deliver it. Silently as a tiger Joe leaped forward out of -the darkness, and, bringing every ounce of his weight to bear at the -right moment, hurled himself against the panel. There was a shrill -cry and the sound of a heavy fall as the door crashed inward, then -Nancy found herself clutching the railings and staring at the vague -outline of two figures who seemed to be scuffling furiously on the -floor of the passage. - -She was recalled to action by the voice of Joe. - -"I got 'er," he gasped triumphantly. "Come along in, miss, an' shut -the door." - -Snatching out her revolver, Nancy stepped across the threshold, and -with commendable coolness proceeded to carry out his instructions. -The task only occupied her a moment, but by the time she had -finished, Joe was on his feet again, swearing softly to himself and -sucking vigorously at his left thumb. "Bit me to the bone, the -'ell-cat," he observed. "And I 'andled 'er gently, too, jest 'cos -she 'appened to be a woman." He paused, and, bending forward, -listened intently. "Darned if it don't seem as if she was alone in -the 'ouse," he added. - -Nancy advanced to where he was standing, and in the flickering -candle-light which came out through the open door of the room looked -down at the prostrate figure on the ground. It was that of a gaunt, -middle-aged woman, clad in a dirty dressing gown, with dishevelled -hair streaming over her face and neck. A rolled-up handkerchief had -been thrust into her mouth, and her wrists were tied together by the -scarf which had formerly decorated Joe's neck. Out of her bloodshot -eyes she glared up malevolently at the pair of them. - -Nancy drew back with a shudder. "I hope she isn't much hurt," she -faltered. - -"'Urt?" repeated Joe indignantly. "It's me wot's 'urt, not 'er. Got -'er teeth in while I was tyin' 'er up an' 'alf gnawed me blinkin' -thumb off!" He rummaged in his pocket, and, after a moment's search, -produced a stray length of cord. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Nancy. - -"Tack her feet together and lock 'er in the room," was the answer. -"I'm goin' over this 'ouse from top to bottom, an'----" - -"Look! Look!" With a horrified expression in her face Nancy was -pointing down toward the floor. Joe's eyes followed the direction of -her finger, and a sudden oath escaped his lips. - -"Blood!" he cried. "An' wet blood, too!" - -He stepped into the room, and, snatching up the candlestick from the -table, hurried back with it into the passage. - -"Do you see?" whispered Nancy. "There's a trail of it--all along up -to the door." She put her hand to her breast and fought back the -numbing fear that seemed to be clutching at her heart. - -With blazing eyes Joe turned on the prostrate woman. - -"You she-devil!" he roared, shaking his fist. "If any 'arm's come to -the doctor through you an' your filthy mates, I'll rip the skin off -all three of yer." - -Before the word had left his lips Nancy was already at the farther -door. - -"Quick, Joe!" she cried piteously. "Quick! Bring the candle." - -In two strides the prize-fighter was beside her. - -"You stand back," he commanded hoarsely, and, thrusting the -candlestick into her hands, gripped hold of the knob. - -As the door swung open Nancy raised the light. Its faint gleam -flickered round the sordid room, disclosing the damp and peeling -wallpaper and litter of empty whisky bottles which lay about the -floor. - -Joe's glance travelled swiftly from one corner to another. "There's -no one 'ere," he muttered. "We'd best try the floor above." - -Nancy caught him by the sleeve. "Listen," she cried tensely. "What's -that?" - -From below came an unmistakable sound--the steady but muffled splash -of running water. - -For a second they both stood there motionless, then, with a sudden -exclamation, Nancy pushed her way past and stumbled blindly forward -toward the trap-door. - -"Joe," she gasped, "he's down there! I know it. I feel it." She -sank on her knees, and setting the candle on the floor beside her, -began tugging desperately at the iron bolt. - -Recovering from his momentary amazement, Joe hurried to her -assistance. - -"'Ere," he growled, "let me get at it." - -He seized hold of the rusty stanchion, and with a vicious jerk -wrenched it backward. Another heave and the heavy flap rose slowly -into the air, revealing a black, yawning gap and the top rungs of an -iron ladder. - -Stretched out at full length on her face, Nancy thrust the candle -over the edge. The light gleamed upon a rush and eddy of -chocolate-coloured water, and then suddenly a frantic cry broke from -her lips. - -"Colin! Colin!" - -With a violent imprecation Joe pushed her on one side. - -"'Old on," he roared down the trap. "I'm comin'." - -He swung himself through, and dropping with a loud splash into the -swirling waters, scrambled desperately toward the opposite corner, -where a man's head and shoulders were just visible in the gloom. -Another minute and he would have been too late, for even as he -reached the spot a fresh torrent surged in through the opening, and -with a choking sob Colin swayed forward and collapsed. - -Keeping his own feet with difficulty, Joe clutched hold of the -drowning man and dragged him to the surface. In doing so he made the -discovery that Colin's arms were lashed to his sides, and the full -nature of the task that confronted him flashed grimly across his mind. - -As a veteran boxer, however, the power to think quickly and coolly in -moments of danger had practically become an instinct. He realized -instantly that there was only one chance of escape for both of them, -and that was to cut through the cords before the incoming water rose -above their heads. - -Swinging his half-conscious companion round, he propped him against -the wall. Then, freeing one hand, he dragged out the clasp-knife -which he always carried in his pocket, and wrenched open the blade -with his teeth. - -As he did so, Colin by great effort managed to force a few words from -between his chattering teeth. - -"There's another on--round my feet. Cut that too if you can." - -"Right you are!" shouted Joe encouragingly. "Keep it up, doctor, and -I'll 'ave you loose in a couple o' shakes." - -With feverish haste he accomplished the first part of his task, and -then, taking a deep breath, plunged his way down through the water -until his fingers encountered the second cord. One vicious slash -severed the wet strand, and, uncoiling it as rapidly as he could, he -struggled back to the surface, puffing and gasping for air. - -Quick as he had been, there was scarcely a second to spare. The -water was already up to his chin, and Colin, although his legs and -arms were now free, was far too numbed and exhausted to make more -than the feeblest efforts on his own behalf. - -Summoning every ounce of his strength, Joe lifted the latter bodily -in his arms. Then with swaying steps he stumbled forward in the -direction of the trapdoor, where the little yellow flame of the -candle which Nancy was holding flickered and gleamed above their -heads. - -"Get 'old of the ladder, guv'nor," he panted. "Get 'old of it -some'ow and I'll shove yer up." - -Colin heard, and with blue and stiffened fingers caught desperately -at the rungs. - -At the same moment he glanced up toward the trap, and there, sharply -illuminated in the candle-light, he saw Nancy's face bending down -toward him. - -With something between a sob and a laugh she stretched out her hand. - -"Stop as you are now," came Joe's voice. "I'm goin' to stoop down so -as you can get on top of me. All you've gotter do is to keep yerself -stiff." - -There was a splash, and a second later Colin's ankles were encircled -in a powerful grip. Then his feet were resting on Joe's shoulders, -and inch by inch he felt himself hoisted upward, until Nancy's -fingers closed tightly round his wrists. - -Another heave from below and the upper half of his body was through -the trap. He thrust out a hand to steady himself, and as he did so a -sudden wave of giddiness overcame him, and he sank sideways into -Nancy's arms. - - - - -CHAPTER NINE - -"Colin, Colin dear! It's all over. You're safe up here with us." - -He opened his eyes, to find his head resting upon Nancy's shoulder, -and the dripping figure of Joe just emerging through the trap. For a -moment he made no attempt to move, then, as the truth of the -statement became increasingly clear to him, a contented sigh escaped -his lips. - -Nancy drew him still closer, her soft cheek pressing against his. -"Are you much hurt?" she whispered. - -Though feeling curiously disinclined for conversation, Colin managed -to find his voice. - -"I don't think so," he said weakly. "What I really want is a good -stiff drink." - -Joe, who had stepped out on the floor, and picked up the candle, -glanced hastily round the room, then with a sudden exclamation he -darted across toward a shelf by the bed. - -"'Ere we are!" he cried triumphantly. "'Ere's the very thing!" - -He wrenched out the cork from a half-empty bottle of rum, and -hurrying back to where Colin was lying, dropped down on one knee -alongside of him. - -"'Ave a go at this, doctor," he urged. "Nothing like rum to warm yer -up when you're wet through." - -He tilted forward the bottle, and, putting his lips to the neck, -Colin gulped in a generous mouthful. The raw spirit sent a -comforting glow all through his chilled and exhausted body, and with -a fresh effort he struggled up into a sitting position. - -"Thank you both," he gasped, with the ghost of a smile. "Sorry not -to have said it before, but I'm only just beginning to get my -bearings." He stared a little dizzily from one to the other of them. -"Where are 'Spike' Cooper and his friends, and how in the name of all -that's wonderful did you manage to find your way here?" - -"It was Joe," said Nancy. "He had been watching this house for the -last two days, and he had seen them go in and out. When you didn't -come back he felt sure you must have been trapped." - -"So we just come along to see wot was 'appening," continued Joe, -removing his mouth from the bottle. "And bleedin' lucky we did, too, -judgin' by the way things was shapin'." - -Colin passed his hand over his forehead. "But how did you get in?" -he asked. "What have you done with the others?" - -"There wasn't no others," explained Joe. "Only a bitin', scratchin' -she-devil." He got up suddenly, and, tiptoeing lightly to the door, -peered out into the passage. "Yus," he added, "she's still there, -blarst 'er." - -"It's the old woman who opened the door," explained Nancy. "Joe tied -her up and gagged her so that she shouldn't be able to interfere. -There doesn't seem to be any one else in the house." - -"Then the quicker we get out of this the better," exclaimed Colin. -"They've probably only gone round to the nearest pub, and now the -cellar's flooded they may be back any minute." - -"It's all right," said Nancy. "I've got Mark's pistol with me." - -"You would have," returned Colin admiringly. "All the same, it would -be madness not to make a bolt for it while we've got the chance. We -shall have plenty of time to talk when we're safe outside." He -extended an arm to each of them, and with their joint assistance -scrambled painfully to his feet. "You'll have to help me along at -first," he added; "my legs are so cramped I can hardly move a step." - -"I was afraid they'd killed you," said Nancy, with a queer little -gulp. "There was blood all along the passage." - -"Oh, that wasn't mine," returned Colin reassuringly. "That belonged -to one of the other gentlemen whom I happened to kick in the face." - -"We may as well taike this with us," observed Joe, stuffing the -remainder of the rum into his pocket. "Nah, doctor, you 'ang on -tight to me, an' don't you worry yerself abaht nothin'. We ain't -bein' stopped this journey, not if we runs into the 'ole stinkin' -pack of 'em." - -He slipped an arm like a steel cable round Colin's waist, and, -preceded by Nancy carrying the candle, they staggered out into the -corridor. - -"Don't you mind treadin' on 'er," continued Joe, as they approached -the squirming figure on the floor. "She's one o' them wild cats that -it don't pay to be perlite with." - -Colin himself was in no mood for superfluous courtesy, but a timely -swerve enabled him to avoid the opposite extreme, and the next minute -they had hobbled down the steps, and were standing on the pavement. - -Blowing out the candle, and placing it on the ground, Nancy closed -the door behind them. - -Joe held out his free hand toward her. "Better let me 'ave the gun, -miss," he remarked. "We might meet 'em before we gets to Flood Lane, -and, seein' as they means mischief, the only thing to do is to shoot -quick." - -Nancy handed it over without a word, and, crossing to the railings, -took up her position on the farther side of Colin. The latter put -his other arm round her shoulder, and in this somewhat huddled -formation the three of them started off at a slow pace along the -front of the warehouse. - -It was a painful journey as far as Colin was concerned, for with -every step he took the blood began to circulate more freely through -his numbed limbs, causing him such intense agony that at times he -could hardly suppress a groan. - -In order to take his mind off his sufferings he began to tell them -his story, jerking it out in broken and disconnected phrases as they -limped their way slowly forward through the darkness. He described -how he had been stunned in the passage by a blow from a sandbag, and -how, on coming round, he had recognized "Spike" Cooper and the man -who had led the attack on Marsden in the King's Road. He went on to -give them an account of the way in which he had been thrust down into -the cellar and left there to drown, and of how, after what seemed -like hours of vain struggling, he had at last succeeded in getting on -his feet, just before the water began to pour in through the opening. - -"I don't know why I took the trouble," he finished, "except that one -doesn't like to go under without a last kick. I never dreamed that -there was the faintest chance of my being rescued. When I heard you -opening the trap I made certain that it was only Cooper and the -others come back to watch me drown." - -As he spoke they reached the entrance to Flood Lane, and with a grunt -of relief Joe slipped the revolver into his pocket. - -"Better not be seen carryin' a gun 'ere," he observed. "There might -be a cop at the corner, and I reckon we want to get you back 'ome as -soon as possible." - -"You needn't worry about me," said Colin encouragingly. "This little -stroll has just saved my life." - -He was, as a matter of fact, already beginning to walk more easily, -and by the time they came out at the top of the lane into the main -road he found himself able to dispense with Nancy's assistance. - -Even so, with two of the party drenched to the skin, they certainly -presented an unusual spectacle. It takes something extremely -out-of-the-way, however, to excite much comment in Shadwell High -Street, and, except for one or two curious glances which were cast at -them as they passed under the street lamps, they managed to reach the -surgery without attracting any particular attention. - -"I expect I can find you a change, Joe," said Colin, as Nancy pulled -out her key. "Doctor Ashton has lots of old clothes kicking about, -and I'm sure he won't mind my pinching a suit for you." - -Joe shook his head. "It's very good of you, guv'nor, but I won't -come in, not if ye don't mind. I gotter be at the Palace by eight -o'clock, an' I can get me duds dried there while the boxin's on. -They won't be none the worse for a bit o' washin'." - -"Oh, but you must, Joe," exclaimed Nancy, in some distress. "You -can't go about in those wet things. You'll catch your death of cold." - -Joe chuckled hoarsely, and patted the bottle in his side pocket. -"Not me, miss," he replied. "I ain't the sort as ketches cold, not -when I got 'alf a bottle o' rum on me." He turned to Colin. "You -ain't sittin' dahn under this, doctor?" he added. "You let me know -when ye feels up to it, and I'll be round 'ere in a brace o' shakes. -We'll smash the guts outer them two for this night's work, or my name -ain't Joe Bates." - -"I'll fix up something of the sort if I can," said Colin hopefully. -"I've got a notion, however, that it's rather a bigger business than -it looks, so you mustn't be disappointed if we have to bring the -police in." - -"Jest as you thinks best, guv'nor," was the regretful answer. "I -know yer wouldn't spoil a bit o' sport, not if you 'adn't got some -good reason for doin' it." - -He raised his hand in a parting salute, and, before either of them -could say another word, turned swiftly round and slipped out through -the iron gate. - -"I hope he'll be all right," said Nancy. "He's terribly wet, poor -man, and that wretched woman bit his thumb right down to the bone." - -"That won't worry Joe," replied Colin reassuringly. "It takes a -motor bus to knock him out." - -He shivered slightly as he spoke, and with a hurried movement Nancy -turned the key and pushed open the door. - -"Now, Colin," she said, "you're under my orders. The first thing -you've got to do is to come straight up and have a hot bath. Then -you must get into bed at once, and I'll bring you something to eat." - -"Make it bread and milk," said Colin pleadingly. "I've got such a -confounded headache I couldn't face anything more exciting than that." - -Taking his arm, Nancy helped him up the staircase to his bedroom, -where she lighted the fire and left him to undress. Then, after -turning on the bath, and putting everything in readiness, she -hastened downstairs to the kitchen. - -Martha Jane, bursting with curiosity, greeted her in the doorway. - -"I seed you takin' 'im upstairs, miss. However did 'e come to fall -in the river?" - -"He didn't," said Nancy. "He has been nearly murdered down in one of -those old houses by the warehouse. They tied him up in a cellar -where the water came in, and left him to drown." - -Martha Jane threw up her hands. "Well, I never!" she exclaimed. -"And 'im such a pleasant-spoken gentleman, too." She paused to -recover her breath. "Who do you reckon done it, miss? Some o' them -Bolsheviks?" - -"Joe knows who they are," replied Nancy, "and I've no doubt the -police will be able to get hold of them. Meanwhile, what we've got -to do is to make Doctor Gray some nice hot bread and milk. He's -having a bath now, and I'll take it up to him as soon as he's in -bed." She glanced at the kitchen clock and a sudden resolve came -into her mind. "I think I'd better stay here myself, Martha," she -added. "I can easily sleep in Mrs. Ashton's room, and then I shall -be able to answer the telephone if there are any night calls." - -"I shall be thankful to 'ave yer, miss," was the relieved answer. -"You never know what may 'appen, and if the doctor was to die in 'is -bed I should be that scared I shouldn't know which way to turn." - -"Oh, there's no fear of that," replied Nancy, smiling. "You go along -and cut up some bread while I put the milk on." - -A quarter of an hour later, carrying a daintily laid tray, she -mounted the staircase and tapped at Colin's door. - -"Come in," he called out, and, entering the room, she found him -sitting up in bed and smoking a cigarette. - -"Oh, I'm pretty well all right now, except for my head," he replied -cheerfully in answer to her inquiry. "Lucky for me it's a good thick -one, or I believe that chap would have fractured my skull." - -"I'm not going to let you talk," said Nancy severely. "You've got to -eat this and go right off to sleep. I've arranged to stay here -to-night so that you won't have to bother about the 'phone." - -"I promise I'll be good," said Colin obediently, "but there are two -things I want to speak to you about, and they'll neither of them take -long." - -Nancy glanced at her watch. "I will stop five minutes," she said, -"just while you finish your bread and milk." - -She sat down on the edge of the bed and helped herself to a cigarette -from the case which he held out to her. - -"In the first place, I've got to apologize for being an idiot," he -began. "If I'd had the sense to listen to your warning I shouldn't -have given you and Joe all this confounded trouble." He dipped his -spoon into the basin and looked at her thoughtfully. "Well," he -added, after a pause, "what do you think of our friend Major Fenton -now?" - -"I think he ought to be shut up in an asylum," said Nancy. "Any one -who tries to commit a murder for such a ridiculous reason as me must -be as mad as a hatter." - -Colin shook his head. "Fenton isn't mad," he said quietly. "He's -just an ordinary blackguard, and rather a clumsy one at that." - -Nancy stared at him in bewilderment. "Then why----" she demanded. - -"I don't know if you've ever read Boswell," continued Colin, "but -Doctor Johnson says that it sharpens a man's wits wonderfully if he's -just on the point of being hanged. You can take my word for it that -the same thing's true about being drowned. I did a lot of thinking -while I was down in that cellar, and I've come to the conclusion that -we're up against something much bigger and more complicated than -we've got any idea of." - -Nancy sat motionless, her blue eyes fixed steadily on his. - -"I don't quite understand," she said slowly, "but I somehow feel that -you're right." - -"I won't try to explain now," replied Colin. "My head's aching too -badly for one thing, and in any case I am going to turn the whole -business over to Marsden to-morrow, and I would rather wait until I -hear what he's got to say about it." He paused. "Besides," he -added, "I have only another three minutes, and there's something much -more important I want to discuss." - -"What's that?" inquired Nancy. - -"Come a little closer," said Colin. "It's confidential." - -Nancy moved forward obediently, and with a sudden movement Colin -pushed aside the tray and took hold of her two hands. - -"It's just this," he whispered. "I love you so much that I don't -know whether I'm sitting in bed or whether I've died and gone to -heaven." - -Nancy looked up into his face, a faint smile quivering round the -corners of her lips. - -"I think you must be in bed, Colin. They don't wear pyjamas in -heaven." - -He leaned toward her. "Say you care for me, Nancy, even if it isn't -true." - -She shook her head. "I told you I was no good at pretending. I have -loved you shamelessly ever since that first day in the King's Road." - -With a deep, contented laugh Colin drew up her hands until they -rested on his shoulders. "So have I," he confessed, "but I only -realized it while I was waiting to be drowned. I think I must be the -biggest fool in England, but I'm certainly the happiest." - -He kissed her lips with a passionate tenderness, and then, slipping -his arms round her, held her close to him, his face resting against -hers. - -For a moment or two they remained quite still, then very gently Nancy -raised her head. - -"I don't know much about concussion, Colin," she said, "but I'm quite -sure that this isn't the right treatment for it." - -"I haven't got concussion," returned Colin. "What I'm suffering from -is an acute form of heart trouble." - -Nancy stroked his cheek with her small, cool fingers. - -"My poor darling," she whispered. "I will do everything I can for -you to-morrow--I promise you that--but I _must_ run away now and let -you go to sleep. I don't want you to be seriously ill, Colin, -especially when you've just found out that you love me." - -"Perhaps you're right," admitted Colin reluctantly. "The worst of it -is we shall have precious little time to ourselves until Mark comes -home, and after that I shall have to dash up to Scotland Yard." - -Nancy tucked in the bedclothes, and then, bending over, dropped a -soft little kiss on his forehead. - -"Never mind," she said happily. "There'll be lots of days after -to-morrow." - -She walked to the doorway, and for a moment stood there, looking back -at him with a world of love and tenderness in her eyes. Then very -softly she stepped out into the passage and closed the door behind -her. - -* * * * * * * * * - -When Colin woke next morning it was with a vague feeling that -something extraordinarily pleasant had happened to him. For several -seconds he lay still, wondering what it could be; then, as the truth -suddenly occurred to him, he started up from the pillow and opened -his eyes. Two agreeable discoveries awaited him. His headache had -gone, and Nancy, fully dressed and holding a cup of tea in her hand, -was standing beside the bed. - -"I was just going to take it away again," she said, smiling. "You -looked so beautifully comfy I hadn't the heart to wake you." - -Colin reached out an arm and imprisoned her left hand. - -"Tell me quick, Nancy," he said. "It _is_ true about last night, -isn't it? I'm terribly afraid that perhaps I fell asleep and dreamed -it all." - -She shook her head. "No, Colin," she said. "It's quite true. You -sat up in bed and made love to me in the most passionate manner. I -don't know whether you really meant it or whether it was because you -had had a blow on the head." - -Colin leaned forward, and, taking the cup out of her hand, deposited -it carefully on the table beside him. Then he drew her gently down -on to the bed, and, putting his arms around her, pressed his lips to -hers. - -"I think you must be better," said Nancy, as soon as she was at -liberty to speak. - -"I'm not only better," declared Colin. "I'm perfectly well. I -believe an occasional smack from a sandbag would do me all the good -in the world." - -Nancy parted his thick curly hair, and very carefully examined the -back of his head. - -"You've got a nasty lump there still," she said. "Hadn't you better -stop in bed until Mark comes?" - -"Good Lord, no!" returned Colin. "I'm going to get up and do my job. -There'll be all last night's patients to see as well as to-day's, and -I don't want to land Mark with a double dose of work." - -"Well, if you really mean it," said Nancy. "I must go downstairs and -get things ready. I haven't even opened the letters yet." - -"Just one more kiss first," pleaded Colin. - -"Only one, then," said Nancy firmly, "and that must be the last until -this afternoon. If you don't treat me with proper respect while I'm -your secretary I shall report you to the Medical Council." - -For a man who during the last twenty-four hours had looked straight -into the face of death, and had also discovered that he was deeply in -love, it must be admitted that Colin got through the morning's task -with considerable credit. It was no light session either, for, in -addition to his ordinary round of visits, he was faced, as he had -predicted, by an exceptionally heavy list of callers, several of whom -were still indignant over their fruitless vigil on the previous -evening. An occasional glimpse of Nancy, however, as she gravely -entered the surgery with some necessary reference or address, was -sufficient to refresh his energies, and by one-thirty his somewhat -exhausting programme was practically complete. - -He was, indeed, in the very act of dismissing his last patient when a -taxicab drove up to the door, and the sturdy, untidy figure of Mark -bundled out on to the pavement. Nancy must have seen him, too, from -the study window, for as the front door opened Colin heard her voice -in the hall, and the next moment the pair of them entered the surgery. - -Mark thrust out his hand and wrung Colin's heartily. - -"I needn't ask how everything is," remarked the latter. "You look -too damn cheerful for anything but good news." - -"That's right," returned Mark, tossing his hat on to a chair. "The -operation went off like clockwork, and I left the old lady sitting up -in bed having a cup of tea with Mary. She'll be as fit as a fiddle -in another fortnight." He stepped forward to the table and glanced -casually down at the consulting book. "By Jove, you've had some -patients," he exclaimed. "I hope you haven't been bored stiff." - -Nancy's lips twitched, and, as though moved by a similar impulse, -Colin suddenly burst into a chuckle of laughter. - -"No," he replied drily, "I can't exactly say I've been bored." - -Mark looked questioningly from one to the other of them. "What's the -joke?" he demanded. - -As he spoke Martha Jane appeared in the doorway. "Lunch is ready," -she announced, "if you'd like me to bring it up." - -Colin slipped his arm through Mark's. "You shall hear all about it -when we've had something to eat," he answered. "I've been healing -the sick ever since half-past nine, and I'm beginning to faint for -want of nourishment." - -"I'll go along to the cellar and get out a bottle of fizz," suggested -Mark. "I think you and Nancy are both entitled to a drink." - -Once more Colin laughed appreciatively. "Yes," he said, "under the -circumstances I suppose we are." - -* * * * * * * * * - -"And now," observed Mark, as he pushed his coffee cup away half an -hour later, "I'd like to know what you two sunny-hearted infants were -giggling at when I made that innocent remark in the surgery." - -Colin glanced at Nancy. "Shall I tell him?" he asked, "or will you?" - -"Oh, you," said Nancy decisively. "The police will want to know all -about it, so it's just as well you should have a rehearsal." - -"The police!" exclaimed Mark. "Good heavens, I hope you haven't been -sending out prussic acid in mistake for magnesia?" - -"It's worse than that," said Colin cheerfully. "However, if you hang -on tight to your chair and don't interrupt I think you may be just -able to bear it." He paused. "Joking aside, Mark," he added more -seriously, "we seem to have struck something really ugly in the way -of trouble, and I want your opinion and advice pretty badly." - -At the sudden change in his voice Mark sobered down instantly. - -"Well, if you mean that, my son," he said, "get on with it at once." - -"It's chiefly about Nancy's guardian," continued Colin. "You -remember him, the chap who came to lunch?" - -Mark nodded. - -Going back to their first meeting in Jubilee Place, Colin began very -carefully and deliberately to relate everything he knew about Major -Fenton, of which Mark was still in ignorance. He described how the -man had originally forced his society upon Nancy by pretending to -have been acquainted with her father, and how, on discovering who -Colin was, he had endeavoured to prejudice her mind against him by -inventing that absurd story about a scandal at St. Christopher's -Hospital. He went on, step by step, to trace the various -developments that had followed--his own inquiries at Scotland Yard, -Fenton's abortive proposal to Nancy, his suggestive meeting with -"Spike" Cooper outside the public house, and the improvised -engagement of Joe Bates in the role of an amateur detective. - -Having thus cleared the ground, he proceeded to give a curt account -of what had taken place on the previous evening. He spoke very -quietly and simply, but the details were dramatic enough in -themselves without any word-painting, and it was easy to see the -profound amazement with which Mark drank in his story. - -So thunderstruck, indeed, did the latter appear to be that nearly a -minute must have elapsed after Colin had finished speaking before he -attempted to offer his first comment. - -"Well, I'm blessed!" he exclaimed. "And they call this a civilized -country!" - -"Oh, it's civilized enough," returned Colin carelessly. "If I hadn't -been able to get some bread and milk and a hot bath when I came back -I should probably be down with double pneumonia." He lighted another -cigarette and leaned inquiringly across the table. "Those are the -facts, anyhow, Mark. And now I'll be much obliged if you'll let me -know what you make of 'em." - -Mark took off his spectacles and polished them deliberately with his -handkerchief. - -"There's one thing that's perfectly plain," he said. "The sooner -Fenton's in Broadmoor the better for you and Nancy." - -"You think he's insane then?" - -Mark received the question with a stare of astonishment. "Insane!" -he repeated. "Why, what the devil else can he be?" - -"You have seen him yourself," persisted Colin. "Did you notice -anything the least queer about him?" - -Mark paused. "No," he said slowly. "Now you come to mention it, I'm -hanged if I did." - -"Nor I," was Colin's rejoinder. "I quite agree with you that he -ought to be shut up, only I think it's Dartmoor and not Broadmoor." - -"But, hang it all," broke in Mark, "a sane man doesn't try to have a -perfect stranger murdered just because he's a little sore at being -turned down by a girl." - -"He doesn't," admitted Colin. "There must be some other reason that -we know nothing about, and that's why I'm going to turn the whole -thing over to Marsden. If I thought that it was merely a personal -matter between him and me I'd go round and knock the stuffing out of -him myself." - -Mark replaced his spectacles with an air of bewilderment that was -almost comic. - -"The more one thinks over it," he said, "the more incomprehensible it -seems. For one thing, why should he connect you with Nancy at all? -You have only seen each other about three times." - -There was a pause. - -"Well as far as that goes," replied Colin, "he may have a better -reason than you imagine." - -Mark glanced at Nancy, who had turned a delicate shade of pink. - -"Good Lord!" he exclaimed. "You don't mean----" - -"Yes, I do," replied Colin; "we fixed it up last night over the bread -and milk, and I'm so happy that I could get up and dance round the -room." - -He stretched out his arm, and taking Nancy's hand across the table, -bent over and kissed the tips of her fingers. - -"Well, if that isn't the limit!" ejaculated Mark bitterly. "I leave -my practice in your hands, trusting to your honesty, and when I come -back I find you've pinched the one thing I value most--the only -perfect secretary a doctor ever had." - -Nancy turned toward him with a startled expression. "Oh," she cried -remorsefully, "I never knew you'd look at it like that." - -Mark got up from his chair, and stepping toward her with a twinkle in -his eyes, laid his hand affectionately on her shoulder. - -"My beloved child," he said, "I was only joking. I shall just hate -losing you, and so will Mary, but, thank God, we're neither of us -quite such selfish pigs as to grudge you the happiness you deserve." - -He picked up the champagne bottle and tilted the few remaining drops -into his empty glass. - -"Colin, my lad," he said, "here's my blessing and my congratulations! -Nancy's a million times too good for you, but----" - -As he spoke the telephone bell rang sharply, and Colin, who was -sitting nearest the door, jumped to his feet. - -"I'll go," he said. "You finish your speech, Mark. It would be a -pity to break off just when you're getting really truthful." - -He hurried out into the hall and took down the receiver. - -"Is that 276 Shadwell?" - -"It is," he answered. - -"Inspector Marsden of Scotland Yard speaking. Is Doctor Gray in?" - -"He's not only in, but he's talking to you," returned Colin. - -"I thought it was your voice," came the reply. "Look here, doctor, -I've got back a bit earlier than I expected, and I want to see you as -soon as possible. Can you come up to the Yard straight away?" - -"I can be there in half an hour," said Colin. - -"That will do all right. Don't be later if you can help it. I've -been let in for an unexpected appointment at four o'clock, and there -are several things I'd like to talk to you about first." - -"Well, if it comes to that," remarked Colin, "there's something I'm -pretty anxious to discuss with you." - -"Anything serious?" rapped out the other. - -"Only that somebody tried to murder me last night." - -"_Tried to murder you!_ Who was it?" - -"Seems to have been a syndicate," was the answer. "The principal -parties were two gentlemen called 'Spike' Cooper and Jake Hudson, -both of this parish. The third one was the same cheery sportsman who -kicked you in the tummy." - -He heard a muttered exclamation at the other end of the telephone. - -"You had better not say any more now. Come along up immediately. If -this is true it's of the utmost importance." - -"Yes," said Colin drily. "It struck me that way too." - -He replaced the receiver, and, turning round, found Mark and Nancy -standing in the doorway. - -"I have been summoned to Scotland Yard at once," he informed them. -"Marsden seems as anxious to see me as I am to see him." - -"Perhaps he's got hold of some clue about the murder?" suggested Mark. - -"I shouldn't wonder," said Colin. "I know he went down into the -country to look up the Professor's old servant this morning, and he -certainly spoke as though things were beginning to move." He turned -toward the pegs and started to unhook his hat and coat. - -"How are you going to get there?" inquired Mark. - -"Oh, I've brought the car along with me. It's only round the corner -at Higgins's place." - -"You'll promise to be careful, won't you?" said Nancy rather -anxiously. "I hate to let you out of my sight until those three men -have been arrested." - -"You needn't worry about them," returned Colin with a laugh. "They -must have found out by now that they made a bloomer last night, and -it's a hundred to one that the whole lot have skedaddled." - -"Major Fenton won't have run away," persisted Nancy. "He has no idea -that you saw him talking to Cooper, and there's nothing else to -connect him with the affair." - -"No, that's true," admitted Colin. "He must be feeling as sick as -the devil, and probably in a blue funk as well, but the only thing he -can do is to sit tight and hope for the best." - -"Anyhow, he'll be lying fairly low for the moment," agreed Mark. -"You bung along off, my son, and get back as soon as possible. -You'll find Nancy and me here, unless we've burst with curiosity." - -It was exactly on the stroke of a quarter past three when, with a -sharp blast from his horn, Colin shot past the policeman on duty and -pulled up neatly in the centre court of Scotland Yard. Before he -could attempt to dismount two indignant constables were alongside of -him. - -"Who are you?" demanded one. "Don't you know it's against the -regulations to bring in a car without permission?" - -"Sorry," said Colin penitently. "The fact is, I've got a very urgent -appointment with Inspector Marsden. He telephoned me to be here at a -quarter past without fail." - -"Well, you take my advice and be a bit more careful the next time," -observed his interrogator, "or as likely as not you'll find yourself -in trouble." He turned to his companion. "Better take him up at -once. The Inspector's in his room." - -Climbing out of the car and following his guide, Colin ascended the -flight of stone stairs until they reached the same apartment to which -Marsden had conducted him before. Having inquired his name, the -constable rapped loudly, and in answer to a peremptory invitation -pushed open the door and stepped briskly forward. - -"Doctor Gray to see you by appointment, sir." - -Marsden blotted the letter that he was writing and got up from his -desk. - -"Come along in, doctor," he called out; and then, as Colin entered, -he pulled forward a chair and motioned the constable to withdraw. - -"Take that seat," he added, directly the door was shut. "There's no -time to waste, and I want to hear your story before we discuss -anything else. Don't hurry, though; tell it me in your own way, just -as you did when you described the murder." - -Colin laid his hat on the floor, and, thrusting his hands in his -pockets, commenced to speak. - -In very much the same words that he had used to Mark he repeated the -whole history of Fenton's relations with Nancy and himself, taking -the utmost care to omit nothing which might have any conceivable -bearing on the case. Then, still in the same methodical and detached -fashion, he went on to relate the remainder of his story, while all -the time the Inspector sat by in grim silence, his hard blue eyes -fixed intently on his companion's face. - -"I don't know how it strikes you," observed Colin, when he had quite -finished, "but Nancy and I have been chewing it over pretty -thoroughly, and we both think that it would take a damn sight more -than a mere fit of jealousy to make Fenton risk his neck. We feel -certain that there must be something much bigger at the back of it -all, but beyond that we're absolutely gravelled." - -Without replying, Marsden leaned forward and pulled open a drawer in -his desk. He turned over some of its contents, and then, taking out -an unmounted photograph, handed it to Colin. - -"Do you recognize that?" he asked. - -Colin sat up, with a sudden start of surprise. - -"Recognize it!" he exclaimed. "Of course I do. It's 'Spike' Cooper." - -"You're sure?" - -"Positive. You don't suppose I'd forget his infernal face?" He -inspected the picture carefully for several seconds, and then passed -it back. "Where did you get hold of this?" he asked. - -"It was sent to me three days ago by the Canadian police. Perhaps -you would like to hear the letter that came with it." - -He dived into the drawer again, and produced an official-looking -sheet of blue paper. - -"With reference to your inquiry of the 3d ult.," he read, "we now -enclose the photograph, record, and finger prints of Luke Hammond, -which were not included in our reply of the 15th. We have since -ascertained that Hammond has left Canada and is probably in London." - -"And what _is_ his record?" demanded Colin. - -"Quite a useful one in its way," was the dry answer. "Two terms of -imprisonment for housebreaking and one of ten years for robbery with -violence. Our friends at Montreal seem to regard him as one of the -show cases in their collection." - -"Fenton has been in Canada," remarked Colin; "at least, so it said in -that report you gave me. They probably met each other over there." - -"Not a doubt of it," returned the detective, "and, what's more, I -shouldn't be much surprised if he came to England on Fenton's -invitation." - -There was a pause. "We seem to be getting on," remarked Colin, "but, -all the same, I'm hanged if I can make head or tail of it even now. -Why on earth should a cashiered major and a Canadian crook be -thirsting for my blood?" - -Marsden replaced the paper and shut the drawer. - -"Doctor Gray," he said, "have you any objection to leaving this -entirely in my hands for the next twenty-four hours? I shall give -instructions at once for the arrest of Cooper and Hudson, and you can -take it from me that there are not likely to be any more attempts on -your life. If it would make you more comfortable, I will arrange for -you to be shadowed from the moment you leave this office." - -"Good heavens, no!" exclaimed Colin. "It would make me feel as if I -were a co-respondent in a divorce case. I should like to have had -five minutes alone with the blighter who hit me on the head, but if -it can't be managed I'm quite content to leave him to you." He took -his hands from his pockets and sat up in his chair. "And now," he -added, "what have you got to tell me? I'm dying to hear if you found -out anything from this chap Kennedy." - -Marsden glanced at his watch. "I have found out a good deal," he -said, "and it was because I was anxious to talk it over with you that -I asked you to come round. As things have turned out, however, it -seemed to me more important that I should hear your story first. I -am afraid now that we must put off our discussion until to-morrow. I -have an appointment with the Commissioner in a few minutes, and it -will probably be a couple of hours before I am free." He paused. "I -don't mind telling you one thing, doctor, and that is that there are -going to be some developments in this case that will probably give -you the biggest surprise of your life." - -Colin received the news with apparent calmness. "Really!" he -observed. "Well, I ought to be able to stand them. I've had plenty -of practice one way and another." - -Marsden turned to a memorandum tablet that was lying on his desk, and -studied it for a moment in silence. - -"I want you all three to be here at two o'clock to-morrow -punctually," he said, "you and this man Bates and Miss Seymour." He -picked up a pencil. "By the way, has Miss Seymour any other -Christian name besides Nancy?" - -Colin shook his head. "Not that I know of." - -"And her exact age?" - -"She will be nineteen on the third of February." Marsden jotted down -his reply, and then sat frowning thoughtfully at the pad. - -"I suppose there's no more information you can give me in connection -with her--no little fact or detail that you've forgotten to mention?" - -Colin reflected. "By Jove, yes!" he exclaimed suddenly. "I've never -told you that we're going to be married." - -Allowing for the Inspector's naturally reserved manner, the effect of -these few words was extraordinary. He pushed back his chair, stared -for a moment half incredulously, and then, slapping his knee, broke -into a loud and prolonged chuckle of laughter. - -Before either of them could speak again there was a tap outside, and -an apologetic constable presented himself in the doorway. - -"Beg pardon, sir," he said, "but the Commissioner is ready to see -you." - -With an abrupt change of manner Marsden rose to his feet. - -"Thank you, Jackson," he said. "I will be down immediately." - -Then, as the door closed, he took a step forward, and with another -hearty chuckle gripped hold of Colin's hand. - -"I congratulate you with all my heart, doctor," he said. "Unless I'm -a damned fool, you're the luckiest man in England." - - - - -CHAPTER TEN - -"More coffee?" suggested Mark. - -Colin pushed over his cup, and, having taken possession of the last -slice of toast, proceeded to scrape out the remainder of the -marmalade. - -"I seem to be eating rather a lot," he observed apologetically. "I -suppose it's the result of being in love." - -Mark laughed and glanced at the clock. "It seems to have affected -Nancy in the same way. Anyhow, this is the first time I've ever -known her late." - -"You mustn't be brutal to her," said Colin; "it's all my fault. I -took her out to supper after the theatre last night, and we didn't -get back to her place until nearly one o'clock. I expect she was a -bit sleepy this morning." - -"Well, I'll try and overlook it for once," replied Mark generously. -He produced his pipe, and, after stuffing the bowl with tobacco, -tossed the pouch across the table. "What are your plans for this -morning?" he inquired. - -"I've got to find Joe," was the answer. "Marsden wants him at the -Yard at two o'clock, so I must go along to the Palace and see if I -can get hold of his address." - -"You had better tell him to come here at half-past twelve," said -Mark. "He can have some lunch with us, and then you can all go up -together in the car." - -"That's a bright idea," agreed Colin. "I'm afraid that, in one way -and another, I'm becoming a bit of a nuisance, though." - -"Not the slightest," returned Mark. "I'm enjoying myself immensely. -It's so dull down here as a rule that any little thing like a love -affair or an attempted murder is a perfect godsend." - -He sauntered off to the surgery, and a few minutes later Colin, -having scribbled a brief note to Nancy and left it on the hall table, -was striding along the street in the direction of the Whitechapel -Road. - -No one could describe the thoroughfares through which he had to pass -as picturesque or engaging, but in the crisp morning air, and with a -yellow sun shining down from overhead, the two-mile walk was not -without a certain attraction. - -He was in the kind of mood, indeed, in which even the Dead Sea or the -Sahara Desert would probably have appeared to possess some favourable -features. Ever since he had discovered his real feelings toward -Nancy the whole world seemed to have become an extraordinarily -interesting and exciting place. At the present moment, both these -sensations were intensified by the prospect of his approaching -interview with Marsden. From the way in which the detective had -spoken there could be little doubt that he had made some important -discoveries, and the mere thought that in a few hours he might be -helping to track down the Professor's murderer was sufficient in -itself to set every nerve in Colin's body tingling with a fierce -elation. - -Half-an-hour's walk brought him to the Palace, a gaudy structure -wedged in between two public houses. The only person about who -appeared to have any connection with the establishment was an elderly -man with a bucket of paste, who was leisurely engaged in affixing a -poster to one of the two boards which decorated each side of the -entrance. - -Colin pulled up alongside of him. - -"Do you happen to know where Joe Bates lives?" he asked. - -The other paused in his work, and eyed him with some suspicion. - -"Yus," he replied, "an' wot abaht it?" - -"Nothing much," returned Colin. "I happen to be a pal of his, and I -want to see him. My name's Doctor Gray." - -The elderly man's expression changed instantly. "Ow," he remarked, -"that's orl right. I've 'eard 'im speak o' you. You're the bloke as -mended 'im up when 'e was in 'orspital? Thinks the world o' you, Joe -does, an' no error." - -"Well, in that case," said Colin, "perhaps you will trust me with his -address?" - -"Why, o' course," was the answer. "No offence, mister, but I didn't -know who you was when you come askin' fust. Might 'a' been one o' -these 'ere blarsted rate collectors." He laid down his brush, and, -stepping out on the pavement, pointed across toward a narrow turning -on the opposite side of the road. "You foller that," he said, "an' -when you come to the last 'ouse on the right jest give a couple o' -taps on the front winder." - -Colin thanked him, and, crossing the street, made his way down the -alley in question, until he arrived at the farther end. Joe's -residence proved to be a single-fronted dwelling of grimy brick, the -ground floor window of which opened on to the street. A square of -not over-clean muslin had been nailed up inside, in order to secure -the owner's privacy, but at Colin's second knock this obstruction was -cautiously lifted, and Joe's face peered out inquiringly through the -dirty glass. - -On recognizing the visitor, it disappeared again at once, and the -next moment a burly figure in trousers and shirt sleeves swung open -the front door. - -"Couldn't believe me own eyes, doctor," announced the prize-fighter -with a grin of welcome. "'Ow the blazes did you manage to find your -way 'ere?" - -"I got your address from an elderly gentleman who was shoving up -bills outside the Palace," said Colin. "He wouldn't part with it -until I told him who I was." - -"Ah, that'd be old Tom," returned Joe, nodding his head. "'E ain't -the sort to let 'is mouth flap, not unless 'e's sure of 'is comp'ny." -He stepped back into the passage, holding open the door. "Come along -in, doctor. I ain't got much of a place, but, such as it is, you're -more than welcome." - -Colin followed his host into a tiny apartment on the left, on the -walls of which were nailed up a number of coloured prints, -representing various well-known boxers in highly aggressive -attitudes. In the centre of the room stood a deal table, containing -a couple of bottles of Bass and the smaller half of a brown loaf. A -bed, a dilapidated chair, and an old packing-case, full of odds and -ends, completed the remainder of the furniture. - -"I was jest goin' to 'ave me breakfast," explained Joe, indicating -the refreshments. "If you'd fancy a drop, guv'nor, I can borrow a -glass from the bloke upstairs." - -"Not for me, thanks," said Colin. "I always go to sleep if I drink -beer in the morning, and besides, I have only looked in to tell you -that you'll be wanted this afternoon." - -Joe's eyes glistened. "Goin' to shove it across 'em?" he inquired -eagerly. - -"I wish we were," was Colin's reply, "but I'm afraid it's nothing as -exciting as that. The fact is, I had a talk with Inspector Marsden -yesterday, and he wants you and me and Miss Seymour to meet him at -Scotland Yard at two o'clock." - -For a moment Joe seemed somewhat taken aback. - -"If them's the orders," he said at last, "there ain't no more to be -said abaht it. I never thought to see meself walkin' in there, -though, not of me own accord." - -"They'll be civil enough," said Colin. "They only want to hear your -story about getting me out of the cellar." - -"I daresay you're right," admitted Joe doubtfully. "I ain't got -nothin' special against the perlice; all I says is that the less you -'as to do with 'em the better." He paused. "Wot's the programme, -guv'nor? Do I jest step up to the front door an' 'and in me card?" - -"Doctor Ashton suggested that you should come round to the surgery. -Then you can have some grub and drive up with us." - -Joe shook his head. "Thankin' yer kindly, but if it's all the same I -reckon I'll meet yer there. I gotter couple o' torfs comin' to the -Palace for a lesson this mornin', an' it means a quid to me if I let -'em knock me abaht a bit." - -"That's all right," said Colin, "as long as I can depend on you to -keep the appointment." - -"I'll be there, doctor," replied Joe. "I'll be there, honest to -Gawd. You bring the young laidy along in the car, and yer'll find me -sittin' on the Embankment waitin' for yer." - -Satisfied with this assurance, Colin took his departure, and, -retracing his steps to the end of the street, made his way back to -Shadwell by the same route that he had come. - -As he opened the door of the house he saw to his surprise that the -note which he had left for Nancy was still lying on the hall table. -Before he had time to realize anything further Mark suddenly appeared -from the surgery. - -"Hullo!" exclaimed Colin. "I made sure you'd be out on your round." - -"So I ought to be," replied Mark, "but, as a matter of fact, I was -waiting for you." - -"What's the matter?" - -"I'm rather worried about Nancy. She's never turned up, and there's -been no message from her." - -Colin's whole figure stiffened abruptly. - -"No message?" he repeated. - -"Nothing. I can't understand it at all. If she's ill, surely she'd -have let us know." - -Without a word Colin swung round sharply, and, striding toward the -pegs, unhooked his coat. - -"What are you going to do?" demanded Mark. - -"I'll get out the car and drive up there at once," he said. "Can you -stop in for another twenty minutes? I'll telephone you directly I -find out what's the matter." - -Mark nodded. "Keep steady, old son. I expect it will be all right. -There's probably some quite simple explanation." - -Colin moistened his lips. "We were mad ever to let her leave the -house," he said hoarsely. "If any harm's come to her I'll kill -Fenton with my own hands." - -As he spoke the clock on the stairs chimed out eleven-thirty, and, -turning hastily to the door, he hurried out again into the street. - -If there is any truth in the theory that each of us possesses a -guardian angel, the fact that a quarter of an hour later Colin drew -up safely at the corner of Jubilee Place must be regarded as an -amazing tribute to the efficiency of his own particular escort. - -Leaving the car in the gutter, he jumped out on to the pavement, and -the next moment he was mounting the narrow staircase which led up to -the first landing. - -There were two studios on this floor, the one which Nancy rented -being distinguished by a small brass knocker. Catching hold of the -knob, Colin rapped loudly, and then, bending down, lifted up the flap -of the letter box. - -"Nancy," he called out, "are you there? It is I--Colin." There was -no answer. - -He straightened himself slowly, and as he did so the door of the -second studio was pulled back and a girl appeared in the opening. -She was a fair-haired, cheerful-looking girl, wearing a brown overall -and smoking a cigarette. - -"Excuse my butting in," she said, "but do you want to speak to Miss -Seymour?" - -Colin took off his hat. "I do," he said, "rather particularly." - -"Well, I'm afraid it's no good waiting," was the answer. "She went -out just after eight o'clock this morning, and I know she won't be -back till late, because she asked me to take in a parcel for her." - -"I suppose you don't happen to know where she was going to?" asked -Colin. "Please forgive my curiosity, but I am a friend of Doctor -Ashton's, for whom Miss Seymour works, and as she hasn't turned up -and has sent no message, we are both feeling rather anxious about -her." - -"She has gone to see her lawyer," replied the girl. "He sent a car -around to fetch her, that's why she went off in such a hurry." - -Colin stared at her in astonishment. "Her lawyer?" he repeated. - -"That's what she told me. I think from the way she spoke he wanted -to see her suddenly about some important business. Anyhow, I know -the chauffeur brought a letter with him, because she had it in her -hand." - -"Did you notice the man?" demanded Colin, "Would you be able to -describe him again?" - -The girl raised her eyebrows. "I don't suppose so," she said coolly. -"He was on the landing, but it doesn't happen to be a habit of mine -to stare at chauffeurs." - -With a big effort Colin pulled himself together. - -"I beg your pardon," he said. "Perhaps I ought to explain. Miss -Seymour and I are engaged to be married, so you will understand why -I'm feeling worried about this sudden disappearance of hers." - -The girl looked up at him sympathetically. "Why, of course," she -replied, "but surely there's no reason to be alarmed? I expect she -intended to ring up when she reached the lawyer's office, and then -something came along and put it out of her head. She has probably -done so by now." - -"It won't take me long to find out, anyhow," said Colin. He paused. -"Are you likely to be at home the rest of the day?" he asked. - -His companion nodded. "Yes," she said. "I live here. I'm an -artist." - -"Then, just in case Miss Seymour does come home, would you mind -asking her to let Doctor Ashton know immediately?" - -"Certainly I will," said the girl. "Even if I don't hear her, she's -sure to look in in order to see about the parcel." She hesitated. -"I--I should like to congratulate you, if I may," she added. "I -don't know Miss Seymour very well--I have only been in this studio a -few weeks--but one's merely got to speak to her to see that she's a -perfect dear." - -In spite of his anxiety, Colin smiled at her gratefully. - -"Thank you so much," he said. "I'll tell Nancy what a brick you've -been." - -He shook her hand and, leaving her standing in the doorway, hurried -downstairs again into the street. - -There was a chemist's shop at the corner which boasted a public -telephone, and, entering the box, he rang up Mark. - -"No news here," came the reply in answer to his first inquiry. "How -about you?" - -In a few words Colin acquainted him with the story he had just been -told, giving the bare facts exactly as he had heard them from the -girl. - -"It seems a devilish queer business," was Mark's comment, after a -short pause. "What are you going to do about it?" - -"I know the name of her lawyer at Helston," said Colin. "It's -Penwarren. I shall send a telegram at once to find out whether he's -in London." - -"And suppose he's not?" - -"In that case there's only one explanation. She's in the hands of -that brute Fenton, and----" - -"Look here," broke in Mark, "shall I come up and join you? I can -easily put off my round until this evening." - -"I would rather you stayed at the surgery for the present," replied -Colin. "A message might come through from Nancy any time, and I -shall have to give Penwarren your address so that he can have -somewhere to reply to. I'll ring you up again about half-past one, -before I see Marsden. We ought to have an answer by then." - -"I'll be here," said Mark. "Don't you worry more than you can help. -Even if you're right, Nancy can't be in any real danger; the police -will have her back in a few hours." - -"Please God," said Colin fervently. - -He replaced the receiver, and, leaving the shop, walked on quickly up -the King's Road until he reached the post office. Here, after -destroying two previous attempts, he wrote out the following wire, -which he signed in Mark's name: - - - "I shall be very grateful if you will let me know immediately - whether Mr. Penwarren is in London and whether he has any - business to discuss with Miss Nancy Seymour. Miss Seymour is in - my employment. The matter is extremely urgent." - - -He handed this to the girl behind the counter, and, having paid for a -reply, made his way back to where he had left the car. - -He had done everything he could think of for the present, but the -knowledge of this fact deepened rather than lessened his anxiety. -The whole affair was so extraordinary that he had an instinctive -feeling that there must be something evil at the back of it. Was it -likely or even possible that the summons which Nancy had received -could really have come from Mr. Penwarren? Even if he were in town, -for what conceivable reason could he have sent to fetch her at eight -o'clock in the morning? And yet, knowing Nancy's character, it -seemed equally incredible that she should have left the studio under -such circumstances, without being absolutely convinced that the -message was a genuine one. - -If she had fallen into a trap, there could be no doubt whose hand had -set it. The affair in Flood Lane proved that, whatever motive lurked -behind Fenton's proceedings, he had now reached a point where nothing -would be allowed to stand in his way. He was certainly quite capable -of having abducted Nancy, though, in view of the hue and cry which he -must have known would immediately follow, it was difficult to imagine -how he could have hoped to avoid discovery. From all appearances it -seemed to be either the work of a madman, or else the final stroke in -some deliberate scheme, the apparent weaknesses of which had been -carefully guarded against. - -It was the dread of this latter alternative which was clutching at -Colin's heart as he once more reached the corner of Jubilee Place. -Should it prove to be the true explanation, every minute was -obviously of the greatest value, and the prospect of remaining idle -for the next two hours filled him with an almost intolerable revolt. - -Unless he could get hold of Marsden personally, however, it seemed -useless to communicate with the police until he had received a reply -from Helston. They were not likely to take action on mere suspicion, -especially when the Inspector himself had promised to be on the spot -at two o'clock. As to whether there was any chance of his arriving -earlier Colin had no idea, but, since the only other course was to do -nothing, he decided that he might just as well drive up to Whitehall -straight away. - -With this resolve he started the car, and, turning down through -Burton Court on to the Embankment, swung round to the left in the -direction of Westminster Bridge. A sharp run of about seven minutes -brought him to the Yard gates, where, as usual, a couple of -stalwart-looking constables were standing on duty. Colin recognized -one of them as his acquaintance of the previous day, and with a -friendly nod he pulled up alongside. - -"That's all right, sir," observed the man approvingly. "No objection -to your coming in now we know who you are." - -Colin leaned forward from the driving seat. - -"Do you happen to know whether Mr. Marsden is about anywhere?" he -asked. "He made an appointment with me for two o'clock, but -something rather important has cropped up, and if possible I should -like to see him at once." - -"He hasn't been in this way," was the policeman's answer, "but he -might have come along by one of the other entrances. You can go -inside and inquire, if you like. The officer on duty will be able to -find out for you." - -Colin thanked him, and, steering his car through the gates, came to a -halt in front of the broad flight of steps which led up to the main -door. - -Another constable advanced inquiringly. - -"I don't think so," he replied, in answer to Colin's question; "but -if you like to wait a moment I can let you know for certain." - -He disappeared within the building, returning after a short absence -with a significant shake of his head. - -"No one's heard anything of him yet, sir. They expect him at two -o'clock, though." - -"I know," said Colin. "I've got an appointment with him." He -paused. "Can I leave the car here until then?" - -The constable scratched his head. "Well, this ain't exactly a -garage," he replied doubtfully. "Still, if you back her up quite -into that corner----" - -He turned aside as he spoke, and, pocketing the five shillings which -Colin slipped into his hand, sauntered back to his former position. - -* * * * * * * * * - -With the best part of an hour and a half before him Colin came out -into Whitehall and paused irresolutely on the edge of the pavement. -Of all the tasks with which an impatient man can be confronted, that -of killing time is perhaps the most trying. He was not in the least -hungry, and, in any case, there was something ghastly in the thought -of sitting all that while in a half-empty restaurant, brooding -miserably over what might have happened to Nancy. If he wished to -keep his nerves steady, it seemed to him that some form of exercise -was imperatively needed, and, without hesitating further he made his -way across Parliament Green, and struck off westward along the -Embankment. - -The soundness of his instinct was proved by the fact that when he -arrived back at Westminster Bridge, after a vigorous tramp of about -six miles, he felt that, whatever the next few hours might bring, his -mind and judgment were once more under proper control. The hands of -Big Ben were already at five and twenty minutes to two, and, knowing -that there was a public telephone in the station, he crossed the road -and entered the box. After a brief delay he succeeded in getting -Mark's number. - -"That you, Colin?" came the latter's voice. "Yes, I've just got an -answer to the wire. It arrived a few minutes ago. If you hold on -I'll read it out to you." There was a pause. "'Mr. Penwarren is ill -in bed at Helston. As far as we are aware he has had no -communication with Miss Seymour for the last eighteen months. Should -be glad of an explanation.'" - -"It's only what I expected," said Colin quietly. "There must be -something wrong, or Nancy would have let us know long before this." - -"Have you told the police?" - -"Not yet. I went up to the Yard, but Marsden hadn't arrived, so I -thought I'd better wait until we got the reply from Helston." - -"Where are you telephoning from?" - -"Westminster Bridge Station. I've arranged to meet Joe close by -here, and, unless anything's happened, he ought to be along in a few -minutes. By that time Marsden will probably have turned up." - -There was a pause. - -"Well, I'm ready when you want me," observed Mark. "In case there's -going to be trouble, you can count me in to the limit." - -"I know that," returned Colin gratefully. "If there's any possible -way in which you can be of help I'll ring you up and let you know." - -He put down the receiver, and, leaving the station, walked slowly -round the corner on to the Embankment. A few yards past the entrance -to the Yard, on the opposite side of the road, were a couple of empty -seats facing the river. He crossed over toward the first one, and, -having lighted himself a cigarette, sat down patiently to wait for -Joe. - -Just as the opening strokes of a quarter to two were chiming out from -the clock tower, the latter made his appearance. In a quiet and -unobtrusive fashion he slipped suddenly into view round the pedestal -of Boadicea's statue, and at the same moment a grin of recognition -broke over his face as his eyes lit upon Colin. He quickened his -steps, and came rapidly up to the seat. - -"Thought you might be early, doctor," he began, "so I come along a -bit ahead o' me time on purpose." He looked round inquiringly. "But -where's the young laidy?" - -Colin, who had thrown away his cigarette, rose to his feet. "I've -got some bad news for you, Joe," he said. "Miss Seymour has -disappeared." - -Joe's mouth opened, and he gazed blankly at his companion. - -"Disappeared!" he repeated. - -"She was taken away in a car at eight o'clock this morning. Some one -tricked her into leaving the studio by means of a false message." - -With a muttered oath Joe clutched him by the arm. - -"Wot, the saime swine that tried to do you in?" - -Colin nodded. "Unless I'm wrong, it's the man I spoke to you -about--Major Fenton; the one who was talking to 'Spike' Cooper -outside the station." - -"Well, if yer knows that," exclaimed Joe, "wot the 'ell are we -messin' abaht 'ere for? Why don't we go an' wring 'is blarsted neck?" - -"Because we've got to find him first," returned Colin curtly. -"That's why I've been waiting to keep this appointment with the -Inspector. The police are after him too, so they may be able to help -us." - -Joe wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. - -"For Gawd's sake let's get over and see 'em, guv'nor. I wouldn't -'ave no 'arm come to that young laidy, not for all the money in the -Bank of England." - -Colin gave a queer laugh. "I think I can understand the feeling," he -said. - -They crossed the road toward the Yard, where the same two constables -were still on duty. - -"You're all right now, mister," remarked one of them. "I saw him -come in by the other way a few minutes ago." - -With a nod of thanks Colin passed through the gates, and, followed by -Joe, who kept casting mistrustful glances to right and left, walked -rapidly up to the main entrance. - -The recipient of his five-shilling tip stepped forward to meet him. - -"Mr. Marsden has just come, sir," he announced. "Told me that when -you and your party arrived I was to bring you in straight away." - -"Well, this is my party," said Colin. "At least, all of it that's -likely to turn up." - -He beckoned to Joe, who had halted a couple of paces in the rear, -and, mounting the steps, the two of them followed the constable into -the building. He led the way up the staircase to Marsden's room, -where, in response to his knock, the Inspector himself opened the -door. Over his shoulder Colin caught sight of another man in plain -clothes, who was standing with his back to the fire. - -"Come along in, doctor," exclaimed the detective. "I've got some one -here you ought to know--Inspector Ainsworth, of the Investigation -Department. He has been doing some rather useful work for you during -the last twenty-four hours." - -Colin shook hands with his new acquaintance, a stout, gray-haired -individual, who eyed him with considerable interest. - -"And this is our friend Bates, eh?" continued Marsden, turning a -sharp glance on Joe. "But where's Miss Seymour? I thought you were -going to bring her with you." - -"You had better hear what I've got to tell you straight away," said -Colin. "Miss Seymour never came to Shadwell this morning. I went up -to her flat just before midday, and I found out from the girl next -door that someone had called for her in a car at eight o'clock with a -letter from her lawyer in Cornwall." - -"What, Penwarren?" broke out Marsden. "Impossible! Why, he's -seriously ill down at Helston." - -"I know," said Colin. "I sent him a wire at once and I've just got -the answer. The letter was a forgery. - -"And Miss Seymour?" demanded Marsden quickly. - -"She went away in the car and nothing has been heard of her since." - -Marsden took a couple of paces across the room, and then turned to -his colleague. - -"I blame myself for this, Ainsworth," he said. "I ought to have had -the place watched." - -"That's so," assented the other. "All the same, I don't think -there's any harm done. It's plain enough what they're after, but if -they want to bring it off they'll have to take her abroad. You can't -work that sort of gadget in England." - -There was a short pause, which was broken by Marsden. "You had -better get hold of Graham immediately. Tell him that the girl's been -kidnapped, and that an attempt will probably be made to smuggle her -out of the country. They're already on the lookout for Cooper, so it -will only be a matter of sending another message." - -Giving a curt nod, Ainsworth strode to the door, and, with an abrupt -change in his manner, Marsden addressed himself to Colin. - -"I am sorry this has happened," he said, "especially as it's partly -my fault. I wish to God you could have let me know sooner." - -"I came along immediately," retorted Colin, "but you weren't here." - -For a moment Marsden hesitated. "Have you any idea who Miss Seymour -really is?" he asked slowly. - -Colin stared at him. "What do you mean?" he demanded. - -"She is the granddaughter of Professor Carter, and the heiress to -over a quarter of a million of money." - -If the Professor himself had suddenly appeared through the doorway -Colin's amazement could hardly have been more complete. - -"Good God!" he stammered. "Is this true? Are you certain of it?" - -"I am quite certain of it--now," was the answer. "I have suspected -it was so for the last two days, but what I have found out this -morning puts the matter beyond question." He took hold of a chair -and thrust it toward Colin. "Sit down for a moment, doctor. I know -how impatient and anxious you must be feeling, but I can assure you -that I sha'n't waste a second. Before we go any further it's -essential that you should hear the truth." - -"Get on with it, then," said Colin hoarsely. "I don't want a chair. -I'd rather stand." - -Marsden walked across to his desk and seated himself in front of an -open cardboard file, containing a number of papers. - -"Do you remember what I told you the morning after the murder?" he -asked. "That if we could find the Professor's old servant, Kennedy, -we should probably learn something which would alter our whole view -of the case?" - -Colin nodded. - -"Well, a couple of days ago I got a message from the Hertford police -that they had run him to earth in a small village near Hoddesdon. He -has been paralyzed and bedridden for some months, and as the old -woman who has been looking after him can't even read or write, he -might easily have died without ever hearing of the murder. As it -was, we got hold of him just in time. I went down there yesterday, -and, although he was so ill that he could hardly speak, he managed to -give me the one bit of information that I was so badly in need of. -He told me that twenty-three years ago Nancy Carter, the Professor's -only daughter, then a girl of eighteen, had run away from her home -and married a young artist called Richmond Seymour." - -Colin took a step forward, but before he could speak the detective -raised his hand. - -"Let me finish first, and then I'll answer any questions you like. -It seems from Kennedy's story that the Professor was one of those -self-willed, obstinate sort of people who simply don't know the -meaning of the word 'forgiveness.' He had forbidden this marriage, -and, since his daughter had chosen to disobey him, he made up his -mind that he would have nothing more to do with her. Kennedy tells -me that from that time forward he never even mentioned her name again. - -"Well, to cut a long story short, as soon as I heard this the two -names 'Nancy Seymour' came back to my mind at once. I'd written them -down in my notebook that day in the King's Road, and somehow or other -they'd stuck in my memory ever since. I knew nothing about the young -lady except the fact that she'd helped to save me from having my face -kicked in, but I guessed it was likely that you two had kept in touch -with each other, and so directly I got back to town I 'phoned you to -come up." He paused. "I thought you'd probably be able to give me -some information, doctor, and, by God, you did." - -Colin came across to the desk, and, leaning over the back, stared -eagerly in the detective's face. - -"Go on, man," he exclaimed: "for heaven's sake tell me what you mean!" - -"I mean this," returned Marsden. "You not only convinced me that -Miss Seymour is the Professor's granddaughter, but you opened my eyes -to one of the most remarkable and cleverly laid crimes that it's ever -been my job to tackle." - -"Who did it?" demanded Colin. "Who killed the Professor?" - -"I am not referring to the murder. I don't believe that had anything -to do with the original scheme. It was an accident--a very awkward -accident, and quite unforeseen. In all probability no one regretted -it more bitterly than the two men who were chiefly responsible for -it--Major Fenton and Mr. Medwin." - -"Mr. Medwin!" repeated Colin in a whisper. - -"Yes," was the answer. "I'll stake my official reputation that the -whole of this interesting plan originated in the brain of Mr. James -Stanhope Medwin, solicitor, commissioner for oaths, and I should -think about the most complete rascal that ever cheated a client." - -Colin drew in a long breath. "I was right then. I felt that he was -up to some devil's work the first time I saw him." He leaned forward -again, his eyes alight with anger. "How did you find all this out?" - -"Well, one thing was quite plain; whoever broke into the Red Lodge -the first time was after some particular object which the Professor -kept in his desk. According to his own statement to you, he had -nothing there except his private papers, and, unless my information -was wrong, the only person who was likely to have known this was -Medwin. I always make it a rule in business to suspect everyone, no -matter who they are, and so, in spite of our friend's plausible -manner and professional standing, I put him on the list straight away. - -"It was the merest guesswork at first, but when I discovered that the -Professor had left a large fortune and had made no will, I began to -wonder whether this rather important fact had any connection with the -attempt to search his papers. Supposing that Medwin had had reasons -for believing in the existence of a legal heir, but at the same time -had been unable to get hold of any definite information on the -subject. It was quite conceivable--allowing him to be a bad -lot--that he might have arranged the burglary with a little -professional assistance, and, for all we knew, might even have -succeeded in finding out what he wanted. - -"The weak point in this theory was the fact that up till then the man -had apparently had an unblemished record. However, I set Ainsworth -to work, and he very soon dug up a few facts which put quite a -different complexion on the matter. He found out that some time ago -our respectable friend, who has always had a taste for speculation, -suddenly became bitten with the Turf. For the past two years he has -been betting heavily with several of the leading bookmakers, and one -of them--we know these gentry pretty well at the Yard--confided to us -that his own profit in the transaction already amounted to a good -many thousand pounds. - -"Having got so far, I came more or less to a standstill. I felt -convinced in my own mind that, even if Medwin knew nothing about the -murder, he was certainly up to some hanky-panky with regard to the -money, but it's one thing to believe a man guilty and quite another -to prove it. - -"It was my interview with Kennedy, and your story coming on top of -that, which suddenly did the business. I realized at once, then, -that if Miss Seymour was really the Professor's granddaughter, Medwin -and Fenton and this fellow Cooper were probably all in the same game. -No doubt Cooper had been roped in to help with the burglary, and, -although I had no actual evidence that Fenton and Medwin were -friends----" - -"I could have told you that," interrupted Colin. "I saw a photograph -of Fenton on his mantelpiece the day he took me to his house." - -"Did you?" returned Marsden. "Well, it's a pity you never thought of -mentioning the fact; it might have put me on the right track straight -away. As it is, we've had a fairly strenuous thirty-six hours. Our -people have been ransacking Cornwall and London to verify the truth -of Kennedy's story, and by one o'clock to-day we pretty well -completed our case." He laid his hand on the pile. "I have here all -the evidence of Mrs. Seymour's marriage and death, and the birth -certificate of her daughter. There is no doubt that Miss Seymour was -her only child, and she is therefore the sole heiress to the -Professor's money." - -"I've just a couple of questions I want to ask you," said Colin -abruptly. "In the first place, what did these two devils mean to do -with Nancy?" - -"Marry her to Fenton before she found out the truth. Unfortunately -for them, the young lady didn't prove such an easy catch as they -expected. I fancy you got most of the credit for that, hence the -happy notion of putting you out of the way." - -Colin nodded grimly. "And what exactly is your theory about the -murder?" - -"I haven't the least doubt that it was the work of 'Spike' Cooper. -In all probability the other two knew nothing about it. I expect -that when he broke into the house the first time--most likely in -company with Medwin--he took the opportunity of having a look at the -safe. It struck him as being a soft job, and so, without saying a -word to the others, he made up his mind to come back again later on -and see if there was anything worth collecting. Through some cursed -accident the Professor happened to blunder across him, and----" - -"But if you know all this," broke out Colin passionately, "why in -God's name haven't you arrested them?" - -The Inspector looked up at him with unruffled coolness. "We have -done everything that's possible," he replied. "I can't bring a -charge against Medwin without some actual proof, and we're not likely -to find that until we get hold of Cooper and Fenton. I've a warrant -out for each of them, and it's only a matter of a few hours before -they'll both be in custody." - -"And meanwhile----" exclaimed Colin. - -"Yes, I know," interrupted the Inspector quickly; "they have managed -to trap the girl. There's no question about that, but you can take -it from me that she's not in any great danger. Every port in England -is being closely watched, and unless they can get her over to the -Continent, and force her into a marriage----" - -"Do you think I'm content to sit down here and trust to a lot of -damned country policemen?" shouted Colin hotly. He wheeled round as -he spoke, at the same time beckoning to Joe, who, throughout the -whole interview, had remained standing discreetly in the background. - -The Inspector jumped up from his chair. "What are you going to do?" -he demanded. - -"Do!" repeated Colin. "I'm going to find Medwin. He'll know where -Nancy is, and I'll get the truth out of him if I have to cut him in -pieces." - -He turned toward the door. - -"Stop!" said Marsden sharply. He stepped forward, his hard blue eyes -fixed upon the flushed and angry face of his companion. - -"You mean this seriously, doctor?" - -"O' course 'e does," chimed in Joe; "an' the saime 'ere, mister." - -"I mean to find out what they're doing with Nancy," repeated Colin. -"If Medwin won't speak, I'll damned well make him." - -For a moment Marsden stood motionless, glancing thoughtfully from one -to the other of them. - -"I'm hanged if I haven't a good mind to let you try it," he said, -suddenly. "It's just one of those mad things that might come -off--provided it's properly handled." - -"We'll handle it all right," said Colin. "You can trust me for that." - -"I hope I can," retorted Marsden. "I tell you frankly that if it -weren't for Miss Seymour I should lock you both up straight away. I -feel, however, that it's my carelessness that's got her into this -mess, and if you can possibly force the truth out of Medwin it may -save her a lot of unpleasantness." He paused. "How do you propose -to set about it?" - -"I shall go down to his house," said Colin, "and tax him with the -whole story." - -Marsden hesitated. "It will mean showing our cards with a -vengeance," he said, "but as things are I don't know that it really -matters. He'd be bound to take alarm directly he heard of the arrest -of Fenton and Cooper, and however much you frighten him he hasn't a -dog's chance of getting away." He took another step forward, and -contemplated Colin from under his bushy eyebrows. "You quite -understand the position, my young friend. Supposing anything goes -wrong, it will be no use expecting me to help you. From the moment -you leave this office you will be acting entirely on your own -responsibility." - -"Of course we shall," said Colin coolly. "The first thing you'll -know about it is when we ring up and tell you the result." - -With a faint twitch of his lips the detective held out his hand. - -"Good luck to you, doctor," he said. "That young lady deserves _a -man_, and I'll take my oath she's got one." - - - - -CHAPTER ELEVEN - -Albert Terrace appeared even more peaceful and respectable than usual -as Colin turned in at the farther end and came to a standstill in -front of Mr. Medwin's house. - -"This is the place, Joe," he said quietly. "Now you're quite clear -in your own mind about what we've arranged?" - -Joe nodded. "I got it, guv'nor. You ask whether 'e's at 'ome, an' -if 'e is, in we goes. Then it'll be my job to shove it across the -butler." - -"That's right," said Colin. "I'm trusting you to look after the two -servants until I've finished with Medwin." - -"I'll look after 'em," grunted Joe. "There won't be no trouble in -that quarter, you taike my word for it." - -They got out of the car, and, leading the way up the path, Colin -pressed the electric bell. - -After a brief delay they heard the sound of steps inside, and the -next moment Medwin himself opened the door. For an instant he stood -gazing dumbly at his two visitors, then with a sudden expansive smile -he stepped forward and held out his hand. - -"Why, bless my soul!" he exclaimed. "This is a very pleasant -surprise. What an extraordinary bit of luck that I happened to be at -home." - -"Isn't it!" said Colin genially. "I was just saying to Joe that it -was a hundred to one that we shouldn't find you." He paused. "Oh, -by the way, may I introduce you? This is an old friend of mine, Mr. -Joe Bates. I've brought him along because we both want to ask your -advice." - -With a deferential gesture, Joe raised his finger to his forehead. - -"'Ow d'ye do, sir," he remarked. "Pleased to meet yer." - -"I hope we haven't called at a very inconvenient time," continued -Colin. "The matter is rather an urgent one, and I felt that I should -like to have your opinion on it." - -"You needn't apologize, my dear boy," returned Mr. Medwin graciously. -"If I can be of any assistance to you I shall be only too pleased." -He moved back, making room for them to enter. "I have to be my own -butler to-day, because both my man and his wife are out for the -afternoon. I send them to a matinée every now and then, just to keep -them in a good temper." - -Colin and Joe stepped into the hall, the latter, who was the last to -enter, closing the door carefully behind him. - -"I think the study will be the best place for us," continued their -host. "Perhaps you'd like a whisky and soda or a glass of port -first, though?" - -Colin declined politely, and, still radiating good nature, Mr. Medwin -ushered them into a small room on the left, where a bright fire was -burning in the grate. - -"I use this as a kind of annex to my office," he added. "A large -number of my clients are Kensington people, and so sometimes it's -very convenient to be able to see them here." - -"It's very convenient for us," said Colin. "As a matter of fact, we -were particularly anxious to find you alone." - -The other, who was in the act of pulling forward a chair, glanced up -sharply at the change in his visitor's voice. - -Colin took a step forward. - -"I've got several things to say to you, Medwin, but before I start, -just get this fact plainly into your head. If you attempt to call -out or to make the least noise, I'll smash your face to a jelly." - -There was a moment of dead silence, then very slowly Medwin stepped -back to the fireplace and moistened his lips. - -"Have you gone mad?" he demanded. - -"Sit down," said Colin curtly. - -He pointed to the chair, and with a face from which every vestige of -colour had suddenly departed, the lawyer silently obeyed his -instructions. Joe moved softly toward him across the room, a -formidable and menacing figure in the gray afternoon light. - -It was Colin who was the first to speak. - -"What have you and Fenton done with Miss Seymour?" - -Medwin, who by an amazing effort seemed to have recovered some of his -self-possession, looked up with an expression of blank amazement. - -"I have never heard of Miss Seymour," he answered. "In fact, I -haven't the remotest notion what you're talking about." - -Colin came a step nearer. "Haven't you?" he said. "Then perhaps I'd -better explain." - -He thrust his hand under Medwin's chin, and, jerking up his face, -stared down into his eyes. - -"Now, you damned liar," he said, "listen to me. You know as well as -I do who Miss Seymour is. You have known it ever since you broke -into the Red Lodge and opened the Professor's desk." - -He released his hold and, gripping Medwin by the collar, shook him -backward and forward as a dog shakes a rat. - -"My God, I'd kill you where you sit if I didn't want an answer to my -question. You've not only tried to rob and ruin this girl, but if it -wasn't for you and Fenton the Professor would be still alive." - -He flung back the half-throttled man with such force that the -woodwork of the chair cracked and splintered beneath his weight. - -Joe, who had been looking on with silent approval hauled the victim -unceremoniously to his feet. - -"Nah, cocky," he said, "where's the young laidy? Spit it aht quick." - -Choking and gasping for breath, Medwin retreated toward the sofa. - -"You're making some terrible mistake. I know nothing about it, on my -honour." - -"Your _what_?" Colin laughed unpleasantly. "I don't know if you're -really under the impression that you can bluff this out, Medwin, but -if you are, you're making the mistake of your life." - -He put his hand in his pocket, and, pulling out a coil of whipcord, -which he had stopped to purchase on his way down, tossed it across to -Joe. - -"Lay him on the sofa," he said, "and tie up his feet and hands. If -he makes the slightest sound, give him a punch in the mouth." - -Joe moved forward with alacrity, and, turning to the fireplace, Colin -picked up a small ornamental poker which was standing against the -hearth, and thrust it deliberately into the hottest part of the fire. -Then, lighting himself a cigarette, he stood looking on in silence, -while with swift efficiency Joe proceeded to carry out his -instructions. - -"That will do," he observed at last, "Now, Medwin, you can take your -choice. You will either tell me at once where Miss Seymour is, or -else I shall burn the truth out of you with that poker." - -Trussed and helpless, Medwin gazed across at him from the sofa. - -"For God's sake think what you're doing," he whispered. "Can't you -see that the whole thing's a ghastly blunder? I swear to you on my -oath that I have never even heard of either of the people you have -mentioned." - -"In that case," said Colin, "it's rather curious that you keep a -photograph of Fenton on your dining room mantelpiece." - -He stooped down, and, drawing out the poker which was now a glowing -red, advanced relentlessly toward the sofa. - -Two little beads of perspiration broke out on Medwin's forehead and -trickled down into his eyes. - -"Stop!" he gasped. "Stop! You young devil, I believe you mean it." - -Colin laughed again. "Shove something in his mouth, Joe. We don't -want the whole street to hear him squealing." - -By a violent effort Medwin managed to wriggle himself up into a -sitting position. - -"It's all right, Gray," he said quietly. "You needn't go any -further. I know when I'm beaten." - -He sank back against the cushions, and with a queer half-incredulous -expression, stared up into Colin's face. - -"I am not often mistaken in my judgment of people," he said, "but I -seem to have blundered pretty badly with regard to you." - -"Answer my questions," said Colin. "Where's Miss Seymour?" - -"She's at Fenton's cottage in Essex, close to South Ockendon. It's a -small white house called 'The Firs,' on the right hand of the road, -just before you reach the village." - -Colin walked to the desk and wrote down his directions on a blank -sheet of paper. - -"Why have you taken her there?" - -"It was Fenton's idea," said Medwin slowly. "He has a boat lying in -the Thames close by, and he thought that if he could persuade her to -go for a short cruise she might change her opinion about the -impossibility of marrying him." - -With his fists clenched Joe started forward, but before he could -strike Colin thrust him back. - -"Leave him alone, Joe," he said harshly. "It's the truth we want, no -matter what it is." He turned to Medwin, who was watching them with -surprising coolness. "Do you know what his plans are exactly?" - -"He means to take her on board as soon as it's dark. Where he will -go then depends chiefly on the weather. I believe he has some idea -of trying to reach Holland." - -"What, by himself, in mid-winter?" - -"Oh, he's not alone," returned Medwin. "He has two old acquaintances -of yours with him--Cooper and Hudson. In the course of their varied -lives they have both served before the mast." - -For a moment Colin remained silent, his eyes fixed steadily upon the -lawyer's face. - -"I don't know whether you're telling me the truth, Medwin," he said. -"If you're not, heaven help you. I'll find you again, no matter -where you try to hide, and I'll tear your lying tongue out of your -throat with my own fingers." - -Medwin nodded. "Yes," he said, "I can quite believe you would, but, -fortunately, such an unpleasant proceeding won't be necessary. As I -told you before, I know when the game's up." - -Colin replaced the poker in the grate, then, crossing to the desk, on -which stood a portable telephone, he unhooked the receiver and asked -for Marsden's number. The lawyer watched him curiously. - -"Hullo!" came the Inspector's voice. - -"This is Gray. I'm speaking from Albert Terrace. I've got the -information I wanted." - -"You mean you know where the girl is?" - -"Yes. She's at a cottage in Essex, close to South Ockendon. Fenton -means to take her on board his boat as soon as it's dark." - -"Who told you this?" - -"Medwin. I had to use a certain amount of persuasion, but I think -it's true." - -"What have you done to him?" - -"He's all right. He's lying on the sofa listening to what I'm -saying. We've tied him up, and we propose to leave him here." - -"How about the servants?" - -"Both out at the theatre. They're not likely to be back until -half-past five." - -"Sounds as if you'd made a pretty tidy job of it," was Marsden's -comment. "You'd better come back here as quickly as possible and -pick me up in the car. If what he's told you is right, the sooner we -have a look at this cottage the better." - -"We're starting now," replied Colin. "We'll be with you in a quarter -of an hour." - -He rang off, and, picking up his hat from the chair, turned to Medwin. - -"This is your last chance," he said. "You know what to expect if -you've sent me on a false errand." - -"You can make your mind quite easy," returned the other. "You'll -find Miss Seymour at the cottage, and I have no doubt she will be -delighted to see you. You're exactly the sort of primitive young -savage that appeals to women." - -Joe stepped forward pleadingly. "Let me give 'im one, doctor--only -just one. That'll learn 'im to call you names." - -"No," said Colin. "Leave him alone. He'll have all he deserves by -the time we've finished with him." - -He walked toward the door, and, with one reluctant glance at the -smiling and half-prostrate figure on the sofa, Joe followed him out -into the hall. - -* * * * * * * * * - -Two men muffled up in long coats, who were waiting just inside the -entrance, stepped forward at once as the car came to a standstill -again at the main gate-way of the Yard. - -From, under the peaked cap of the former the sharp eyes of Inspector -Marsden travelled swiftly and approvingly over its two occupants. - -"Well, you don't waste much time, doctor," he observed. "I will say -that for you." - -"I'd have been here a lot sooner if it hadn't been for the usual -cursed jam in Piccadilly," returned Colin viciously. - -As he spoke he leaned over and swung open the back door of the car. - -"Just a minute," said the Inspector quietly. "Before we start I'd -like to hear a few more details about this interview of yours with -Medwin. We don't want to go chasing down into Essex unless----" - -"I'll give you the facts," interrupted Colin. "If you don't think -they're good enough to act on you can leave it to Joe and me." - -In a few blunt words he described the scene which had taken place in -the study, the two detectives standing silently beside the car, and -Joe nodding his head at intervals as though to confirm the truth of -the story. - -"I can't swear that he hasn't invented the whole thing," finished -Colin, "but, all the same, I'm pretty certain there's something in -it. Whatever else Medwin may be, he isn't a fool. He knows -perfectly well I meant what I said, and in my opinion he's had the -sense to chuck up the sponge in order to save his own skin." - -"The guv'nor's right, mister," broke in Joe earnestly. "'E's a lyin' -swine, this bloke, but 'e didn't fancy the idea of 'avin' 'is tongue -torn out, you could see that by 'is faice." - -Marsden laughed grimly. "I daresay you could!" He turned to Colin. -"I'm shocked and surprised that you should have taken the law into -your own hands in this way, but, between ourselves, I believe you've -done the trick." He jerked his head toward the back of the car. -"Jump in, sergeant. We can make use of the doctor's information even -if we don't approve of his methods." - -As he spoke he seated himself alongside of Colin, while the sergeant, -a heavily built individual with a chin like the toe of a boot, -clambered up obediently into the tonneau. Directly he was on board -Colin thrust in his clutch, and the next moment they were spinning up -the broad roadway in the direction of Waterloo Bridge. - -"I suppose I made it plain that this isn't going to be any sort of a -picnic," said Colin, with a side glance at his companion. "According -to Medwin, we've got Cooper and Hudson to tackle as well as Fenton, -and I should think it's a hundred to one that they'll all three be -armed." - -"Cooper will for a certainty," replied the Inspector, "and what's -more, he won't hesitate to shoot. However, I took the precaution of -slipping a Smith and Webley into my pocket, and I told Bentley to do -the same. If Mister Cooper prefers a bullet to a rope, he can damned -well take his choice." - -"I only hope Medwin doesn't get away," said Colin, with some feeling. -"He's tied up all right at present, but his servants will be back -before we're through with this job, and directly they've set him -loose he'll probably try to do a bolt." - -"He may try," returned the Inspector, "but he won't get very far. -I've sent down two of our best men to watch the house, and, no matter -where he goes, they'll stick to him like his shadow." - -He paused for a moment as Colin swerved round a cluster of startled -pedestrians, and then added with a dry smile: "We don't want to waste -any time, doctor, but you might just keep it in mind that I'm a -married man, with three children dependent on me." - -"I won't smash you up," replied Colin. "I may seem to be driving -fast, but I've got too much at stake to play the fool." - -He cut across the broad space at the corner of Farringdon Street, -and, leaving the river on his right hand, plunged into one of the -long warehouse-lined streets which lead through the heart of the -city. The short day was already closing in, and the tall buildings -on either side were a blaze of electric light. - -"I don't know if you're in any doubt about the way," said the -Inspector. "You had better consult Bentley if you are. He's an -Essex man himself, and knows every inch of the country." - -"I think I can find it," was Colin's answer. He slowed down a little -and glanced back over his shoulder. "We go through Barking and -Rainham, don't we?" - -The sergeant, who was sitting up stiffly alongside of Joe, nodded his -head. - -"That's right, sir. It's practically a straight road from there to -South Ockendon." - -They drove on silently through the crowded streets, the Inspector -making no further attempt to talk, and Colin devoting his whole -attention to the strenuous work of avoiding the traffic. - -After negotiating the apparently interminable length of the -Commercial Road and the East India Dock Road, they made their way -through the squalid region of East Ham and emerged at last into the -historic if evil-smelling neighbourhood of Barking. - -Then, bit by bit, the houses began to give place to stunted hedges -and low-lying fields, while a little distance away on the right the -red and green lights of the steamers passing up and down the Thames -flashed out mysteriously in the gathering dusk. - -Two miles of rapid driving brought them to the straggling village of -Rainham, and, checking his speed a trifle as they ran through the -main street, Colin swung out on to a lone stretch of country road, -where except for one or two farm carts and an occasional belated -cyclist, they seemed to be the only travellers. - -He had covered about another three miles when, with a sudden -movement, the sergeant leaned over from the back. - -"We're getting pretty near now, sir," he observed. "If your -information's right, the house we want ought to be somewhere about -here." - -Colin slackened down, and as he did so the bent figure of an old man, -with a pitchfork over his shoulder, suddenly loomed into view out of -an adjoining gateway. - -"Here's someone who'll probably be able to help us," said Marsden. -"Just pull up a moment, and we'll ask him." - -They came to a standstill alongside the stranger, who blinked at them -suspiciously from under his shaggy eyebrows. - -Marsden leaned over and addressed him with a friendly nod. - -"Good evening, uncle," he said. "I wonder if you can tell us whether -there's a house called 'The Firs' anywhere around this neighbourhood." - -With considerable deliberation the veteran unshipped his pitchfork. - -"Whoy, yees, mister," he replied. "There be a 'ouse o' that name -sure enough. There aren't no one there though, not as I knows on." - -"That doesn't matter," said the Inspector. "We only want to have a -look at the outside of it." - -"You don't 'ave to go far for that," was the encouraging reply. -"You'll find it on the right-'and side of the road soon as you've -passed the nex' turnin'." - -"I suppose you don't happen to know who owns the place?" inquired -Marsden. - -"Well, I 'ave 'eard that it's a rich gen'leman in London. Party o' -the name o' Fenton. 'E don't use it much though, an' that's a fact; -only comes down 'ere for an odd day or two now an' then." - -"Just when he wants a breath of fresh air, eh?" suggested Marsden -genially. "Well, I'm much obliged to you, uncle. Perhaps you'll get -yourself a drink when the pubs open." - -He produced a shilling, which the old man readily accepted, and, with -a slight pressure of his foot on the clutch, Colin again set the car -in motion. - -"Don't hurry," whispered Marsden. "Drive us slowly past the place -and then stop. If any one's inside there's pretty sure to be a light -in the windows." - -Following his instructions, Colin proceeded noiselessly along the -road, which curved away to the left about a hundred yards from where -they had halted. As he rounded the bend a dark cluster of trees -sprang into view a short distance ahead of him, and the next moment -he was able to make out the roof and chimneys of a small house, which -appeared to stand a little way back from the road. - -"That's our mark," observed Marsden, with a grunt of satisfaction. -He turned round in his seat and addressed the sergeant. "You hop out -here, Bentley, and have a look at it from this side. We'll come back -and meet you at the front gate." - -With surprising quickness for so heavy a man, the sergeant stepped -nimbly over on to the running board, and, just as they reached the -shelter of the trees, dropped down into the roadway. - -Driving on slowly, Colin passed the head of a narrow lane which -turned off to the right. Beyond it a high wooden paling fronted the -main road, broken in the centre by a couple of dilapidated iron -gates, one of which was standing partly open. Farther back, behind a -straggling shrubbery of laurels, the yellow gleam of a lighted window -shone out into the garden. - -"Someone's at home, evidently," muttered the Inspector. "Take us on -as far as the end of the paling and pull up there. I'd like to know -exactly how the land lies before we start work." - -Contenting himself with a nod, Colin continued his way along the -fence until he suddenly arrived at a closed gate leading into a -ploughed field, from which an untrimmed hedge ran up at right angles, -forming the boundary of the adjoining property. There was a piece of -level grass at the side of the road, and, guiding the car on to this, -he stopped the engine, and then, bending forward, switched off the -headlights. - -"You and Bates stay here for a moment," whispered Marsden. "Keep -still and don't talk to each other. I'm just going along to have a -squint through the hedge." - -Getting out of the car, he climbed carefully over the gate, and moved -up the field with the stealthiness of a poacher, until his burly -figure was gradually lost to sight amid the shadows of the bushes. - -He reappeared again after an absence of several minutes, and both -Colin and Joe leaned eagerly forward from their seats as he clambered -back and dropped lightly down beside them. - -"Everything's in darkness this side of the house," he announced, -"and, as far as I can see, there's no way of getting out of the -garden. We'd better make tracks for the front gate and hear what -Bentley's got to report." - -Leaving the car as it was, the three of them stole silently back -under the shelter of the fence, and came to a halt beneath the -branches of a draggled-looking holly tree which overhung the drive. - -After a brief wait they were joined by the sergeant, who emerged -furtively from the side turning and advanced on tiptoe to where they -were standing. - -"I've found another entrance down the lane," he informed them. "It -leads to a yard at the back, where there's a big shed that looks like -a garage." - -"A garage, eh?" rejoined Marsden. "Well, I guess somebody will have -to keep an eye on that side of the house while the rest of us find -some way of getting in at the front." He paused for a moment, and -then added quietly: "We'll take a look at the job first, and make up -our minds exactly how we're going to tackle it. Unless we can drop -in on 'em unexpectedly it's likely to be a pretty awkward business." - -Followed by the others, he started cautiously forward up the drive, -and, skirting the edge of the shrubbery, came out on to a neglected -strip of grass, which at some remote period had evidently been a -tennis lawn. - -Facing them was the house, an old-fashioned two-storey residence, -with a tumble-down verandah half covered in ivy. From the French -windows in the centre a broad patch of light streamed out hospitably -through the drawn blinds. - -Marsden's gaze travelled thoughtfully from one end of the building to -the other. - -"There's only one way to do it," he said, in a low voice. "We shall -have to smash in the window and trust to luck." He turned to the -sergeant. "We may nab the lot of them if we're quick enough, but we -can't count on that, not when we've an old hand like Cooper to deal -with. You'd better slip round to the yard again, Bentley, and keep a -watch on the back door." - -His assistant nodded. "Very good, sir. It won't take me more than a -couple of minutes. I'll give you a whistle as soon as I'm ready." - -He disappeared promptly and silently, and, stepping back to where -Colin and Joe were hiding in the shadow, the Inspector stooped down -beside them. - -"I think the simplest plan will be for one of us to tackle the -window," he said. "I'll do that, and you two get ready to rush in -the moment it's open." - -"Supposing we can't force it?" whispered Colin. "Some of these -windows have a bar across on the inside." - -"In that case we must break the glass and get in as best we can. If -Cooper looks like making trouble, keep out of the way and leave him -to me." - -He produced a heavy Service revolver, and, having clicked open the -breech, proceeded to examine it with some care. - -With his hands clenched and his heart beating fiercely, Colin started -out across the lawn, waiting for the signal. The feeling that ever -since the morning Nancy had been a prisoner in one of those rooms, -and at the mercy of such a scoundrel as Fenton, filled him with an -apprehension that was almost unbearable. Even if they were in time -to save her from the worst fate of all, heaven knew what hardships -and misery she must have been through during the last eight hours. -His nerves tingled with a savage longing to be face to face with the -man who was responsible for her sufferings, and, crouching there in -the darkness, he swore a bitter oath to himself that, whatever else -happened, Fenton should not escape. - -Suddenly, through the silence of the garden, a low whistle sounded -clearly from the back of the house. Colin was on his feet instantly, -but before he could take a step forward both he and Joe were checked -by a quick movement from their companion. - -"I'll go first, doctor," whispered the Inspector. "You two keep -close behind, and follow me in directly I smash the lock." - -Stooping low, and holding the revolver in his left hand, he set off -at a rapid pace across the lawn. It was only about twenty yards from -the bushes to the house, and in less than half a dozen seconds all -three of them were in front of the verandah. - -Without pausing in his stride, Marsden made straight for the French -window. It consisted of two fragile-looking doors with a large pane -of glass in each, and, using his shoulder as a battering ram, the -detective hurled the full weight of his fourteen stone against the -strip of woodwork in the centre. - -The other two, who were immediately behind him, heard a splintering -crash and a tinkle of broken glass. Then in the blaze of light that -streamed out through the gap they saw Marsden stumble forward on to -his hands and knees, and, like a scene on the stage, the whole -interior of the room suddenly leaped into view. - -No theatre, indeed, could have provided a more dramatic spectacle -than the one which met Colin's eyes as he dashed for the opening. A -couple of men, whom he recognized instantly as Cooper and Hudson, had -sprung to their feet beside an overturned card table, and were -standing as though rooted to the spot with amazement and terror. - -It was only for the fraction of a second, however, that the tableau -remained unbroken. As Colin darted in past the Inspector, Cooper, -who was the farther away of the two, seemed instinctively to recover -his wits. With a movement as quick as a panther's he dived back -behind his companion, and, taking a flying jump over the fallen -table, raced headlong for the door. - -His flight seemed to act on the deserted Hudson like the breaking of -a spell. A foul oath burst from his lips, and, grabbing one of the -overturned chairs by its nearest leg, he hurled it with all his force -straight in the face of Colin. - -The latter, who saw it coming, jerked up his arm just in time. It -struck against his elbow and crashed down on to the floor, tripping -up Joe as he attempted to dodge past in pursuit of the fugitive. - -Staggered himself by the blow, Colin recovered almost instantly. One -stride brought him within reach of his assailant, and, ducking under -a clumsy swing, he smashed home a terrific right flush on the point -of the jaw. It was a punch that would have floored ninety-nine men -out of a hundred, and Mr. Jake Hudson was one of the unfortunate -majority. He went down as though struck by a coal hammer, the back -of his head landing with a loud thud against the edge of the table. - -Brief though the delay had been, it had enabled "Spike" Cooper to -achieve his object. He was through the door and had slammed and -locked it behind him before the Inspector and Joe were able to gain -their feet. It was Colin, indeed, who was the first to reach it, and -he was already wrenching vainly at the handle when the two others -rushed up to his assistance. - -"Wait a minute," rasped the Inspector, who was evidently not in the -best of tempers. "Let me blow in the lock, then we shall have a -better chance." - -Levelling his pistol, he emptied a couple of shots into the keyhole, -the powerful bullets smashing and splintering the woodwork in every -direction. As the second report died away they heard a scurry of -footsteps outside, followed almost immediately by the unmistakable -bang of another door. - -Pocketing his pistol, the Inspector gripped hold of the knob with -both hands, and, as he jerked it violently toward him, the shattered -bolt snapped and yielded. One more pull, and they stumbled over the -threshold into a dimly lighted hall, where, framed in a doorway -opposite, stood, or rather swayed, the slender figure of a girl. - -A low cry escaped Colin's lips, and, breaking from his companions, he -sprang forward and caught her in his arms. - -"Nancy! Nancy darling! Thank God, we've found you!" - -As he uttered the words the sound of two pistol shots rang out from -the back of the house, and with a stifled oath the Inspector hurried -toward them. - -"Which is the way through into the yard?" he demanded. - -Nancy pointed across toward a door on the right. - -"There!" she gasped. "But it's locked. I heard them lock it and -bolt it. You can only get round by the garden." - -"Come with me, Bates," snapped the Inspector. "You stop here, -doctor, and take care of the girl." - -He ran toward the sitting room, followed by Joe, while Nancy, who had -momentarily straightened herself as she answered his question, sank -weakly back again against Colin's shoulder. - -Lifting her in his arms, he carried her to a small couch which was -standing against the wall. - -"Tell me, Nancy," he whispered, "tell me. Are you hurt?" - -With a gallant effort she smiled up reassuringly into his face. - -"No," she said. "I am only tired out and a little faint. I--I've -been through a good deal since this morning, Colin." - -He sat down beside her, taking her hands in his. - -"They brought you a forged letter from Penwarren, didn't they? The -girl who lives next door to you told us something about it." - -She nodded. "I suppose it was foolish of me to be taken in, but it -looked to me just like his handwriting. It said that he had suddenly -discovered the truth about my father and mother, and that he had come -up to town especially to see me. I went off in the car almost -without thinking." - -"Where did they take you to?" - -"Some house close to Kensington High Street. There was another man -there besides Major Fenton--a horrible middle-aged, smiling man--and -when they got me inside they held me down and drugged me with a -hypodermic syringe. I think it must have been opium they gave me. -Anyhow, the next thing I remember is waking up with a frightful -headache, and finding myself locked up alone in that room." - -With great difficulty Colin managed to steady his voice. "How long -ago was that?" he asked. - -"It seems ages, but I think it must have been about the middle of the -day." - -"And when did Fenton come back?" - -"Just as it was growing dark. He had been down to the river to get -the yacht ready, and had left one of the men here to look after me. -He told me exactly what he meant to do--that he was going to take me -away on the boat and keep me there until--until----" Her voice -faltered. - -"I know," said Colin quickly. "I've had the whole story from Medwin!" - -"The whole story! Oh, Colin, what does it mean? Why should he----" - -"You shall hear everything in a minute," he interrupted. "Just tell -me first what happened when we broke into the house." - -"It was all over so quickly," said Nancy. "He was in there talking -to me and threatening me when he suddenly heard a tremendous crash, -and one of the others--the man they call Spike--rushed into the room -and shouted out something about the police. Before I could----" She -stopped abruptly. "Listen!" she exclaimed. "They're coming back." - -There was a sound of voices and steps on the verandah outside, and, -letting go Nancy's hands, Colin jumped to his feet. - -He walked across to the sitting-room door, where the sight which met -his eyes caused him to hurry forward with a sudden exclamation of -dismay. The Inspector and Joe were coming in through the window, -carrying between them the limp, unconscious body of Sergeant Bentley. - -Marsden glanced round, his usually stolid face flushed and contorted. - -"They've shot him, doctor--shot him down like a dog and got away in -the car. They must have had it standing ready in the garage." - -As he spoke, he and Joe lowered their burden gently on to the thick -rug which lay just across the window, and the next instant Colin had -dropped on his knees, and was bending forward over the prostrate -figure. - -To an untrained eye the spectacle was a ghastly one, for the man's -face was covered with blood, which had trickled down from a broad -gash in his forehead. His pulse was still beating, however, and -after feeling it for a few moments, and then closely examining the -injury, Colin looked up with a little gesture of relief. - -"It's not as bad as it appears," he announced. "The bullet must have -struck him sideways and glanced off the outside of his temple. He's -only stunned." - -"Only stunned!" repeated the Inspector. "Well, in that case he can -stop here with Bates and Miss Seymour, while you and I go after the -others. If they once get on board that boat we may have the devil's -work in catching them." - -Colin started up immediately, but before he could speak he was -interrupted by Nancy, who had followed him into the room. - -"I can tell you where the yacht's lying," she said. "I heard them -talking about it. It's in some small creek just this side of Thames -Haven." - -The Inspector wheeled round sharply on Colin. "Do you know the way?" -he demanded. "Do you think you can overtake them?" - -"I expect I can," replied Colin, "unless Nancy would rather I stayed -with her." - -She shook her head decisively. "I shall be all right with Joe," she -said. "I want to see those two men punished for trying to kill you." - -"You'd want it still more if you knew what we do, miss," said the -Inspector drily. - -He rummaged in the sergeant's pocket, and, pulling out a pair of -light steel handcuffs, snapped them round the wrists of the still -unconscious Hudson. - -Colin turned to Nancy. "You might bathe this poor fellow's wound, -and bandage him up with a clean handkerchief. If he comes round -before we get back, make him lie perfectly still on the sofa." - -She nodded quietly, and with an approving grunt the Inspector offered -her his hand. - -"Thank you, miss," he said. "You're a fine young lady, and I -couldn't be more pleased to see you safe, not if you were my own -daughter." Then, as if half embarrassed by this outburst, he added -brusquely. "Come along, doctor! They've got a good start already, -and we're only wasting time talking here." - -He strode toward the window, and, just pausing to press a kiss on -Nancy's fingers, Colin followed him out into the garden. - -They made their way rapidly across the lawn and down to the front -gate. The moon, which was almost at its full, had already risen, its -silver beauty lighting up the roadway as plainly as though it were -daytime. - -The Inspector glanced up into the sky with some gratitude. - -"We shall be able to see where we're going, at all events," he -observed. "How far do you think the river is from here?" - -"It must be about ten miles to Thames Haven," was Colin's answer. -"There's no other place they could have left the yacht--not this side -of Canvey Island." - -"Ten miles!" echoed the other. "Well, if Fenton knows anything about -driving it's going to be a pretty close business." - -Breaking into a run, they hurried along the road to where they had -left the car, and with a sharp jerk of the handle Colin set the -engine in motion. Followed by the Inspector, he scrambled into his -seat, and a few seconds later he had backed hastily along the oak -paling, and swung round into the side turning which ran southward -across the marshes. - -It was not a route that any one who was fond of his life would have -selected deliberately for the purposes of fast driving. Narrow and -winding, with a thick coating of mud plastered over its surface, it -presented such obvious dangers that even the most foolhardy of -motorists would have been forced to recognize the advisability of -caution. - -Caution, however, was the particular virtue which Colin felt least -able to afford. Unless he could make up his lost ground on the more -difficult stages of the journey he could certainly abandon all hope -of success, for on an open and moonlit road Fenton's progress would -probably be as fast as his own. - -With a full appreciation of the chances that he was taking he -therefore let out the car to a pace which in any other circumstances -he would never have attempted. Bumping over patches of loose stone, -and splashing through pools of water, he held resolutely on, -regardless of risk, while all the time immediately ahead of him two -broad and recently imprinted tire marks stretched away encouragingly -through the mud. - -Whatever the Inspector's private emotions may have been, it must be -admitted that he faced the ordeal with masterly restraint. Once or -twice, as they skidded violently round a blind corner, he caught hold -of the side door with a spasmodic grip, but except for this -instinctive movement he maintained an expressionless calm which -certainly did credit to the self-discipline of the Yard. - -For the first three miles Colin needed all his skill and luck to -avoid disaster; then, as they drew farther out into the lonely -marshland which borders the north bank of the Thames, the conditions -gradually improved. The east wind, which blows perpetually over that -desolate region, had already begun to dry up the surface of the road, -while with nothing but an occasional cowshed or a few leafless trees -to obstruct the view, the chances of running headlong into some -unforeseen death trap were reduced to much more comforting -proportions. - -Suddenly, with an abrupt movement, the Inspector pointed ahead, to -where a broad shaft of yellow light streamed out against the sky. - -"What's that?" he demanded, putting his lips close to Colin's ear. - -"Mucking Lighthouse," was the answer. "There are some powder works -away to the right, and the creek they're making for is just between -the two." - -At a furious pace the car leaped forward along the deserted road, the -telltale track of the fugitives still standing out plainly in the -glare of the head lamps. Colin was much too occupied with the wheel -to indulge in any further attempt at conversation, while sheltering -his eyes from the wind with one hand, and grasping the back of the -seat with the other, the Inspector stared out in front of him in grim -silence. - -Rounding a slight curve between two low banks, they emerged into a -long stretch of almost perfectly straight roadway, and at the same -moment a simultaneous shout burst from both their lips. There in the -moonlight, not more than half a mile away, they could see the dark -outline and gleaming tail lamp of another car, travelling swiftly in -the same direction as themselves. - -"There they are!" roared the Inspector. "Keep her going, doctor! -Keep her going, and we've got 'em!" - -With an inward prayer that his tires would stand the strain, Colin -drove down the accelerator to its extreme limit. The well-tuned -engine responded to his call, and with the wind rushing in their -faces, and the whole chassis quivering and rocking beneath them, they -surged on recklessly in pursuit of their escaping quarry. - -Any doubt as to the respective pace of the two cars was settled in -the next minute. Slowly but surely the distance between them -lessened, until in the bright moonlight it was possible to make out -the bare head and broad shoulders of "Spike" Cooper as he crouched in -the seat alongside the driver, staring back over the swaying tonneau. - -"Look out for that devil!" shouted the Inspector. "He'll start -shooting directly we're close enough." - -Clutching his own pistol in his hand, he leaned forward over the -dashboard, his eyes glued on the motionless figure ahead. - -Nearer and nearer they drew, the mud and gravel flying from beneath -their wheels, the roar and throb of the engine seeming to beat time -to the mad rhythm of the chase. - -Suddenly, with a warning cry, Marsden raised his weapon. There was a -simultaneous spurt of flame from both cars, and with a vicious thud -something buried itself in the padded seat just beside Colin's -shoulder. - -Crack! Crack! Crack! - -A second bullet ripped its way along the front mud guard, and then, -with a kind of stupefying and unimaginable abruptness, the end came. - -Colin was just conscious of a shower of sparks from beneath the -steel-studded tires as the car in front of him swerved violently -across the road. - -By some instinctive movement his hand shot out toward the brake -lever, and almost at the same second came a deafening and appalling -crash that seemed to strike him in the face like a blow from a fist. - - - - -CHAPTER TWELVE - -"That's done it," remarked the Inspector bitterly. - -He was standing in the car which Colin had just pulled up, staring -down over a heap of stones at the black mass of broken wreckage which -reared itself fantastically amongst the grass. - -"I should think it was about the finish," said Colin quietly. "What -on earth made them skid in that extraordinary way?" - -"I suppose I hit Fenton by mistake," said the Inspector. "Just like -my cursed luck. He must have driven straight into it and gone clean -over the top. It's a hundred to one they're both dead." - -"We'll soon find out, anyhow," was Colin's answer, and, opening the -door as he spoke, he jumped down into the roadway. - -A few strides brought him alongside the fallen car, where, in the -pitiless moonlight, every detail of the tragedy stood out with -horrible distinctness. Almost the first sight that met his eyes was -the bodies of Fenton and Cooper, the former pinned down under the -débris amid a cloud of escaping steam, and the other sprawled full -length on the bare ground. - -It was very obvious that nothing could be done for Fenton. The top -of his skull had been smashed in like an eggshell, and, after just -pausing to glance at the injury, Colin hurried over toward the -prostrate figure of his companion. - -The Canadian was lying on his face, his arms and legs flung out at a -grotesque angle. To any one with medical knowledge there was -something fatally suggestive about the mere attitude of the limbs, -and it was no little surprise to Colin that, as he stooped down to -make a closer examination, a low groan reached his ears. - -With great care he turned over the helpless man and raised him in his -arms. - -"Well, we've got one of 'em alive, anyhow," observed the Inspector, -who had followed him across the grass. - -As though conscious of the remark, Cooper opened his eyes, and for a -moment lay there with his head on Colin's shoulder, gazing up vaguely -into the two faces above him. Then something that was almost a grin -flickered across his face. - -"I guess we've met before, mister," he jerked out faintly. "Say, how -the hell did your friends get you out of that cellar?" - -"Never mind now," interrupted the detective curtly. "You've got -something else to think about at present. I am Inspector Marsden of -Scotland Yard, and I arrest you for the murder of Professor Carter." - -There was a glint of mockery in Cooper's face as his eyes travelled -slowly in the direction of the speaker. - -"Good for you, Sherlock Holmes," he gasped. "I reckon the British -police ain't quite such duds after all." He paused, as though the -effort of speaking had been almost too much for him. "It's tough -luck you won't get the credit of hanging me," he added, in an even -feebler voice. "Still, if you will be so damn careless with that gun -o' yours----" He stopped, and with a little choking cough spat out a -mouthful of blood. - -The Inspector turned anxiously to Colin. - -"What's the matter with him?" he demanded. - -"His spine's practically broken," said Colin. "He can't live more -than a few minutes." - -Marsden bent over the dying man, on whose white face the moonlight -streamed down with a peculiarly ghastly effect. - -"Listen to me, Cooper," he said. "We know all about you. We've got -your record from Montreal. Fenton's dead, and I don't imagine that -our friend Medwin is a particular pal of yours. Come, man, you may -just as well tell us the truth." - -Cooper, who seemed to be breathing with extreme difficulty, moistened -his lips. - -"It's no good, mister," he faltered. "You can't put a rope round -Medwin's neck--not this journey. He hadn't no more to do with -croaking the old guy than you or the doctor." - -Marsden nodded. "I know that," he said. "You broke into the house -the second time by yourself in order to try and rob the safe. -Neither Fenton nor Medwin knew anything about it--until afterward." - -Cooper looked up at him again, the same half-jeering smile on his -drawn face. - -"You ought to be with Pinkerton," he gasped. "You're just wasted -here." - -As he dragged out the last word another paroxysm of coughing overtook -him. It lasted for several seconds, and then, with a queer, -fluttering movement of the eyelids, his head suddenly lolled over -sideways on to his shoulder, the under jaw dropping open at the same -time. - -Colin lowered his burden to the ground, and after wiping his hands on -the grass, rose to his feet. - -For a moment the Inspector stood still, gazing down at the body. - -"Well, that's done the hangman out of a job," he observed -regretfully. "What's more, I believe the devil was right. We shall -only be able to charge Medwin with conspiracy, though if any man ever -deserved---- Hullo! here's somebody coming!" - -He broke off abruptly at the sight of a dark figure, which was -approaching along the roadway from the direction in which they had -been travelling. - -"One of the men from the powder works, I expect," said Colin. "We're -quite close by, and they probably heard the crash." - -Marsden stepped forward to meet the new arrival, who had turned on to -the grass and was hurrying rapidly toward them. As he drew nearer -they saw that he was a respectable-looking middle-aged man, dressed -in a rough suit of tweeds. - -He came on at a kind of stumbling run, and pulled up with an -exclamation of horror as the full extent of the disaster suddenly met -his eyes. - -"Good God!" he exclaimed. "I was afraid there had been a bad -accident. Is anybody killed?" - -"Yes," said Marsden bluntly. "Both these men are dead." He paused. -"Who are you, sir, and where do you come from?" he asked. - -"My name's Trevor. I'm the head electrician at the powder mills just -down the road." - -"Well, I'm a police officer," said Marsden, "and this gentleman is -Doctor Gray." - -"A police officer?" repeated the other. "Is there anything----" - -"One of our friends here," continued Marsden, jerking his head in the -direction of Cooper's body, "is the murderer of Professor Carter. I -have no doubt you read about the case in the papers. The other was -wanted on an almost equally serious charge." - -Their new acquaintance stood staring at them in open-mouthed -amazement. - -"But--but what on earth were they doing down here?" he stammered. - -"They were trying to reach Thames Haven, where they hoped to get on -board a boat. We were following them in another car, and just as -they got to this point they swerved right across the road into that -heap of stones. You can see the result for yourself." - -The electrician nodded his head. "Yes," he replied, "I can. You -must excuse my being a bit flabbergasted, but it's pretty quiet round -about here as a rule, and this kind of thing's a trifle out of my -line." He removed the soft hat that he was wearing and wiped his -forehead with his coat sleeve. "What do you propose to do?" he -asked. "We've a telephone at the works if you'd like me to get into -communication with any one." - -Marsden pulled out his pocketbook and extracted a card. - -"This is my name," he said. "Do you mind going straight back and -ringing up the Southend Police Station? Say that you're speaking for -me, and ask them to send out a motor ambulance and a car as soon as -possible. They'll know the powder works, and when they arrive -perhaps you'll be good enough to bring them on here." - -"Why, certainly," was the answer. "In the meanwhile, if there's -anything you want that I can let you have----" - -"Well, I don't know if you could run to a whisky and soda," suggested -Marsden hopefully. "I could do with a drink after what we've been -through the last quarter of an hour." - -"I'll send one of the men along with it," responded the other, and -without waiting to be thanked he nodded a hasty farewell, and set off -at once in the direction of the roadway. - -Marsden turned to Colin. "You can get back to 'The Firs' and pick up -Miss Seymour if you like. There's no point in your remaining here, -unless you want to stop until the whisky comes." - -"Oh, hang the whisky!" said Colin. "It's you I'm thinking of. I -can't leave you stranded in a ditch with a couple of corpses." - -"You needn't worry about that," returned Marsden cheerfully. "I've -been in worse company, and, in any case, the Southend police will be -turning up in round about half an hour. No, you go along, doctor, -and take Miss Seymour home in the car." - -"What about the sergeant and Joe?" inquired Colin. - -"They can wait for us. We shall be passing the house on our way -back, and if Bentley's still unconscious there'll be room for him in -the ambulance." - -"Well, it seems rather a shame to desert you," said Colin. "All the -same, if you really don't mind I think I will push off. Nancy must -be pretty well tired out, and the sooner I can get her back to -Shadwell the better." - -"She'll be all right," said Marsden encouragingly. "If you think she -needs a little tonic give her my congratulations and tell her that -she's worth a couple of hundred thousand pounds." He held out his -hand. "You shall hear from me later in the evening. I'll either -'phone you up or come down to Shadwell myself." - -"Come if you possibly can," said Colin. "Nancy will be longing to -thank you for everything you've done, and if you want any further -inducement Mark's got some topping good champagne." - -* * * * * * * * * - -The light was still streaming out through the shattered window as, -leaving his car at the gate of "The Firs," Colin once more made his -way up the drive and strode eagerly across the lawn. - -On reaching the verandah he found that the broken hasp had been -fastened roughly together inside by a piece of wire, and while he was -endeavouring to disentangle the latter the figure of Joe appeared -suddenly in the doorway. - -At the sight of Colin he hastened forward with a shout of welcome. - -"'Alf a moment, guv'nor. 'Ere, let me get at it. You'll cut your -'and on that glass if you ain't careful." - -With a quick turn of his fingers he wrenched off the wire and flung -open the window, and at the same moment Nancy herself came hurrying -into the room. - -"Oh, Colin, at last!" she cried. "I was so afraid that something had -happened to you." - -Regardless of Joe, Colin took her into his arms and kissed her two or -three times with reassuring fervour. - -"Nothing has happened to me, Nancy," he said. "I'm afraid I can't -say the same with regard to Fenton and Cooper." - -She looked up at him with a startled expression in her eyes. - -"Colin!" she exclaimed. "You don't mean----" - -His arms tightened round her. "I had to let you know," he said -gently, "though I hate to spring any more horrors on you. I'm not -sure it isn't all for the best. Cooper would certainly have been -hanged, and as for Fenton----" - -"Wot's 'appened, gov'nor?" broke in Joe anxiously. "You ain't goin' -to tell me they're both dead?" - -"They were when I left them," said Colin. "As dead as any one I've -ever seen in my life. They ran into a heap of loose stones just this -side of Thames Haven and smashed themselves to pieces." - -"Well, if that ain't the limit!" observed Joe disgustedly. "'Ere' -ave I bin waitin' to bash 'ell outer that bloke Cooper----" - -"Stop, Joe!" commanded Nancy almost angrily. "I won't have you -talking like that. It's wicked." - -The abashed boxer fell back, and with a quick breath she turned again -to Colin. - -"Where's the Inspector?" she asked. "Why hasn't he come with you?" - -"He's all right," said Colin. "We got someone to send a message -through to the Southend police, and he's waiting for them to turn up -with a motor ambulance. He suggested that in the meanwhile I should -come on here and take you home in the car. He's going to call for -Joe and the sergeant on his way back." He paused and glanced -inquiringly round the room. "By the way," he added, "where is the -sergeant, and what's happened to my pal Jake Hudson?" - -"Hudson's locked up in the cellar," replied Nancy. "We carried the -other poor man into the hall and put him on the sofa. I bandaged up -his head as well as I could, but he's still unconscious." - -"I'll go in and have a look at him," said Colin. "Then I should -think we might as well push off. I've all sorts of exciting news for -you, Nancy." - -"If you mean about Mr. Carter being my grandfather," she interrupted -calmly, "I know that already." - -Colin stared at her in amazement. "You know it already?" he repeated. - -She nodded her head. "Yes," she said, "Joe told me. Of course, -there's a lot I don't understand yet, but----" - -"I didn't mean to do it, guv'nor," protested Joe; "strike me dead if -I did. She jest started askin' questions, and afore I knew wot 'ad -'appened, damn me if I 'adn't given away the 'ole show." - -Colin looked from one to the other of them, and then began to laugh. - -"I thought I could depend on you, Joe," he said reproachfully. - -The boxer glanced at Nancy with a kind of admiring resentment. "I -always reckoned I could keep my mouth shut," he muttered, "but she's -one o' them young laidies a bloke ain't got no chance with." - -"I don't know if that's a compliment or not," said Nancy. "Anyhow, -Colin, do come along and see what you think of my patient. We shall -have plenty of time to talk about me when we're going home in the -car." - -She led the way out into the hall, and, crossing to where the -unconscious and heavily breathing Bentley lay propped upon the sofa -amongst a pile of cushions, Colin bent down to inspect the bandages -which encircled his head. - -"Nothing the matter with this," he said approvingly. "You must have -been having lessons from Mark in your spare time." He made a brief -examination of the man's pulse and general condition, while the -others stood by watching him in silence. "I don't think there'll be -much to worry about when he comes round," he added, "but of course -he'll have to keep to his bed for a day or two." He turned to Joe. -"Put some of these cushions round him so that he isn't shaken about -in the ambulance, and tell Marsden to take him to the hospital -directly you reach London." - -"I believe there must be some kind of curse on me," said Nancy rather -ruefully. "I seem to bring trouble on everyone I have anything to do -with." - -"You ain't no call to feel like that, miss," objected Joe. "A -cracked 'ead ain't much in the way of trouble--not for a policeman, -any'ow." - -"You can be pretty sure that that's the way in which Bentley will -look at it," said Colin. "As for the Inspector"--his gray eyes lit -up with a boyish twinkle--"well, if he hadn't told me that he was a -married man with three children I should have been jolly careful not -to ask him round to Shadwell this evening." - -With a little laugh Nancy held out her hands toward him. - -"Take me home, Colin," she said. "I feel like Charles Lamb when they -gave him a pension. I want to go home for ever." - -* * * * * * * * * - -Mark filled up his empty glass, and, settling himself in his -armchair, beamed paternally at Colin and Nancy, who were sitting -opposite to him on the sofa. - -"It only shows how careful one ought to be," he said. "Just think of -the chance I missed when I took Nancy on as a secretary! If I'd had -any idea that she was going to blossom out suddenly as a sort of -female Rothschild I should immediately have adopted her as my -daughter." - -"Perhaps it's as well you didn't," said Colin, laughing. "She'd have -found it a bit of a strain to carry out the fifth commandment." - -Nancy, who was looking distractingly pretty as she lay back against -the cushions, smiled contentedly at them both. - -"I think it's much better as it is," she said. "If I hadn't known -what it felt like to be bullied and ordered about I shouldn't be half -so happy when I'm married to Colin." - -Mark set down his glass with an air of pretended dismay. - -"But, my dear child," he exclaimed, "you can't possibly marry Colin -now. You must put that idea right out of your head. Why, with your -looks and two hundred thousand pounds you might make an alliance with -a duke." - -There was a moment's pause. - -"By Jove, yes!" observed Colin blankly. "I never thought of that." - -He turned to Nancy, but before he could add anything further she -raised her finger in a peremptory warning. - -"It's no use, Colin dear," she said. "Joe saw you hugging and -kissing me at 'The Firs,' and I'm not the sort of girl to allow my -young affections to be trifled with. If you attempt to back out of -it now I shall sue you for breach of promise." - -The distant tinkle of a bell sounded through the house, and, raising -himself in his chair, Mark glanced indignantly at the clock. - -"Oh, hang it all!" he exclaimed. "I'm not going to see any more -patients to-night. It's nearly ten, and, besides that, I'm -beautifully and comfortably intoxicated." - -"It may be Marsden," suggested Colin. "He promised to come down if -he could manage to spare the time." - -They heard the front door open and close, and after a brief interval -the somewhat breathless figure of Martha Jane burst unceremoniously -into the room. - -"There's a police inspector downstairs," she announced. "'E says -'e's come to see Doctor Gray." - -Mark hoisted himself to his feet. "Show him up," he said hospitably, -"and then fetch along another glass. If any one else calls, tell -them that I've been sent for to Buckingham Palace to operate on the -King." - -Leaving the door open behind her, Martha Jane vanished down the -staircase. There was a murmur of voices, followed by a creak of -footsteps, and a moment later she reappeared, with the bullet head -and broad shoulders of the detective mounting in her wake. - -Jumping up from the sofa, Colin met him as he entered the room. - -"So glad you've been able to come, Marsden," he exclaimed. "We only -wanted you to complete the party." He waved an introductory hand in -the direction of Mark. "This is my friend, Doctor Ashton. I don't -think there's any need to introduce you to Miss Seymour!" - -Marsden smiled, and, stepping forward, shook hands with his host. - -"Pleased to meet you, doctor," he said. "I'm sorry to disturb you at -this hour, but, as you've probably heard, we've been having rather a -busy and exciting afternoon." He turned to Nancy. "I hope you're -not feeling much the worse for it, miss?" - -"Not a bit," said Nancy, "thanks to you and Colin. I only wish I -could tell you how grateful I am for all you've done for me." - -Marsden shook his head. "It's very good of you to say so, miss, but -I'm not throwing any bouquets at myself this journey. On the -contrary, I don't think I've ever made so many blunders in a case in -the whole of my professional career." - -"Why, what are you worrying about?" demanded Colin. "Except for the -regrettable fact that we can't hang Cooper----" - -"You haven't heard my news yet," interrupted Marsden. "I'm almost -ashamed to confess it, but the fact remains that we've allowed Medwin -to slip through our fingers." - -Colin stared at him incredulously. "Medwin escaped!" he exclaimed. - -"If you like to put it that way. He has escaped being sent for -trial, anyhow. At the present moment he's lying in the mortuary at -the Kensington Police Station." - -With a faint cry of horror Nancy caught hold of Colin's hand. - -"It was all my fault," continued Marsden. "I ought to have made -certain of him before we left London. It never occurred to me he'd -play us a dirty trick like this." - -"What do you mean?" broke in Colin. "When I left him he was tied up -on the sofa. How on earth----" - -"Well, the servants came back and untied him," said Marsden curtly. -"He invented some cock-and-bull story about having been attacked by a -couple of burglars, and then sent them down to the kitchen and locked -himself in his study. As soon as I got back to London I telephoned -through to Kensington and gave instructions for his arrest, but by -that time it was too late. They found him sitting dead in his chair, -with a letter which he had just written lying on the table beside -him. He had swallowed enough poison to kill half a dozen people." - -There was a brief silence. - -"I see now," said Colin slowly. "He told me he knew when he was -beaten, and that's evidently what he meant." He paused. "And the -letter?" he asked. - -Marsden put his hand in his pocket and produced a large square -envelope. - -"The letter was my chief reason for coming down here. As a matter of -fact, it was addressed to you, but under the circumstances I've taken -the liberty of opening it." - -He presented the envelope to Colin, who, after glancing unbelievingly -at his own name, pulled out and unfolded its contents. - - - "3 ALBERT TERRACE, - "KENSINGTON. - - "My dear Gray,--You will probably be surprised at receiving a - letter from me, but you must put it down to the whim of a dying - man. - - "The truth is, I feel that I owe an apology both to you and to - Miss Seymour. - - "I will make no attempt to defend my conduct. I frankly admit - that it justifies practically every one of the uncomplimentary - epithets which you hurled at me in the course of your dramatic - visit. - - "The only accusation against which I must enter a protest is that - either Fenton or I was in any way concerned with the murder of my - old friend and client, the late Professor Carter. On this point - you are entirely mistaken. It was the work of that senseless - ruffian Cooper, whom we had employed to assist us in breaking - into the Red Lodge when we found it necessary to examine the - Professor's papers. I sincerely hope that this information will - be of some assistance in bringing him to the gallows. - - "On the charges of embezzlement and conspiracy, however, the fact - remains that I have rendered myself liable to a considerable term - of penal servitude. It is an unpleasant position, but one which - I am perfectly prepared to face. Playing for high stakes has - always had a peculiar attraction for me, and in the event of - failure I have never been one of those poor-spirited sportsmen - who object to settling their accounts. - - "I doubt if you will believe me, but I should like to say in - conclusion that as far as you are concerned I have no feeling of - resentment. On the contrary, if you had not been so infernally - in my way it would have been a distinct pleasure to me to - cultivate your society. Being of a somewhat complex temperament, - I derive considerable enjoyment from the companionship of a crude - and vigorous young savage like yourself. - - "I do not know whether you arrived in time to rescue Miss Seymour - from the embraces of our mutual friend, but I have no doubt that - you will succeed in consoling her for any unpleasant experiences - to which she may have been subjected. From the little I saw of - her she struck me as being a singularly attractive and - high-spirited young lady. - - "Please convey to her my apologies for the unchivalrous treatment - she has received, and also express my regret that there should be - a shortage of some twenty thousand pounds in the money to which - she is entitled. As the sum which still remains, however, - amounts to about a hundred and seventy thousand pounds, it will - be amply sufficient to provide you both with those minor comforts - and luxuries which form such an agreeable addition even to the - happiest of married lives. - - "Believe me, my dear Gray, - "Your sincere admirer, - "JAMES STANHOPE MEDWIN." - - - Colin read through this remarkable communication in silence, and, - having come to the end, handed it to Nancy. - - "It's just the sort of letter I should have expected him to - write," he observed. "The only thing I'm surprised at is that he - didn't send us a wedding present." - - "Well, it's queer your putting it like that," replied the - detective. "As a matter of fact, it's the very same remark which - I made to the Commissioner. There's a certain type of criminal - who doesn't care what happens to him as long as he can die - showing off and codding himself that he's a sportsman and a - gentleman." - - "I suppose that's true," said Nancy, looking up from the letter. - "I do wish he hadn't killed himself, though. I hate to feel that - three people have lost their lives and all on account of----" - - "It's only because you're not accustomed to it," interrupted Mark - comfortingly. "When one's been a doctor for twenty years a - trifling massacre like this leaves one quite unperturbed." - - As he spoke Martha Jane appeared with the clean glass, and, - taking it off the tray, he turned to Marsden. - - "How about a drop of champagne, Inspector?" he suggested. - "There's nothing like it after a busy day, and, besides, you've - got to drink to the health of the happy pair." - - "I won't say no to a good offer like that," returned the - detective. - - He accepted the beaker which Mark held out to him, and, raising - it in his hand, nodded first to Nancy and then to Colin. - - "I've already congratulated the doctor," he said. "As for you, - miss, if you'll excuse my saying so, I think you've made as big a - success in choosing a husband as you did in choosing a - grandfather." - - He drained his glass to the dregs, and set it down on the table - with an appreciative smack. - - "I'm sorry to tear myself away from such a pleasant party," he - added, "but I've got to get back to the Yard and complete my - report of the case. We're fixing the inquest for the day after - to-morrow." - - "Shall I have to give evidence?" inquired Nancy in some dismay. - - "I'm afraid there's no getting out of that, miss. You and Doctor - Gray will be the two principal witnesses, but I shall be seeing - the Coroner first, and you can take it from me that you won't be - asked more questions than are absolutely necessary." He turned - to Colin. "I should like to see you the first thing in the - morning, doctor. This case is bound to attract a good deal of - attention, and there are one or two points in connection with it - which it will be better if we keep to ourselves." - - "That's all right," said Colin calmly. "You tell me what you - want us to say, and Nancy and I will stick to it like Britons." - - Marsden laughed, and, picking up his cap from the table, shook - hands all round. - - "Let me see you as far as the door, Inspector," suggested Mark. - "I think I'm just sober enough to be able to manage the - staircase." - - He led the way out on the landing, followed by the detective, and - for the first time since their return to the house Colin and - Nancy found themselves alone. - - He put his arm round her, and, bending down, kissed her hair. - - "You mustn't let all this distress you too much, darling," he - said gently. "It's been a horrible and ghastly business, but I - do believe it's ended in the best way possible. If these men - hadn't been killed----" - - "I know, Colin," she said. "I think it's only a sort of selfish - feeling I've got. I am so happy myself I want everyone else to - be happy too." - - "So they are!" declared Colin. "At least, everyone who matters. - There's you and I and Mark and Mary and Joe----" He paused. "By - the way, I wonder what's happened to Joe." - - "I know what's going to happen to him," said Nancy. "Directly I - get my money I'm going to buy him the biggest and most beautiful - public house in Shadwell. If it wasn't for Joe----" Her voice - faltered, and with a sudden impulsive movement she caught hold of - Colin's hand and pressed it to her cheek. - - For a moment he stood looking down at her, his gray eyes alight - with love and tenderness. - - "There's only one thing that isn't quite perfect," he said - slowly. "I'm afraid that, whatever success I meet with in my - research work, I'm bound to be more or less disappointed." - - "Oh, Colin, what do you mean?" - - "Why," he whispered softly, "I've already made the greatest - discovery in the world. _I've found you_." - - - - THE END - - - - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED LODGE *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |