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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 06:21:04 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 06:21:04 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/75288-0.txt b/75288-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..64bd163 --- /dev/null +++ b/75288-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10399 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75288 *** + + + + + + + The Seven Dials Mystery + + Agatha Christie + + PRINTING HISTORY + _Dodd, Mead edition published March 1929_ + _Grosset & Dunlap edition published February 1930_ + _American Mercury edition published October 1942_ + _Bantam edition/January 1964_ + _New Bantam edition/March 1976_ + _The Agatha Christie Mystery Collection/September 1986_ + + _All rights reserved._ + _Copyright 1929 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc._ + _Copyright renewed © 1957 by Agatha Christie Mallowan._ + + PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA + + + + + CONTENTS + + + I ON EARLY RISING + + II CONCERNING ALARUM CLOCKS + + III THE JOKE THAT FAILED + + IV A LETTER + + V THE MAN IN THE ROAD + + VI SEVEN DIALS AGAIN + + VII BUNDLE PAYS A CALL + + VIII VISITORS FOR JIMMY + + IX PLANS + + X BUNDLE VISITS SCOTLAND YARD + + XI DINNER WITH BILL + + XII INQUIRIES AT CHIMNEYS + + XIII THE SEVEN DIALS CLUB + + XIV THE MEETING OF THE SEVEN DIALS + + XV THE INQUEST + + XVI THE HOUSE PARTY AT THE ABBEY + + XVII AFTER DINNER + + XVIII JIMMY'S ADVENTURES + + XIX BUNDLE'S ADVENTURES + + XX LORAINE'S ADVENTURES + + XXI THE RECOVERY OF THE FORMULA + + XXII THE COUNTESS RADZKY'S STORY + + XXIII SUPERINTENDENT BATTLE IN CHARGE + + XXIV BUNDLE WONDERS + + XXV JIMMY LAYS HIS PLANS + + XXVI MAINLY ABOUT GOLF + + XXVII NOCTURNAL ADVENTURE + + XXVIII SUSPICIONS + + XXIX SINGULAR BEHAVIOUR OF GEORGE LOMAX + + XXX AN URGENT SUMMONS + + XXXI THE SEVEN DIALS + + XXXII BUNDLE IS DUMFOUNDED + + XXXIII BATTLE EXPLAINS + + XXXIV LORD CATERHAM APPROVES + + + + + THE SEVEN DIALS MYSTERY + + + + + CHAPTER I + + ON EARLY RISING + + +That amiable youth, Jimmy Thesiger, came racing down the big staircase +at Chimneys two steps at a time. So precipitate was his descent that +he collided with Tredwell, the stately butler, just as the latter +was crossing the hall bearing a fresh supply of hot coffee. Owing to +the marvellous presence of mind and masterly agility of Tredwell, no +casualty occurred. + +"Sorry," apologized Jimmy. "I say, Tredwell, am I the last down?" + +"No, sir, Mr. Wade has not come down yet." + +"Good," said Jimmy, and entered the breakfast-room. + +The room was empty save for his hostess, and her reproachful gaze gave +Jimmy the same feeling of discomfort he always experienced on catching +the eye of a defunct codfish exposed on a fishmonger's slab. Yet, hang +it all, why should the woman look at him like that? To come down at +a punctual nine-thirty when staying in a country house simply wasn't +done. To be sure, it was now a quarter past eleven which was, perhaps, +the outside limit, but even then-- + +"Afraid I'm a bit late, Lady Coote. What?" + +"Oh! it doesn't matter," said Lady Coote in a melancholy voice. + +As a matter of fact, people being late for breakfast worried her very +much. For the first ten years of her married life, Sir Oswald Coote +(then plain Mr.) had, to put it baldly, raised hell if his morning +meal were even a half minute later than eight o'clock. Lady Coote had +been disciplined to regard unpunctuality as a deadly sin of the most +unpardonable nature. And habit dies hard. Also, she was an earnest +woman, and she could not help asking herself what possible good these +young people would ever do in the world without early rising. As Sir +Oswald so often said, to reporters and others: "I attribute my success +entirely to my habits of early rising, frugal living, and methodical +habits." + +Lady Coote was a big, handsome woman in a tragic sort of fashion. She +had large, dark, mournful eyes and a deep voice. An artist looking +for a model for "Rachel mourning for her children" would have hailed +Lady Coote with delight. She would have done well, too, in melodrama, +staggering through the falling snow as the deeply wronged wife of the +villain. + +She looked as though she had some terrible secret sorrow in her life, +and yet if the truth be told, Lady Coote had had no trouble in her +life whatever, except the meteoric rise to prosperity of Sir Oswald. +As a young girl she had been a jolly flamboyant creature, very much +in love with Oswald Coote, the aspiring young man in the bicycle shop +next to her father's hardware store. They had lived very happily, +first in a couple of rooms, and then in a tiny house, and then in a +larger house, and then in successive houses of increasing magnitude, +but always within a reasonable distance of "the Works" until now Sir +Oswald had reached such an eminence that he and "the Works" were no +longer interdependent, and it was his pleasure to rent the very largest +and most magnificent mansions available all over England. Chimneys was +a historic place, and in renting it from the Marquis of Caterham for +two years, Sir Oswald felt that he had attained the top notch of his +ambition. + +Lady Coote was not nearly so happy about it. She was a lonely woman. +The principal relaxation of her early married life had been talking +to "the girl"--and even when "the girl" had been multiplied by three, +conversation with her domestic staff had still been the principal +distraction of Lady Coote's day. Now, with a pack of housemaids, a +butler like an archbishop, several footmen of imposing proportions, +a bevy of scuttling kitchen and scullery maids, a terrifying foreign +chef with a "temperament" and a housekeeper of immense proportions who +alternately creaked and rustled when she moved, Lady Coote was as one +marooned on a desert island. + +She sighed now, heavily, and drifted out through the open window, much +to the relief of Jimmy Thesiger who at once helped himself to more +kidneys and bacon on the strength of it. + +Lady Coote stood for a few moments tragically on the terrace and +then nerved herself to speak to MacDonald, the head gardener, who +was surveying the domain over which he ruled with an autocratic eye. +MacDonald was a very chief and prince among head gardeners. He knew his +place--which was to rule. And he ruled--despotically. + +Lady Coote approached him nervously. + +"Good-morning, MacDonald." + +"Good-morning, m'lady." + +He spoke as head gardeners should speak--mournfully, but with +dignity--like an emperor at a funeral. + +"I was wondering--could we have some of those late grapes for dessert +to-night?" + +"They're no fit for picking yet," said MacDonald. + +He spoke kindly but firmly. + +"Oh," said Lady Coote. + +She plucked up courage. + +"Oh! but I was in the end house yesterday, and I tasted one and they +seemed very good." + +MacDonald looked at her, and she blushed. She was made to feel that she +had taken an unpardonable liberty. Evidently the late Marchioness of +Caterham had never committed such a solecism as to enter one of her own +hothouses and help herself to grapes. + +"If you had given orders, m'lady, a bunch should have been cut and sent +in to you," said MacDonald severely. + +"Oh, thank you," said Lady Coote. "Yes, I will do that another time." + +"But they're no properly fit for picking yet." + +"No," murmured Lady Coote. "No, I suppose not. We'd better leave it +then." + +MacDonald maintained a masterly silence. Lady Coote nerved herself once +more. + +"I was going to speak to you about the piece of lawn at the back of the +rose garden. I wondered if it could be used as a bowling green. Sir +Oswald is very fond of a game of bowls." + +"And why not?" thought Lady Coote to herself. She had been instructed +in her history of England. Had not Sir Francis Drake and his knightly +companions been playing a game of bowls when the Armada was sighted? +Surely a gentlemanly pursuit and one to which MacDonald could not +reasonably object. But she had reckoned without the predominant trait +of a good head gardener, which is to oppose any and every suggestion +made to him. + +"Nae doot it could be used for that purpose," said MacDonald +noncommittally. + +He threw a discouraging flavour into the remark, but its real object +was to lure Lady Coote on to her destruction. + +"If it was cleared up and--er--cut--and--er--all that sort of thing," +she went on hopefully. + +"Aye," said MacDonald slowly. "It could be done. But it would mean +taking William from the lower border." + +"Oh!" said Lady Coote doubtfully. The words "lower border" conveyed +absolutely nothing to her mind--except a vague suggestion of a +Scottish song--but it was clear that to MacDonald they constituted an +insuperable objection. + +"And that would be a pity," said MacDonald. + +"Oh! of course," said Lady Coote. "It _would_." + +And wondered why she agreed so fervently. + +MacDonald looked at her very hard. + +"Of course," he said, "if it's your _orders_, m'lady--" + +He left it like that. But his menacing tone was too much for Lady +Coote. She capitulated at once. + +"Oh! no," she said. "I see what you mean, MacDonald. N-no--William had +better get on with the lower border." + +"That's what I thocht meself, m'lady." + +"Yes," said Lady Coote. "Yes. Certainly." + +"I thocht you'd gree, m'lady," said MacDonald. + +"Oh! certainly," said Lady Coote again. + +MacDonald touched his hat and moved away. + +Lady Coote sighed unhappily and looked after him. Jimmy Thesiger, +replete with kidneys and bacon, stepped out on to the terrace beside +her, and sighed in quite a different manner. + +"Topping morning, eh?" he remarked. + +"Is it?" said Lady Coote, absently. "Oh! yes, I suppose it is. I hadn't +noticed." + +"Where are the others? Punting on the lake?" + +"I expect so. I mean, I shouldn't wonder if they were." + +Lady Coote turned and plunged abruptly into the house again. Tredwell +was just examining the coffee pot. + +"Oh, dear," said Lady Coote. "Isn't Mr.--Mr.--" + +"Wade, m'lady?" + +"Yes, Mr. Wade. Isn't he down _yet_?" + +"No, m'lady." + +"It's very late." + +"Yes, m'lady." + +"Oh! dear. I suppose he will come down _sometime_, Tredwell?" + +"Oh, undoubtedly, m'lady. It was eleven thirty yesterday morning when +Mr. Wade came down, m'lady." + +Lady Coote glanced at the clock. It was now twenty minutes to twelve. A +wave of human sympathy rushed over her. + +"It's very hard luck on you, Tredwell. Having to clear and then get +lunch on the table by one o'clock." + +"I am accustomed to the ways of young gentlemen, m'lady." + +The reproof was dignified, but unmistakable. So might a prince of the +Church reprove a Turk or an infidel who had unwittingly committed a +solecism in all good faith. + +Lady Coote blushed for the second time that morning. But a welcome +interruption occurred. The door opened and a serious, spectacled young +man put his head in. + +"Oh! there you are, Lady Coote. Sir Oswald was asking for you." + +"Oh, I'll go to him at once, Mr. Bateman." + +Lady Coote hurried out. + +Rupert Bateman, who was Sir Oswald's private secretary, went out the +other way, through the window where Jimmy Thesiger was still lounging +amiably. + +"Morning, Pongo," said Jimmy. "I suppose I shall have to go and make +myself agreeable to those blasted girls. You coming?" + +Bateman shook his head and hurried along the terrace and in at the +library window. Jimmy grinned pleasantly at his retreating back. He and +Bateman had been at school together, when Bateman had been a serious, +spectacled boy, and had been nicknamed Pongo for no earthly reason +whatever. + +Pongo, Jimmy reflected, was very much the same sort of ass now that he +had been then. The words "Life is real, life is earnest" might have +been written specially for him. + +Jimmy yawned and strolled slowly down to the lake. The girls were +there, three of them--just the usual sort of girls, two with dark, +shingled heads and one with a fair, shingled head. The one that giggled +most was (he thought) called Helen--and there was another called +Nancy--and the third one was, for some reason, addressed as Socks. With +them were his two friends, Bill Eversleigh and Ronny Devereux, who were +employed in a purely ornamental capacity at the Foreign Office. + +"Hallo," said Nancy (or possibly Helen). "It's Jimmy. Where's what's +his name?" + +"You don't mean to say," said Bill Eversleigh, "that Gerry Wade's not +up _yet_? Something ought to be done about it." + +"If he's not careful," said Ronny Devereux, "he'll miss his breakfast +altogether one day--find it's lunch or tea instead when he rolls down." + +"It's a shame," said the girl called Socks. "Because it worries Lady +Coote so. She gets more and more like a hen that wants to lay an egg +and can't. It's too bad." + +"Let's pull him out of bed," suggested Bill. "Come on, Jimmy." + +"Oh! let's be more subtle than that," said the girl called Socks. +Subtle was a word of which she was rather fond. She used it a great +deal. + +"I'm not subtle," said Jimmy. "I don't know how." + +"Let's get together and do something about it to-morrow morning," +suggested Ronny vaguely. "You know, get him up at seven. Stagger the +household. Tredwell loses his false whiskers and drops the tea urn. +Lady Coote has hysterics and faints in Bill's arms--Bill being the +weight carrier. Sir Oswald says 'Ha!' and steel goes up a point and +five eighths. Pongo registers emotion by throwing down his spectacles +and stamping on them." + +"You don't know Gerry," said Jimmy. "I daresay enough cold water +_might_ wake him--judiciously applied, that is. But he'd only turn over +and go to sleep again." + +"Oh! we must think of something more subtle than cold water," said +Socks. + +"Well, what?" asked Ronny bluntly. And nobody had any answer ready. + +"We ought to be able to think of something," said Bill. "Who's got any +brains?" + +"Pongo," said Jimmy. "And here he is, rushing along in a hurried manner +as usual. Pongo was always the one for brains. It's been his misfortune +from his youth upwards. Let's turn Pongo on to it." + +Mr. Bateman listened patiently to a somewhat incoherent statement. His +attitude was that of one poised for flight. He delivered his solution +without loss of time. + +"I should suggest an alarum clock," he said briskly. "I always use one +myself for fear of oversleeping. I find that early tea brought in in a +noiseless manner is sometimes powerless to awaken one." + +He hurried away. + +"An alarum clock." Ronny shook his head. "_One_ alarum clock. It would +take about a dozen to disturb Gerry Wade." + +"Well, why not?" Bill was flushed and earnest. "I've got it. Let's all +go into Market Basing and buy an alarum clock each." + +There was laughter and discussion. Bill and Ronny went off to get hold +of cars. Jimmy was deputed to spy upon the dining-room. He returned +rapidly. + +"He's there right enough. Making up for lost time and wolfing down +toast and marmalade. How are we going to prevent him coming along with +us?" + +It was decided that Lady Coote must be approached and instructed to +hold him in play. Jimmy and Nancy and Helen fulfilled this duty. Lady +Coote was bewildered and apprehensive. + +"A rag? You will be careful, won't you, my dears? I mean, you won't +smash the furniture and wreck things or use too much water. We've got +to hand this house over next week, you know. I shouldn't like Lord +Caterham to think--" + +Bill, who had returned from the garage, broke in reassuringly. + +"That's all right, Lady Coote. Bundle Brent--Lord Caterham's +daughter--is a great friend of mine. And there's nothing she'd stick +at--absolutely nothing! You can take it from me. And anyway there's not +going to be any damage done. This is quite a quiet affair." + +"Subtle," said the girl called Socks. + +Lady Coote went sadly along the terrace just as Gerald Wade emerged +from the breakfast-room. Jimmy Thesiger was a fair, cherubic young man, +and all that could be said of Gerald Wade was that he was fairer and +more cherubic, and that his vacuous expression made Jimmy's face quite +intelligent by contrast. + +"Morning, Lady Coote," said Gerald Wade. "Where are all the others?" + +"They've all gone to Market Basing," said Lady Coote. + +"What for?" + +"Some joke," said Lady Coote in her deep, melancholy voice. + +"Rather early in the morning for jokes," said Mr. Wade. + +"It's not so very early in the morning," said Lady Coote pointedly. + +"I'm afraid I was a bit late coming down," said Mr. Wade with engaging +frankness. "It's an extraordinary thing, but wherever I happen to be +staying, I'm always last to be down." + +"Very extraordinary," said Lady Coote. + +"I don't know why it is," said Mr. Wade, meditating. "I can't think, +I'm sure." + +"Why don't you just get up?" suggested Lady Coote. + +"Oh!" said Mr. Wade. The simplicity of the solution rather took him +aback. + +Lady Coote went on earnestly. + +"I've heard Sir Oswald say so many times that there's nothing for +getting a young man on in the world like punctual habits." + +"Oh! I know," said Mr. Wade. "And I have to when I'm in town. I mean, +I have to be round at the jolly old Foreign Office by eleven o'clock. +You mustn't think I'm always a slacker, Lady Coote. I say, what +awfully jolly flowers you've got down in that lower border. I can't +remember the names of them, but we've got some at home--those mauve +thingummybobs. My sister's tremendously keen on gardening." + +Lady Coote was immediately diverted. Her wrongs rankled within her. + +"What kind of gardeners do you have?" + +"Oh! just one. Rather an old fool, I believe. Doesn't know much, but he +does what he's told. And that's a great thing, isn't it?" + +Lady Coote agreed that it was with a depth of feeling in her voice that +would have been invaluable to her as an emotional actress. They began +to discourse on the iniquities of gardeners. + +Meanwhile the expedition was doing well. The principal emporium of +Market Basing had been invaded and the sudden demand for alarum clocks +was considerably puzzling the proprietor. + +"I wish we'd got Bundle here," murmured Bill. "You know her, don't +you, Jimmy? Oh, you'd like her. She's a splendid girl--a real good +sport--and mark you, she's got brains too. You know her, Ronny?" + +Ronny shook his head. + +"Don't know Bundle? Where have you been vegetating? She's simply it." + +"Be a bit more subtle, Bill," said Socks. "Stop blethering about your +lady friends and get on with the business." + +Mr. Murgatroyd, owner of Murgatroyd's Stores, burst into eloquence. + +"If you'll allow me to advise you, Miss, I should say--_not_ the 7/11 +one. It's a good clock--I'm not running it down, mark you, but I +should strongly advise this kind at 10/6. Well worth the extra money. +Reliability, you understand. I shouldn't like you to say afterwards--" + +It was evident to everybody that Mr. Murgatroyd must be turned off like +a tap. + +"We don't want a reliable clock," said Nancy. + +"It's got to go for one day, that's all," said Helen. + +"We don't want a subtle one," said Socks. "We want one with a good loud +ring." + +"We want--" began Bill, but was unable to finish, because Jimmy, who +was of a mechanical turn of mind, had at last grasped the mechanism. +For the next five minutes the shop was hideous with the loud raucous +ringing of many alarum clocks. + +In the end six excellent starters were selected. + +"And I'll tell you what," said Ronny handsomely, "I'll get one for +Pongo. It was his idea, and it's a shame that he should be out of it. +He shall be represented among those present." + +"That's right," said Bill. "And I'll take an extra one for Lady Coote. +The more the merrier. And she's doing some of the spade work. Probably +gassing away to old Gerry now." + +Indeed at this precise moment Lady Coote was detailing a long story +about MacDonald and a prize peach and enjoying herself very much. + +The clocks were wrapped up and paid for. Mr. Murgatroyd watched the +cars drive away with a puzzled air. Very spirited the young people of +the upper classes nowadays, very spirited indeed, but not at all easy +to understand. He turned with relief to attend to the vicar's wife, who +wanted a new kind of dripless teapot. + + + + + CHAPTER II + + CONCERNING ALARUM CLOCKS + + +"Now where shall we put them?" + +Dinner was over. Lady Coote had been once more detailed for duty. Sir +Oswald had unexpectedly come to the rescue by suggesting bridge--not +that suggesting is the right word. Sir Oswald, as became one of +"Our Captains of Industry" (No. 7 of Series I), merely expressed a +preference and those around him hastened to accommodate themselves to +the great man's wishes. + +Rupert Bateman and Sir Oswald were partners against Lady Coote and +Gerald Wade, which was a very happy arrangement. Sir Oswald played +bridge, like he did everything else, extremely well, and liked a +partner to correspond. Bateman was as efficient a bridge player as +he was a secretary. Both of them confined themselves strictly to the +matter in hand, merely uttering in curt short barks, "Two no trumps," +"Double," "Three spades." Lady Coote and Gerald Wade were amiable and +discursive and the young man never failed to say at the conclusion +of each hand, "I say, partner, you played that simply splendidly," +in tones of simple admiration which Lady Coote found both novel and +extremely soothing. They also held very good cards. + +The others were supposed to be dancing to the wireless in the big +ballroom. In reality they were grouped around the door of Gerald Wade's +bedroom, and the air was full of subdued giggles and the loud ticking +of clocks. + +"Under the bed in a row," suggested Jimmy in answer to Bill's question. + +"And what shall we set them at? What time, I mean? All together so that +there's one glorious what-not, or at intervals?" + +The point was hotly disputed. One party argued that for a champion +sleeper like Gerry Wade the combined ringing of eight alarum clocks was +necessary. The other party argued in favour of steady and sustained +effort. + +In the end the latter won the day. The clocks were set to go off one +after the other, starting at 6:30 A.M. + +"And I hope," said Bill virtuously, "that this will be a lesson to him." + +"Hear, hear," said Socks. + +The business of hiding the clocks was just being begun when there was a +sudden alarm. + +"Hist," cried Jimmy. "Somebody's coming up the stairs." + +There was a panic. + +"It's all right," said Jimmy. "It's only Pongo." + +Taking advantage of being dummy, Mr. Bateman was going to his room for +a handkerchief. He paused on his way and took in the situation at a +glance. He then made a comment, a simple and practical one. + +"He will hear them ticking when he goes to bed." + +The conspirators looked at each other. + +"What did I tell you?" said Jimmy in a reverent voice. "Pongo always +_did_ have brains!" + +The brainy one passed on. + +"It's true," admitted Ronny Devereux, his head on one side. "Eight +clocks all ticking at once do make a devil of a row. Even old Gerry, +ass as he is, couldn't miss it. He'll guess something's up." + +"I wonder if he is," said Jimmy Thesiger. + +"Is what?" + +"Such an ass as we all think." + +Ronny stared at him. + +"We all know old Gerald." + +"Do we?" said Jimmy. "I've sometimes thought that--well, that it isn't +possible for anyone to be quite the ass old Gerry makes himself out to +be." + +They all stared at him. There was a serious look on Ronny's face. + +"Jimmy," he said, "you've got brains." + +"A second Pongo," said Bill encouragingly. + +"Well, it just occurred to me, that's all," said Jimmy, defending +himself. + +"Oh! don't let's all be subtle," cried Socks. "What are we to do about +these clocks?" + +"Here's Pongo coming back again. Let's ask him," suggested Jimmy. + +Pongo, urged to bring his great brain to bear upon the matter, gave his +decision. + +"Wait till he's gone to bed and got to sleep. Then enter the room very +quietly and put the clocks down on the floor." + +"Little Pongo's right again," said Jimmy. "On the word one all park +clocks, and then we'll go downstairs and disarm suspicion." + +Bridge was still proceeding--with a slight difference. Sir Oswald was +now playing with his wife and was conscientiously pointing out to her +the mistakes she had made during the play of each hand. Lady Coote +accepted reproof good-humouredly, and with a complete lack of any real +interest. She reiterated, not once but many times: + +"I see, dear. It's so kind of you to tell me." + +And she continued to make exactly the same errors. + +At intervals, Gerald Wade said to Pongo: + +"Well played, partner, jolly well played." + +Bill Eversleigh was making calculations with Ronny Devereux. + +"Say he goes to bed about twelve--what do you think we ought to give +him--about an hour?" + +He yawned. + +"Curious thing--three in the morning is my usual time for bye-bye, +but to-night, just because I know we've got to sit up a bit, I'd give +anything to be a mother's boy and turn in right away." + +Everyone agreed that he felt the same. + +"My dear Maria," rose the voice of Sir Oswald in mild irritation, +"I have told you over and over again not to hesitate when you are +wondering whether to finesse or not. You give the whole table +information." + +Lady Coote had a very good answer to this--namely that as Sir Oswald +was dummy, he had no right to comment on the play of the hand. But she +did not make it. Instead she smiled kindly, leaned her ample chest well +forward over the table, and gazed firmly into Gerald Wade's hand where +he sat on her right. + +Her anxieties lulled to rest by perceiving the queen, she played the +knave and took the trick and proceeded to lay down her cards. + +"Four tricks and the rubber," she announced. "I think I was very lucky +to get four tricks there." + +"Lucky," murmured Gerald Wade, as he pushed back his chair and came +over to the fireplace to join the others. "Lucky, she calls it. That +woman wants watching." + +Lady Coote was gathering up notes and silver. + +"I know I'm not a good player," she announced in a mournful tone which +nevertheless held an undercurrent of pleasure in it. "But I'm really +very lucky at the game." + +"You'll never be a bridge player, Maria," said Sir Oswald. + +"No, dear," said Lady Coote. "I know I shan't. You're always telling me +so. And I do try so hard." + +"She does," said Gerald Wade _sotto voce_. "There's no subterfuge about +it. She'd put her head right down on your shoulder if she couldn't see +into your hand any other way." + +"I know you try," said Sir Oswald. "It's just that you haven't any card +sense." + +"I know, dear," said Lady Coote. "That's what you're always telling me. +And you owe me another ten shillings, Oswald." + +"Do I?" Sir Oswald looked surprised. + +"Yes. Seventeen hundred--eight pounds ten. You've only given me eight +pounds." + +"Dear me," said Sir Oswald. "My mistake." + +Lady Coote smiled at him sadly and took up the extra ten-shilling note. +She was very fond of her husband, but she had no intention of allowing +him to cheat her out of ten shillings. + +Sir Oswald moved over to a side table and became hospitable with whisky +and soda. It was half-past twelve when general good-nights were said. + +Ronny Devereux, who had the room next door to Gerald Wade's, was told +off to report progress. At a quarter to two he crept round tapping at +doors. The party, pyjamaed and dressing-gowned, assembled with various +scuffles and giggles and low whispers. + +"His light went out about twenty minutes ago," reported Ronny in a +hoarse whisper. "I thought he'd never put it out. I opened the door +just now and peeped in, and he seems sound off. What about it?" + +Once more the clocks were solemnly assembled. Then another difficulty +arose. + +"We can't all go barging in. Make no end of a row. One person's got to +do it and the others can hand him the what-nots from the door." + +Hot discussion then arose as to the proper person to be selected. + +The three girls were rejected on the grounds that they would giggle. +Bill Eversleigh was rejected on the grounds of his height, weight and +heavy tread, also for his general clumsiness, which latter clause he +fiercely denied. Jimmy Thesiger and Ronny Devereux were considered +possibles, but in the end an overwhelming majority decided in favour of +Rupert Bateman. + +"Pongo's the lad," agreed Jimmy. "Anyway, he walks like a cat--always +did. And then, if Gerry should waken up, Pongo will be able to think of +some rotten silly thing to say to him. You know, something plausible +that'll calm him down and not rouse his suspicions." + +"Something subtle," suggested the girl Socks thoughtfully. + +"Exactly," said Jimmy. + +Pongo performed his job neatly and efficiently. Cautiously opening the +bedroom door, he disappeared into the darkness inside bearing the two +largest clocks. In a minute or two he reappeared on the threshold +and two more were handed to him and then again twice more. Finally +he emerged. Every one held his breath and listened. The rhythmical +breathing of Gerald Wade could still be heard, but drowned, smothered +and buried beneath the triumphant, impassioned ticking of Mr. +Murgatroyd's eight alarum clocks. + + + + + CHAPTER III + + THE JOKE THAT FAILED + + +"Twelve o'clock," said Socks despairingly. + +The joke--as a joke--had not gone off any too well. The alarum clocks, +on the other hand, had performed their part. _They_ had gone off--with +a vigour and _élan_ that could hardly have been surpassed and which had +sent Ronny Devereux leaping out of bed with a confused idea that the +day of judgment had come. If such had been the effect in the room next +door, what must it have been at close quarters? Ronny hurried out in +the passage and applied his ear to the crack of the door. + +He expected profanity--expected it confidently and with intelligent +anticipation. But he heard nothing at all. That is to say, he heard +nothing of what he expected. The clocks were ticking all right--ticking +in a loud, arrogant, exasperating manner. And presently another went +off, ringing with a crude, deafening note that would have aroused acute +irritation in a deaf man. + +There was no doubt about it; the clocks had performed their part +faithfully. They did all and more than Mr. Murgatroyd had claimed for +them. But apparently they had met their match in Gerald Wade. + +The syndicate was inclined to be despondent about it. + +"The lad isn't human," grumbled Jimmy Thesiger. + +"Probably thought he heard the telephone in the distance and rolled +over and went to sleep again," suggested Helen (or possibly Nancy). + +"It seems to me very remarkable," said Rupert Bateman seriously. "I +think he ought to see a doctor about it." + +"Some disease of the ear-drums," suggested Bill hopefully. + +"Well, if you ask me," said Socks, "I think he's just spoofing us. +Of course they woke him up. But he's just going to do us down by +pretending that he didn't hear anything." + +Every one looked at Socks with respect and admiration. + +"It's an idea," said Bill. + +"He's subtle, that's what it is," said Socks. "You'll see, he'll be +extra late for breakfast this morning--just to show us." + +And since the clock now pointed to some minutes past twelve the general +opinion was that Socks' theory was a correct one. Only Ronny Devereux +demurred. + +"You forget, I was outside the door when the first one went off. +Whatever old Gerry decided to do later, the first one must have +surprised him. He'd have let out something about it. Where did you put +it, Pongo?" + +"On a little table close to his ear," said Mr. Bateman. + +"That was thoughtful of you, Pongo," said Ronny. "Now, tell me." He +turned to Bill. "If a whacking great bell started ringing within a few +inches of your ear at half-past six in the morning, what would you say +about it?" + +"Oh! Lord," said Bill. "I should say--" He came to a stop. + +"Of course you would," said Ronny. "So should I. So would anyone. What +they call the natural man would emerge. Well, it didn't. So I say that +Pongo is right--as usual--and that Gerry has got an obscure disease of +the ear-drums." + +"It's now twenty past twelve," said one of the other girls sadly. + +"I say," said Jimmy slowly, "that's a bit beyond anything, isn't it? I +mean a joke's a joke. But this is carrying it a bit far. It's a shade +hard on the Cootes." + +Bill stared at him. + +"What are you getting at?" + +"Well," said Jimmy, "somehow or other--it's not like old Gerry." + +He found it hard to put into words just what he meant to say. He +didn't want to say too much, and yet--He saw Ronny looking at him. +Ronny was suddenly alert. + +It was at that moment Tredwell came into the room and looked round him +hesitatingly. + +"I thought Mr. Bateman was here," he explained apologetically. + +"Just gone out this minute through the window," said Ronny. "Can I do +anything?" + +Tredwell's eyes wandered from him to Jimmy Thesiger and then back +again. As though singled out, the two young men left the room with him. +Tredwell closed the dining-room door carefully behind him. + +"Well," said Ronny. "What's up?" + +"Mr. Wade not having yet come down, sir, I took the liberty of sending +Williams up to his room." + +"Yes." + +"Williams has just come running down in a great state of agitation, +sir." Tredwell paused--a pause of preparation. "I am afraid, sir, the +poor young gentleman must have died in his sleep." + +Jimmy and Ronny stared at him. + +"Nonsense," cried Ronny at last. "It's--it's impossible. Gerry--" His +face worked suddenly. "I'll--I'll run up and see. That fool Williams +may have made a mistake." + +Tredwell stretched out a detaining hand. With a queer, unnatural +feeling of detachment, Jimmy realized that the butler had the whole +situation in hand. + +"No, sir, Williams has made no mistake. I have already sent for Dr. +Cartwright, and in the meantime I have taken the liberty of locking the +door, preparatory to informing Sir Oswald of what has occurred. I must +now find Mr. Bateman." + +Tredwell hurried away. Ronny stood like a man dazed. + +"Gerry," he muttered to himself. + +Jimmy took his friend by the arm and steered him out through a side +door on to a secluded portion of the terrace. He pushed him down on to +a seat. + +"Take it easy, old son," he said kindly. "You'll get your wind in a +minute." + +But he looked at him rather curiously. He had had no idea that Ronny +was such a friend of Gerry Wade's. + +"Poor old Gerry," he said thoughtfully. "If ever a man looked fit, he +did." + +Ronny nodded. + +"All that clock business seems so rotten now," went on Jimmy. "It's +odd, isn't it, why farce so often seems to get mixed up with tragedy?" + +He was talking more or less at random, to give Ronny time to recover +himself. The other moved restlessly. + +"I wish that doctor would come. I want to know--" + +"Know what?" + +"What he--died of." + +Jimmy pursed up his lips. + +"Heart?" he hazarded. + +Ronny gave a short, scornful laugh. + +"I say, Ronny," said Jimmy. + +"Well?" + +Jimmy found a difficulty in going on. + +"You don't mean--you aren't thinking--I mean, you haven't got it into +your head that--that, well, I mean he wasn't biffed on the head or +anything? Tredwell's locking the door and all that." + +It seemed to Jimmy that his words deserved an answer, but Ronny +continued to stare straight out in front of him. + +Jimmy shook his head and relapsed into silence. He didn't see that +there was anything to do except just wait. So he waited. + +It was Tredwell who disturbed them. + +"The doctor would like to see you two gentlemen in the library, if you +please, sir." + +Ronny sprang up. Jimmy followed him. + +Dr. Cartwright was a thin, energetic young man with a clever face. +He greeted them with a brief nod. Pongo, looking more serious and +spectacled than ever, performed introductions. + +"I understand you were a great friend of Mr. Wade's," the doctor said +to Ronny. + +"His greatest friend." + +"H'm. Well, this business seems straightforward enough. Sad, though. +He looked a healthy young chap. Do you know if he was in the habit of +taking stuff to make him sleep?" + +"Make him _sleep_?" Ronny stared. "He always slept like a top." + +"You never heard him complain of sleeplessness?" + +"Never." + +"Well, the facts are simple enough. There'll have to be an inquest, I'm +afraid, nevertheless." + +"How did he die?" + +"There's not much doubt; I should say an overdose of chloral. The stuff +was by his bed. And a bottle and glass. Very sad, these things are." + +It was Jimmy who asked the question which he felt was trembling on his +friend's lips, and yet which the other could somehow or other not get +out. + +"There's no question of--foul play?" + +The doctor looked at him sharply. + +"Why do you say that? Any cause to suspect it, eh?" + +Jimmy looked at Ronny. If Ronny knew anything, now was the time to +speak. But to his astonishment Ronny shook his head. + +"No cause whatever," he said clearly. + +"And suicide--eh?" + +"Certainly not." + +Ronny was emphatic. The doctor was not so clearly convinced. + +"No troubles that you know of? Money troubles? A woman?" + +Again Ronny shook his head. + +"Now about his relations. They must be notified." + +"He's got a sister--a half-sister rather. Lives at Deane Priory. About +twenty miles from here. When he wasn't in town Gerry lived with her." + +"H'm," said the doctor. "Well, she must be told." + +"I'll go," said Ronny. "It's a rotten job, but somebody's got to do +it." He looked at Jimmy. "You know her, don't you?" + +"Slightly. I've danced with her once or twice." + +"Then we'll go in your car. You don't mind, do you? I can't face it +alone." + +"That's all right," said Jimmy reassuringly. "I was going to suggest it +myself. I'll go and get the old bus cranked up." + +He was glad to have something to do. Ronny's manner puzzled him. What +did he know or suspect? And why had he not voiced his suspicions, if he +had them, to the doctor. + +Presently the two friends were skimming along in Jimmy's car with a +cheerful disregard for such things as speed limits. + +"Jimmy," said Ronny at last, "I suppose you're about the best pal I +have--now." + +"Well," said Jimmy, "what about it?" + +He spoke gruffly. + +"There's something I'd like to tell you. Something you ought to know." + +"About Gerry Wade?" + +"Yes, about Gerry Wade." + +Jimmy waited. + +"Well?" he inquired at last. + +"I don't know that I ought to," said Ronny. + +"Why?" + +"I'm bound by a kind of promise." + +"Oh! Well then, perhaps you'd better not." + +There was a silence. + +"And yet, I'd like--You see, Jimmy, your brains are better than mine." + +"They could easily be that," said Jimmy unkindly. + +"No, I can't," said Ronny suddenly. + +"All right," said Jimmy. "Just as you like." + +After a long silence, Ronny said: + +"What's she like?" + +"Who?" + +"This girl. Gerry's sister." + +Jimmy was silent for some minutes, then he said in a voice that had +somehow or other altered: + +"She's all right. In fact--well, she's a corker." + +"Gerry was very devoted to her, I know. He often spoke of her." + +"She was very devoted to Gerry. It--it's going to hit her hard." + +"Yes, a nasty job." + +They were silent till they reached Deane Priory. + +Miss Loraine, the maid told them, was in the garden. Unless they wanted +to see Mrs. Coker-- + +Jimmy was eloquent that they did not want to see Mrs. Coker. + +"Who's Mrs. Coker?" asked Ronny as they went round into the somewhat +neglected garden. + +"The old trout who lives with Loraine." + +They had stepped out into a paved walk. At the end of it was a girl +with two black spaniels. A small girl, very fair, dressed in shabby old +tweeds. Not at all the girl that Ronny had expected to see. Not, in +fact, Jimmy's usual type. + +Holding one dog by the collar, she came down the pathway to meet them. + +"How do you do," she said. "You mustn't mind Elizabeth. She's just had +some puppies and she's very suspicious." + +She had a supremely natural manner and, as she looked up smiling, the +faint wild rose flush deepened in her cheeks. Her eyes were a very dark +blue--like cornflowers. + +Suddenly they widened--was it with alarm? As though, already, she +guessed. + +Jimmy hastened to speak. + +"This is Ronny Devereux, Miss Wade. You must often have heard Gerry +speak of him." + +"Oh! yes." She turned a lovely, warm, welcoming smile on him. "You've +both been staying at Chimneys, haven't you? Why didn't you bring Gerry +over with you?" + +"We--er--couldn't," said Ronny, and then stopped. + +Again Jimmy saw the look of fear flash into her eyes. + +"Miss Wade," he said, "I'm afraid--I mean, we've got bad news for you." + +She was on the alert in a moment. + +"Gerry?" + +"Yes--Gerry. He's--" + +She stamped her foot with sudden passion. + +"Oh! tell me--tell me--" She turned suddenly on Ronny. "_You'll_ tell +me." + +Jimmy felt a pang of jealousy, and in that moment he knew what up to +now he had hesitated to admit to himself. + +He knew why Helen and Nancy and Socks were just "girls" to him and +nothing more. + +He only _half_ heard Ronny's voice saying gravely: + +"Yes, Miss Wade, I'll tell you. Gerry is dead." + +She had plenty of pluck. She gasped and drew back, but in a minute or +two she was asking eager, searching questions. How? When? + +Ronny answered her as gently as he could. + +"_Sleeping_ draught? Gerry?" + +The incredulity in her voice was plain. Jimmy gave her a glance. It was +almost a glance of warning. He had a sudden feeling that Loraine in her +innocence might say too much. + +In his turn he explained as gently as possible the need for an +inquest. She shuddered. She declined their offer of taking her back to +Chimneys with them, but explained she would come over later. She had a +two-seater of her own. + +"But I want to be--be alone a little first," she said piteously. + +"I know," said Ronny. + +"That's all right," said Jimmy. + +They looked at her, feeling awkward and helpless. + +"Thank you both ever so much for coming." + +They drove back in silence and there was something like constraint +between them. + +"My God! that girl's plucky," said Ronny once. + +Jimmy agreed. + +"Gerry was my friend," said Ronny. "It's up to me to keep an eye on +her." + +"Oh! rather. Of course." + +They said no more. + +On returning to Chimneys Jimmy was waylaid by a tearful Lady Coote. + +"That poor boy," she kept repeating. "That poor boy." + +Jimmy made all the suitable remarks he could think of. + +Lady Coote told him at great length various details about the decease +of various dear friends of hers. Jimmy listened with a show of sympathy +and at last managed to detach himself without actual rudeness. + +He ran lightly up the stairs. Ronny was just emerging from Gerald +Wade's room. He seemed taken aback at the sight of Jimmy. + +"I've been in to see him," he said. "Are you going in?" + +"I don't think so," said Jimmy, who was a healthy young man with a +natural dislike to being reminded of death. + +"I think all his friends ought to." + +"Oh! do you?" said Jimmy, and registered to himself an impression that +Ronny Devereux was damned odd about it all. + +"Yes. It's a sign of respect." + +Jimmy sighed, but gave in. + +"Oh! very well," he said, and passed in, setting his teeth a little. + +There were white flowers arranged on the coverlet, and the room had +been tidied and set to rights. + +Jimmy gave one quick, nervous glance at the still, white face. Could +that be cherubic, pink Gerry Wade? That still peaceful figure. He +shivered. + +As he turned to leave the room, his glance swept the mantelshelf and +he stopped in astonishment. The alarum clocks had been ranged along it +neatly in a row. + +He went out sharply. Ronny was waiting for him. + +"Looks very peaceful and all that. Rotten luck on him," mumbled Jimmy. + +Then he said: + +"I say, Ronny, who arranged all those clocks like that in a row?" + +"How should I know? One of the servants, I suppose." + +"The funny thing is," said Jimmy, "that there are seven of them, not +eight. One of them's missing. Did you notice that?" + +Ronny made an inaudible sound. + +"Seven instead of eight," said Jimmy, frowning. "I wonder why." + + + + + CHAPTER IV + + A LETTER + + +"Inconsiderate, that's what I call it," said Lord Caterham. + +He spoke in a gentle, plaintive voice and seemed pleased with the +adjective he had found. + +"Yes, distinctly inconsiderate. I often find these self-made men +_are_ inconsiderate. Very possibly that is why they amass such large +fortunes." + +He looked mournfully out over his ancestral acres, of which he had +to-day regained possession. + +His daughter, Lady Eileen Brent, known to her friends and society in +general as "Bundle," laughed. + +"You'll certainly never amass a large fortune," she observed dryly, +"though you didn't do so badly out of old Coote, sticking him for this +place. What was he like? Presentable?" + +"One of those large men," said Lord Caterham, shuddering slightly, +"with a red square face and iron-grey hair. Powerful, you know. What +they call a forceful personality. The kind of a man you'd get if a +steam-roller were turned into a human being." + +"Rather tiring?" suggested Bundle sympathetically. + +"Frightfully tiring, full of all the most depressing virtues like +sobriety and punctuality. I don't know which are the worst, powerful +personalities or earnest politicians. I do so prefer the cheerful +inefficient." + +"A cheerful inefficient wouldn't have been able to pay you the price +you asked for this old mausoleum," Bundle reminded him. + +Lord Caterham winced. + +"I wish you wouldn't use that word, Bundle. We were just getting away +from the subject." + +"I don't see why you're so frightfully sensitive about it," said +Bundle. "After all, people must die somewhere." + +"They needn't die in my house," said Lord Caterham. + +"I don't see why not. Lots of people have. Masses of stuffy old great +grandfathers and grandmothers." + +"That's different," said Lord Caterham. "Naturally I expect Brents +to die here--they don't count. But I do object to strangers. And I +especially object to inquests. The thing will become a habit soon. This +is the second. You remember all that fuss we had four years ago? For +which, by the way, I hold George Lomax entirely to blame." + +"And now you're blaming poor old steam-roller Coote. I'm sure he was +quite as annoyed about it as anyone." + +"Very inconsiderate," said Lord Caterham obstinately. "People who are +likely to do that sort of thing oughtn't to be asked to stay. And you +may say what you like, Bundle, I don't like inquests. I never have and +I never shall." + +"Well, this wasn't the same sort of thing as the last one," said Bundle +soothingly. "I mean, it wasn't a murder." + +"It might have been--from the fuss that thick-head of an inspector +made. He's never got over that business four years ago. He thinks every +death that takes place here must necessarily be a case of foul play +fraught with grave political significance. You've no idea the fuss +he made. I've been hearing about it from Tredwell. Tested everything +imaginable for fingerprints. And of course they only found the dead +man's own. The clearest case imaginable--though whether it was suicide +or accident is another matter." + +"I met Gerry Wade once," said Bundle. "He was a friend of Bill's. You'd +have liked him, Father. I never saw anyone more cheerfully inefficient +than he was." + +"I don't like anyone who comes and dies in my house on purpose to annoy +me," said Lord Caterham obstinately. + +"But I certainly can't imagine anyone murdering him," continued Bundle. +"The idea's absurd." + +"Of course it is," said Lord Caterham. "Or would be to anyone but an +ass like Inspector Raglan." + +"I daresay looking for fingerprints made him feel important," said +Bundle soothingly. "Anyway, they brought it in 'Death by misadventure,' +didn't they?" + +Lord Caterham acquiesced. + +"They had to show some consideration for the sister's feelings." + +"Was there a sister? I didn't know." + +"Half-sister, I believe. She was much younger. Old Wade ran away with +her mother--he was always doing that sort of thing. No woman appealed +to him unless she belonged to another man." + +"I'm glad there's one bad habit you haven't got," said Bundle. + +"I've always led a very respectable God-fearing life," said Lord +Caterham. "It seems extraordinary, considering how little harm I do to +anybody, that I can't be let alone. If only--" + +He stopped as Bundle made a sudden excursion through the window. + +"MacDonald," called Bundle in a clear, autocratic voice. + +The emperor approached. Something that might possibly have been taken +for a smile of welcome tried to express itself on his countenance, but +the natural gloom of gardeners dispelled it. + +"Your ladyship?" said MacDonald. + +"How are you?" said Bundle. + +"I'm no verra grand," said MacDonald. + +"I wanted to speak to you about the bowling green. It's shockingly +overgrown. Put someone on to it, will you?" + +MacDonald shook his head dubiously. + +"It would mean taking William from the lower border, m'lady." + +"Damn the lower border," said Bundle. "Let him start at once. And, +MacDonald--" + +"Yes, m'lady?" + +"Let's have some of those grapes in from the far house. I know it's the +wrong time to cut them because it always is, but I want them all the +same. See?" + +Bundle re-entered the library. + +"Sorry, Father," she said, "I wanted to catch MacDonald. Were you +speaking?" + +"As a matter of fact I was," said Lord Caterham. "But it doesn't +matter. What were you saying to MacDonald?" + +"Trying to cure him of thinking he's God Almighty. But that's an +impossible task. I expect the Cootes have been bad for him. MacDonald +wouldn't care one hoot, or even two hoots for the largest steam-roller +that ever was. What's Lady Coote like?" + +Lord Caterham considered the question. + +"Very like my idea of Mrs. Siddons," he said at last. "I should think +she went in a lot for amateur theatricals. I gather she was very upset +about the clock business." + +"What clock business?" + +"Tredwell has just been telling me. It seems the house-party had some +joke on. They bought a lot of alarum clocks and hid them about this +young Wade's room. And then, of course, the poor chap was dead. Which +made the whole thing rather beastly." + +Bundle nodded. + +"Tredwell told me something else rather odd about the clocks," +continued Lord Caterham, who was now quite enjoying himself. "It +seems that somebody collected them all and put them in a row on the +mantelpiece after the poor fellow was dead." + +"Well, why not?" said Bundle. + +"I don't see why not myself," said Lord Caterham. "But apparently there +was some fuss about it. No one would own up to having done it, you see. +All the servants were questioned and swore they hadn't touched the +beastly things. In fact, it was rather a mystery. And then the coroner +asked questions at the inquest, and you know how difficult it is to +explain things to people of that class." + +"Perfectly foul," agreed Bundle. + +"Of course," said Lord Caterham, "it's very difficult to get the hang +of things afterwards. I didn't quite see the point of half the things +Tredwell told me. By the way, Bundle, the fellow died in your room." + +Bundle made a grimace. + +"Why need people die in my room?" she asked with some indignation. + +"That's just what I've been saying," said Lord Caterham, in triumph. +"Inconsiderate. Everybody's damned inconsiderate nowadays." + +"Not that I mind," said Bundle valiantly. "Why should I?" + +"I should," said her father. "I should mind very much. I should dream +things, you know--spectral hands and clanking chains." + +"Well," said Bundle, "Great Aunt Louisa died in _your_ bed. I wonder +you don't see her spook hovering over you." + +"I do sometimes," said Lord Caterham, shuddering. "Especially after +lobster." + +"Well, thank heavens I'm not superstitious," declared Bundle. + +Yet that evening, as she sat in front of her bedroom fire, a slim, +pyjamaed figure, she found her thoughts reverting to that cheery, +vacuous young man, Gerry Wade. Impossible to believe that anyone so +full of the joy of living could deliberately have committed suicide. +No, the other solution must be the right one. He had taken a sleeping +draught and by a pure mistake had swallowed an overdose. That _was_ +possible. She did not fancy that Gerry Wade had been overburdened in an +intellectual capacity. + +Her gaze shifted to the mantelpiece and she began thinking about the +story of the clocks. Her maid had been full of that, having just been +primed by the second housemaid. She had added a detail which apparently +Tredwell had not thought worth while retailing to Lord Caterham, but +which had piqued Bundle's curiosity. + +Seven clocks had been neatly ranged on the mantelpiece; the last +and remaining one had been found on the lawn outside, where it had +obviously been thrown from the window. + +Bundle puzzled over that point now. It seemed such an extraordinarily +purposeless thing to do. She could imagine that one of the maids might +have tidied the clocks and then, frightened by the inquisition into the +matter, have denied doing so. But surely no maid would have thrown a +clock into the garden. + +Had Gerry Wade done so when its first sharp summons woke him? But no; +that again was impossible. Bundle remembered hearing that his death +must have taken place in the early hours of the morning, and he would +have been in a comatose condition for some time before that. + +Bundle frowned. This business of the clocks was curious. She must get +hold of Bill Eversleigh. He had been there, she knew. + +To think was to act with Bundle. She got up and went over to the +writing desk. It was an inlaid affair with a lid that rolled back. +Bundle sat down at it, pulled a sheet of notepaper towards her and +wrote. + + DEAR BILL,-- + +She paused to pull out the lower part of the desk. It had stuck +half-way, as she remembered it often did. Bundle tugged at it +impatiently but it did not move. She recalled that on a former occasion +an envelope had been pushed back with it and had jammed it for the time +being. She took a thin paperknife and slipped it into the narrow crack. +She was so far successful that a corner of white paper showed. Bundle +caught hold of it and drew it out. It was the first sheet of a letter, +somewhat crumpled. + +It was the date that first caught Bundle's eye. A big flourishing date +that leaped out from the paper. Sept. 21st. + +"September 21st," said Bundle slowly. "Why, surely that was--" + +She broke off. Yes, she was sure of it. The 22nd was the day Gerry Wade +was found dead. This, then, was a letter he must have been writing on +the very evening of the tragedy. + +Bundle smoothed it out and read it. It was unfinished. + + "MY DARLING LORAINE,--I will be down on Wednesday. Am feeling + awfully fit and rather pleased with myself all round. It will be + heavenly to see you. Look here, do forget what I said about that + Seven Dials business. I thought it was going to be more or less of + a joke, but it isn't--anything but. I'm sorry I ever said anything + about it--it's not the kind of business kids like you ought to be + mixed up in. So forget about it, see? + + "Something else I wanted to tell you--but I'm so sleepy I can't + keep my eyes open. + + "Oh, about Lurcher; I think--" + +Here the letter broke off. + +Bundle sat frowning. Seven Dials. Where was that? Some rather slummy +district of London, she fancied. The words Seven Dials reminded her of +something else, but for the moment she couldn't think of what. Instead +her attention fastened on two phrases. "Am feeling awfully fit ..." and +"I'm so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open." + +That didn't fit in. That didn't fit in at all. For it was that very +night that Gerry Wade had taken such a heavy dose of chloral that he +never woke again. And if what he had written in that letter was true, +why should he have taken it? + +Bundle shook her head. She looked round the room and gave a slight +shiver. Supposing Gerry Wade were watching her now. In this room he had +died... + +She sat very still. The silence was unbroken save for the ticking of +her little gold clock. That sounded unnaturally loud and important. + +Bundle glanced towards the mantelpiece. A vivid picture rose before her +mind's eye. The dead man lying on the bed, and seven clocks ticking on +the mantelpiece--ticking loudly, ominously ... ticking ... ticking.... + + + + + CHAPTER V + + THE MAN IN THE ROAD + + +"Father," said Bundle, opening the door of Lord Caterham's special +sanctum and putting her head in, "I'm going up to town in the Hispano. +I can't stand the monotony down here any longer." + +"We only got home yesterday," complained Lord Caterham. + +"I know. It seems like a hundred years. I'd forgotten how dull the +country could be." + +"I don't agree with you," said Lord Caterham. "It's peaceful, that's +what it is--peaceful. And extremely comfortable. I appreciate getting +back to Tredwell more than I can tell you. That man studies my comfort +in the most marvellous manner. Somebody came round only this morning to +know if they could hold a tally for girl guides here--" + +"A rally," interrupted Bundle. + +"Rally or tally--it's all the same. Some silly word meaning nothing +whatever. But it would have put me in a very awkward position--having +to refuse--in fact, I probably shouldn't have refused. But Tredwell got +me out of it. I've forgotten what he said--something damned ingenious +which couldn't hurt anybody's feelings and which knocked the idea on +the head absolutely." + +"Being comfortable isn't enough for me," said Bundle. "I want +excitement." + +Lord Caterham shuddered. + +"Didn't we have enough excitement four years ago?" he demanded +plaintively. + +"I'm about ready for some more," said Bundle. "Not that I expect I +shall find any in town. But at any rate I shan't dislocate my jaw with +yawning." + +"In my experience," said Lord Caterham, "people who go about looking +for trouble usually find it." He yawned. "All the same," he added, "I +wouldn't mind running up to town myself." + +"Well, come on," said Bundle. "But be quick, because I'm in a hurry." + +Lord Caterham, who had begun to rise from his chair, paused. + +"Did you say you were in a hurry?" he asked suspiciously. + +"In the devil of a hurry," said Bundle. + +"That settles it," said Lord Caterham. "I'm not coming. To be driven +by you in the Hispano when you're in a hurry--no, it's not fair on any +elderly man. I shall stay here." + +"Please yourself," said Bundle, and withdrew. + +Tredwell took her place. + +"The vicar, my lord, is most anxious to see you, some unfortunate +controversy having arisen about the status of the Boys' Brigade." + +Lord Caterham groaned. + +"I rather fancied, my lord, that I had heard you mention at breakfast +that you were strolling down to the village this morning to converse +with the vicar on the subject." + +"Did you tell him so?" asked Lord Caterham eagerly. + +"I did, my lord. He departed, if I may say so, hot-foot. I hope I did +right, my lord?" + +"Of course you did, Tredwell. You are always right. You couldn't go +wrong if you tried." + +Tredwell smiled benignly and withdrew. + +Bundle, meanwhile, was sounding the Klaxon impatiently before the lodge +gates, while a small child came hastening out with all speed from the +lodge, admonishment from her mother following her. + +"Make haste, Katie. That be her ladyship in a mortal hurry as always." + +It was indeed characteristic of Bundle to be in a hurry, especially +when driving a car. She had skill and nerve and was a good driver; had +it been otherwise her reckless pace would have ended in disaster more +than once. + +It was a crisp October day, with a blue sky and a dazzling sun. The +sharp tang of the air brought the blood to Bundle's cheeks and filled +her with the zest of living. + +She had that morning sent Gerald Wade's unfinished letter to Loraine +Wade at Deane Priory, enclosing a few explanatory lines. The curious +impression it had made upon her was somewhat dimmed in the daylight, +yet it still struck her as needing explanation. She intended to get +hold of Bill Eversleigh sometime and extract from him fuller details +of the house-party which had ended so tragically. In the meantime, it +was a lovely morning and she felt particularly well and the Hispano was +running like a dream. + +Bundle pressed her foot down on the accelerator and the Hispano +responded at once. Mile after mile vanished, traffic stops were few and +far between and Bundle had a clear stretch of road in front of her. + +And then, without any warning whatever, a man reeled out of the +hedge and on to the road right in front of the car. To stop in time +was out of the question. With all her might Bundle wrenched at the +steering wheel and swerved out to the right. The car was nearly in the +ditch--nearly, but not quite. It was a dangerous manoeuvre, but it +succeeded. Bundle was almost certain that she had missed the man. + +She looked back and felt a sickening sensation in the middle of her +anatomy. The car had not passed over the man, but nevertheless it must +have struck him in passing. He was lying face downwards on the road, +and he lay ominously still. + +Bundle jumped out and ran back. She had never yet run over anything +more important than a stray hen. The fact that the accident was hardly +her fault did not weigh with her at the minute. The man had seemed +drunk, but drunk or not, she had killed him. She was quite sure she +had killed him. Her heart beat sickeningly in great pounding thumps, +sounding right up in her ears. + +She knelt down by the prone figure and turned him very gingerly over. +He neither groaned nor moaned. He was young, she saw, rather a +pleasant-faced young man, well dressed and wearing a small toothbrush +moustache. + +There was no external mark of injury that she could see, but she was +quite positive that he was either dead or dying. His eyelids flickered +and the eyes half opened. Piteous eyes, brown and suffering, like a +dog's. He seemed to be struggling to speak. Bundle bent right over. + +"Yes," she said. "Yes?" + +There was something he wanted to say, she could see that. Wanted to say +badly. And she couldn't help him, couldn't do anything. + +At last the words came, a mere sighing breath: + +"_Seven Dials_ ... tell...." + +"Yes," said Bundle again. It was a name he was trying to get +out--trying with all his failing strength. "Yes. Who am I to tell?" + +"_Tell_ ... _Jimmy Thesiger_...." He got it out at last, and then +suddenly, his head fell back and his body went limp. + +Bundle sat back on her heels, shivering from head to foot. She could +never have imagined that anything so awful could have happened to her. +He was dead--and she had killed him. + +She tried to pull herself together. What must she do now? A +doctor--that was her first thought. It was possible--just +possible--that the man might only be unconscious, not dead. Her +instinct cried out against the possibility, but she forced herself to +act upon it. Somehow or other she must get him into the car and take +him to the nearest doctor's. It was a deserted stretch of country road +and there was no one to help her. + +Bundle, for all her slimness, was strong. She had muscles of whipcord. +She brought the Hispano as close as possible, and then, exerting all +her strength, she dragged and pulled the inanimate figure into it. It +was a horrid business, and one that made her set her teeth, but at last +she managed it. + +Then she jumped into the driver's seat and started off. A couple of +miles brought her into a small town and on inquiry she was quickly +directed to the doctor's house. + +Dr. Cassell, a kindly, middle-aged man, was startled to come into +his surgery and find a girl there who was evidently on the verge of +collapse. + +Bundle spoke abruptly. + +"I--I think I've killed a man. I ran over him. I brought him along in +the car. He's outside now. I--I was driving too fast, I suppose. I've +always driven too fast." + +The doctor cast a practised glance over her. He stepped over to a shelf +and poured something into a glass. He brought it over to her. + +"Drink this down," he said, "and you'll feel better. You've had a +shock." + +Bundle drank obediently and a tinge of colour came into her pallid +face. The doctor nodded approvingly. + +"That's right. Now I want you to sit quietly here. I'll go out and +attend to things. After I've made sure there's nothing to be done for +the poor fellow, I'll come back and we'll talk about it." + +He was away some time. Bundle watched the clock on the mantelpiece. +Five minutes, ten minutes, a quarter of an hour, twenty minutes--would +he never come? + +Then the door opened and Dr. Cassell reappeared. He looked +different--Bundle noticed that at once--grimmer and at the same time +more alert. There was something else in his manner that she did not +quite understand, a suggestion of repressed excitement. + +"Now then, young lady," he said, "let's have this out. You ran over +this man, you say. Tell me just how the accident happened?" + +Bundle explained to the best of her ability. The doctor followed her +narrative with keen attention. + +"Just so; the car didn't pass over his body?" + +"No. In fact, I thought I'd missed him altogether." + +"He was reeling, you say?" + +"Yes, I thought he was drunk." + +"And he came from the hedge?" + +"There was a gate just there, I think. He must have come through the +gate." + +The doctor nodded, then he leaned back in his chair and removed his +pince-nez. + +"I've no doubt at all," he said, "that you're a very reckless driver, +and that you'll probably run over some poor fellow and do for him one +of these days--but you haven't done it this time." + +"But--" + +"The car never touched him. _This man was shot._" + + + + + CHAPTER VI + + SEVEN DIALS AGAIN + + +Bundle stared at him. And very slowly the world, which for the last +three quarters of an hour had been upside down, shifted till it stood +once more the right way up. It was quite two minutes before Bundle +spoke, but when she did it was no longer the panic-stricken girl but +the real Bundle, cool, efficient, and logical. + +"How could he be shot?" she said. + +"I don't know how he could," said the doctor dryly. "But he was. He's +got a rifle bullet in him all right. He bled internally, that's why you +didn't notice anything." + +Bundle nodded. + +"The question is," the doctor continued, "Who shot him? You saw nobody +about?" + +Bundle shook her head. + +"It's odd," said the doctor. "If it was an accident, you'd expect +the fellow who did it would come running to the rescue--unless just +possibly he didn't know what he'd done." + +"There was no one about," said Bundle. "On the road, that is." + +"It seems to me," said the doctor, "that the poor lad must have been +running--the bullet got him just as he passed through the gate and he +came reeling on to the road in consequence. You didn't hear a shot?" + +Bundle shook her head. + +"But I probably shouldn't anyway," she said, "with the noise of the +car." + +"Just so. He didn't say anything before he died?" + +"He muttered a few words." + +"Nothing to throw light on the tragedy?" + +"No. He wanted something--I don't know what--told to a friend of his. +Oh! yes, and he mentioned Seven Dials." + +"H'm," said Doctor Cassell. "Not a likely neighborhood for one of his +class. Perhaps his assailant came from there. Well, we needn't worry +about that now. You can leave it in my hands. I'll notify the police. +You must, of course, leave your name and address, as the police are +sure to want to question you. In fact, perhaps you'd better come round +to the police station with me now. They might say I ought to have +detained you." + +They went together in Bundle's car. The police inspector was a +slow-speaking man. He was somewhat overawed by Bundle's name and +address when she gave it to him, and he took down her statement with +great care. + +"Lads!" he said. "That's what it is. Lads practising! Cruel stupid, +them young varmints are. Always loosing off at birds with no +consideration for anyone as may be the other side of a hedge." + +The doctor thought it a most unlikely solution, but he realized that +the case would soon be in abler hands and it did not seem worth while +to make objections. + +"Name of deceased?" asked the sergeant, moistening his pencil. + +"He had a cardcase on him. He appears to have been a Mr. Ronald +Devereux, with an address in the Albany." + +Bundle frowned. The name Ronald Devereux awoke some chord of +remembrance. She was sure she had heard it before. + +It was not until she was half-way back to Chimneys in the car that it +came to her. Of course! Ronny Devereux. Bill's friend in the Foreign +Office. He and Bill and--yes--Gerald Wade. + +As this last realisation came to her, Bundle nearly went into the +hedge. First Gerald Wade--then Ronny Devereux. Gerry Wade's death might +have been natural--the result of carelessness--but Ronny Devereux's +surely bore a more sinister interpretation. + +And then Bundle remembered something else. Seven Dials! When the +dying man had said it, it had seemed vaguely familiar. Now she knew +why. Gerald Wade had mentioned Seven Dials in that last letter of his +written to his sister on the night before his death. And that again +connected up with something else that escaped her. + +Thinking all these things over, Bundle had slowed down to such a sober +pace that nobody would have recognised her. She drove the car round to +the garage and went in search of her father. + +Lord Caterham was happily reading a catalogue of a forthcoming sale of +rare editions and was immeasurably astonished to see Bundle. + +"Even you," he said, "can't have been to London and back in this time." + +"I haven't been to London," said Bundle. "I ran over a man." + +"What?" + +"Only I didn't really. He was shot." + +"How could he have been?" + +"I don't know how he could have been, but he was." + +"But why did you shoot him?" + +"I didn't shoot him." + +"You shouldn't shoot people," said Lord Caterham in a tone of mild +remonstrance. "You shouldn't really. I daresay some of them richly +deserve it--but all the same it will lead to trouble." + +"I tell you I didn't shoot him." + +"Well, who did?" + +"Nobody knows," said Bundle. + +"Nonsense," said Lord Caterham. "A man can't be shot and run over +without anyone having done it." + +"He wasn't run over," said Bundle. + +"I thought you said he was." + +"I said I thought I had." + +"A tyre burst, I suppose," said Lord Caterham. "That does sound like a +shot. It says so in detective stories." + +"You really are perfectly impossible, Father. You don't seem to have +the brains of a rabbit." + +"Not at all," said Lord Caterham. "You come in with a wildly impossible +tale about men being run over and shot and I don't know what, and then +you expect me to know all about it by magic." + +Bundle sighed wearily. + +"Just attend," she said. "I'll tell you all about it in words of one +syllable." + +"There," she said when she had concluded. "Now have you got it?" + +"Of course. I understand perfectly now. I can make allowances for your +being a little upset, my dear. I was not far wrong when I remarked to +you before starting out that people looking for trouble usually found +it. I am thankful," finished Lord Caterham with a slight shiver, "that +I stayed quietly here." + +He picked up the catalogue again. + +"Father, where is Seven Dials?" + +"In the East End somewhere, I fancy. I have frequently observed buses +going there--or do I mean Seven Sisters? I have never been there +myself, I am thankful to say. Just as well, because I don't fancy it is +the sort of spot I should like. And yet, curiously enough, I seem to +have heard of it in some connection just lately." + +"You don't know a Jimmy Thesiger, do you?" + +Lord Caterham was now engrossed in his catalogue once more. He had made +an effort to be intelligent on the subject of Seven Dials. This time he +made hardly any effort at all. + +"Thesiger," he murmured vaguely. "Thesiger. One of the Yorkshire +Thesigers?" + +"That's what I'm asking you. Do attend, Father. This is important." + +Lord Caterham made a desperate effort to look intelligent without +really having to give his mind to the matter. + +"There _are_ some Yorkshire Thesigers," he said earnestly. "And unless +I am mistaken some Devonshire Thesigers also. Your Great Aunt Selina +married a Thesiger." + +"What good is that to me?" cried Bundle. + +Lord Caterham chuckled. + +"It was very little good to her, if I remember rightly." + +"You're impossible," said Bundle, rising. "I shall have to get hold of +Bill." + +"Do, dear," said her father absently as he turned a page. "Certainly. +By all means. Quite so." + +Bundle rose to her feet with an impatient sigh. + +"I wish I could remember what that letter said," she murmured more to +herself than aloud. "I didn't read it very carefully. Something about a +joke--that the Seven Dials business wasn't a joke." + +Lord Caterham emerged suddenly from his catalogue. + +"Seven Dials?" he said. "Of course. I've got it now." + +"Got what?" + +"I know why it sounded so familiar. George Lomax has been over. +Tredwell failed for once and let him in. He was on his way up to town. +It seems he's having some political party at the Abbey next week and he +got a warning letter." + +"What do you mean by a warning letter?" + +"Well, I don't really know. He didn't go into details. I gather it +said 'Beware' and 'Trouble is at hand,' and all those sort of things. +But anyway it was written from Seven Dials, I distinctly remember his +saying so. He was going up to town to consult Scotland Yard about it. +You know George?" + +Bundle nodded. She was well acquainted with that public-spirited +Cabinet Minister, George Lomax, His Majesty's permanent Under Secretary +of State for Foreign Affairs, who was shunned by many because of his +inveterate habit of quoting from his public speeches in private. In +allusion to his bulging eyeballs, he was known to many--Bill Eversleigh +among others--as Codders. + +"Tell me," she said, "was Codders interested at all in Gerald Wade's +death?" + +"Not that I ever heard of. He may have been, of course." + +Bundle said nothing for some minutes. She was busily engaged in trying +to remember the exact wording of the letter she had sent on to Loraine +Wade, and at the same time she was trying to picture the girl to whom +it had been written. What sort of a girl was this to whom, apparently, +Gerald Wade was so devoted? The more she thought over it, the more it +seemed to her that it was an unusual letter for a brother to write. + +"Did you say the Wade girl was Gerry's half-sister?" she asked suddenly. + +"Well, of course, strictly speaking, I suppose she isn't--wasn't, I +mean--his sister at all." + +"But her name's Wade?" + +"Not really. She wasn't old Wade's child. As I was saying, he ran +away with his second wife, who was married to a perfect blackguard. I +suppose the Courts gave the rascally husband the custody of the child, +but he certainly didn't avail himself of the privilege. Old Wade got +very fond of the child and insisted that she should be called by his +name." + +"I see," said Bundle. "That explains it." + +"Explains what?" + +"Something that puzzled me about that letter." + +"She's rather a pretty girl, I believe," said Lord Caterham. "Or so +I've heard." + +Bundle went upstairs thoughtfully. She had several objects in view. +First she must find this Jimmy Thesiger. Bill, perhaps, would be +helpful there. Ronny Devereux had been a friend of Bill's. If Jimmy +Thesiger was a friend of Ronny's, the chances were that Bill would know +him too. Then there was the girl, Loraine Wade. It was possible that +she could throw some light on the problem of Seven Dials. Evidently +Gerry Wade had said something to her about it. His anxiety that she +should forget the fact had a sinister suggestion. + + + + + CHAPTER VII + + BUNDLE PAYS A CALL + + +Getting hold of Bill presented few difficulties. Bundle motored up +to town on the following morning--this time without adventures by +the way--and rang him up. Bill responded with alacrity, and made +various suggestions as to lunch, tea, dinner and dancing. All of which +suggestions Bundle turned down as made. + +"In a day or two, I'll come and frivol with you, Bill. But for the +moment I'm up on business." + +"Oh," said Bill. "What a beastly bore." + +"It's not that kind," said Bundle. "It's anything but boring. Bill, do +you know anyone called Jimmy Thesiger." + +"Of course. So do you." + +"No, I don't," said Bundle. + +"Yes, you do. You must. Everyone knows old Jimmy." + +"Sorry," said Bundle. "Just for once I don't seem to be everyone." + +"Oh! but you must know Jimmy--pink-faced chap. Looks a bit of an ass. +But really he's got as many brains as I have." + +"You don't say so," said Bundle. "He must feel a bit top heavy when he +walks about." + +"Was that meant for sarcasm?" + +"It was a feeble effort at it. What does Jimmy Thesiger do?" + +"How do you mean, what does he do?" + +"Does being at the Foreign Office prevent you from understanding your +native language?" + +"Oh! I see, you mean, has he got a job? No, he just tools around. Why +should he do anything?" + +"In fact, more money than brains?" + +"Oh! I wouldn't say that. I told you just now that he had more brains +than you'd think." + +Bundle was silent. She was feeling more and more doubtful. This gilded +youth did not sound a very promising ally. And yet it was his name that +had come first to the dying man's lips. Bill's voice chimed in suddenly +with singular appropriateness. + +"Ronny always thought a lot of his brains. You know, Ronny Devereux. +Thesiger was his greatest pal." + +"Ronny--" + +Bundle stopped, undecided. Clearly Bill knew nothing of the other's +death. It occurred to Bundle for the first time that it was odd the +morning papers had contained nothing of the tragedy. Surely it was the +kind of spicy item of news that would never be passed over. There could +be one explanation, and one explanation only. The police, for reasons +of their own, were keeping the matter quiet. + +Bill's voice was continuing. + +"I haven't seen Ronny for an age--not since that week-end down at your +place. You know, when poor old Gerry Wade passed out." + +He paused and then went on. + +"Rather a foul business that altogether. I expect you've heard about +it. I say, Bundle--are you there still?" + +"Of course I'm here." + +"Well, you haven't said anything for an age. I began to think that you +had gone away." + +"No, I was just thinking over something." + +Should she tell Bill of Ronny's death? She decided against it--it was +not the sort of thing to be said over the telephone. But soon, very +soon, she must have a meeting with Bill. In the meantime-- + +"Bill?" + +"Hullo." + +"I might dine with you to-morrow night." + +"Good, and we'll dance afterwards. I've got a lot to talk to you +about. As a matter of fact I've been rather hard hit--the foulest +luck--" + +"Well, tell me about it to-morrow," said Bundle, cutting him short +rather unkindly. "In the meantime, what is Jimmy Thesiger's address?" + +"Jimmy Thesiger?" + +"That's what I said." + +"He's got rooms in Jermyn Street--do I mean Jermyn Street or the other +one?" + +"Bring that class A brain to bear upon it." + +"Yes, Jermyn Street. Wait a bit and I'll give you the number." + +There was a pause. + +"Are you there still?" + +"I'm always there." + +"Well, one never knows with these dashed telephones. The number is 103. +Got it?" + +"103. Thank you, Bill." + +"Yes, but I say--what do you want it for? You said you didn't know him." + +"I don't, but I shall in half an hour." + +"You're going round to his rooms?" + +"Quite right, Sherlock." + +"Yes, but I say--well, for one thing he won't be up." + +"Won't be up?" + +"I shouldn't think so. I mean, who would if they hadn't got to? Look at +it that way. You've no idea what an effort it is for me to get here at +eleven every morning, and the fuss Codders makes if I'm behind time is +simply appalling. You haven't the least idea, Bundle, what a dog's life +this is--" + +"You shall tell me all about it to-morrow night," said Bundle hastily. + +She slammed down the receiver and took stock of the situation. First +she glanced at the clock. It was five and twenty minutes to twelve. +Despite Bill's knowledge of his friend's habits, she inclined to the +belief that Mr. Thesiger would by now be in a fit state to receive +visitors. She took a taxi to 103 Jermyn Street. + +The door was opened by a perfect example of the retired gentleman's +gentleman. His face, expressionless and polite, was such a face as may +be found by the score in that particular district of London. + +"Will you come this way, madam?" + +He ushered her upstairs into an extremely comfortable sitting-room +containing leather covered arm-chairs of immense dimensions. Sunk +in one of those monstrosities was another girl, rather younger than +Bundle. A small, fair girl, dressed in black. + +"What name shall I say, madam?" + +"I won't give any name," said Bundle. "I just want to see Mr. Thesiger +on important business." + +The grave gentleman bowed and withdrew, shutting the door noiselessly +behind him. + +There was a pause. + +"It's a nice morning," said the fair girl timidly. + +"It's an awfully nice morning," agreed Bundle. + +There was another pause. + +"I motored up from the country this morning," said Bundle, plunging +once more into speech. "And I thought it was going to be one of those +foul fogs. But it wasn't." + +"No," said the other girl. "It wasn't." And she added: "I've come up +from the country too." + +Bundle eyed her more attentively. She had been slightly annoyed at +finding the other there. Bundle belonged to the energetic order of +people who like "to get on with it," and she foresaw that the second +visitor would have to be disposed of and got rid of before she could +broach her own business. It was not a topic she could introduce before +a stranger. + +Now, as she looked more closely, an extraordinary idea rose in her +brain. Could it be? Yes, the girl was in deep mourning; her black, +silk-clad ankles showed that. It was a long shot, but Bundle was +convinced that her idea was right. She drew a long breath. + +"Look here," she said. "Are you by any chance Loraine Wade?" + +Loraine's eyes opened wide. + +"Yes, I am. How clever of you to know. We've never met, have we?" + +Bundle shook her head. + +"I wrote to you yesterday, though. I'm Bundle Brent." + +"It was so very kind of you to send me Gerry's letter," said Loraine. +"I've written to thank you. I never expected to see you here." + +"I'll tell you why I'm here," said Bundle. "Did you know Ronny +Devereux?" + +Loraine nodded. + +"He came over the day that Gerry--you know. And he's been to see me two +or three times since. He was one of Gerry's greatest friends." + +"I know. Well--he's dead." + +Loraine's lips parted in surprise. + +"_Dead!_ But he always seemed so fit." + +Bundle narrated the events of the preceding day as briefly as possible. +A look of fear and horror came into Loraine's face. + +"Then it _is_ true. It _is_ true." + +"What's true?" + +"What I've thought--what I've been thinking all these weeks. Gerald +didn't die a natural death. He was killed." + +"You've thought that, have you?" + +"Yes. Gerry would never have taken things to make him sleep." She gave +the little ghost of a laugh. "He slept much too well to need them. I +always thought it queer. And _he_ thought so too--I know he did." + +"Who?" + +"Ronny. And now this happens. Now he's killed too." She paused and then +went on: "That's what I came for to-day. That letter of Gerry's you +sent me--as soon as I read it, I tried to get hold of Ronny, but they +said he was away. So I thought I'd come and see Jimmy--he was Ronny's +other great friend. I thought perhaps he'd tell me what I ought to do." + +"You mean--" Bundle paused. "About--Seven Dials." + +Loraine nodded. + +"You see--" she began. + +But at that moment Jimmy Thesiger entered the room. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII + + VISITORS FOR JIMMY + + +We must at this point go back to some twenty minutes earlier. To a +moment when Jimmy Thesiger, emerging from the mists of sleep, was +conscious of a familiar voice speaking unfamiliar words. + +His sleep-ridden brain tried for a moment to cope with the situation, +but failed. He yawned and rolled over again. + +"A young lady, sir, has called to see you." + +The voice was implacable. So prepared was it to go on repeating the +statement indefinitely that Jimmy resigned himself to the inevitable. +He opened his eyes and blinked. + +"Eh, Stevens?" he said. "Say that again." + +"A young lady, sir, has called to see you." + +"Oh!" Jimmy strove to grasp the situation. "Why?" + +"I couldn't say, sir." + +"No, I suppose not. No," he thought it over. "I suppose you couldn't." + +Stevens swooped down upon a tray by the bedside. + +"I will bring you some fresh tea, sir. This is cold." + +"You think that I ought to get up and--er--see the lady?" + +Stevens made no reply, but he held his back very stiff and Jimmy read +the signs correctly. + +"Oh! very well," he said. "I suppose I'd better. She didn't give her +name?" + +"No, sir." + +"H'm. She couldn't be by any possible chance my Aunt Jemima, could +she? Because if so, I'm damned if I'm going to get up." + +"The lady, sir, could not possibly be anyone's aunt, I should say, +unless the youngest of a large family." + +"Aha," said Jimmy. "Young and lovely. Is she--what kind is she?" + +"The young lady, sir, is most undoubtedly strictly _comme il faut_, if +I may use the expression." + +"You may use it," said Jimmy graciously. "Your French pronunciation, +Stevens, if I may say so, is very good. Much better than mine." + +"I am gratified to hear it, sir. I have lately been taking a +correspondence course in French." + +"Have you really? You're a wonderful chap, Stevens." + +Stevens smiled in a superior fashion and left the room. Jimmy lay +trying to recall the names of any young and lovely girls strictly +_comme il faut_ who might be likely to come and call upon him. + +Stevens re-entered with fresh tea, and as Jimmy sipped it he felt a +pleasurable curiosity. + +"You've given her the paper and all that, I hope, Stevens," he said. + +"I supplied her with the _Morning Post_ and _Punch_, sir." + +A ring at the bell took him away. In a few minutes he returned. + +"Another young lady, sir." + +"What?" + +Jimmy clutched his head. + +"Another young lady; she declines to give her name, sir, but says her +business is important." + +Jimmy stared at him. + +"This is damned odd, Stevens. Damned odd. Look here, what time did I +come home last night?" + +"Just upon five o'clock, sir." + +"And was I--er--how was I?" + +"Just a little cheerful, sir--nothing more. Inclined to sing 'Rule +Britannia.'" + +"What an extraordinary thing," said Jimmy. "'Rule Britannia,' +eh? I cannot imagine myself in a sober state ever singing 'Rule +Britannia.' Some latent patriotism must have emerged under the stimulus +of--er--just a couple too many. I was celebrating at the 'Mustard and +Cress,' I remember. Not nearly such an innocent spot as it sounds, +Stevens." He paused. "I was wondering--" + +"Yes, sir?" + +"I was wondering whether under the aforementioned stimulus I had put +an advertisement in a newspaper asking for a nursery governess or +something of that sort." + +Stevens coughed. + +"_Two_ girls turning up. It looks odd. I shall eschew the 'Mustard and +Cress' in future. That's a good word, Stevens--_eschew_--I met it in a +cross-word the other day and took a fancy to it." + +Whilst he was talking Jimmy was rapidly apparelling himself. At the +end of ten minutes he was ready to face his unknown guests. As he +opened the door of his sitting-room the first person he saw was a dark, +slim girl who was totally unknown to him. She was standing by the +mantelpiece, leaning against it. Then his glance went on to the big +leather covered arm-chair, and his heart missed a beat. Loraine! + +It was she who rose and spoke first a little nervously. + +"You must be very surprised to see me. But I had to come. I'll explain +in a minute. This is Lady Eileen Brent." + +"Bundle--that's what I'm usually known as. You've probably heard of me +from Bill Eversleigh." + +"Oh! rather, of course I have," said Jimmy, endeavouring to cope +with the situation. "I say, do sit down and let's have a cocktail or +something." + +But both girls declined. + +"As a matter of fact," continued Jimmy, "I'm only just out of bed." + +"That's what Bill said," remarked Bundle. "I told him I was coming +round to see you, and he said you wouldn't be up." + +"Well, I'm up now," said Jimmy encouragingly. + +"It's about Gerry," said Loraine. "And now about Ronny--" + +"What do you mean by 'and now about Ronny'?" + +"He was shot yesterday." + +"What?" cried Jimmy. + +Bundle told her story for the second time. Jimmy listened like a man in +a dream. + +"Old Ronny--shot," he murmured. "What _is_ this damned business?" + +He sat down on the edge of a chair, thinking for a minute or two, and +then spoke in a quiet, level voice. + +"There's something I think I ought to tell you." + +"Yes," said Bundle encouragingly. + +"It was on the day Gerry Wade died. On the way over to break the news +to _you_"--he nodded at Loraine--"in the car Ronny said something +to me. That is to say, he started to tell me something. There was +something he wanted to tell me, and he began about it, and then he said +he was bound by a promise and couldn't go on." + +"Bound by a promise," said Loraine thoughtfully. + +"That's what he said. Naturally I didn't press him after that. But he +was odd--darned odd--all through. I got the impression then that he +suspected--well, foul play. I thought he'd tell the doctor so. But no, +not even a hint. So I thought I'd been mistaken. And afterwards, with +the evidence and all--well, it seemed such a very clear case. I thought +my suspicions had been all bosh." + +"But you think Ronny still suspected?" asked Bundle. + +Jimmy nodded. + +"That's what I think now. Why, none of us have seen anything of him +since. I believe he was playing a lone hand--trying to find out the +truth about Gerry's death, and what's more, I believe he _did_ find +out. That's why the devils shot him. And then he tried to send word to +me, but could only get out those two words." + +"Seven Dials," said Bundle, and shivered a little. + +"Seven Dials," said Jimmy gravely. "At any rate we've got that to go on +with." + +Bundle turned to Loraine. + +"You were just going to tell me--" + +"Oh! yes. First, about the letter." She spoke to Jimmy. + +"Gerry left a letter. Lady Eileen--" + +"Bundle." + +"Bundle found it." She explained the circumstances in a few words. + +Jimmy listened, keenly interested. This was the first he had heard of +the letter. Loraine took it from her bag and handed it to him. He read +it, then looked across at her. + +"This is where you can help us. What was it Gerry wanted you to forget?" + +Loraine's brows wrinkled a little in perplexity. + +"It's so hard to remember exactly now. I opened a letter of Gerry's by +mistake. It was written on cheap sort of paper, I remember, and very +illiterate handwriting. It had some address in Seven Dials at the head +of it. I realized it wasn't for me, so I put it back in the envelope +without reading it." + +"Sure?" asked Jimmy very gently. + +Loraine laughed for the first time. + +"I know what you think, and I admit that women are curious. But, you +see, this didn't even look interesting. It was a kind of list of names +and dates." + +"Names and dates," said Jimmy thoughtfully. + +"Gerry didn't seem to mind much," continued Loraine. "He laughed. He +asked me if I had ever heard of the Mafia, and then said it would be +queer if a society like the Mafia started in England--but that that +kind of secret society didn't take on much with English people. 'Our +criminals,' he said, 'haven't got a picturesque imagination.'" + +Jimmy pursed up his lips into a whistle. + +"I'm beginning to see," he said. "Seven Dials must be the headquarters +of some secret society. As he says in his letter to you, he thought +it rather a joke to start with. But evidently it wasn't a joke--he +says as much. And there's something else: his anxiety that you should +forget what he'd told you. There can be only one reason for that--if +that society suspected that you had any knowledge of its activity, you +too would be in danger. Gerald realized the peril, and he was terribly +anxious--for you." + +He stopped, then he went on quietly: + +"I rather fancy that we're all going to be in danger--if we go on with +this." + +"If--?" cried Bundle indignantly. + +"I'm talking to you two. It's different for me. I was poor old Ronny's +pal." He looked at Bundle. "You've done your bit. You've delivered the +message he sent me. No; for God's sake keep out of it, you and Loraine." + +Bundle looked questioningly at the other girl. Her own mind was +definitely made up, but she gave no indication of it just then. She +had no wish to push Loraine Wade into a dangerous undertaking. But +Loraine's small face was alight at once with indignation. + +"You say that! Do you think for one minute I'd be contented to keep out +of it--when they killed Gerry--my own dear Gerry, the best and dearest +and kindest brother any girl ever had. The only person belonging to me +I had in the whole world!" + +Jimmy cleared his throat uncomfortably. Loraine, he thought, was +wonderful; simply wonderful. + +"Look here," he said awkwardly, "you mustn't say that. About being +alone in the world--all that rot. You've got lots of friends--only too +glad to do what they can. See what I mean?" + +It is possible that Loraine did, for she suddenly blushed, and to cover +her confusion began to talk nervously. + +"That's settled," she said. "I'm going to help. Nobody's going to stop +me." + +"And so am I, of course," said Bundle. + +They both looked at Jimmy. + +"Yes," he said slowly. "Yes, quite so." + +They looked at him inquiringly. + +"I was just wondering," said Jimmy, "how we were going to begin." + + + + + CHAPTER IX + + PLANS + + +Jimmy's words lifted the discussion at once into a more practical +sphere. + +"All things considered," he said, "we haven't got much to go on. In +fact, just the words Seven Dials. As a matter of fact I don't even know +exactly where Seven Dials is. But, anyway, we can't very well comb out +the whole of that district, house by house." + +"We could," said Bundle. + +"Well, perhaps we could eventually--though I'm not so sure. I imagine +it's a well-populated area. But it wouldn't be very subtle." + +The word reminded him of the girl Socks and he smiled. + +"Then, of course, there's the part of the country where Ronny was +shot. We could nose around there. But the police are probably doing +everything we could do, and doing it much better." + +"What I like about you," said Bundle sarcastically, "is your cheerful +and optimistic disposition." + +"Never mind her, Jimmy," said Loraine softly. "Go on." + +"Don't be so impatient," said Jimmy to Bundle. "All the best sleuths +approach a case this way, by eliminating unnecessary and unprofitable +investigation. I'm coming now to the third alternative--Gerald's death. +Now that we know it was murder--by the way, you do both believe that, +don't you?" + +"Yes," said Loraine. + +"Yes," said Bundle. + +"Good. So do I. Well, it seems to me that there we do stand some faint +chance. After all, if Gerry didn't take the chloral himself, someone +must have got into his room and put it there--dissolved it in the glass +of water, so that when he woke up he drank it off. And of course left +the empty box or bottle or whatever it was. You agree with that?" + +"Ye-es," said Bundle slowly. "But--" + +"Wait. And that someone must have been in the house at the time. It +couldn't very well have been someone from outside." + +"No," agreed Bundle, more readily this time. + +"Very well. Now, that narrows down things considerably. To begin with, +I suppose a good many of the servants are family ones--they're your +lot, I mean." + +"Yes," said Bundle. "Practically all the staff stayed when we let it. +All the principal ones are there still--of course there have been +changes among the under servants." + +"Exactly--that's what I am getting at. _You_,"--he addressed +Bundle--"must go into all that. Find out when new servants were +engaged--what about footmen, for instance?" + +"One of the footmen is new. John, his name is." + +"Well, make inquiries about John. And about any others who have only +come recently." + +"I suppose," said Bundle slowly, "it must have been a servant. It +couldn't have been one of the guests?" + +"I don't see how that's possible." + +"Who were there exactly?" + +"Well, there were three girls--Nancy and Helen and Socks--" + +"Socks Daventry? I know her." + +"May have been. Girl who was always saying things were subtle." + +"That's Socks all right. Subtle is one of her words." + +"And then there were Gerry Wade and me and Bill Eversleigh and Ronny. +And, of course, Sir Oswald and Lady Coote. Oh! and Pongo." + +"Who's Pongo?" + +"Chap called Bateman--secretary to old Coote. Solemn sort of cove but +very conscientious. I was at school with him." + +"There doesn't seem anything very suspicious there," remarked Loraine. + +"No, there doesn't," said Bundle. "As you say, we'll have to look +amongst the servants. By the way, you don't suppose that clock being +thrown out of the window had anything to do with it." + +"A clock thrown out of the window," said Jimmy, staring. It was the +first he had heard of it. + +"I can't see how it can have anything to do with it," said Bundle. "But +it's odd somehow. There seems no sense in it." + +"I remember," said Jimmy slowly. "I went in to--to see poor old Gerry, +and there were the clocks ranged along the mantelpiece. I remember +noticing there were only seven--not eight." + +He gave a sudden shiver and explained himself apologetically. + +"Sorry. But somehow those clocks have always given me the shivers. I +dream of them sometimes. I'd hate to go into that room in the dark and +see them there in a row." + +"You wouldn't be able to see them if it was dark," said Bundle +practically. "Not unless they had luminous dials--Oh!" She gave a +sudden gasp and the colour rushed into her cheeks. "Don't you see? +_Seven Dials!_" + +The others looked at her doubtfully, but she insisted with increasing +vehemence. + +"It must be. It can't be a coincidence." + +There was a pause. + +"You may be right," said Jimmy Thesiger at last. "It's--it's dashed +odd." + +Bundle started questioning him eagerly. + +"Who bought the clocks?" + +"All of us." + +"Who thought of them?" + +"All of us." + +"Nonsense, somebody must have thought of them first." + +"It didn't happen that way. We were discussing what we could do to get +Gerry up, and Pongo said an alarum clock, and somebody said one would +be no good, and somebody else--Bill Eversleigh, I think--said why not +get a dozen. And we all said good egg and hoofed off to get them. We +got one each and an extra one for Pongo and one for Lady Coote--just +out of the generosity of our hearts. There was nothing premeditated +about it--it just happened." + +Bundle was silenced, but not convinced. + +Jimmy proceeded to sum up methodically. + +"I think we can say we're sure of certain facts. There's a secret +society, with points of resemblance to the Mafia, in existence. Gerry +Wade came to know about it. At first he treated it as rather a joke--as +an absurdity, shall we say. He couldn't believe in its being really +dangerous. But later something happened to convince him, and then he +got the wind up in earnest. I rather fancy he must have said something +to Ronny Devereux about it. Anyway, when he was put out of the way, +Ronny suspected, and he must have known enough to get on the same track +himself. The unfortunate thing is that we've got to start quite from +the outer darkness. We haven't got the knowledge the other two had." + +"Perhaps that's an advantage," said Loraine coolly. "They won't suspect +us and therefore they won't be trying to put us out of the way." + +"I wish I felt sure about that," said Jimmy in a worried voice. "You +know, Loraine, old Gerry himself wanted you to keep out of it. Don't +you think you could--" + +"No, I couldn't," said Loraine. "Don't let's start discussing that +again. It's only a waste of time." + +At the mention of the word time, Jimmy's eyes rose to the clock and he +uttered an exclamation of astonishment. He rose and opened the door. + +"Stevens." + +"Yes, sir?" + +"What about a spot of lunch, Stevens? Could it be managed?" + +"I anticipated that it would be required, sir. Mrs. Stevens has made +preparations accordingly." + +"That's a wonderful man," said Jimmy, as he returned, heaving a sigh +of relief. "Brain, you know. Sheer brain. He takes correspondence +courses. I sometimes wonder if they'd do any good to me." + +"Don't be silly," said Loraine. + +Stevens opened the door and proceeded to bring in a most recherché +meal. An omelette was followed by quails and the very lightest things +in soufflés. + +"Why are men so happy when they're single," said Loraine tragically. +"Why are they so much better looked after by other people than by us?" + +"Oh! but that's rot, you know," said Jimmy. "I mean, they're not. How +could they be. I often think--" + +He stammered and stopped. Loraine blushed again. + +Suddenly Bundle let out a whoop and both the others started violently. + +"Idiot," said Bundle. "Imbecile. Me, I mean. I knew there was something +I'd forgotten." + +"What?" + +"You know Codders--George Lomax, I mean?" + +"I've heard of him a good deal," said Jimmy. "From Bill and Ronny, you +know." + +"Well, Codders is giving some sort of a dry party next week--and he's +had a warning letter from Seven Dials." + +"What?" cried Jimmy excitedly, leaning forward. "You can't mean it?" + +"Yes, I do. He told Father about it. Now what do you think that points +to?" + +Jimmy leant back in his chair. He thought rapidly and carefully. At +last he spoke. His speech was brief and to the point. + +"Something's going to happen at that party," he said. + +"That's what I think," said Bundle. + +"It all fits in," said Jimmy almost dreamily. + +He turned to Loraine. + +"How old were you when the war was on?" he asked unexpectedly. + +"Nine--no, eight." + +"And Gerry, I suppose, was about twenty. Most lads of twenty fought in +the war. Gerry didn't." + +"No," said Loraine, after thinking a minute or two. "No, Gerry wasn't a +soldier. I don't know why." + +"I can tell you why," said Jimmy. "Or at least I can make a very shrewd +guess. He was out of England from 1915 to 1918. I've taken the trouble +to find that out. And nobody seems to know exactly where he was. I +think he was in Germany." + +The colour rose in Loraine's cheeks. She looked at Jimmy with +admiration. + +"How clever of you." + +"He spoke German well, didn't he?" + +"Oh! yes, like a native." + +"I'm sure I'm right. Listen, you two. Gerry Wade was at the Foreign +Office. He appeared to be the same sort of amiable idiot--excuse the +term, but you know what I mean--as Bill Eversleigh and Ronny Devereux. +A purely ornamental excrescence. But in reality he was something quite +different. I think Gerry Wade was the real thing. Our secret service +is supposed to be the best in the world. I think Gerry Wade was pretty +high up in that service. And that explains everything! I remember +saying idly that last evening at Chimneys that Gerry couldn't be quite +such an ass as he made himself out to be." + +"And if you're right?" said Bundle, practical as ever. + +"Then the thing's bigger than we thought. This Seven Dials business +isn't merely criminal--it's international. One thing's certain, +somebody has got to be at this house-party of Lomax's." + +Bundle made a slight grimace. + +"I know George well--but he doesn't like me. He'd never think of asking +me to a serious gathering. All the same, I might--" + +She remained a moment lost in thought. + +"Do you think _I_ could work it through Bill?" asked Jimmy. "He's +bound to be there as Codders's right-hand man. He might bring me along +somehow or other." + +"I don't see why not," said Bundle. "You'll have to prime Bill and +make him say the right things. He's incapable of thinking of them for +himself." + +"What do you suggest?" asked Jimmy humbly. + +"Oh! it's quite easy. Bill describes you as a rich young +man--interested in politics, anxious to stand for Parliament. George +will fall at once. You know what these political parties are: always +looking for new, rich young men. The richer Bill says you are, the +easier it will be to manage." + +"Short of being described as Rothschild, I don't mind," said Jimmy. + +"Then I think that's practically settled. I'm dining with Bill +to-morrow night, and I'll get a list of who is to be there. That will +be useful." + +"I'm sorry you can't be there," said Jimmy. "But on the whole I think +it's all for the best." + +"I'm not so sure I shan't be there," said Bundle. "Codders hates me +like poison--but there are other ways." + +She became meditative. + +"And what about me?" asked Loraine in a small, meek voice. + +"You're not on in this act," said Jimmy instantly. "See? After all, +we've got to have someone outside to--er--" + +"To what?" said Loraine. + +Jimmy decided not to pursue this tack. He appealed to Bundle. + +"Look here," he said. "Loraine must keep out of this, mustn't she?" + +"I certainly think she'd better." + +"Next time," said Jimmy kindly. + +"And suppose there isn't a next time," said Loraine. + +"Oh! there probably will be. Not a doubt of it." + +"I see. I'm just to go home and--wait." + +"That's it," said Jimmy, with every appearance of relief. "I thought +you'd understand." + +"You see," explained Bundle, "three of us forcing our way in might look +rather suspicious. And you would be particularly difficult. You do see +that, don't you?" + +"Oh! yes," said Loraine. + +"Then it's settled--you do nothing," said Jimmy. + +"I do nothing," said Loraine meekly. + +Bundle looked at her in sudden suspicion. The tameness with which +Loraine was taking it seemed hardly natural. Loraine looked at her. Her +eyes were blue and guileless. They met Bundle's without a quiver even +of the lashes. Bundle was only partly satisfied. She found the meekness +of Loraine Wade highly suspicious. + + + + + CHAPTER X + + BUNDLE VISITS SCOTLAND YARD + + +Now it may be said at once that in the foregoing conversation each one +of the three participants had, as it were, held something in reserve. +That "Nobody tells everything" is a very true motto. + +It may be questioned, for instance, if Loraine Wade was perfectly +sincere in her account of the motives which had led her to seek out +Jimmy Thesiger. + +In the same way, Jimmy Thesiger himself had various ideas and plans +connected with the forthcoming party at George Lomax's which he had no +intention of revealing to--say, Bundle. + +And Bundle herself had a fully-fledged plan which she proposed to put +into immediate execution and which she had said nothing whatever about. + +On leaving Jimmy Thesiger's rooms, she drove to Scotland Yard, where +she asked to see Superintendent Battle. + +Superintendent Battle was rather a big man. He worked almost entirely +on cases of a delicate political nature. On such a case he had come +to Chimneys four years ago, and Bundle was frankly trading on his +remembering this fact. + +After a short delay, she was taken along several corridors and into +the Superintendent's private room. Battle was a stolid-looking man +with a wooden face. He looked supremely unintelligent and more like a +commissionaire than a detective. + +He was standing by the window when she entered, gazing in an +expressionless manner at some sparrows. + +"Good-afternoon, Lady Eileen," he said. "Sit down, won't you?" + +"Thank you," said Bundle. "I was afraid you mightn't remember me." + +"Always remember people," said Battle. He added: "Got to in my job." + +"Oh!" said Bundle, rather damped. + +"And what can I do for you?" inquired the Superintendent. + +Bundle came straight to the point. + +"I've always heard that you people at Scotland Yard have lists of all +secret societies and things like that that are formed in London." + +"We try to keep up to date," said Superintendent Battle cautiously. + +"I suppose a great many of them aren't really dangerous." + +"We've got a very good rule to go by," said Battle. "The more they +talk, the less they'll do. You'd be surprised how well that works out." + +"And I've heard that very often you let them go on?" + +Battle nodded. + +"That's so. Why shouldn't a man call himself a Brother of Liberty and +meet twice a week in a cellar and talk about rivers of blood--it won't +hurt either him or us. And if there is trouble any time, we know where +to lay our hands on him." + +"But sometimes, I suppose," said Bundle slowly, "a society may be more +dangerous than anyone imagines?" + +"Very unlikely," said Battle. + +"But it _might_ happen," persisted Bundle. + +"Oh! it _might_," admitted the Superintendent. + +There was a moment or two's silence. Then Bundle said quietly. + +"Superintendent Battle, could you give me a list of secret societies +that have their headquarters in Seven Dials?" + +It was Superintendent Battle's boast that he had never been seen to +display emotion. But Bundle could have sworn that just for a moment +his eyelids flickered and he looked taken aback. Only for a moment, +however. He was his usual wooden self as he said: + +"Strictly speaking, Lady Eileen, there's no such place as Seven Dials +nowadays." + +"No?" + +"No. Most of it is pulled down and rebuilt. It was rather a low quarter +once, but it's very respectable and high class nowadays. Not at all a +romantic spot to poke about in for mysterious secret societies." + +"Oh!" said Bundle, rather nonplussed. + +"But all the same I should very much like to know what put that +neighborhood into your head, Lady Eileen?" + +"Have I got to tell you?" + +"Well, it saves trouble, doesn't it? We know where we are, so to speak?" + +Bundle hesitated for a minute. + +"There was a man shot yesterday," she said slowly. "I thought I had run +over him--" + +"Mr. Ronald Devereux?" + +"You know about it, of course. Why has there been nothing in the +papers?" + +"Do you really want to know that, Lady Eileen?" + +"Yes, please." + +"Well, we just thought we should like to have a clear twenty-four +hours--see? It will be in the papers to-morrow." + +"Oh!" Bundle studied him, puzzled. + +What was hidden behind that immovable face. Did he regard the shooting +of Ronald Devereux as an ordinary crime or as an extraordinary one. + +"He mentioned Seven Dials when he was dying," said Bundle slowly. + +"Thank you," said Battle. "I'll make a note of that." + +He wrote a few words on the blotting pad in front of him. + +Bundle started on another tack. + +"Mr. Lomax, I understand, came to see you yesterday about a threatening +letter he had had." + +"He did." + +"And that was written from Seven Dials?" + +"It had Seven Dials written at the top of it, I believe." + +Bundle felt as though she was battering hopelessly on a locked door. + +"If you'll let me advise you, Lady Eileen--"' + +"I know what you're going to say." + +"I should go home and--well, think no more about these matters." + +"Leave it to you, in fact?" + +"Well," said Superintendent Battle, "after all, we _are_ the +professionals." + +"And I'm only an amateur? Yes, but you forget one thing--I mayn't have +your knowledge and skill--but I have one advantage over you. I can work +in the dark." + +She thought that the Superintendent seemed a little taken aback, as +though the force of her words struck home. + +"Of course," said Bundle, "if you won't give me a list of secret +societies--" + +"Oh! I never said that. You shall have a list of the whole lot." + +He went to the door, put his head through and called out something, +then came back to his chair. Bundle, rather unreasonably, felt baffled. +The ease with which he acceded to her request seemed to her suspicious. +He was looking at her now in a placid fashion. + +"Do you remember the death of Mr. Gerald Wade?" she asked abruptly. + +"Down at your place, wasn't it? Took an overdraught of sleeping +mixture." + +"His sister says he never took things to make him sleep." + +"Ah!" said the Superintendent. "You'd be surprised what a lot of things +there are that sisters don't know." + +Bundle again felt baffled. She sat in silence till a man came in with a +typewritten sheet of paper, which he handed to the Superintendent. + +"Here you are," said the latter when the other had left the room. "The +Blood Brothers of St. Sebastian. The Wolf Hounds. The Comrades of +Peace. The Comrades Club. The Friends of Oppression. The Children of +Moscow. The Red Standard Bearers. The Herrings. The Comrades of the +Fallen--and half a dozen more." + +He handed it to her with a distinct twinkle in his eye. + +"You give it to me," said Bundle, "because you know it's not going to +be the slightest use to me. Do you want me to leave the whole thing +alone?" + +"I should prefer it," said Battle. "You see--if you go messing round +all these places--well, it's going to give us a lot of trouble." + +"Looking after me, you mean?" + +"Looking after you, Lady Eileen." + +Bundle had risen to her feet. Now she stood undecided. So far the +honours lay with Superintendent Battle. Then she remembered one slight +incident, and she based a last appeal upon it. + +"I said just now that an amateur could do some things which a +professional couldn't. You didn't contradict me. That's because you're +an honest man, Superintendent Battle. You knew I was right." + +"Go on," said Battle quietly. + +"At Chimneys you let me help. Won't you let me help now?" + +Battle seemed to be turning the thing over in his mind. Emboldened by +his silence, Bundle continued. + +"You know pretty well what I'm like, Superintendent Battle. I butt into +things. I'm a Nosey Parker. I don't want to get in your way or to try +and do things that you're doing and can do a great deal better. But if +there's a chance for an amateur, let me have it." + +Again there was a pause, and then Superintendent Battle said quietly: + +"You couldn't have spoken fairer than you have done, Lady Eileen. But +I'm just going to say this to you. What you propose is dangerous. And +when I say dangerous, I _mean_ dangerous." + +"I've grasped that," said Bundle. "I'm not a fool." + +"No," said Superintendent Battle. "Never knew a young lady who was less +so. What I'll do for you, Lady Eileen, is this. I'll just give you one +little hint. And I'm doing it because I never have thought much of the +motto 'Safety First.' In my opinion half the people who spend their +lives avoiding being run over by buses had much better be run over and +put safely out of the way. They're no good." + +This remarkable utterance issuing from the conventional lips of +Superintendent Battle quite took Bundle's breath away. + +"What was the hint you were going to give me," she asked at last. + +"You know Mr. Eversleigh, don't you?" + +"Know Bill? Why, of course. But what--" + +"I think Mr. Bill Eversleigh will be able to tell you all you want to +know about Seven Dials." + +"Bill knows about it? _Bill?_" + +"I didn't say that. Not at all. But I think, being a quick-witted young +lady, you'll get what you want from him. + +"And now," said Superintendent Battle firmly, "I'm not going to say +another word." + + + + + CHAPTER XI + + DINNER WITH BILL + + +Bundle set out to keep her appointment with Bill on the following +evening full of expectation. + +Bill greeted her with every sign of elation. + +"Bill really _is_ rather nice," thought Bundle to herself. "Just like a +large, clumsy dog that wags its tail when it's pleased to see you." + +The large dog was uttering short staccato yelps of comment and +information. + +"You look tremendously fit, Bundle. I can't tell you how pleased I am +to see you. I've ordered oysters--you do like oysters, don't you? And +how's everything? What did you want to go mouldering about abroad so +long? Were you having a very gay time?" + +"No, deadly," said Bundle. "Perfectly foul. Old diseased colonels +creeping about in the sun, and active, wizened spinsters running +libraries and churches." + +"Give me England," said Bill. "I bar this foreign business--except +Switzerland. Switzerland's all right. I'm thinking of going this +Christmas. Why don't you come along?" + +"I'll think of it," said Bundle. "What have you been doing with +yourself lately, Bill?" + +It was an incautious query. Bundle had merely made it out of politeness +and as a preliminary to introducing her own topics of conversation. It +was, however, the opening for which Bill had been waiting. + +"That's just what I've been wanting to tell you about. You're brainy, +Bundle, and I want your advice. You know that musical show, 'Damn Your +Eyes'?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I'm going to tell you about one of the dirtiest pieces of work +imaginable. My God! the theatrical crowd. There's a girl--a Yankee +girl--a perfect stunner--" + +Bundle's heart sank. The grievances of Bill's lady friends were always +interminable--they went on and on and there was no stemming them. + +"This girl, Babe St. Maur her name is--" + +"I wonder how she got that name?" said Bundle sarcastically. + +Bill replied literally. + +"She got it out of _Who's Who_. Opened it and jabbed her finger down on +a page without looking. Pretty nifty, eh? Her real name's Goldschmidt +or Abrameier--something quite impossible." + +"Oh! quite," agreed Bundle. + +"Well, Babe St. Maur is pretty smart. And she's got muscles. She was +one of the eight girls who made the living bridge--" + +"Bill," said Bundle desperately, "I went to see Jimmy Thesiger +yesterday morning." + +"Good old Jimmy," said Bill. "Well, as I was telling you, Babe's +pretty smart. You've got to be nowadays. She can put it over on most +theatrical people. If you want to live, be high-handed, that's what +Babe says. And mind you, she's the goods all right. She can act--it's +marvellous how that girl can act. She'd not much chance in 'Damn Your +Eyes'--just swamped in a pack of good-looking girls. I said why not try +the legitimate stage--you know, Mrs. Tanqueray--that sort of stuff--but +Babe just laughed--" + +"Have you seen Jimmy at all?" + +"Saw him this morning. Let me see, where was I? Oh, yes, I hadn't +got to the rumpus yet. And mind you it was jealousy--sheer, spiteful +jealousy. The other girl wasn't a patch on Babe for looks and she knew +it. So she went behind her back--" + +Bundle resigned herself to the inevitable and heard the whole story +of the unfortunate circumstances which had led up to Babe St. Maur's +summary disappearance from the cast of "Damn Your Eyes." It took a long +time. When Bill finally paused for breath and sympathy, Bundle said: + +"You're quite right, Bill, it's a rotten shame. There must be a lot of +jealousy about--" + +"The whole theatrical world's rotten with it." + +"It must be. Did Jimmy say anything to you about coming down to the +Abbey next week?" + +For the first time, Bill gave his attention to what Bundle was saying. + +"He was full of a long rigmarole he wanted me to stuff Codders with. +About wanting to stand in the Conservative interest. But you know, +Bundle, it's too damned risky." + +"Stuff," said Bundle. "If George _does_ find him out, he won't blame +you. You'll just have been taken in, that's all." + +"That's not it at all," said Bill. "I mean it's too damned risky for +Jimmy. Before he knows where he is, he'll be parked down somewhere like +Tooting West, pledged to kiss babies and make speeches. You don't know +how thorough Codders is and how frightfully energetic." + +"Well, we'll have to risk that," said Bundle. "Jimmy can take care of +himself all right." + +"You don't know Codders," repeated Bill. + +"Who's coming to this party, Bill? Is it anything very special?" + +"Only the usual sort of muck. Mrs. Macatta for one." + +"The M.P.?" + +"Yes, you know, always going off the deep end about Welfare and Pure +Milk and Save the Children. Think of poor Jimmy being talked to by her." + +"Never mind Jimmy. Go on telling me." + +"Then there's a Hungarian, what they call a Young Hungarian. Countess +something unpronounceable. She's all right." + +He swallowed as though embarrassed and Bundle observed that he was +crumbling his bread nervously. + +"Young and beautiful?" she inquired delicately. + +"Oh! rather." + +"I didn't know George went in for female beauty much." + +"Oh! he doesn't. She runs baby feeding in Buda Pesth--something like +that. Naturally she and Mrs. Macatta want to get together." + +"Who else?" + +"Sir Stanley Digby--" + +"The Air Minister?" + +"Yes. And his secretary, Terence O'Rourke. He's rather a lad, by +the way--or used to be in his flying days. Then there's a perfectly +poisonous German chap called Herr Eberhard. I don't know who he is, but +we're all making the hell of a fuss about him. I've been twice told off +to take him out to lunch, and I can tell you, Bundle, it was no joke. +He's not like the Embassy chaps, who are all very decent. This man +sucks in soup and eats peas with a knife. Not only that, but the brute +is always biting his finger-nails--positively gnaws at them." + +"Pretty foul." + +"Isn't it? I believe he invents things--something of the kind. Well, +that's all. Oh! yes, Sir Oswald Coote." + +"And Lady Coote?" + +"Yes, I believe she's coming too." + +Bundle sat lost in thought for some minutes. Bill's list was +suggestive, but she hadn't time to think out various possibilities just +now. She must get on to the next point. + +"Bill?" she said. "What's all this about Seven Dials?" + +Bill at once looked horribly embarrassed. He blinked and avoided her +glance. + +"I don't know what you mean," he said. + +"Nonsense," said Bundle. "I was told you know all about it." + +"About what?" + +This was rather a poser. Bundle shifted her ground. + +"I don't see what you want to be so secretive for," she complained. + +"Nothing to be secretive about. Nobody goes there much now. It was only +a craze." + +This sounded puzzling. + +"One gets so out of things when one is away," said Bundle in a sad +voice. + +"Oh! you haven't missed much," said Bill. "Everyone went there just to +say they had been. It was boring really, and, my God, you _can_ get +tired of fried fish." + +"Where did everyone go?" + +"To the Seven Dials Club, of course," said Bill, staring. "Wasn't that +what you were asking about?" + +"I didn't know it by that name," said Bundle. + +"Used to be a slummy sort of district round about Tottenham Court Road +way. It's all pulled down and cleaned up now. But the Seven Dials Club +keeps to the old atmosphere. Fried fish and chips. General squalor. +Kind of East End stunt, but awfully handy to get at after a show." + +"It's a night club, I suppose," said Bundle. "Dancing and all that?" + +"That's it. Awfully mixed crowd. Not a posh affair. Artists, you know, +and all sorts of odd women and a sprinkling of our lot. They say quite +a lot of things, but I think that that's all bunkum myself, just said +to make the place go." + +"Good," said Bundle. "We'll go there to-night." + +"Oh! I shouldn't do that," said Bill. His embarrassment had returned. +"I tell you it's played out. Nobody goes there now." + +"Well, we're going." + +"You wouldn't care for it, Bundle. You wouldn't really." + +"You're going to take me to the Seven Dials Club and nowhere else, +Bill. And I should like to know why you are so unwilling?" + +"I? Unwilling?" + +"Painfully so. What's the guilty secret?" + +"Guilty secret?" + +"Don't keep repeating what I say. You do it to give yourself time." + +"I don't," said Bill indignantly. "It's only--" + +"Well? I know there's something. You never can conceal anything." + +"I've got nothing to conceal. It's only--" + +"Well?" + +"It's a long story--You see, I took Babe St. Maur there one night--" + +"Oh! Babe St. Maur again." + +"Why not?" + +"I didn't know it was about her--" said Bundle, stifling a yawn. + +"As I say, I took Babe there. She rather fancied a lobster. I had a +lobster under my arm--" + +The story went on--When the lobster had been finally dismembered in +a struggle between Bill and a fellow who was a rank outsider, Bundle +brought her attention back to him. + +"I see," she said. "And there was a row?" + +"Yes, but it was _my_ lobster. I'd bought it and paid for it. I had a +perfect right--" + +"Oh! you had, you had," said Bundle hastily. "But I'm sure that's all +forgotten now. And I don't care for lobsters anyway. So let's go." + +"We may be raided by the police. There's a room upstairs where they +play baccarat." + +"Father will have to come out and bail me out, that's all. Come on, +Bill." + +Bill still seemed rather reluctant, but Bundle was adamant, and they +were soon speeding to their destination in a taxi. + +The place, when they got to it, was much as she imagined it would be. +It was a tall house in a narrow street, 14 Hunstanton Street; she noted +the number. + +A man whose face was strangely familiar opened the door. She thought he +started slightly when he saw her, but he greeted Bill with respectful +recognition. He was a tall man, with fair hair, a rather weak, anaemic +face and slightly shifty eyes. Bundle puzzled to herself where she +could have seen him before. + +Bill had recovered his equilibrium now and quite enjoyed doing showman. +They danced in the cellar, which was very full of smoke--so much so +that you saw everyone through a blue haze. The smell of fried fish was +almost overpowering. + +On the wall were rough charcoal sketches, some of them executed with +real talent. The company was extremely mixed. There were portly +foreigners, opulent Jewesses, a sprinkling of the really smart, and +several ladies belonging to the oldest profession in the world. + +Soon Bill led Bundle upstairs. There the weak-faced man was on guard, +watching all those admitted to the gambling room with a lynx eye. +Suddenly recognition came to Bundle. + +"Of course," she said. "How stupid of me. It's Alfred, who used to be +second footman at Chimneys. How are you, Alfred?" + +"Nicely, thank you, your ladyship." + +"When did you leave Chimneys, Alfred? Was it long before we got back?" + +"It was about a month ago, m'lady. I got a chance of bettering myself, +and it seemed a pity not to take it." + +"I suppose they pay you very well here," remarked Bundle. + +"Very fair, m'lady." + +Bundle passed in. It seemed to her that in this room the real life +of the club was exposed. The stakes were high, she saw that at +once, and the people gathered round the two tables were of the true +type--hawk-eyed, haggard, with the gambling fever in their blood. + +She and Bill stayed there for about half an hour. Then Bill grew +restive. + +"Let's get out of this place, Bundle, and go on dancing." + +Bundle agreed. There was nothing to be seen here. They went down again. +They danced for another half hour, had fish and chips, and then Bundle +declared herself ready to go home. + +"But it's so early," Bill protested. + +"No, it isn't. Not really. And, anyway, I've got a long day in front of +me to-morrow." + +"What are you going to do?" + +"That depends," said Bundle mysteriously. "But I can tell you this, +Bill, the grass is not going to grow under my feet." + +"It never does," said Mr. Eversleigh. + + + + + CHAPTER XII + + INQUIRIES AT CHIMNEYS + + +Bundle's temperament was certainly not inherited from her father, +whose prevailing characteristic was a wholly amiable inertia. As Bill +Eversleigh had very justly remarked, the grass never did grow under +Bundle's feet. + +On the morning following her dinner with Bill, Bundle woke full of +energy. She had three distinct plans which she meant to put into +operation that day, and she realized that she was going to be slightly +hampered by the limits of time and space. + +Fortunately she did not suffer from the affliction of Gerry Wade, +Ronny Devereux and Jimmy Thesiger--that of not being able to get up in +the morning. Sir Oswald Coote himself would have had no fault to find +with her on the score of early rising. At half-past eight Bundle had +breakfasted and was on her way to Chimneys in the Hispano. + +Her father seemed mildly pleased to see her. + +"I never know when you're going to turn up," he said. "But this will +save me ringing up, which I hate. Colonel Melrose was here yesterday +about the inquest." + +Colonel Melrose was Chief Constable of the county, and an old friend of +Lord Caterham. + +"You mean the inquest on Ronny Devereux? When is it to be?" + +"To-morrow. Twelve o'clock. Melrose will call for you. Having found the +body, you'll have to give evidence, but he said you needn't be at all +alarmed." + +"Why on earth should I be alarmed?" + +"Well, you know," said Lord Caterham apologetically, "Melrose is a bit +old-fashioned." + +"Twelve o'clock," said Bundle. "Good. I shall be here, if I'm still +alive." + +"Have you any reason to anticipate not being alive?" + +"One never knows," said Bundle. "The strain of modern life--as the +newspapers say." + +"Which reminds me that George Lomax asked me to come over to the Abbey +next week. I refused, of course." + +"Quite right," said Bundle. "We don't want you mixed up in any funny +business." + +"Is there going to be any funny business?" asked Lord Caterham with a +sudden awakening of interest. + +"Well--warning letters and all that, you know," said Bundle. + +"Perhaps George is going to be assassinated," said Lord Caterham +hopefully. "What do you think, Bundle--perhaps I'd better go after all." + +"You curb your bloodthirsty instincts and stay quietly at home," said +Bundle. "I'm going to talk to Mrs. Howell." + +Mrs. Howell was the housekeeper, that dignified, creaking lady who had +struck such terror to the heart of Lady Coote. She had no terrors for +Bundle, whom, indeed, she always called Miss Bundle, a relic of the +days when Bundle had stayed at Chimneys, a long-legged, impish child, +before her father had succeeded to the title. + +"Now, Howelly," said Bundle, "let's have a cup of rich cocoa together, +and let me hear all the household news." + +She gleaned what she wanted without much difficulty, making mental +notes as follows: + +"Two new scullery maids--village girls--doesn't seem much there. New +third housemaid--head housemaid's niece. That sounds all right. Howelly +seems to have bullied poor Lady Coote a good deal. She would." + +"I never thought the day would come when I should see Chimneys +inhabited by strangers, Miss Bundle." + +"Oh! one must go with the times," said Bundle. "You'll be lucky, +Howelly, if you never see it converted into desirable flats with use of +superb pleasure grounds." + +Mrs. Howell shivered all down her reactionary aristocratic spine. + +"I've never seen Sir Oswald Coote," remarked Bundle. + +"Sir Oswald is no doubt a very clever gentleman," said Mrs. Howell +distantly. + +Bundle gathered that Sir Oswald had not been liked by his staff. + +"Of course, it was Mr. Bateman who saw to everything," continued the +housekeeper. "A very efficient gentleman. A very efficient gentleman +indeed, and one who knew the way things ought to be done." + +Bundle led the talk on to the topic of Gerald Wade's death. Mrs. +Howell was only too willing to talk about it, and was full of pitying +ejaculations about the poor young gentleman, but Bundle gleaned nothing +new. Presently she took leave of Mrs. Howell and came downstairs again, +where she promptly rang for Tredwell. + +"Tredwell, when did Alfred leave?" + +"It would be about a month ago now, my lady." + +"Why did he leave?" + +"It was by his own wish, my lady. I believe he has gone to London. I +was not dissatisfied with him in any way. I think you will find the new +footman, John, very satisfactory. He seems to know his work and to be +most anxious to give satisfaction." + +"Where did he come from?" + +"He had excellent references, my lady. He had lived last with Lord +Mount Vernon." + +"I see," said Bundle thoughtfully. + +She was remembering that Lord Mount Vernon was at present on a shooting +trip in East Africa. + +"What's his last name, Tredwell?" + +"Bower, my lady." + +Tredwell paused for a minute or two and then, seeing that Bundle had +finished, he quietly left the room. Bundle remained lost in thought. + +John had opened the door to her on her arrival that day, and she had +taken particular notice of him without seeming to do so. Apparently, he +was the perfect servant, well trained, with an expressionless face. He +had, perhaps, a more soldierly bearing than most footmen and there was +something a little odd about the shape of the back of his head. + +But these details, as Bundle realized, were hardly relevant to the +situation. She sat frowning down at the blotting paper in front of her. +She had a pencil in her hand and was idly tracing the name Bower over +and over again. + +Suddenly an idea struck her and she stopped dead, staring at the word. +Then she summoned Tredwell once more. + +"Tredwell, how is the name Bower spelt?" + +"B-A-U-E-R, my lady." + +"That's not an English name." + +"I believe he is of Swiss extraction, my lady." + +"Oh! That's all, Tredwell, thank you." + +Swiss extraction? No. German! That martial carriage, that flat back to +the head. And he had come to Chimneys a fortnight before Gerry Wade's +death. + +Bundle rose to her feet. She had done all she could here. Now to get on +with things! She went in search of her father. + +"I'm off again," she said. "I've got to go and see Aunt Marcia." + +"Got to see Marcia?" Lord Caterham's voice was full of astonishment. +"Poor child, how did you get let in for that?" + +"Just for once," said Bundle, "I happen to be going of my own free +will." + +Lord Caterham looked at her in amazement. That anyone could have +a genuine desire to face his redoubtable sister-in-law was quite +incomprehensible to him. Marcia, Marchioness of Caterham, the widow of +his late brother Henry, was a very prominent personality. Lord Caterham +admitted that she had made Henry an admirable wife and that but for her +in all probability he would never have held the office of Secretary of +State for Foreign Affairs. On the other hand, he had always looked upon +Henry's early death as a merciful release. + +It seemed to him that Bundle was foolishly putting her head into the +lion's mouth. + +"Oh! I say," he said. "You know, I shouldn't do that. You don't know +what it may lead to." + +"I know what I hope it's going to lead to," said Bundle. "I'm all +right, Father, don't you worry about me." + +Lord Caterham sighed and settled himself more comfortably in his chair. +He went back to his perusal of the _Field_. But in a minute or two +Bundle suddenly put her head in again. + +"Sorry," she said. "But there's one other thing I wanted to ask you. +What is Sir Oswald Coote?" + +"I told you--a steam-roller." + +"I don't mean your personal impression of him. How did he make his +money--trouser buttons or brass beds or what?" + +"Oh! I see. He's steel. Steel and iron. He's got the biggest steel +works, or whatever you call it, in England. He doesn't, of course, run +the show personally now. It's a company or companies. He got me in as +a director of something or other. Very good business for me--nothing +to do except go down to the city once or twice a year to one of those +hotel places--Cannon Street or Liverpool Street--and sit round a table +where they have very nice new blotting paper. Then Coote or some clever +Johnny makes a speech simply bristling with figures, but fortunately +you needn't listen to it--and I can tell you, you often get a jolly +good lunch out of it." + +Uninterested in Lord Caterham's lunches, Bundle had departed again +before he had finished speaking. On the way back to London, she tried +to piece together things to her satisfaction. + +As far as she could see, steel and infant welfare did not go together. +One of the two, then, was just padding--presumably the latter. Mrs. +Macatta and the Hungarian countess could be ruled out of court. They +were camouflage. No, the pivot of the whole thing seemed to be the +unattractive Herr Eberhard. He did not seem to be the type of man whom +George Lomax would normally invite. Bill had said vaguely that he +invented. Then there was the Air Minister and Sir Oswald Coote, who was +steel. Somehow that seemed to hang together. + +Since it was useless speculating further, Bundle abandoned the attempt +and concentrated on her forthcoming interview with Lady Caterham. + +The lady lived in a large gloomy house in one of London's higher +class squares. Inside it smelt of sealing wax, bird seed and slightly +decayed flowers. Lady Caterham was a large woman--large in every way. +Her proportions were majestic, rather than ample. She had a large +beaked nose, wore gold rimmed pince-nez and her upper lip bore just the +faintest suspicion of a moustache. + +She was somewhat surprised to see her niece, but accorded her a frigid +cheek, which Bundle duly kissed. + +"This is quite an unexpected pleasure, Eileen," she observed coldly. + +"We've only just got back, Aunt Marcia." + +"I know. How is your father? Much as usual?" + +Her tone conveyed disparagement. She had a poor opinion of Alastair +Edward Brent, ninth Marquis of Caterham. She would have called him, had +she known the term, a "poor fish." + +"Father is very well. He's down at Chimneys." + +"Indeed. You know, Eileen, I never approved of the letting of Chimneys. +The place is, in many ways, a historical monument. It should not be +cheapened." + +"It must have been wonderful in Uncle Henry's day," said Bundle with a +slight sigh. + +"Henry realized his responsibilities," said Henry's widow. + +"Think of the people who stayed there," went on Bundle ecstatically. +"All the principal statesmen of Europe." + +Lady Caterham sighed. + +"I can truly say that history has been made there more than once," she +observed. "If only your father--" + +She shook her head sadly. + +"Politics bore Father," said Bundle, "and yet they are about the most +fascinating study there is, I should say. Especially if one knew about +them from the inside." + +She made this extravagantly untruthful statement of her feelings +without even a blush. Her aunt looked at her with some surprise. + +"I am pleased to hear you say so," she said. "I always imagined, +Eileen, that you cared for nothing but this modern pursuit of pleasure." + +"I used to," said Bundle. + +"It is true that you are still very young," said Lady Caterham +thoughtfully. "But with your advantages, and if you were to marry +suitably, you might be one of the leading political hostesses of the +day." + +Bundle felt slightly alarmed. For a moment she feared that her aunt +might produce a suitable husband straight away. + +"But I feel such a fool," said Bundle. "I mean I know so little." + +"That can easily be remedied," said Lady Caterham briskly. "I have any +amount of literature I can lend you." + +"Thank you, Aunt Marcia," said Bundle, and proceeded hastily to her +second line of attack. + +"I wondered if you knew Mrs. Macatta, Aunt Marcia?" + +"Certainly I know her. A most estimable woman with a brilliant brain. +I may say that as a general rule I do not hold with women standing +for Parliament. They can make their influence felt in a more womanly +fashion." She paused, doubtless to recall the womanly way in which +she had forced a reluctant husband into the political arena and the +marvellous success which had crowned his and her efforts. "But still, +times change. And the work Mrs. Macatta is doing is of truly national +importance, and of the utmost value to all women. It is, I think I may +say, true womanly work. You must certainly meet Mrs. Macatta." + +Bundle gave a rather dismal sigh. + +"She's going to be at a house-party at George Lomax's next week. He +asked Father, who, of course, won't go, but he never thought of asking +me. Thinks I'm too much of an idiot, I suppose." + +It occurred to Lady Caterham that her niece was really wonderfully +improved. Had she, perhaps, had an unfortunate love affair? An +unfortunate love affair, in Lady Caterham's opinion, was often highly +beneficial to young girls. It made them take life seriously. + +"I don't suppose George Lomax realizes for a moment that you +have--shall we say, grown up? Eileen, dear," she said, "I must have a +few words with him." + +"He doesn't like me," said Bundle. "I know he won't ask me." + +"Nonsense," said Lady Caterham. "I shall make a point of it. I knew +George Lomax when he was so high." She indicated a quite impossible +height. "He will be only too pleased to do me a favour. And he will be +sure to see for himself that it is vitally important that the present +day young girls of our own class should take an intelligent interest in +the welfare of their country." + +Bundle nearly said: "Hear, hear," but checked herself. + +"I will find you some literature now," said Lady Caterham, rising. + +She called in a piercing voice, "Miss Connor." + +A very neat secretary with a frightened expression came running. Lady +Caterham gave her various directions. Presently Bundle was driving +back to Brook Street with an armful of the driest looking literature +imaginable. + +Her next proceeding was to ring up Jimmy Thesiger. His first words were +full of triumph. + +"I've managed it," he said. "Had a lot of trouble with Bill, though. +He'd got it into his thick head that I should be a lamb among +the wolves. But I made him see sense at last. I've got a lot of +thingummybobs now and I'm studying them. You know, blue books and white +papers. Deadly dull--but one must do the thing properly. Have you ever +heard of the Santa Fé boundary dispute?" + +"Never," said Bundle. + +"Well, I'm taking special pains with that. It went on for years and +was very complicated. I'm making it my subject. Nowadays one has to +specialize." + +"I've got a lot of the same sort of things," said Bundle. "Aunt Marcia +gave them to me." + +"Aunt who?" + +"Aunt Marcia--Father's sister-in-law. She's very political. In fact, +she's going to get me invited to George's party." + +"No? Oh, I say, that will be splendid." There was a pause and then +Jimmy said: + +"I say, I don't think we'd better tell Loraine that--eh?" + +"Perhaps not." + +"You see, she mayn't like being out of it. And she really must be kept +out of it." + +"Yes." + +"I mean you can't let a girl like that run into danger!" + +Bundle reflected that Mr. Thesiger was slightly deficient in tact. The +prospect of _her_ running into danger did not seem to give him any +qualms whatever. + +"Have you gone away?" asked Jimmy. + +"No, I was only thinking." + +"I see. I say, are you going to the inquest to-morrow?" + +"Yes; are you?" + +"Yes. By the way, it's in the evening papers. But tucked away in a +corner. Funny--I should have thought they'd have made rather a splash +about it." + +"Yes--so should I." + +"Well," said Jimmy, "I must be getting on with my task. I've just got +to where Bolivia sent us a Note." + +"I suppose I must get on with my little lot," said Bundle. "Are you +going to swot at it all the evening?" + +"I think so. Are you?" + +"Oh, probably. Good-night." + +They were both liars of the most unblushing order. Jimmy Thesiger knew +perfectly well that he was taking Loraine Wade out to dinner. + +As for Bundle, no sooner had she rung off than she attired herself in +various nondescript garments belonging, as a matter of fact, to her +maid. And having donned them, she sallied out on foot deliberating +whether bus or tube would be the best route by which to reach the Seven +Dials Club. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII + + THE SEVEN DIALS CLUB + + +Bundle reached 14 Hunstanton Street about 6 P.M. At that hour, +as she rightly judged, the Seven Dials Club was a dead spot. Bundle's +aim was a simple one. She intended to get hold of the ex-footman +Alfred. She was convinced that once she had got hold of him the rest +would be easy. Bundle had a simple autocratic method of dealing with +retainers. It seldom failed, and she saw no reason why it should fail +now. + +The only thing of which she was not certain was how many people +inhabited the club premises. Naturally she wished to disclose her +presence to as few people as possible. + +Whilst she was hesitating as to her best line of attack, the problem +was solved for her in a singularly easy fashion. The door of No. 14 +opened and Alfred himself came out. + +"Good-afternoon, Alfred," said Bundle pleasantly. + +Alfred jumped. + +"Oh! good-afternoon, your ladyship. I--I didn't recognize your ladyship +just for a moment." + +Paying a tribute in her own mind to her maid's clothing, Bundle +proceeded to business. + +"I want a few words with you, Alfred? Where shall we go?" + +"Well--really, my lady--I don't know--it's not what you might call a +nice part round here--I don't know, I'm sure--" + +Bundle cut him short. + +"Who's in the club?" + +"No one at present, my lady." + +"Then we'll go in there." + +Alfred produced a key and opened the door. Bundle passed in. Alfred, +troubled and sheepish, followed her. Bundle sat down and looked +straight at the uncomfortable Alfred. + +"I suppose you know," she said crisply, "that what you're doing here is +dead against the law?" + +Alfred shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. + +"It's true as we've been raided twice," he admitted. "But nothing +compromising was found, owing to the neatness of Mr. Mosgorovsky's +arrangements." + +"I'm not talking of the gambling only," said Bundle. "There's more than +that--probably a great deal more than you know. I'm going to ask you a +direct question, Alfred, and I should like the truth, please. _How much +were you paid for leaving Chimneys?_" + +Alfred looked twice round the cornice as though seeking for +inspirations, swallowed three or four times, and then took the +inevitable course of a weak will opposed to a strong one. + +"It was this way, your ladyship. Mr. Mosgorovsky, he come with a +party to visit Chimneys on one of the show days. Mr. Tredwell, he +was indisposed like--an ingrowing toe-nail as a matter of fact--so +it fell to me to show the parties over. At the end of the tour, Mr. +Mosgorovsky, he stays behind the rest, and after giving me something +handsome, he falls into conversation." + +"Yes," said Bundle encouragingly. + +"And the long and the short of it was," said Alfred, with a sudden +acceleration of his narrative, "that he offers me a hundred pound +down to leave that instant minute and to look after this here club. +He wanted someone as was used to the best families--to give the place +a tone, as he put it. And, well, it seemed flying in the face of +providence to refuse--let alone that the wages I get here are just +three times what they were as second footman." + +"A hundred pounds," said Bundle. "That's a very large sum, Alfred. Did +they say anything about who was to fill your place at Chimneys?" + +"I demurred a bit, my lady, about leaving at once. As I pointed out, +it wasn't usual and might cause inconvenience. But Mr. Mosgorovsky, +he knew of a young chap--been in good service and ready to come any +minute. So I mentioned his name to Mr. Tredwell and everything was +settled pleasant like." + +Bundle nodded. Her own suspicions had been correct and the _modus +operandi_ was much as she had thought it to be. She essayed a further +inquiry. + +"Who is Mr. Mosgorovsky?" + +"Gentleman as runs this club. Russian gentleman. A very clever +gentleman too." + +Bundle abandoned the getting of information for the moment and +proceeded to other matters. + +"A hundred pounds is a very large sum of money, Alfred." + +"Larger than I ever handled, my lady," said Alfred with simple candour. + +"Did you never suspect that there was something wrong?" + +"Wrong, my lady?" + +"Yes. I'm not talking about the gambling. I mean something far more +serious. You don't want to be sent to penal servitude, do you, Alfred?" + +"Oh, Lord, my lady, you don't mean it?" + +"I was at Scotland Yard the day before yesterday," said Bundle +impressively. "I heard some very curious things. I want you to help me, +Alfred, and if you do, well--if things go wrong, I'll put in a good +word for you." + +"Anything I can do, I shall be only too pleased, my lady. I mean, I +would anyway." + +"Well, first," said Bundle, "I want to go all over this place--from top +to bottom." + +Accompanied by a mystified and scared Alfred, she made a very thorough +tour of inspection. Nothing struck her eye till she came to the gaming +room. There she noticed an inconspicuous door in a corner, and the door +was locked. + +Alfred explained readily. + +"That's used as a getaway, your ladyship. There's a room and a door on +to a staircase what comes out in the next street. That's the way the +gentry goes when there's a raid." + +"But don't the police know about it?" + +"It's a cunning door, you see, my lady. Looks like a cupboard, that's +all." + +Bundle felt a rising excitement. + +"I must get in here," she said. + +Alfred shook his head. + +"You can't, my lady; Mr. Mosgorovsky, he has the key." + +"Well," said Bundle, "there are other keys." + +She perceived that the lock was a perfectly ordinary one which probably +could be easily unlocked by the key of one of the other doors. Alfred, +rather troubled, was sent to collect likely specimens. The fourth that +Bundle tried fitted. She turned it, opened the door and passed through. + +She found herself in a small, dingy apartment. A long table occupied +the centre of the room with chairs ranged round it. There was no other +furniture in the room. Two built-in cupboards stood on either side of +the fireplace. Alfred indicated the nearer one with a nod. + +"That's it," he explained. + +Bundle tried the cupboard door, but it was locked, and she saw at once +that this lock was a very different affair. It was of the patent kind +that would only yield to its own key. + +"'Ighly ingenious, it is," explained Alfred. "It looks all right when +opened. Shelves, you know, with a few ledgers and that on 'em. Nobody'd +ever suspect, but you touch the right spot and the whole thing swings +open." + +Bundle had turned round and was surveying the room thoughtfully. The +first thing she noticed was that the door by which they had entered was +carefully fitted round with baize. It must be completely soundproof. +Then her eyes wandered to the chairs. There were seven of them, three +each side and one rather more imposing in design at the head of the +table. + +Bundle's eyes brightened. She had found what she was looking for. This, +she felt sure, was the meeting place of the secret organization. The +place was almost perfectly planned. It looked so innocent--you could +reach it just by stepping through from the gaming room, or you could +arrive there by the secret entrance--and any secrecy, any precautions +were easily explained by the gaming going on in the next room. + +Idly, as these thoughts passed through her mind, she drew a finger +across the marble of the mantelpiece. Alfred saw and misinterpreted the +action. + +"You won't find no dirt, not to speak of," he said. "Mr. Mosgorovsky he +ordered the place to be swept out this morning, and I did it while he +waited." + +"Oh!" said Bundle, thinking very hard. "This morning, eh?" + +"Has to be done sometimes," said Alfred. "Though the room's never what +you might call used." + +Next minute he received a shock. + +"Alfred," said Bundle, "you've got to find me a place in this room +where I can hide." + +Alfred looked at her in dismay. + +"But it's impossible, my lady. You'll get me into trouble and I'll lose +my job." + +"You'll lose it anyway when you go to prison," said Bundle unkindly. +"But as a matter of fact, you needn't worry, nobody will know anything +about it." + +"And there ain't no place," wailed Alfred. "Look round for yourself, +your ladyship, if you don't believe me." + +Bundle was forced to admit that there was something in this argument. +But she had the true spirit of one undertaking adventures. + +"Nonsense," she said with determination. "There has _got_ to be a +place." + +"But there ain't one," wailed Alfred. + +Never had a room shown itself more unpropitious for concealment. Dingy +blinds were drawn down over the dirty window panes, and there were no +curtains. The window sill outside, which Bundle examined, was about +four inches wide! Inside the room there were the table, the chairs and +the cupboards. + +The second cupboard had a key in the lock. Bundle went across and +pulled it open. Inside were shelves covered with an odd assortment of +glasses and crockery. + +"Surplus stuff as we don't use," explained Alfred. "You can see for +yourself, my lady, there's no place here as a cat could hide." + +But Bundle was examining the shelves. + +"Flimsy work," she said. "Now then, Alfred, have you got a cupboard +downstairs where you could shove all this glass? You have? Good. Then +get a tray and start to carry it down at once. Hurry--there's no time +to lose." + +"You can't, my lady. And it's getting late, too. The cooks will be here +any minute now." + +"Mr. Mosgo-what-not doesn't come till later, I suppose?" + +"He's never here much before midnight. But, oh, my lady--" + +"Don't talk so much, Alfred," said Bundle. "Get that tray. If you stay +here arguing, you _will_ get into trouble." + +Doing what is familiarly known as "wringing his hands," Alfred +departed. Presently he returned with a tray, and having by now realized +that his protests were useless, he worked with a nervous energy quite +surprising. + +As Bundle had seen, the shelves were easily detachable. She took them +down, ranged them upright against the wall, and then stepped in. + +"H'm," she remarked. "Pretty narrow. It's going to be a tight fit. Shut +the door on me carefully, Alfred--that's right. Yes, it can be done. +Now I want a gimlet." + +"A gimlet, my lady?" + +"That's what I said." + +"I don't know--" + +"Nonsense, you must have a gimlet--perhaps you've got an auger as well. +If you haven't got what I want, you'll have to go out and buy it, so +you'd better try hard to find the right thing." + +Alfred departed and returned presently with quite a creditable +assortment of tools. Bundle seized what she wanted and proceeded +swiftly and efficiently to bore a small hole at the level of her +right eye. She did this from the outside so that it should be less +noticeable, and she dared not make it too large lest it should attract +attention. + +"There, that'll do," she remarked at last. + +"Oh! but, my lady, my lady--" + +"Yes?" + +"But they'll find you--if they should open the door." + +"They won't open the door," said Bundle, "because you are going to lock +it and take the key away." + +"And if by chance Mr. Mosgorovsky should ask for the key?" + +"Tell him it's lost," said Bundle briskly. "But nobody's going to worry +about this cupboard--it's only here to attract attention from the other +one and make a pair. Go on, Alfred, someone might come at any time. +Lock me in and take the key and come and let me out when everyone's +gone." + +"You'll be taken bad, my lady. You'll faint--" + +"I never faint," said Bundle. "But you might as well get me a cocktail. +I shall certainly need it. Then lock the door of the room again--don't +forget--and take all the door keys back to their proper doors. And, +Alfred--don't be too much of a rabbit. Remember, if anything goes +wrong, I'll see you through." + +"And that's that," said Bundle to herself when, having served the +cocktail, Alfred had finally departed. + +She was not nervous lest Alfred's nerve should fail and he should +give her away. She knew that his sense of self-preservation was far +too strong for that. His training alone helped him to conceal private +emotions beneath the mask of the well-trained servant. + +Only one thing worried Bundle. The interpretation she had chosen to put +upon the cleaning of the room that morning might be all wrong. And if +so--Bundle sighed in the narrow confines of the cupboard. The prospect +of spending long hours in it for nothing was not attractive. + + + + + CHAPTER XIV + + THE MEETING OF THE SEVEN DIALS + + +It would be as well to pass over the sufferings of the next four hours +as quickly as possible. Bundle found her position extremely cramped. +She had judged that the meeting, if meeting there was to be, would take +place at a time when the club was in full swing--somewhere probably +between the hours of midnight and 2 A.M. + +She was just deciding that it must be at least six o'clock in the +morning when a welcome sound came to her ears, the sound of the +unlocking of a door. + +In another minute the electric light was switched on. The hum of +voices, which had come to her for a minute or two rather like the +far-off roar of sea waves, ceased as suddenly as it had begun, and +Bundle heard the sound of a bolt being shot. Clearly someone had +come in from the gaming room next door, and she paid tribute to the +thoroughness with which the communicating door had been rendered sound +proof. + +In another minute the intruder came into her line of vision--a line of +vision that was necessarily somewhat incomplete but which yet answered +its purpose. A tall man, broad shouldered and powerful looking, with a +long black beard. Bundle remembered having seen him sitting at one of +the baccarat tables on the preceding night. + +This, then, was Alfred's mysterious Russian gentleman, the proprietor +of the club, the sinister Mr. Mosgorovsky. Bundle's heart beat faster +with excitement. So little did she resemble her father that at this +minute she fairly gloried in the extreme discomfort of her position. + +The Russian remained for some minutes standing by the table, stroking +his beard. Then he drew a watch from his pocket and glanced at the +time. Nodding his head as though satisfied, he again thrust his hand +into his pocket, and, pulling out something that Bundle could not see, +he moved out of her line of vision. + +When he reappeared again, she could hardly help giving a gasp of +surprise. + +His face was now covered by a mask--but hardly a mask in the +conventional sense. It was not shaped to the face. It was a mere piece +of material hanging in front of the features like a curtain in which +two slits were pierced for the eyes. In shape it was round and on it +was the representation of a clock face, with the hands pointing to six +o'clock. + +"The Seven Dials!" said Bundle to herself. + +And at that minute there came a new sound--seven muffled taps. + +Mosgorovsky strode across to where Bundle knew was the other cupboard +door. She heard a sharp click, and then the sound of greetings in a +foreign tongue. + +Presently she had a view of the newcomers. + +They also wore clock masks, but in their case the hands were in a +different position--four o'clock and five o'clock respectively. Both +men were in evening dress--but with a difference. One was an elegant, +slender young man wearing evening clothes of exquisite cut. The grace +with which he moved was foreign rather than English. The other man +could be better described as wiry and lean. His clothes fitted him +sufficiently well, but no more, and Bundle guessed at his nationality +even before she heard his voice. + +"I reckon we're the first to arrive at this little meeting." + +A full pleasant voice with a slight American drawl, and an inflection +of Irish behind it. + +The elegant young man said in good, but slightly stilted, English: + +"I had much difficulty in getting away to-night. These things do not +always arrange themselves fortunately. I am not, like No. 4 here, my +own master." + +Bundle tried to guess at his nationality. Until he spoke, she had +thought he might be French, but the accent was not a French one. He +might possibly, she thought, be an Austrian, or a Hungarian, or even a +Russian. + +The American moved to the other side of the table, and Bundle heard a +chair being pulled out. + +"One o'clock's being a great success," he said. "I congratulate you on +taking the risk." + +Five o'clock shrugged his shoulders. + +"Unless one takes risks--" He left the sentence unfinished. + +Again seven taps sounded, and Mosgorovsky moved across to the secret +door. + +She failed to catch anything definite for some moments since the +whole company were out of sight, but presently she heard the bearded +Russian's voice upraised. + +"Shall we begin proceedings?" + +He himself came round the table and took the seat next to the arm-chair +at the top. Sitting thus, he was directly facing Bundle's cupboard. The +elegant five o'clock took the place next to him. The third chair that +side was out of Bundle's sight, but the American, No. 4, moved into her +line of vision for a moment or two before he sat down. + +On the near side of the table also, only two chairs were visible, and +as she watched a hand turned the second--really the middle chair--down. +And then with a swift movement, one of the newcomers brushed past the +cupboard and took the chair opposite Mosgorovsky. Whoever sat there +had, of course, their back directly turned to Bundle--and it was at +that back that Bundle was staring with a good deal of interest, for it +was the back of a singularly beautiful woman very much _décolleté_. + +It was she who spoke first. Her voice was musical, foreign--with a deep +seductive note in it. She was glancing towards the empty chair at the +head of the table. + +"So we are not to see No. 7 to-night?" she said. "Tell me, my friends, +shall we ever see him?" + +"That's darned good," said the American. "Darned good! As for seven +o'clock--_I'm_ beginning to believe there is no such person." + +"I should not advise you to think that, my friend," said the Russian +pleasantly. + +There was a silence--rather an uncomfortable silence, Bundle felt. + +She was still staring as though fascinated at the beautiful back in +front of her. There was a tiny black mole just below the right shoulder +blade that enhanced the whiteness of the skin. Bundle felt that at last +the term "beautiful adventuress," so often read, had a real meaning for +her. She was quite certain that this woman had a beautiful face--a dark +Slavonic face with passionate eyes. + +She was recalled from her imaginings by the voice of the Russian, who +seemed to act as master of ceremonies. + +"Shall we get on with our business? First to our absent comrade! No. 2!" + +He made a curious gesture with his hand towards the turned down chair +next to the woman, which everyone present imitated, turning to the +chair as they did so. + +"I wish No. 2 were with us to-night," he continued. "There are many +things to be done. Unsuspected difficulties have arisen." + +"Have you had his report?" It was the American who spoke. + +"As yet--I have nothing from him." There was a pause. "I cannot +understand it." + +"You think it may have--gone astray?" + +"That is--a possibility." + +"In other words," said five o'clock softly, "there is--danger." + +He spoke the word delicately--and yet with relish. + +The Russian nodded emphatically. + +"Yes--there's danger. Too much is getting known about us--about this +place. I know of several people who suspect." He added coldly: "They +must be silenced." + +Bundle felt a little cold shiver pass down her spine. If she were to be +found, would she be silenced? She was recalled suddenly to attention by +a word. + +"So nothing has come to light about Chimneys?" + +Mosgorovsky shook his head. + +"Nothing." + +Suddenly No. 5 leant forward. + +"I agree with Anna; where is our president--No. 7? He who called us +into being. Why do we never see him?" + +"No. 7," said the Russian, "has his own ways of working." + +"So you always say." + +"I will say more," said Mosgorovsky. "I pity the man--or woman--who +comes up against him." + +There was an awkward silence. + +"We must get on with our business," said Mosgorovsky quietly. "No. 3, +you have the plans of Wyvern Abbey?" + +Bundle strained her ears. So far she had neither caught a glimpse of +No. 3, nor had she heard his voice. She heard it now and recognized it +as unmistakable. Low, pleasant, indistinct--the voice of a well-bred +Englishman. + +"I've got them here, sir." + +Some papers were shoved across the table. Everyone bent forward. +Presently Mosgorovsky raised his head again. + +"And the list of guests?" + +"Here." + +The Russian read them. + +"Sir Stanley Digby. Mr. Terence O'Rourke. Sir Oswald and Lady Coote. +Mr. Bateman. Countess Anna Radzky. Mrs. Macatta. Mr. James Thesiger--" +he paused and then asked sharply: + +"Who is Mr. James Thesiger?" + +The American laughed. + +"I guess you needn't worry any about him. The usual complete young ass." + +The Russian continued reading. + +"Herr Eberhard and Mr. Eversleigh. That completes the list." + +"Does it?" said Bundle silently. "What about that sweet girl, Lady +Eileen Brent?" + +"Yes, there seems nothing to worry about there," said Mosgorovsky. He +looked across the table. "I suppose there's no doubt whatever about the +value of Eberhard's invention?" + +Three o'clock made a laconic British reply. + +"None whatever." + +"Commercially it should be worth millions," said the Russian. "And +internationally--well, one knows only too well the greed of nations." + +Bundle had an idea that behind his mask he was smiling unpleasantly. + +"Yes," he went on, "a gold mine." + +"Well worth a few lives," said No. 5, cynically, and laughed. + +"But you know what inventions are," said the American. "Sometimes these +darned things won't work." + +"A man like Sir Oswald Coote will have made no mistake," said +Mosgorovsky. + +"Speaking as an aviator myself," said No. 5, "the thing is perfectly +feasible. It has been discussed for years--but it needed the genius of +Eberhard to bring it to fruition." + +"Well," said Mosgorovsky, "I don't think we need discuss matters any +further. You have all seen the plans. I do not think our original +scheme can be bettered. By the way, I hear something about a letter +of Gerald Wade's that has been found--a letter that mentions this +organization. Who found it?" + +"Lord Caterham's daughter--Lady Eileen Brent." + +"Bauer should have been on to that," said Mosgorovsky. "It was careless +of him. Who was the letter written to?" + +"His sister, I believe," said No. 3. + +"Unfortunate," said Mosgorovsky. "But it cannot be helped. The inquest +on Ronald Devereux is to-morrow. I suppose that has been arranged for?" + +"Reports as to local lads having been practising with rifles have been +spread everywhere," said the American. + +"That should be all right then. I think there is nothing further to be +said. I think we must all congratulate our dear one o'clock and wish +her luck in the part she has to play." + +"Hurrah!" cried No. 5. "To Anna!" + +All hands flew out in the same gesture which Bundle had noticed before. + +"To Anna!" + +One o'clock acknowledged the salutation with a typically foreign +gesture. Then she rose to her feet and the others followed suit. For +the first time, Bundle caught a glimpse of No. 3 as he came to put +Anna's cloak round her--a tall, heavily built man. + +Then the party filed out through the secret door. Mosgorovsky secured +it after them. He waited a few moments and then Bundle heard him unbolt +the other door and pass through, after extinguishing the electric light. + +It was not until two hours later that a white and anxious Alfred came +to release Bundle. She almost fell into his arms and he had to hold her +up. + +"Nothing," said Bundle. "Just stiff, that's all. Here, let me sit down." + +"Oh, Gord, my lady, it's been awful." + +"Nonsense," said Bundle. "It all went off splendidly. Don't get the +wind up now it's all over. It might have gone wrong, but thank goodness +it didn't." + +"Thank goodness, as you say, my lady. I've been in a twitter all the +evening. They're a funny crowd, you know." + +"A damned funny crowd," said Bundle, vigorously massaging her arms and +legs. "As a matter of fact, they're the sort of crowd I always imagined +until to-night only existed in books. In this life, Alfred, one never +stops learning." + + + + + CHAPTER XV + + THE INQUEST + + +Bundle reached home about 6 A.M. She was up and dressed by +half-past nine, and rang up Jimmy Thesiger on the telephone. + +The promptitude of his reply somewhat surprised her, till he explained +that he was going down to attend the inquest. + +"So am I," said Bundle. "And I've got a lot to tell you." + +"Well, suppose you let me drive you down and we can talk on the way. +How about that?" + +"All right. But allow a bit extra because you'll have to take me to +Chimneys. The Chief Constable's picking me up there." + +"Why?" + +"Because he's a kind man," said Bundle. + +"So am I," said Jimmy. "Very kind." + +"Oh! you--you're an ass," said Bundle. "I heard somebody say so last +night." + +"Who?" + +"To be strictly accurate--a Russian Jew. No, it wasn't. It was--" + +But an indignant protest drowned her words. + +"I may be an ass," said Jimmy. "I daresay I am--but I won't have +Russian Jews saying so. What were you doing last night, Bundle?" + +"That's what I'm going to talk about," said Bundle. "Good-bye for the +moment." + +She rang off in a tantalizing manner which left Jimmy pleasantly +puzzled. He had the highest respect for Bundle's capabilities, though +there was not the slightest trace of sentiment in his feeling towards +her. + +"She's been up to something," he opined, as he took a last hasty drink +of coffee. "Depend upon it, she's been up to something." + +Twenty minutes later, his little two-seater drew up before the Brook +Street house and Bundle, who had been waiting, came tripping down the +steps. Jimmy was not ordinarily an observant young man, but he noticed +that there were black rings around Bundle's eyes and that she had all +the appearance of having had a late night the night before. + +"Now then," he said, as the car began to nose her way through the +suburbs, "what dark deeds have you been up to?" + +"I'll tell you," said Bundle. "But don't interrupt until I've finished." + +It was a somewhat long story, and Jimmy had all he could do to keep +sufficient attention on the car to prevent an accident. When Bundle had +finished he sighed--then looked at her searchingly. + +"Bundle?" + +"Yes?" + +"Look here, you're not pulling my leg?" + +"What do you mean?" + +"I'm sorry," apologized Jimmy, "but it seems to me as though I'd heard +it all before--in a dream, you know." + +"I know," said Bundle sympathetically. + +"It's impossible," said Jimmy, following out his own train of thought. +"The beautiful foreign adventuress, the international gang, the +mysterious No. 7, whose identity nobody knows--I've read it all a +hundred times in books." + +"Of course you have. So have I. But it's no reason why it shouldn't +really happen." + +"I suppose not," admitted Jimmy. + +"After all--I suppose fiction is founded on the truth. I mean unless +things did happen, people couldn't think of them." + +"There is something in what you say," agreed Jimmy. "But all the same +I can't help pinching myself to see if I'm awake." + +"That's how I felt." + +Jimmy gave a deep sigh. + +"Well, I suppose we are awake. Let me see, a Russian, an American, an +Englishman--a possible Austrian or Hungarian--and the lady who may +be any nationality--for choice Russian or Polish--that's a pretty +representative gathering." + +"And a German," said Bundle. "You've forgotten the German." + +"Oh!" said Jimmy slowly. "You think--" + +"The absent No. 2 is Bauer--our footman. That seems to me quite +clear from what they said about expecting a report which hadn't come +in--though what there can be to report about Chimneys, I can't think." + +"It must be something to do with Gerry Wade's death," said Jimmy. +"There's something there we haven't fathomed yet. You say they actually +mentioned Bauer by name?" + +Bundle nodded. + +"They blamed him for not having found that letter." + +"Well, I don't see what you could have clearer than that. There's +no going against it. You'll have to forgive my first incredulity, +Bundle--but you know, it was rather a tall story. You say they knew +about my going down to Wyvern Abbey next week?" + +"Yes, that's when the American--it was him, not the Russian--said they +needn't worry--you were only the usual kind of ass." + +"Ah!" said Jimmy. He pressed his foot down on the accelerator viciously +and the car shot forward. "I'm very glad you told me that. It gives me +what you might call a personal interest in the case." + +He was silent for a minute or two and then he said: + +"Did you say that German inventor's name was Eberhard?" + +"Yes. Why?" + +"Wait a minute. Something's coming back to me. Eberhard, Eberhard--yes, +I'm sure that was the name." + +"Tell me." + +"Eberhard was a Johnny who'd got some patent process he applied to +steel. I can't put the thing properly because I haven't got the +scientific knowledge--but I know the result was that it became so +toughened that a wire was as strong as a steel bar had previously +been. Eberhard had to do with aeroplanes and his idea was that the +weight would be so enormously reduced that flying would be practically +revolutionized--the cost of it, I mean. I believe he offered his +invention to the German Government, and they turned it down, pointed +out some undeniable flaw in it--but they did it rather nastily. He set +to work and circumvented the difficulty, whatever it was, but he'd been +offended by their attitude and swore they shouldn't have his ewe lamb. +I always thought the whole thing was probably bunkum, but now--it looks +differently." + +"That's it," said Bundle eagerly. "You must be right, Jimmy. Eberhard +must have offered his invention to our Government. They've been taking, +or are going to take, Sir Oswald Coote's expert opinion on it. There's +going to be an unofficial conference at the Abbey. Sir Oswald, George, +the Air Minister and Eberhard. Eberhard will have the plans or the +process or whatever you call it--" + +"Formula," suggested Jimmy. "I think 'formula' is a good word myself." + +"He'll have the formula with him, and the Seven Dials are out to steal +the formula. I remember the Russian saying it was worth millions." + +"I suppose it would be," said Jimmy. + +"And well worth a few lives--that's what the other man said." + +"Well, it seems to have been," said Jimmy, his face clouding over. +"Look at this damned inquest to-day. Bundle, are you sure Ronny said +nothing else?" + +"No," said Bundle. "Just that. _Seven Dials. Tell Jimmy Thesiger_. +That's all he could get out, poor lad." + +"I wish we knew what he knew," said Jimmy. "But we've found out one +thing. I take it that the footman, Bauer, must almost certainly have +been responsible for Gerry's death. You know, Bundle--" + +"Yes?" + +"Well, I'm a bit worried sometimes. Who's going to be the next one! It +really isn't the sort of business for a girl to be mixed up in." + +Bundle smiled in spite of herself. It occurred to her that it had taken +Jimmy a long time to put her in the same category as Loraine Wade. + +"It's far more likely to be you than me," she remarked cheerfully. + +"Hear, hear," said Jimmy. "But what about a few casualties on the other +side for a change? I'm feeling rather bloodthirsty this morning. Tell +me, Bundle, would you recognize any of these people if you saw them?" + +Bundle hesitated. + +"I think I should recognize No. 5," she said at last. "He's got a queer +way of speaking--a kind of venomous, lisping way--that I think I'd know +again." + +"What about the Englishman?" + +Bundle shook her head. + +"I saw him least--only a glimpse--and he's got a very ordinary voice. +Except that he's a big man, there's nothing much to go by." + +"There's the woman, of course," continued Jimmy. "She ought to be +easier. But then, you're not likely to run across her. She's probably +putting in the dirty work being taken out to dinner by amorous Cabinet +Ministers and getting State secrets out of them when they've had a +couple. At least, that's how it's done in books. As a matter of fact, +the only Cabinet Minister I know drinks hot water with a dash of lemon +in it." + +"Take George Lomax, for instance, can you imagine him being amorous +with beautiful foreign women?" said Bundle with a laugh. + +Jimmy agreed with her criticism. + +"And now about the man of mystery--No. 7," went on Jimmy. "You've no +idea who he could be?" + +"None whatever." + +"Again--by book standard, that is--he ought to be someone we all know. +What about George Lomax himself?" + +Bundle reluctantly shook her head. + +"In a book, it would be perfect," she agreed. "But knowing Codders--" +And she gave herself up to a sudden uncontrollable mirth. "Codders, the +great criminal organizer," she gasped. "Wouldn't it be marvellous?" + +Jimmy agreed that it would. Their discussion had taken some time and +his driving had slowed down involuntarily once or twice. They arrived +at Chimneys, to find Colonel Melrose already there waiting. Jimmy was +introduced to him and they all three proceeded to the inquest together. + +As Colonel Melrose had predicted, the whole affair was very simple. +Bundle gave her evidence. The doctor gave his. Evidence was given of +rifle practice in the neighbourhood. A verdict of death by misadventure +was brought in. + +After the proceedings were over, Colonel Melrose volunteered to drive +Bundle back to Chimneys, and Jimmy Thesiger returned to London. For all +his lighthearted manner, Bundle's story had impressed him profoundly. +He set his lips closely together. + +"Ronny, old boy," he murmured, "I'm going to be up against it. And +you're not here to join in the game." + +Another thought flashed into his mind. Loraine! Was she in danger? + +After a minute or two's hesitation, he went over to the telephone and +rang her up. + +"It's me--Jimmy. I thought you'd like to know the result of the +inquest. Death by misadventure." + +"Oh, but--" + +"Yes, but I think there's something behind that. The coroner had had a +hint. Someone's at work to hush it up. I say, Loraine--" + +"Yes?" + +"Look here. There's--there's some funny business going about. You'll be +very careful, won't you? For my sake." + +He heard the quick note of alarm that sprang into her voice. + +"Jimmy--but then it's dangerous--for _you_." + +He laughed. + +"Oh, _that's_ all right. I'm the cat that had nine lives. Bye-bye, old +thing." + +He rang off and remained a minute or two lost in thought. Then he +summoned Stevens. + +"Do you think you could go out and buy me a pistol, Stevens?" + +"A pistol, sir?" + +True to his training, Stevens betrayed no hint of surprise. + +"What kind of a pistol would you be requiring?" + +"The kind where you put your finger on the trigger and the thing goes +on shooting until you take it off again." + +"An automatic, sir." + +"That's it," said Jimmy. "An automatic. And I should like it to be a +blue-nosed one--if you and the shopman know what that is. In American +stories, the hero always takes his blue-nosed automatic from his hip +pocket." + +Stevens permitted himself a faint, discreet smile. + +"Most American gentlemen that I have known, sir, carry something very +different in their hip pockets," he observed. + +Jimmy Thesiger laughed. + + + + + CHAPTER XVI + + THE HOUSE PARTY AT THE ABBEY + + +Bundle drove over to Wyvern Abbey just in time for tea on Friday +afternoon. George Lomax came forward to welcome her with considerable +_empressement_. + +"My dear Eileen," he said, "I can't tell you how pleased I am to see +you here. You must forgive my not having invited you when I asked your +father, but to tell the truth I never dreamed that a party of this kind +would appeal to you. I was both--er--surprised and--er--delighted when +Lady Caterham told me of your--er--interest in--er--politics." + +"I wanted to come so much," said Bundle in a simple, ingenuous manner. + +"Mrs. Macatta will not arrive till the later train," explained George. +"She was speaking at a meeting in Manchester last night. Do you know +Thesiger? Quite a young fellow, but a remarkable grasp of foreign +politics. One would hardly suspect it from his appearance." + +"I know Mr. Thesiger," said Bundle, and she shook hands solemnly with +Jimmy, whom she observed had parted his hair in the middle in the +endeavour to add earnestness to his expression. + +"Look here," said Jimmy in a low hurried voice, as George temporarily +withdrew. "You mustn't be angry, but I've told Bill about our little +stunt." + +"Bill?" said Bundle, annoyed. + +"Well, after all," said Jimmy, "Bill is one of the lads, you know. +Ronny was a pal of his and so was Gerry." + +"Oh! I know," said Bundle. + +"But you think it's a pity? Sorry." + +"Bill's all right, of course. It isn't that," said Bundle. "But +he's--well, Bill's a born blunderer." + +"Not mentally very agile?" suggested Jimmy. "But you forget one +thing--Bill's got a very hefty fist. And I've an idea that a hefty fist +is going to come in handy." + +"Well, perhaps you're right. How did he take it?" + +"Well, he clutched his head a good bit, but--I mean the facts took some +driving home. But by repeating the thing patiently in words of one +syllable I at last got it into his thick head. And, naturally, he's +with us to the death, as you might say." + +George reappeared suddenly. + +"I must make some introductions, Eileen. This is Sir Stanley +Digby--Lady Eileen Brent. Mr. O'Rourke." The Air Minister was a little +round man with a cheerful smile. Mr. O'Rourke, a tall young man with +laughing blue eyes and a typical Irish face, greeted Bundle with +enthusiasm. + +"And I thinking it was going to be a dull political party entirely," he +murmured in an adroit whisper. + +"Hush," said Bundle. "I'm political--very political." + +"Sir Oswald and Lady Coote you know," continued George. + +"We've never actually met," said Bundle, smiling. + +She was mentally applauding her father's descriptive powers. + +Sir Oswald took her hand in an iron grip and she winced slightly. + +Lady Coote, after a somewhat mournful greeting, had turned to Jimmy +Thesiger, and appeared to be registering something closely akin to +pleasure. Despite his reprehensible habit of being late for breakfast, +Lady Coote had a fondness for this amiable, pink-faced young man. His +air of irrepressible good nature fascinated her. She had a motherly +wish to cure him of his bad habits and form him into one of the world's +workers. Whether, once formed, he would be as attractive was a question +she had never asked herself. She began now to tell him of a very +painful motor accident which had happened to one of her friends. + +"Mr. Bateman," said George briefly, as one who would pass on to better +things. + +A serious, pale-faced young man bowed. + +"And now," continued George, "I must introduce you to Countess Radzky." + +Countess Radzky had been conversing with Mr. Bateman. Leaning very +far back on a sofa, with her legs crossed in a daring manner, she was +smoking a cigarette in an incredibly long turquoise-studded holder. + +Bundle thought she was one of the most beautiful women she had ever +seen. Her eyes were very large and blue, her hair was coal black, +she had a matte skin, the slightly flattened nose of the Slav, and a +sinuous, slender body. Her lips were reddened to a degree with which +Bundle was sure Wyvern Abbey was totally unacquainted. + +She said eagerly: "This is Mrs. Macatta--yes?" + +On George's replying in the negative and introducing Bundle, the +Countess gave her a careless nod, and at once resumed her conversation +with the serious Mr. Bateman. + +Bundle heard Jimmy's voice in her ear: + +"Pongo is absolutely fascinated by the lovely Slav," he said. +"Pathetic, isn't it? Come and have some tea." + +They drifted once more into the neighbourhood of Sir Oswald Coote. + +"That's a fine place of yours, Chimneys," remarked the great man. + +"I'm glad you liked it," said Bundle meekly. + +"Wants new plumbing," said Sir Oswald. "Bring it up to date, you know." + +He ruminated for a minute or two. + +"I'm taking the Duke of Alton's place. Three years. Just while I'm +looking round for a place of my own. Your father couldn't sell if he +wanted to, I suppose." + +Bundle felt her breath taken away. She had a nightmare vision of +England with innumerable Cootes in innumerable counterparts of +Chimneys--all, be it understood, with an entirely new system of +plumbing installed. + +She felt a sudden violent resentment which, she told herself, was +absurd. After all, contrasting Lord Caterham with Sir Oswald Coote, +there was no doubt as to who would go to the wall. Sir Oswald had one +of those powerful personalities which make all those with whom they +come in contact appear faded. He was, as Lord Caterham had said, a +human steam-roller. And yet, undoubtedly, in many ways, Sir Oswald was +a stupid man. Apart from his special line of knowledge and his terrific +driving force, he was probably intensely ignorant. A hundred delicate +appreciations of life which Lord Caterham could and did enjoy were a +sealed book to Sir Oswald. + +Whilst indulging in these reflections Bundle continued to chat +pleasantly. Herr Eberhard, she heard, had arrived, but was lying down +with a nervous headache. This was told her by Mr. O'Rourke, who managed +to find a place by her side and keep it. + +Altogether, Bundle went up to dress in a pleasant mood of expectation, +with a slight nervous dread hovering in the background whenever she +thought of the imminent arrival of Mrs. Macatta. Bundle felt that +dalliance with Mrs. Macatta was going to prove no primrose path. + +Her first shock was when she came down, demurely attired in a black +lace frock, and passed along the hall. A footman was standing there--at +least a man dressed as a footman. But that square, burly figure lent +itself badly to the deception. Bundle stopped and stared. + +"Superintendent Battle," she breathed. + +"That's right, Lady Eileen." + +"Oh!" said Bundle uncertainly. "Are you here to--to--" + +"Keep an eye on things." + +"I see." + +"That warning letter, you know," said the Superintendent, "fairly put +the wind up Mr. Lomax. Nothing would do for him but that I should come +down myself." + +"But don't you think--" began Bundle, and stopped. She hardly liked to +suggest to the Superintendent that his disguise was not a particularly +efficient one. He seemed to have "police officer" written all over him, +and Bundle could hardly imagine the most unsuspecting criminal failing +to be put on his guard. + +"You think," said the Superintendent stolidly, "that I might be +recognized?" + +He gave the final word a distinct capital letter. + +"I did think so--yes--" admitted Bundle. + +Something that might conceivably have been intended for a smile crossed +the woodenness of Superintendent Battle's features. + +"Put them on their guard, eh? Well, Lady Eileen, why not?" + +"Why not?" echoed Bundle, rather stupidly, she felt. + +Superintendent Battle was nodding his head slowly. + +"We don't want any unpleasantness, do we?" he said. "Don't want +to be too clever--just show any light-fingered gentry that may be +about--well, just show them that there's somebody on the spot, so to +speak." + +Bundle gazed at him in some admiration. She could imagine that the +sudden appearance of so renowned a personage as Superintendent Battle +might have a depressing effect on any scheme and the hatchers of it. + +"It's a great mistake to be too clever," Superintendent Battle was +repeating. "The great thing is not to have any unpleasantness this +week-end." + +Bundle passed on, wondering how many of her fellow guests had +recognized or would recognize the Scotland Yard detective. In the +drawing-room George was standing with a puckered brow and an orange +envelope in his hand. + +"Most vexatious," he said. "A telegram from Mrs. Macatta to say she +will be unable to be with us. Her children are suffering from mumps." + +Bundle's heart gave a throb of relief. + +"I especially feel this on your account, Eileen," said George kindly. +"I know how anxious you were to meet her. The Countess too will be +sadly disappointed." + +"Oh, never mind," said Bundle. "I should hate it if she'd come and +given me mumps." + +"A very distressing complaint," agreed George. "But I do not think +that infection could be carried that way. Indeed, I am sure that Mrs. +Macatta would have run no risk of that kind. She is a most highly +principled woman, with a very real sense of her responsibilities to +the community. In these days of national stress, we must all take into +account--" + +On the brink of embarking on a speech, George pulled himself up short. + +"But it must be for another time," he said. "Fortunately there is no +hurry in your case. But the Countess, alas, is only a visitor to our +shores." + +"She's a Hungarian, isn't she?" said Bundle, who was curious about the +Countess. + +"Yes. You have heard, no doubt, of the Young Hungarian party? The +Countess is a leader in that party. A woman of great wealth, left a +widow at an early age, she has devoted her money and her talents to +public service. She has especially devoted herself to the problem of +infant mortality--a terrible one under present conditions in Hungary. +I--Ah! here is Herr Eberhard." + +The German inventor was younger than Bundle had imagined him. He was +probably not more than thirty-three or four. He was boorish and ill at +ease, and yet his personality was not an unpleasing one. His blue eyes +were more shy than furtive, and his more unpleasant mannerisms, such as +the one that Bill had described of gnawing his finger-nails, arose, she +thought, more from nervousness than from any other cause. He was thin +and weedy in appearance and looked anaemic and delicate. + +He conversed rather awkwardly with Bundle in stilted English and they +both welcomed the interruption of the joyous Mr. O'Rourke. Presently +Bill bustled in--there is no other word for it. In the same such way +does a favoured Newfoundland make his entrance, and at once came over +to Bundle. He was looking perplexed and harassed. + +"Hullo, Bundle. Heard you'd got here. Been kept with my nose to the +grindstone all the blessed afternoon or I'd have seen you before." + +"Cares of State heavy to-night?" suggested O'Rourke sympathetically. + +Bill groaned. + +"I don't know what your fellow's like," he complained. "Looks a +good-natured, tubby little chap. But Codders is absolutely impossible. +Drive, drive, drive, from morning to night. Everything you do is wrong, +and everything you haven't done you ought to have done." + +"Quite like a quotation from the prayer book," remarked Jimmy, who had +just strolled up. + +Bill glanced at them reproachfully. + +"Nobody knows," he said pathetically, "what I have to put up with." + +"Entertaining the Countess, eh?" suggested Jimmy. "Poor Bill, that must +have been a sad strain--to a woman hater like yourself." + +"What's this?" asked Bundle. + +"After tea," said Jimmy with a grin, "the Countess asked Bill to show +her round the interesting old place." + +"Well, I couldn't refuse, could I?" said Bill, his countenance assuming +a brick-red tint. + +Bundle felt faintly uneasy. She knew, only too well, the susceptibility +of Mr. William Eversleigh to female charms. In the hands of a woman +like the Countess, Bill would be as wax. She wondered once more whether +Jimmy Thesiger had been wise to take Bill into their confidence. + +"The Countess," said Bill, "is a very charming woman. And no end +intelligent. You should have seen her going round the house. All sorts +of questions she asked." + +"What kind of questions?" asked Bundle suddenly. + +Bill was vague. + +"Oh! I don't know. About the history of it. And old furniture. And--oh! +all sorts of things." + +At that moment the Countess swept into the room. She seemed a shade +breathless. She was looking magnificent in a close-fitting black velvet +gown. Bundle noticed how Bill gravitated at once into her immediate +neighbourhood. The serious, spectacled young man joined him. + +"Bill and Pongo have both got it badly," observed Jimmy Thesiger with a +laugh. + +Bundle was by no means so sure that it was a laughing matter. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII + + AFTER DINNER + + +George was not a believer in modern innovations. The Abbey was innocent +of anything so up to date as central heating. Consequently, when the +ladies entered the drawing-room after dinner, the temperature of the +room was woefully inadequate to the needs of modern evening clothes. +The fire that burnt in the well-burnished steel grate became as a +magnet. The three women huddled round it. + +"Brrrrrrrrrrrr!" said the Countess, a fine, exotic, foreign sound. + +"The days are drawing in," said Lady Coote, and drew a flowered +atrocity of a scarf closer about her ample shoulders. + +"Why on earth doesn't George have the house properly heated?" said +Bundle. + +"You English, you never heat your houses," said the Countess. + +She took out her long cigarette holder and began to smoke. + +"That grate is old-fashioned," said Lady Coote. "The heat goes up the +chimney instead of into the room." + +"Oh!" said the Countess. + +There was a pause. The Countess was so plainly bored by her company +that conversation became difficult. + +"It's funny," said Lady Coote, breaking the silence, "that Mrs. +Macatta's children should have mumps. At least, I don't mean exactly +funny--" + +"What," said the Countess, "are mumps?" + +Bundle and Lady Coote started simultaneously to explain. Finally, +between them, they managed it. + +"I suppose Hungarian children have it?" asked Lady Coote. + +"Eh?" said the Countess. + +"Hungarian children. They suffer from it?" + +"I do not know," said the Countess. "How should I?" + +Lady Coote looked at her in some surprise. + +"But I understood that you worked--" + +"Oh, that!" The Countess uncrossed her legs, took her cigarette holder +from her mouth and began to talk rapidly. + +"I will tell you some horrors," she said. "Horrors that I have seen. +Incredible! You would not believe!" + +And she was as good as her word. She talked fluently and with a graphic +power of description. Incredible scenes of starvation and misery were +painted by her for the benefit of her audience. She spoke of Buda Pesth +shortly after the war and traced its vicissitudes to the present day. +She was dramatic, but she was also, to Bundle's mind, a little like a +gramophone record. You turned her on, and there you were. Presently, +just as suddenly, she would stop. + +Lady Coote was thrilled to the marrow--that much was clear. She sat +with her mouth slightly open and her large, sad, dark eyes fixed on the +Countess. Occasionally, she interpolated a comment of her own. + +"One of my cousins had three children burned to death. Awful, wasn't +it?" + +The Countess paid no attention. She went on and on. And she finally +stopped as suddenly as she had begun. + +"There!" she said. "I have told you! We have money--but no +organization. It is organization we need." + +Lady Coote sighed. + +"I've heard my husband say that nothing can be done without regular +methods. He attributes his own success entirely to that. He declares he +would have never got on without them." + +She sighed again. A sudden fleeting vision passed before her eyes of a +Sir Oswald who had not got on in the world. A Sir Oswald who retained, +in all essentials, the attributes of that cheery young man in the +bicycle shop. Just for a second it occurred to her how much pleasanter +life might have been for her if Sir Oswald had _not_ had regular +methods. + +By a quite understandable association of ideas she turned to Bundle. + +"Tell me, Lady Eileen," she said, "do you like that head gardener of +yours?" + +"MacDonald? Well--" Bundle hesitated. "One couldn't exactly _like_ +MacDonald," she explained apologetically. "But he's a first-class +gardener." + +"Oh! I know he is," said Lady Coote. + +"He's all right if he's kept in his place," said Bundle. + +"I suppose so," said Lady Coote. + +She looked enviously at Bundle, who appeared to approach the task of +keeping MacDonald in his place so light heartedly. + +"I'd just adore a high-toned garden," said the Countess dreamily. + +Bundle stared, but at that moment a diversion occurred. Jimmy Thesiger +entered the room and spoke directly to her in a strange, hurried voice. + +"I say, will you come and see those etchings now? They're waiting for +you." + +Bundle left the room hurriedly, Jimmy close behind her. + +"What etchings?" she asked, as the drawing-room door closed behind her. + +"No etchings," said Jimmy. "I'd got to say something to get hold of +you. Come on, Bill is waiting for us in the library. There's nobody +there." + +Bill was striding up and down the library, clearly in a very perturbed +state of mind. + +"Look here," he burst out, "I don't like this." + +"Don't like what?" + +"You being mixed up in this. Ten to one there's going to be a rough +house and then--" + +He looked at her with a kind of pathetic dismay that gave Bundle a warm +and comfortable feeling. + +"She ought to be kept out of it, oughtn't she, Jimmy?" + +He appealed to the other. + +"I've told her so," said Jimmy. + +"Dash it all, Bundle, I mean--someone might get hurt." + +Bundle turned round to Jimmy. + +"How much have you told him?" + +"Oh! everything." + +"I haven't got the hang of it all yet," confessed Bill. "You in that +place in Seven Dials and all that." He looked at her unhappily. "I say, +Bundle, I wish you wouldn't." + +"Wouldn't what?" + +"Get mixed up in these sorts of things." + +"Why not?" said Bundle. "They're exciting." + +"Oh, yes--exciting. But they may be damnably dangerous. Look at poor +old Ronny." + +"Yes," said Bundle. "If it hadn't been for your friend Ronny, I don't +suppose I should ever have got what you call 'mixed up' in this thing. +But I am. And it's no earthly use your bleating about it." + +"I know you're the most frightful sport, Bundle, but--" + +"Cut out the compliments. Let's make plans." + +To her relief, Bill reacted favourably to the suggestion. + +"You're right about the formula," he said. "Eberhard's got some sort +of formula with him, or rather Sir Oswald has. The stuff has been +tested out at his works--very secretly and all that. Eberhard has been +down there with him. They're all in the study now--what you might call +coming down to brass tacks." + +"How long is Sir Stanley Digby staying?" asked Jimmy. + +"Going back to town to-morrow." + +"H'm," said Jimmy. "Then one thing's quite clear. If, as I suppose, Sir +Stanley will be taking the formula with him, any funny business there's +going to be will be to-night." + +"I suppose it will." + +"Not a doubt of it. That narrows the thing down very comfortably. But +the bright lads will have to be their very brightest. We must come down +to details. First of all, where will the sacred formula be to-night? +Will Eberhard have it, or Sir Oswald Coote?" + +"Neither. I understand it's to be handed over to the Air Minister this +evening, for him to take to town to-morrow. In that case O'Rourke will +have it. Sure to." + +"Well, there's only one thing for it. If we believe someone's going to +have a shot at pinching that paper, we've got to keep watch to-night, +Bill, my boy." + +Bundle opened her mouth as though to protest, but shut it again without +speaking. + +"By the way," continued Jimmy, "did I recognize the commissionaire from +Harrods in the hall this evening, or was it our old friend Lestrade +from Scotland Yard?" + +"Scintillating, Watson," said Bill. + +"I suppose," said Jimmy, "that we are rather butting in on his +preserves." + +"Can't be helped," said Bill. "Not if we mean to see this thing +through." + +"Then it's agreed," said Jimmy. "We divide the night into two watches?" + +Again Bundle opened her mouth, and again shut it without speaking. + +"Right you are," agreed Bill. "Who'll take first duty?" + +"Shall we spin for it?" + +"Might as well." + +"All right. Here goes. Heads you first and I second. Tails, vice versa." + +Bill nodded. The coin spun in the air. Jimmy bent to look at it. + +"Tails," he said. + +"Damn," said Bill. "You get first half and probably any fun that's +going." + +"Oh, you never know," said Jimmy. "Criminals are very uncertain. What +time shall I wake you? Three thirty?" + +"That's about fair, I think." + +And now, at last, Bundle spoke: + +"What about _me_?" she asked. + +"Nothing doing. You go to bed and sleep." + +"Oh!" said Bundle. "That's not very exciting." + +"You never know," said Jimmy kindly. "You may be murdered in your sleep +whilst Bill and I escape scot-free." + +"Well, there's always that possibility. Do you know, Jimmy, I don't +half like the look of that Countess. I suspect her." + +"Nonsense," cried Bill hotly. "She's absolutely above suspicion." + +"How do you know?" retorted Bundle. + +"Because I do. Why, one of the fellows at the Hungarian Embassy vouched +for her." + +"Oh!" said Bundle, momentarily taken aback by his fervour. + +"You girls are all the same," grumbled Bill. "Just because she's a +jolly good-looking woman--" + +Bundle was only too well acquainted with this unfair masculine line of +argument. + +"Well, don't you go and pour confidences into her shell-pink ear," she +remarked. "I'm going to bed. I was bored stiff in that drawing-room and +I'm not going back." + +She left the room. Bill looked at Jimmy. + +"Good old Bundle," he said. "I was afraid we might have trouble with +her. You know how keen she is to be in everything. I think the way she +took it was just wonderful." + +"So did I," said Jimmy. "It staggered me." + +"She's got some sense, Bundle has. She knows when a thing's plumb +impossible. I say, oughtn't we to have some lethal weapons? Chaps +usually do when they're going on this sort of stunt." + +"I have a blue-nosed automatic," said Jimmy with gentle pride. "It +weighs several pounds and looks most murderous. I'll lend it to you +when the time comes." + +Bill looked at him with respect and envy. + +"What made you think of getting that?" he said. + +"I don't know," said Jimmy carelessly. "It just came to me." + +"I hope we shan't go and shoot the wrong person," said Bill with some +anxiety. + +"That would be unfortunate," said Mr. Thesiger gravely. + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII + + JIMMY'S ADVENTURES + + +Our chronicle must here split into three separate and distinct +portions. The night was to prove an eventful one and each of the three +persons involved saw it from his or her own individual angle. + +We will begin with that pleasant and engaging youth, Mr. Jimmy +Thesiger, at a moment when he has at last exchanged final good-nights +with his fellow conspirator, Bill Eversleigh. + +"Don't forget," said Bill, "3 A.M. If you're still alive, that +is," he added kindly. + +"I may be an ass," said Jimmy, with rancorous remembrance of the remark +Bundle had repeated to him, "but I'm not nearly so much of an ass as I +look." + +"That's what you said about Gerry Wade," said Bill slowly. "Do you +remember? And that very night he--" + +"Shut up, you damned fool," said Jimmy. "Haven't you got _any_ tact?" + +"Of course I've got tact," said Bill. "I'm a budding diplomatist. All +diplomatists have tact." + +"Ah!" said Jimmy. "You must be still in what they call the larval +stage." + +"I can't get over Bundle," said Bill, reverting abruptly to a former +topic. "I should certainly have said that she'd be--well, difficult. +Bundle's improved. She's improved very much." + +"That's what your Chief was saying," said Jimmy. "He said he was +agreeably surprised." + +"I thought Bundle was laying it on a bit thick myself," said Bill. +"But Codders is such an ass he'd swallow anything. Well, night-night. +I expect you'll have a bit of a job waking me when the time comes--but +stick to it." + +"It won't be much good if you've taken a leaf out of Gerry Wade's +book," said Jimmy maliciously. + +Bill looked at him reproachfully. + +"What the hell do you want to go and make a chap uncomfortable for?" he +demanded. + +"You're only getting your own back," said Jimmy. "Toddle along." + +But Bill lingered. He stood uncomfortably, first on one foot and then +on the other. + +"Look here," he said. + +"Yes?" + +"What I mean to say is--well, I mean you'll be all right and all that, +won't you? It's all very well ragging, but when I think of poor old +Gerry--and then poor old Ronny--" + +Jimmy gazed at him in exasperation. Bill was one of those who +undoubtedly meant well, but the result of his efforts would not be +described as heartening. + +"I see," he remarked, "that I shall have to show you Leopold." + +He slipped his hand into the pocket of the dark blue suit into which he +had just changed and held out something for Bill's inspection. + +"A real, genuine, blue-nosed automatic," he said with modest pride. + +"No, I say," Bill said. "Is it really?" + +He was undoubtedly impressed. + +"Stevens, my man, got him for me. Warranted clean and methodical in his +habits. You press the button and Leopold does the rest." + +"Oh!" said Bill. "I say, Jimmy?" + +"Yes?" + +"Be careful, won't you? I mean, don't go loosing that thing off at +anybody. Pretty awkward if you shot old Digby walking in his sleep." + +"That's all right," said Jimmy. "Naturally, I want to get value out of +Leopold now I've bought him, but I'll curb my bloodthirsty instincts as +far as possible." + +"Well, night-night," said Bill for the fourteenth time, and this time +really did depart. + +Jimmy was left alone to take up his vigil. + +Sir Stanley Digby occupied a room at the extremity of the west wing. A +bathroom adjoined it on one side, and on the other a communicating door +led into a smaller room, which was tenanted by Mr. Terence O'Rourke. +The doors of these three rooms gave on to a short corridor. The watcher +had a simple task. A chair placed inconspicuously in the shadow of an +oak press just where the corridor ran into the main gallery formed a +perfect vantage ground. There was no other way into the west wing, and +anyone going to or from it could not fail to be seen. One electric +light was still on. + +Jimmy ensconced himself comfortably, crossed his legs and waited. +Leopold lay in readiness across his knee. + +He glanced at his watch. It was twenty minutes to one--just an hour +since the household had retired to rest. Not a sound broke the +stillness, except for the far-off ticking of a clock somewhere. + +Somehow or other, Jimmy did not much care for that sound. It +recalled things. Gerald Wade--and those seven ticking clocks on the +mantelpiece.... Whose hand had placed them there, and why? He shivered. + +It was a creepy business, this waiting. He didn't wonder that things +happened at spiritualistic séances. Sitting in the gloom, one got all +worked up--ready to start at the least sound. And unpleasant thoughts +came crowding in on a fellow. + +Ronny Devereux! Ronny Devereux and Gerry Wade! Both young, both full +of life and energy; ordinary, jolly, healthy young men. And now, where +were they? Dank earth ... worms getting them.... Ugh! why couldn't he +put these horrible thoughts out of his mind? + +He looked again at his watch. Twenty minutes past one only. How the +time crawled. + +Extraordinary girl, Bundle! Fancy having the nerve and the daring +actually to get into the midst of that Seven Dials place. Why hadn't +he had the nerve and the initiative to think of that? He supposed +because the thing _was_ so fantastic. + +No. 7. Who the hell could No. 7 be? Was he, perhaps, in the house +at this minute? Disguised as a servant. He couldn't, surely, be one +of the guests. No, that was impossible. But then, the whole thing +was impossible. If he hadn't believed Bundle to be essentially +truthful--well, he would have thought she had invented the whole thing. + +He yawned. Queer, to feel sleepy, and yet at the same time strung up. +He looked again at his watch. Ten minutes to two. Time was getting on. + +And then, suddenly, he held his breath and leaned forward, listening. +He had heard something. + +The minutes went past.... There it was again. The creak of a board.... +But it came from downstairs somewhere. There it was again! A slight, +ominous creak. Somebody was moving stealthily about the house. + +Jimmy sprang noiselessly to his feet. He crept silently to the head +of the staircase. Everything seemed perfectly quiet. Yet he was quite +certain he had really heard that stealthy sound. It was not imagination. + +Very quietly and cautiously he crept down the staircase, Leopold +clasped tightly in his right hand. Not a sound in the big hall. If he +had been correct in assuming that the muffled sound came from directly +beneath him, then it must have come from the library. + +Jimmy stole to the door of it, listened, but heard nothing; then, +suddenly flinging open the door, he switched on the lights. + +Nothing! The big room was flooded with light. But it was empty. + +Jimmy frowned. + +"I could have sworn--" he murmured to himself. + +The library was a large room with three windows which opened on to the +terrace. Jimmy strode across the room. The middle window was unlatched. + +He opened it and stepped out on the terrace, looking from end to end of +it. Nothing! + +"Looks all right," he murmured to himself. "And yet--" + +He remained for a minute lost in thought. Then he stepped back into +the library. Crossing to the door, he locked it and put the key in +his pocket. Then he switched off the light. He stood for a minute +listening, then crossed softly to the open window and stood there, +Leopold ready in his hand. + +Was there, or was there not, a soft patter of feet along the terrace? +No--his imagination. He grasped Leopold tightly and stood listening.... + +In the distance a stable clock chimed two. + + + + + CHAPTER XIX + + BUNDLE'S ADVENTURES + + +Bundle Brent was a resourceful girl--she was also a girl of +imagination. She had foreseen that Bill, if not Jimmy, would make +objections to her participation in the possible dangers of the night. +It was not Bundle's idea to waste time in argument. She had laid her +own plans and made her own arrangements. A glance from her bedroom +window shortly before dinner had been highly satisfactory. She had +known that the gray walls of the Abbey were plentifully adorned with +ivy, but the ivy outside her window was particularly solid looking and +would present no difficulties to one of her athletic propensities. + +She had no fault to find with Bill's and Jimmy's arrangements as far as +they went. But in her opinion they did not go far enough. She offered +no criticism, because she intended to see to that side of things +herself. Briefly, while Jimmy and Bill were devoting themselves to the +inside of the Abbey, Bundle intended to devote her attentions to the +outside. + +Her own meek acquiescence in the tame rôle assigned to her gave her an +infinity of pleasure, though she wondered scornfully how either of the +two men could be so easily deceived. Bill, of course, had never been +famous for scintillating brain power. On the other hand, he knew, or +should know, his Bundle. And she considered that Jimmy Thesiger, though +only slightly acquainted with her, ought to have known better than to +imagine that she could be so easily and summarily disposed of. + +Once in the privacy of her own room, Bundle set rapidly to work. First +she discarded her evening dress and the negligible trifle which she +wore beneath it, and started again, so to speak, from the foundations. +Bundle had not brought her maid with her, and she herself had packed. +Otherwise, the puzzled Frenchwoman might have wondered why her lady +took a pair of riding breeches and no further equine equipment. + +Arrayed in riding breeches, rubber-soled shoes, and a dark-coloured +pullover, Bundle was ready for the fray. She glanced at the time. As +yet, it was only half-past twelve. Too early by far. Whatever was going +to happen would not happen for some time yet. The occupants of the +house must all be given time to get off to sleep. Half-past one was the +time fixed by Bundle for the start of operations. + +She switched off her light and sat down by the window to wait. +Punctually at the appointed moment, she rose, pushed up the sash and +swung her leg over the sill. The night was a fine one, cold and still. +There was starlight but no moon. + +She found the descent very easy. Bundle and her two sisters had run +wild in the park at Chimneys as small children, and they could all +climb like cats. Bundle arrived on a flower-bed, rather breathless, but +quite unscathed. + +She paused a minute to take stock of her plans. She knew that the rooms +occupied by the Air Minister and his secretary were in the west wing; +that was the opposite side of the house from where Bundle was now +standing. A terrace ran along the south and west side of the house, +ending abruptly against a walled fruit garden. + +Bundle stepped out of her flower-bed and turned the corner of the house +to where the terrace began on the south side. She crept very quietly +along it, keeping close to the shadow of the house. But, as she reached +the second corner, she got a shock, for a man was standing there, with +the clear intention of barring her way. + +The next instant she had recognized him. + +"Superintendent Battle! You did give me a fright!" + +"That's what I'm here for," said the Superintendent pleasantly. + +Bundle looked at him. It struck her now, as so often before, how +remarkably little camouflage there was about him. He was large and +solid and noticeable. He was, somehow, very English. But of one thing +Bundle was quite sure. Superintendent Battle was no fool. + +"What are you really doing here?" she asked, still in a whisper. + +"Just seeing," said Battle, "that nobody's about who shouldn't be." + +"Oh!" said Bundle, rather taken aback. + +"You, for instance, Lady Eileen. I don't suppose you usually take a +walk at this time of night." + +"Do you mean," said Bundle slowly, "that you want me to go back?" + +Superintendent Battle nodded approvingly. + +"You're very quick, Lady Eileen. That's just what I do mean. Did +you--er--come out of a door, or the window?" + +"The window. It's easy as anything climbing down this ivy." + +Superintendent Battle looked up at it thoughtfully. + +"Yes," he said. "I should say it would be." + +"And you want me to go back?" said Bundle. "I'm rather sick about that. +I wanted to go round on to the west terrace." + +"Perhaps you won't be the only one who'll want to do that," said Battle. + +"Nobody could miss seeing you," said Bundle rather spitefully. + +The Superintendent seemed rather pleased than otherwise. + +"I hope they won't," he said. "_No unpleasantness._ That's my motto. +And if you'll excuse me, Lady Eileen, I think it's time you were going +back to bed." + +The firmness of his tone admitted of no parley. Rather crestfallen, +Bundle retraced her steps. She was half-way up the ivy when a sudden +idea occurred to her, and she nearly relaxed her grip and fell. + +Supposing Superintendent Battle suspected _her_. + +There had been something--yes, surely there had been something in his +manner that vaguely suggested the idea. She couldn't help laughing +as she crawled over the sill into her bedroom. Fancy the solid +Superintendent suspecting _her_! + +Though she had so far obeyed Battle's orders as to return to her room, +Bundle had no intention of going to bed and sleeping. Nor did she think +that Battle had really intended her to do so. He was not a man to +expect impossibilities. And to remain quiescent when something daring +and exciting might be going on was a sheer impossibility to Bundle. + +She glanced at her watch. It was ten minutes to two. After a moment +or two of irresolution, she cautiously opened her door. Not a sound. +Everything was still and peaceful. She stole cautiously along the +passage. + +Once she halted, thinking she heard a board creak somewhere, but then +convinced that she was mistaken, she went on again. She was now in the +main corridor, making her way to the west wing. She reached the angle +of intersection and peered cautiously round--then she stared in blank +surprise. + +The watcher's post was empty. Jimmy Thesiger was not there. + +Bundle stared in complete amazement. What had happened? Why had Jimmy +left his post? What did it mean? + +And at that moment she heard a clock strike two. + +She was still standing there, debating what to do next, when suddenly +her heart gave a leap and then seemed to stand still. + +_The door handle of Terence O'Rourke's room was slowly turning._ + +Bundle watched, fascinated. But the door did not open. Instead the knob +returned slowly to its original position. What did it mean? + +Suddenly Bundle came to a resolution. Jimmy, for some unknown reason, +had deserted his post. She must get hold of Bill. + +Quickly and noiselessly, Bundle fled along the way she had come. She +burst unceremoniously into Bill's room. + +"Bill, wake up! Oh, do wake up!" + +It was an urgent whisper she sent forth, but there came no response to +it. + +"Bill," breathed Bundle. + +Impatiently she switched on the lights, and then stood dumfounded. + +The room was empty, and the bed had not even been slept in. + +Where then was Bill? + +Suddenly she caught her breath. _This was not Bill's room._ The +dainty négligé thrown over a chair, the feminine knick-knacks on the +dressing-table, the black velvet evening dress thrown carelessly over a +chair--Of course, in her haste she had mistaken the doors. This was the +Countess Radzky's room. + +But where, oh, where, was the Countess? + +And just as Bundle was asking herself this question, the silence of the +night was suddenly broken, and in no uncertain manner. + +The clamour came from below. In an instant Bundle had sped out of the +Countess's room and downstairs. The sounds came from the library--a +violent crashing of chairs being overturned. + +Bundle rattled vainly at the library door. It was locked. But she could +clearly hear the struggle that was going on within--the panting and +scuffling, curses in manly tones, the occasional crash as some light +piece of furniture came into the line of battle. + +And then, sinister and distinct, breaking the peace of the night for +good and all, two shots in rapid succession. + + + + + CHAPTER XX + + LORAINE'S ADVENTURES + + +Loraine Wade sat up in bed and switched on the light. It was exactly +ten minutes to one. She had gone to bed early--at half-past nine. +She possessed the useful art of being able to wake herself up at the +required time, so she had been able to enjoy some hours of refreshing +sleep. + +Two dogs slept in the room with her, and one of these now raised his +head and looked at her inquiringly. + +"Quiet, Lurcher," said Loraine, and the big animal put his head down +again obediently, watching her from between his shaggy eyelashes. + +It is true that Bundle had once doubted the meekness of Loraine Wade, +but that brief moment of suspicion had passed. Loraine had seemed so +entirely reasonable, so willing to be kept out of everything. + +And yet, if you studied the girl's face, you saw that there was +strength of purpose in the small, resolute jaw and the lips that closed +together so firmly. + +Loraine rose and dressed herself in a tweed coat and skirt. Into one +pocket of the coat she dropped an electric torch. Then she opened +the drawer of her dressing-table and took out a small ivory-handled +pistol--almost a toy in appearance. She had bought it the day before at +Harrods and she was very pleased with it. + +She gave a final glance round the room to see if she had forgotten +anything, and at that moment the big dog rose and came over to her, +looking up at her with pleading eyes and wagging his tail. + +Loraine shook her head. + +"No, Lurcher. Can't go. Missus can't take you. Got to stay here and be +a good boy." + +She dropped a kiss on the dog's head, made him lie down on his rug +again, and then slipped noiselessly out of the room, closing the door +behind her. + +She let herself out of the house by a side door and made her way round +to the garage, where her little two-seater car was in readiness. +There was a gentle slope, and she let the car run silently down it, +not starting the engine till she was some way from the house. Then +she glanced at the watch on her arm and pressed her foot down on the +accelerator. + +She left the car at a spot she had previously marked down. There was +a gap there in the fencing that she could easily get through. A few +minutes later, slightly muddy, Loraine stood inside the grounds of +Wyvern Abbey. + +As noiselessly as possible, she made her way towards the venerable +ivy-covered building. In the distance a stable clock chimed two. + +Loraine's heart beat faster as she drew near to the terrace. There was +no one about--no sign of life anywhere. Everything seemed peaceful and +undisturbed. She reached the terrace and stood there, looking about her. + +Suddenly, without the least warning, something from above fell with a +flop almost at her feet. Loraine stooped to pick it up. It was a brown +paper packet, loosely wrapped. Holding it, Loraine looked up. + +There was an open window just above her head, and even as she looked a +leg swung over it and a man began to climb down the ivy. + +Loraine waited for no more. She took to her heels and ran, still +clasping the brown paper packet. + +Behind her, the noise of a struggle suddenly broke out. A hoarse voice: +"Lemme go"; another that she knew well: "Not if I know it--ah, you +would, would you?" + +Still Loraine ran--blindly, as though panic-stricken--right round the +corner of the terrace--and slap into the arms of a large, solidly built +man. + +"There, there," said Superintendent Battle kindly. + +Loraine was struggling to speak. + +"Oh, quick--oh, quick! They're killing each other. Oh, do be quick!" + +There was a sharp crack of a revolver shot--and then another. + +Superintendent Battle started to run. Loraine followed. Back round the +corner of the terrace and along to the library window. The window was +open. + +Battle stooped and switched on an electric torch. Loraine was close +beside him, peering over his shoulder. She gave a little sobbing gasp. + +On the threshold of the window lay Jimmy Thesiger in what looked like a +pool of blood. His right arm lay dangling in a curious position. + +Loraine gave a sharp cry. + +"He's dead," she wailed. "Oh, Jimmy--Jimmy--he's dead!" + +"Now, now," said Superintendent Battle soothingly, "don't you take on +so. The young gentleman isn't dead, I'll be bound. See if you can find +the lights and turn them on." + +Loraine obeyed. She stumbled across the room, found the switch by +the door and pressed it down. The room was flooded with light. +Superintendent Battle uttered a sigh of relief. + +"It's all right--he's only shot in the right arm. He's fainted through +loss of blood. Come and give me a hand with him." + +There was a pounding on the library door. Voices were heard, asking, +expostulating, demanding. + +Loraine looked doubtfully at it. + +"Shall I--" + +"No hurry," said Battle. "We'll let them in presently. You come and +give me a hand." + +Loraine came obediently. The Superintendent had produced a large, clean +pocket-handkerchief and was neatly bandaging the wounded man's arm. +Loraine helped him. + +"He'll be all right," said the Superintendent. "Don't you worry. As +many lives as cats, these young fellows. It wasn't the loss of blood +knocked him out either. He must have caught his head a crack on the +floor as he fell." + +Outside the knocking on the door had become tremendous. The voice of +George Lomax, furiously upraised, came loud and distinct: + +"Who is in there? Open the door at once." + +Superintendent Battle sighed. + +"I suppose we shall have to," he said. "A pity." + +His eyes darted round, taking in the scene. An automatic lay by Jimmy's +side. The Superintendent picked it up gingerly, holding it very +delicately, and examined it. He grunted and laid it on the table. Then +he stepped across and unlocked the door. + +Several people almost fell into the room. Nearly everybody said +something at the same minute. George Lomax, spluttering with obdurate +words which refused to come with sufficient fluency, exclaimed: + +"The--the--the meaning of this? Ah! It's you, Superintendent. What's +happened? I say--what has--happened?" + +Bill Eversleigh said: "My God! Old Jimmy!" and stared at the limp +figure on the ground. + +Lady Coote, clad in a resplendent purple dressing-gown, cried out: +"The poor boy!" and swept past Superintendent Battle to bend over the +prostrate Jimmy in a motherly fashion. + +Bundle said: "Loraine!" + +Herr Eberhard said: "Gott im Himmel!" and other words of that nature. + +Sir Stanley Digby said: "My God, what's all this?" + +A housemaid said: "Look at the blood," and screamed with pleasurable +excitement. + +A footman said: "Lor!" + +The butler said, with a good deal more bravery in his manner than had +been noticeable a few minutes earlier: "Now then, this won't do!" and +waved away underservants. + +The efficient Mr. Rupert Bateman said to George: "Shall we get rid of +some of these people, sir?" + +Then they all took fresh breath. + +"Incredible!" said George Lomax. "Battle, what has _happened_?" + +Battle gave him a look, and George's discreet habits assumed their +usual sway. + +"Now then," he said, moving to the door, "everyone go back to bed, +please. There's been a--er--" + +"A little accident," said Superintendent Battle easily. + +"A--er--an accident. I shall be much obliged if everyone will go back +to bed." + +Everyone was clearly reluctant to do so. + +"Lady Coote--please--" + +"The poor boy," said Lady Coote in a motherly fashion. + +She rose from a kneeling position with great reluctance. And as she did +so, Jimmy stirred and sat up. + +"Hallo!" he said thickly. "What's the matter?" + +He looked round him vacantly for a minute or two and then intelligence +returned to his eye. + +"Have you got him?" he demanded eagerly. + +"Got who?" + +"The man. Climbed down the ivy. I was by the window there. Grabbed him +and we had no end of a set-to--" + +"One of those nasty, murderous cat burglars," said Lady Coote. "Poor +boy." + +Jimmy was looking round him. + +"I say--I'm afraid we--er--have made rather a mess of things. Fellow +was as strong as an ox and we went fairly waltzing around." + +The condition of the room was clear proof of this statement. Everything +light and breakable within a range of twelve feet that could be broken +_had_ been broken. + +"And what happened then?" + +But Jimmy was looking round for something. + +"Where's Leopold? The pride of the blue-nosed automatics." + +Battle indicated the pistol on the table. + +"Is this yours, Mr. Thesiger?" + +"That's right. That's little Leopold. How many shots have been fired?" + +"One shot." + +Jimmy looked chagrined. + +"I'm disappointed in Leopold," he murmured. "I can't have pressed the +button properly, or he'd have gone on shooting." + +"Who shot first?" + +"I did, I'm afraid," said Jimmy. "You see, the man twisted himself out +of my grasp suddenly. I saw him making for the window and I closed my +finger down on Leopold and let him have it. He turned in the window and +fired at me and--well, I suppose after that I took the count." + +He rubbed his head rather ruefully. + +But Sir Stanley Digby was suddenly alert. + +"Climbing down the ivy, you said? My God, Lomax, you don't think +they've got away with it?" + +He rushed from the room. For some curious reason nobody spoke during +his absence. In a few minutes Sir Stanley returned. His round, chubby +face was white as death. + +"My God Battle," he said, "they've got it. O'Rourke's fast +asleep--drugged, I think. I can't wake him. And the papers have +vanished." + + + + + CHAPTER XXI + + THE RECOVERY OF THE FORMULA + + +"Der liebe Gott!" said Herr Eberhard in a whisper. + +His face had gone chalky white. + +George turned a face of dignified reproach on Battle. + +"Is this true, Battle? I left all arrangements in your hands." + +The rock-like quality of the Superintendent showed out well. Not a +muscle of his face moved. + +"The best of us are defeated sometimes, sir," he said quietly. + +"Then you mean--you really mean--that the document is gone?" + +But to everyone's intense surprise Superintendent Battle shook his head. + +"No, no, Mr. Lomax, it's not so bad as you think. Everything's all +right. But you can't lay the credit for it at my door. You've got to +thank this young lady." + +He indicated Loraine, who stared at him in surprise. Battle stepped +across to her and gently took the brown paper parcel which she was +still clutching mechanically. + +"I think, Mr. Lomax," he said, "that you will find what you want here." + +Sir Stanley Digby, quicker in action than George, snatched at the +package and tore it open, investigating its contents eagerly. A sigh +of relief escaped him and he mopped his brow. Herr Eberhard fell upon +the child of his brain and clasped it to his heart, whilst a torrent of +German burst from him. + +Sir Stanley turned to Loraine, shaking her warmly by the hand. + +"My dear young lady," he said, "we are infinitely obliged to you, I am +sure." + +"Yes, indeed," said George. "Though I--er--" + +He paused in some perplexity, staring at a young lady who was a total +stranger to him. Loraine looked appealingly at Jimmy, who came to the +rescue. + +"Er--this is Miss Wade," said Jimmy. "Gerald Wade's sister." + +"Indeed," said George, shaking her warmly by the hand. "My dear Miss +Wade, I must express my deep gratitude to you for what you have done. I +must confess that I do not quite see--" + +He paused delicately and four of the persons present felt that +explanations were going to be fraught with much difficulty. +Superintendent Battle came to the rescue. + +"Perhaps we'd better not go into that just now, sir," he suggested +tactfully. + +The efficient Mr. Bateman created a further diversion. + +"Wouldn't it be wise for someone to see to O'Rourke? Don't you think, +sir, that a doctor had better be sent for?" + +"Of course," said George. "Of course. Most remiss of us not to +have thought of it before." He looked towards Bill. "Get Dr. +Cartwright on the telephone. Ask him to come. Just hint, if you can, +that--er--discretion should be observed." + +Bill went off on his errand. + +"I will come up with you, Digby," said George. "Something, possibly, +could be done--measures should, perhaps, be taken--whilst awaiting the +arrival of the doctor." + +He looked rather helplessly at Rupert Bateman. Efficiency always makes +itself felt. It was Pongo who was really in charge of the situation. + +"Shall I come up with you, sir?" + +George accepted the offer with relief. Here, he felt, was someone on +whom he could lean. He experienced that sense of complete trust in +Mr. Bateman's efficiency which came to all those who encountered that +excellent young man. + +The three men left the room together. Lady Coote, murmuring in deep +rich tones: "The poor young fellow. Perhaps I could do something--" +hurried after them. + +"That's a very motherly woman," observed the Superintendent +thoughtfully. "A very motherly woman. I wonder--" + +Three pairs of eyes looked at him inquiringly. + +"I was wondering," said Superintendent Battle slowly, "where Sir Oswald +Coote may be." + +"Oh!" gasped Loraine. "Do you think he's been murdered?" + +Battle shook his head at her reproachfully. + +"No need for anything so melodramatic," he said. "No--I rather think--" + +He paused, his head on one side, listening--one large hand raised to +enjoin silence. + +In another minute they all heard what his sharper ears had been the +first to notice--footsteps coming along the terrace outside. They rang +out clearly with no kind of subterfuge about them. In another minute +the window was blocked by a bulky figure which stood there regarding +them and who conveyed, in an odd way, a sense of dominating the +situation. + +Sir Oswald, for it was he, looked slowly from one face to another. His +keen eyes took in the details of the situation. Jimmy, with his roughly +bandaged arm; Bundle, in her somewhat anomalous attire; Loraine, a +perfect stranger to him. His eyes came last to Superintendent Battle. +He spoke sharply and crisply: + +"What's been happening here, officer?" + +"Attempted robbery, sir." + +"_Attempted_--eh?" + +"Thanks to this young lady, Miss Wade, the thieves failed to get away +with it." + +"Ah!" he said again, his scrutiny ended. "And now, officer, what about +_this_?" + +He held out a small Mauser pistol which he carried delicately by the +butt. + +"Where did you find that, Sir Oswald?" + +"On the lawn outside. I presume it must have been thrown down by one +of the thieves as he took to his heels. I've held it carefully, as I +thought you might wish to examine it for fingerprints." + +"You think of everything, Sir Oswald," said Battle. + +He took the pistol from the other, handling it with equal care, and +laid it down on the table beside Jimmy's Colt. + +"And now, if you please," said Sir Oswald, "I should like to hear +exactly what occurred." + +Superintendent Battle gave a brief résumé of the events of the night. +Sir Oswald frowned thoughtfully. + +"I understand," he said sharply. "After wounding and disabling Mr. +Thesiger, the man took to his heels and ran, throwing away the pistol +as he did so. What I cannot understand is why no one pursued him." + +"It wasn't till we heard Mr. Thesiger's story that we knew there was +anyone to pursue," remarked Superintendent Battle dryly. + +"You didn't--er--catch sight of him making off as you turned the corner +of the terrace?" + +"No, I missed him by just about forty seconds, I should say. There's no +moon and he'd be invisible as soon as he'd left the terrace. He must +have leapt for it as soon as he'd fired the shot." + +"H'm," said Sir Oswald. "I still think that a search should have been +organized. Someone else should have been posted--" + +"There are three of my men in the grounds," said the Superintendent +quietly. + +"Oh!" Sir Oswald seemed rather taken aback. + +"They were to hold and detain any one attempting to leave the grounds." + +"And yet--they haven't done so?" + +"And yet they haven't done so," agreed Battle gravely. + +Sir Oswald looked at him as though something in the words puzzled him. +He said sharply: + +"Are you telling me all that you know, Superintendent Battle?" + +"All that I _know_--yes, Sir Oswald. What I think is a different +matter. Maybe I think some rather curious things--but until thinking's +got you somewhere it's no use talking about it." + +"And yet," said Sir Oswald slowly, "I should like to know what you +think, Superintendent Battle." + +"For one thing, sir, I think there's a lot too much ivy about this +place--excuse me, sir, you've got a bit on your coat--yes, a great deal +too much ivy. It complicates things." + +Sir Oswald stared at him, but any reply he might have contemplated +making was arrested by the entrance of Rupert Bateman. + +"Oh, there you are, Sir Oswald. I'm so glad. Lady Coote has just +discovered that you were missing--and she has been insisting upon it +that you had been murdered by the thieves. I really think, Sir Oswald, +that you had better come to her at once. She is terribly upset." + +"Maria is an incredibly foolish woman," said Sir Oswald. "Why should I +be murdered? I'll come with you, Bateman." + +He left the room with his secretary. + +"That's a very efficient young man," said Battle, looking after them. +"What's his name--Bateman?" + +Jimmy nodded. + +"Bateman--Rupert," he said. "Commonly known as Pongo. I was at school +with him." + +"Were you? Now, that's interesting, Mr. Thesiger. What was your opinion +of him in those days?" + +"Oh, he was always the same sort of ass." + +"I shouldn't have thought," said Battle mildly, "that he was an ass." + +"Oh, you know what I mean. Of course he wasn't really an ass. Tons of +brains and always swotting at things. But deadly serious. No sense of +humour." + +"Ah!" said Superintendent Battle. "That's a pity. Gentlemen who have no +sense of humour get to taking themselves too seriously--and that leads +to mischief." + +"I can't imagine Pongo getting into mischief," said Jimmy. "He's done +extremely well for himself so far--dug himself in with old Coote and +looks like being a permanency in the job." + +"Superintendent Battle," said Bundle. + +"Yes, Lady Eileen?" + +"Don't you think it very odd that Sir Oswald didn't say what he was +doing wandering about in the garden in the middle of the night?" + +"Ah!" said Battle. "Sir Oswald's a great man--and a great man always +knows better than to explain unless an explanation is demanded. To rush +into explanations and excuses is always a sign of weakness. Sir Oswald +knows that as well as I do. He's not going to come in explaining and +apologizing--not he. He just stalks in and hauls _me_ over the coals. +He's a big man, Sir Oswald." + +Such a warm admiration sounded in the Superintendent's tones that +Bundle pursued the subject no further. + +"And now," said Superintendent Battle, looking round with a slight +twinkle in his eye, "now that we're together and friendly like--I +_should_ like to hear just how Miss Wade happened to arrive on the +scene so pat." + +"She ought to be ashamed of herself," said Jimmy. "Hoodwinking us all +as she did." + +"Why should I be kept out of it all?" cried Loraine passionately. "I +never meant to be--no, not the very first day in your rooms when you +both explained how the best thing for me to do was to stay quietly at +home and keep out of danger. I didn't say anything, but I made up my +mind then." + +"I half suspected it," said Bundle. "You were so surprisingly meek +about it. I might have known you were up to something." + +"I thought you were remarkably sensible," said Jimmy Thesiger. + +"You would, Jimmy dear," said Loraine. "It was easy enough to deceive +you." + +"Thank you for these kind words," said Jimmy. "Go on, and don't mind +me." + +"When you rang up and said there might be danger, I was more determined +than ever," went on Loraine. "I went to Harrods and I bought a pistol. +Here it is." + +She produced the dainty weapon, and Superintendent Battle took it from +her and examined it. + +"Quite a deadly little toy, Miss Wade," he said. "Have you had +much--er--practise with it?" + +"None at all," said Loraine. "But I thought if I took it with me--well, +that it would give me a comforting feeling." + +"Quite so," said Battle gravely. + +"My idea was to come over here and see what was going on. I left the +car in the road and climbed through the hedge and came up to the +terrace. I was just looking about me when--plop--something fell right +at my feet. I picked it up and then looked to see where it could have +come from. And then I saw the man climbing down the ivy and I ran." + +"Just so," said Battle. "Now, Miss Wade, can you describe that man at +all?" + +The girl shook her head. + +"It was too dark to see much. I think he was a big man--but that's +about all." + +"And now you, Mr. Thesiger." Battle turned to him. "You struggled with +the man--can you tell me anything about him?" + +"He was a pretty hefty individual--that's all I can say. He gave a few +hoarse whispers--that's when I had him by the throat. He said, 'Lemme +go, guvnor,' something like that." + +"An uneducated man, then?" + +"Yes, I suppose he was. He spoke like one." + +"I still don't quite understand about the packet," said Loraine. "Why +should he throw it down as he did? Was it because it hampered him +climbing?" + +"No," said Battle. "I've got an entirely different theory about that. +That packet, Miss Wade, was deliberately thrown down to you--or so I +believe." + +"To _me_?" + +"Shall we say--to the person the thief thought you were." + +"This is getting very involved," said Jimmy. + +"Mr. Thesiger, when you came into this room, did you switch on the +light at all?" + +"Yes." + +"And there was no one in the room?" + +"No one at all." + +"But previously you thought you heard someone moving about down here?" + +"Yes." + +"And then, after trying the window, you switched off the light again +and locked the door?" + +Jimmy nodded. + +Superintendent Battle looked slowly round him. His glance was arrested +by a big screen of Spanish leather which stood near one of the +bookcases. + +Brusquely he strode across the room and looked behind it. + +He uttered a sharp ejaculation, which brought the three young people +quickly to his side. + +Huddled on the floor, in a dead faint, lay the Countess Radzky. + + + + + CHAPTER XXII + + THE COUNTESS RADZKY'S STORY + + +The Countess's return to consciousness was very different from that of +Jimmy Thesiger. It was more prolonged and infinitely more artistic. + +Artistic was Bundle's word. She had been zealous in her +ministrations--largely consisting of the application of cold water--and +the Countess had instantly responded, passing a white, bewildered hand +across her brow and murmuring faintly. + +It was at this point that Bill, at last relieved from his duties +with telephone and doctors, had come bustling into the room and had +instantly proceeded to make (in Bundle's opinion) a most regrettable +idiot of himself. + +He had hung over the Countess with a concerned and anxious face and had +addressed a series of singularly idiotic remarks to her: + +"I say, Countess. It's all right. It's really all right. Don't try +to talk. It's bad for you. Just lie still. You'll be all right in a +minute. It'll all come back to you. Don't say anything till you're +quite all right. Take your time. Just lie still and close your eyes. +You'll remember everything in a minute. Have another sip of water. +Have some brandy. That's the stuff. Don't you think, Bundle, that some +brandy...?" + +"For God's sake, Bill, leave her alone," said Bundle crossly. "She'll +be all right." + +And with an expert hand she flipped a good deal of cold water on to the +exquisite make-up of the Countess's face. + +The Countess flinched and sat up. She looked considerably more wide +awake. + +"Ah!" she murmured. "I am here. Yes, I am here." + +"Take your time," said Bill. "Don't talk till you feel quite all right +again." + +The Countess drew the folds of a very transparent négligé closer around +her. + +"It is coming back to me," she murmured. "Yes, it is coming back." + +She looked at the little crowd grouped around her. Perhaps something in +the attentive faces struck her as unsympathetic. In any case she smiled +deliberately up at the one face which clearly displayed a very opposite +emotion. + +"Ah, my big Englishman," she said very softly, "do not distress +yourself. All is well with me." + +"Oh! I say, but are you sure?" demanded Bill anxiously. + +"Quite sure." She smiled at him reassuringly. "We Hungarians, we have +nerves of steel." + +A look of intense relief passed over Bill's face. A fatuous look +settled down there instead--a look which made Bundle earnestly long to +kick him. + +"Have some water," she said coldly. + +The Countess refused water. Jimmy, kindlier to beauty in distress, +suggested a cocktail. The Countess reacted favourably to this +suggestion. When she had swallowed it, she looked round once more, this +time with a livelier eye. + +"Tell me, what has happened?" she demanded briskly. + +"We were hoping you might be able to tell us that," said Superintendent +Battle. + +The Countess looked at him sharply. She seemed to become aware of the +big, quiet man for the first time. + +"I went to your room," said Bundle. "The bed hadn't been slept in and +you weren't there." + +She paused--looking accusingly at the Countess. The latter closed her +eyes and nodded her head slowly. + +"Yes, yes, I remember it all now. Oh, it was horrible!" She shuddered. +"Do you want me to tell you?" + +Superintendent Battle said, "If you please" at the same moment that +Bill said, "Not if you don't feel up to it." + +The Countess looked from one to the other, but the quiet, masterful eye +of Superintendent Battle won the game. + +"I could not sleep," began the Countess. "The house--it oppressed me. I +was all, as you say, on wires, the cat on the hot bricks. I knew that +in the state I was in it was useless to think of going to bed. I walked +about my room. I read. But the books placed there did not interest +me greatly. I thought I would come down here and find something more +absorbing." + +"Very natural," said Bill. + +"Very often done, I believe," said Battle. + +"So as soon as the idea occurred to me, I left my room and came down. +The house was very still--" + +"Excuse me," interrupted the Superintendent, "but can you give me an +idea of the time when this occurred?" + +"I never know the time," said the Countess superbly, and swept on with +her story. + +"The house was very quiet. One could even hear the little mouse run, if +there had been one. I come down the stairs--very quietly--" + +"Very quietly?" + +"Naturally, I do not want to disturb the household," said the Countess +reproachfully. "I come in here. I go into this corner and I search the +shelves for a suitable book." + +"Having, of course, switched on the light?" + +"No, I did not switch on the light. I had, you see, my little electric +torch with me. With that, I scanned the shelves." + +"Ah!" said the Superintendent. + +"Suddenly," continued the Countess dramatically, "I hear something. A +stealthy sound. A muffled footstep. I switch out my torch and listen. +The footsteps draw nearer--stealthy, horrible footsteps. I shrink +behind the screen. In another minute the door opens and the light is +switched on. The man--the burglar is in the room." + +"Yes, but I say--" began Mr. Thesiger. + +A large-sized foot pressed his, and realizing that Superintendent +Battle was giving him a hint, Jimmy shut up. + +"I nearly died of fear," continued the Countess. "I tried not to +breathe. The man waited for a minute, listening. Then, still with that +horrible, stealthy tread--" + +Again Jimmy opened his mouth in protest, and again shut it. + +"--he crossed to the window and peered out. He remained there for a +minute or two, then he recrossed the room and turned out the lights +again, locking the door. I am terrified. He is in the room, moving +stealthily about in the dark. Ah, it is horrible. Suppose he should +come upon me in the dark! In another minute I hear him again by the +window. Then silence. I hope that perhaps he may have gone out that +way. As the minutes pass and I hear no further sound, I am almost sure +that he has done so. Indeed I am in the very act of switching on my +torch and investigating when--_prestissimo!_--it all begins." + +"Yes?" + +"Ah! But it was terrible--never--never shall I forget it! Two men +trying to murder each other. Oh, it was horrible! They reeled about +the room, and furniture crashed in every direction. I thought, too, +that I heard a woman scream--but that was not in the room. It was +outside somewhere. The criminal had a hoarse voice. He croaked rather +than spoke. He kept saying, 'Lemme go--lemme go.' The other man was a +gentleman. He had a cultured, English voice." + +Jimmy looked gratified. + +"He swore--mostly," continued the Countess. + +"Clearly a gentleman," said Superintendent Battle. + +"And then," continued the Countess, "a flash and a shot. The bullet hit +the bookcase beside me. I--I suppose I must have fainted." + +She looked up at Bill. He took her hand and patted it. + +"You poor dear," he said. "How rotten for you." + +"Silly idiot," thought Bundle. + +Superintendent Battle had moved on swift, noiseless feet over to the +bookcase a little to the right of the screen. He bent down, searching. +Presently he stooped and picked something up. + +"It wasn't a bullet, Countess," he said. "It's the shell of the +cartridge. Where were you standing when you fired, Mr. Thesiger?" + +Jimmy took up a position by the window. + +"As nearly as I can say, about here." + +Superintendent Battle placed himself in the same spot. + +"That's right," he agreed. "The empty shell would throw right rear. +It's a .455. I don't wonder the Countess thought it was a bullet in +the dark. It hit the bookcase about a foot from her. The bullet itself +grazed the window frame and we'll find it outside to-morrow--unless +your assailant happens to be carrying it about in him." + +Jimmy shook his head regretfully. + +"Leopold, I fear, did not cover himself with glory," he remarked sadly. + +The Countess was looking at him with most flattering attention. + +"Your arm!" she exclaimed. "It is all tied up! Was it you then--" + +Jimmy made her a mock bow. + +"I'm so glad I've got a cultured English voice," he said. "And I can +assure you that I wouldn't have dreamed of using the language I did if +I had had any suspicion that a lady was present." + +"I did not understand all of it," the Countess hastened to explain. +"Although I had an English governess when I was young--" + +"It isn't the sort of thing she'd be likely to teach you," agreed +Jimmy. "Kept you busy with your uncle's pen, and the umbrella of the +gardener's niece. I know the sort of stuff." + +"But what has happened?" asked the Countess. "That is what I want to +know. I demand to know what has happened." + +There was a moment's silence whilst everybody looked at Superintendent +Battle. + +"It's very simple," said Battle mildly. "Attempted robbery. Some +political papers stolen from Sir Stanley Digby. The thieves nearly +got away with them, but thanks to this young lady"--he indicated +Loraine--"they didn't." + +The Countess flashed a glance at the girl--rather an odd glance. + +"Indeed," she said coldly. + +"A very fortunate coincidence that she happened to be there," said +Superintendent Battle, smiling. + +The Countess gave a little sigh and half closed her eyes again. + +"It is absurd, but I still feel extremely faint," she murmured. + +"Of course you do," cried Bill. "Let me help you up to your room. +Bundle will come with you." + +"It is very kind of Lady Eileen," said the Countess, "but I should +prefer to be alone. I am really quite all right. Perhaps you will just +help me up the stairs?" + +She rose to her feet, accepted Bill's arm and, leaning heavily on it, +went out of the room. Bundle followed as far as the hall but, the +Countess reiterating her assurance--with some tartness--that she was +quite all right, she did not accompany them upstairs. + +But as she stood watching the Countess's graceful form, supported by +Bill, slowly mounting the stairway, she stiffened suddenly to acute +attention. The Countess's négligé, as previously mentioned, was thin--a +mere veil of orange chiffon. Through it Bundle saw distinctly below the +right shoulder blade _a small black mole_. + +With a gasp, Bundle swung impetuously round to where Superintendent +Battle was just emerging from the library. Jimmy and Loraine had +preceded him. + +"There," said Battle. "I've fastened the window and there will be a +man on duty outside. And I'll lock this door and take the key. In the +morning we'll do what the French call reconstruct the crime--Yes, Lady +Eileen, what is it?" + +"Superintendent Battle, I must speak to you--at once." + +"Why, certainly, I--" + +George Lomax suddenly appeared, Dr. Cartwright by his side. + +"Ah, there you are, Battle. You'll be relieved to hear that there's +nothing seriously wrong with O'Rourke." + +"I never thought there would be much wrong with Mr. O'Rourke," said +Battle. + +"He's had a strong hypnotic administered to him," said the doctor. +"He'll wake perfectly all right in the morning. Perhaps a bit of a +head, perhaps not. Now then, young man, let's look at this bullet wound +of yours." + +"Come on, nurse," said Jimmy to Loraine. "Come and hold the basin or my +hand. Witness a strong man's agony. You know the stunt." + +Jimmy, Loraine and the doctor went off together. Bundle continued to +throw agonized glances in the direction of Superintendent Battle, who +had been buttonholed by George. + +The Superintendent waited patiently till a pause occurred in George's +loquacity. He then swiftly took advantage of it. + +"I wonder, sir, if I might have a word privately with Sir Stanley? In +the little study at the end there." + +"Certainly," said George. "Certainly. I'll go and fetch him at once." + +He hurried off upstairs again. Battle drew Bundle swiftly into the +drawing-room and shut the door. + +"Now, Lady Eileen, what is it?" + +"I'll tell you as quickly as I can--but it's rather long and +complicated." + +As concisely as she could, Bundle related her introduction to the Seven +Dials Club and her subsequent adventures there. When she had finished, +Superintendent Battle drew a long breath. For once, his facial +woodenness was laid aside. + +"Remarkable," he said. "Remarkable. I wouldn't have believed it +possible--even for you, Lady Eileen. I ought to have known better." + +"But you did give me a hint, Superintendent Battle. You told me to ask +Bill Eversleigh." + +"It's dangerous to give people like you a hint, Lady Eileen. I never +dreamt of your going to the lengths you have." + +"Well, it's all right, Superintendent Battle. My death doesn't lie at +your door." + +"Not yet, it doesn't," said Battle grimly. + +He stood as though in thought, turning things over in his mind. + +"What Mr. Thesiger was about, letting you run into danger like that, I +can't think," he said presently. + +"He didn't know till afterwards," said Bundle. "I'm not a complete mug, +Superintendent Battle. And anyway, he's got his hands full looking +after Miss Wade." + +"Is that so?" said the Superintendent. "Ah!" + +He twinkled a little. + +"I shall have to detail Mr. Eversleigh to look after you, Lady Eileen." + +"Bill!" said Bundle contemptuously. "But Superintendent Battle, you +haven't heard the end of my story. The woman I saw there--Anna--No. 1. +Yes, No. 1 is the Countess Radzky." + +And rapidly she went on to describe her recognition of the mole. + +To her surprise the Superintendent hemmed and hawed. + +"A mole isn't much to go upon, Lady Eileen. Two women might have an +identical mole very easily. You must remember that the Countess Radzky +is a very well-known figure in Hungary." + +"Then this isn't the real Countess Radzky. I tell you I'm sure this is +the same woman I saw there. And look at her to-night--the way we found +her. I don't believe she ever fainted at all." + +"Oh, I shouldn't say that, Lady Eileen. That empty shell striking the +bookcase beside her might have frightened any woman half out of her +wits." + +"But what was she doing there anyway? One doesn't come down to look for +a book with an electric torch." + +Battle scratched his cheek. He seemed unwilling to speak. He began to +pace up and down the room, as though making up his mind. At last he +turned to the girl. + +"See here, Lady Eileen, I'm going to trust you. The Countess's +conduct _is_ suspicious. I know that as well as you do. It's very +suspicious--but we've got to go carefully. There mustn't be any +unpleasantness with the Embassies. One has got to be _sure_." + +"I see. If you were _sure_...." + +"There's something else. During the war, Lady Eileen, there was a great +outcry about German spies being left at large. Busybodies wrote letters +to the papers about it. We paid no attention. Hard words didn't hurt +us. The small fry were left alone. Why? Because through them, sooner or +later, _we got the big fellow--the man at the top_." + +"You mean?" + +"Don't bother about what I mean, Lady Eileen. But remember this. _I +know all about the Countess._ And I want her let alone. + +"And now," added Superintendent Battle ruefully, "I've got to think of +something to say to Sir Stanley Digby!" + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII + + SUPERINTENDENT BATTLE IN CHARGE + + +It was ten o'clock on the following morning. The sun poured in through +the windows of the library, where Superintendent Battle had been at +work since six. On a summons from him, George Lomax, Sir Oswald Coote +and Jimmy Thesiger had just joined him, having repaired the fatigues of +the night with a substantial breakfast. Jimmy's arm was in a sling, but +he bore little other trace of the night's affray. + +The Superintendent eyed all three of them benevolently, somewhat with +the air of a kindly curator explaining a museum to little boys. On the +table beside him were various objects, neatly labelled. Amongst them +Jimmy recognized Leopold. + +"Ah, Superintendent," said George, "I have been anxious to know how you +have progressed. Have you caught the man?" + +"He'll take a lot of catching, he will," said the Superintendent easily. + +His failure in that respect did not appear to rankle with him. + +George Lomax did not look particularly well pleased. He detested levity +of any kind. + +"I've got everything taped out pretty clearly," went on the detective. + +He took up two objects from the table. + +"Here we've got the two bullets. The largest is a .455, fired from +Mr. Thesiger's Colt automatic. Grazed the window sash and I found it +embedded in the trunk of that cedar tree. This little fellow was fired +from the Mauser .25. After passing through Mr. Thesiger's arm, it +embedded itself in this arm-chair here. As for the pistol itself--" + +"Well?" said Sir Oswald eagerly. "Any fingerprints?" + +Battle shook his head. + +"The man who handled it wore gloves," he said slowly. + +"A pity," said Sir Oswald. + +"A man who knew his business would wear gloves. Am I right in thinking, +Sir Oswald, that you found this pistol just about twenty yards from the +bottom of the steps leading up to the terrace?" + +Sir Oswald stepped to the window. + +"Yes, almost exactly, I should say." + +"I don't want to find fault, but it would have been wiser on your part, +sir, to leave it exactly as you found it." + +"I am sorry," said Sir Oswald stiffly. + +"Oh, it doesn't matter. I've been able to reconstruct things. There +were your footprints, you see, leading up from the bottom of the +garden, and a place where you had obviously stopped and stooped down, +and a kind of dent in the grass which was highly suggestive. By the +way, what was your theory of the pistol being there?" + +"I presumed that it had been dropped by the man in his flight." + +Battle shook his head. + +"Not dropped, Sir Oswald. There are two points against that. To begin +with, there is only one set of footprints crossing the lawn just +there--your own." + +"I see," said Sir Oswald thoughtfully. + +"Can you be sure of that, Battle?" put in George. + +"Quite sure, sir. There is one other set of tracks crossing the lawn, +Miss Wade's, but they are a good deal farther to the left." + +He paused, and then went on: "And there's the dent in the ground. The +pistol must have struck the ground with some force. It all points to +its having been thrown." + +"Well, why not?" said Sir Oswald. "Say the man fled down the path to +the left. He'd leave no footprints on the path and he'd hurl the +pistol away from him into the middle of the lawn, eh, Lomax?" + +George agreed by a nod of the head. + +"It's true that he'd leave no footprints on the path," said Battle, +"but from the shape of the dent and the way the turf was cut, I don't +think the pistol was thrown from that direction. I think it was thrown +from the terrace here." + +"Very likely," said Sir Oswald. "Does it matter, Superintendent?" + +"Ah, yes, Battle," broke in George. "Is it--er--strictly relevant?" + +"Perhaps not, Mr. Lomax. But we like to get things just so, you know. I +wonder now if one of you gentlemen would take this pistol and throw it. +Will you, Sir Oswald? That's very kind. Stand just here in the window. +Now fling it into the middle of the lawn." + +Sir Oswald complied, sending the pistol flying through the air with a +powerful sweep of his arm. Jimmy Thesiger drew near with breathless +interest. The Superintendent lumbered off after it like a well-trained +retriever. He reappeared with a beaming face. + +"That's it, sir. Just the same kind of mark. Although, by the way, you +sent it a good ten yards farther. But then, you're a very powerfully +built man, aren't you, Sir Oswald? Excuse me, I thought I heard someone +at the door." + +The Superintendent's ears must have been very much sharper than anyone +else's. Nobody else had heard a sound, but Battle was proved right, for +Lady Coote stood outside, a medicine glass in her hand. + +"Your medicine, Oswald," she said, advancing into the room. "You forgot +it after breakfast." + +"I'm very busy, Maria," said Sir Oswald. "I don't want my medicine." + +"You would never take it if it wasn't for me," said his wife serenely, +advancing upon him. "You're just like a naughty little boy. Drink it up +now." + +And meekly, obediently, the great steel magnate drank it up! + +Lady Coote smiled sadly and sweetly at everyone. + +"Am I interrupting you? Are you very busy? Oh, look at those revolvers. +Nasty, noisy, murdering things. To think, Oswald, that you might have +been shot by the burglar last night." + +"You must have been alarmed when you found he was missing, Lady Coote," +said Battle. + +"I didn't think of it at first," confessed Lady Coote. "This poor boy +here"--she indicated Jimmy--"being shot--and everything so dreadful, +but so exciting. It wasn't till Mr. Bateman asked me where Sir Oswald +was that I remembered he'd gone out half an hour before for a stroll." + +"Sleepless, eh, Sir Oswald?" asked Battle. + +"I am usually an excellent sleeper," said Sir Oswald. "But I must +confess that last night I felt unusually restless. I thought the night +air would do me good." + +"You came out through this window, I suppose?" + +Was it his fancy, or did Sir Oswald hesitate for a moment before +replying. + +"Yes." + +"In your pumps too," said Lady Coote, "instead of putting thick shoes +on. What would you do without me to look after you?" + +She shook her head sadly. + +"I think, Maria, if you don't mind leaving us--we have still a lot to +discuss." + +"I know, dear, I'm just going." + +Lady Coote withdrew, carrying the empty medicine glass as though it +were a goblet out of which she had just administered a death potion. + +"Well, Battle," said George Lomax, "it all seems clear enough. Yes, +perfectly clear. The man fires a shot, disabling Mr. Thesiger, flings +away the weapon, runs along the terrace and down the gravel path." + +"Where he ought to have been caught by my men," put in Battle. + +"Your men, if I may say so, Battle, seem to have been singularly +remiss. They didn't see Miss Wade come in. If they could miss her +coming in, they could easily miss the thief going out." + +Superintendent Battle opened his mouth to speak, then seemed to think +better of it. Jimmy Thesiger looked at him curiously. He would have +given a lot to know just what was in Superintendent Battle's mind. + +"Must have been a champion runner," was all the Scotland Yard man +contented himself with saying. + +"How do you mean, Battle?" + +"Just what I say, Mr. Lomax. I was round the corner of the terrace +myself not fifty seconds after the shot was fired. And for a man to +run all that distance towards me and get round the corner of the path +before I appeared round the side of the house--well, as I say, he must +have been a champion runner." + +"I am at a loss to understand you, Battle. You have some idea of your +own which I have not yet--er--grasped. You say the man did not go +across the lawn and now you hint--What exactly do you hint? That the +man did not go down the path? Then in your opinion--er--where _did_ he +go?" + +For answer, Superintendent Battle jerked an eloquent thumb upwards. + +"Eh?" said George. + +The Superintendent jerked harder than ever. George raised his head and +looked at the ceiling. + +"Up there," said Battle. "Up the ivy again." + +"Nonsense, Superintendent. What you are suggesting is impossible." + +"Not at all impossible, sir. He'd done it once. He could do it twice." + +"I don't mean impossible in that sense. But if the man wanted to +escape, he'd never bolt back into the house." + +"Safest place for him, Mr. Lomax." + +"But Mr. O'Rourke's door was still locked on the inside when we came to +him." + +"And how did you get to him? Through Sir Stanley's room. That's the +way our man went. Lady Eileen tells me she saw the door knob of Mr. +O'Rourke's door move. That was when our friend was up there the first +time. I suspect the key was under Mr. O'Rourke's pillow. But his exit +is clear enough the second time--through the communicating door and +through Sir Stanley's room, which, of course, was empty. Like everyone +else, Sir Stanley is rushing downstairs to the library. Our man's got a +clear course." + +"And where did he go then?" + +Superintendent Battle shrugged his burly shoulders and became evasive. + +"Plenty of ways open. Into an empty room on the other side of the house +and down the ivy again--out through a side door--or, just possibly, if +it was an inside job, he--well, stayed in the house." + +George looked at him in shocked surprise. + +"Really, Battle, I should--I should feel it very deeply if one of +my servants--er--I have the most perfect reliance on them--it would +distress me very much to have to suspect--" + +"Nobody's asking you to suspect anyone, Mr. Lomax. I'm just putting all +the possibilities before you. The servants may be all right--probably +are." + +"You have disturbed me," said George. "You have disturbed me greatly." + +His eyes appeared more protuberant than ever. + +To distract him, Jimmy poked delicately at a curious blackened object +on the table. + +"What's this?" he asked. + +"That's exhibit Z," said Battle. "The last of our little lot. It is, or +rather it has been, a glove." + +He picked it up, the charred relic, and manipulated it with pride. + +"Where did you find it?" asked Sir Oswald. + +Battle jerked his head over his shoulder. + +"In the grate--nearly burnt, but not quite. Queer; looks as though it +had been chewed by a dog." + +"It might possibly be Miss Wade's," suggested Jimmy. "She has several +dogs." + +The Superintendent shook his head. + +"This isn't a lady's glove--no, not even the large kind of loose glove +ladies wear nowadays. Fit it on, sir, a moment." + +He adjusted the blackened object over Jimmy's hand. + +"You see--it's large even for you." + +"Do you attach importance to this discovery?" inquired Sir Oswald +coldly. + +"You never know, Sir Oswald, what's going to be important or what +isn't." + +There was a sharp tap at the door and Bundle entered. + +"I'm so sorry," she said apologetically, "but Father has just rung up. +He says I must come home because everybody is worrying him." + +She paused. + +"Yes, my dear Eileen?" said George encouragingly, perceiving that there +was more to come. + +"I wouldn't have interrupted you--only that I thought it might perhaps +have something to do with all this. You see, what has upset Father is +that one of our footmen is missing. He went out last night and hasn't +come back." + +"What is the man's name?" It was Sir Oswald who took up the +cross-examination. + +"John Bauer." + +"An Englishman?" + +"I believe he calls himself a Swiss--but I think he's a German. He +speaks English perfectly, though." + +"Ah!" Sir Oswald drew in his breath with a long, satisfied hiss. "And +he has been at Chimneys--how long?" + +"Just under a month." + +Sir Oswald turned to the other two. + +"Here is our missing man. You know, Lomax, as well as I do, that +several foreign Governments are after the thing. I remember the man +now perfectly--tall, well-drilled fellow. Came about a fortnight +before we left. A clever move. Any new servants here would be closely +scrutinized, but at Chimneys, five miles away--" He did not finish the +sentence. + +"You think the plan was laid so long beforehand?" + +"Why not? There are millions in that formula, Lomax. Doubtless Bauer +hoped to get access to my private papers at Chimneys, and to learn +something of forthcoming arrangements from them. It seems likely that +he may have had an accomplice in this house--someone who put him +wise to the lie of the land and who saw to the doping of O'Rourke. +But Bauer was the man Miss Wade saw climbing down the ivy--the big, +powerful man." + +He turned to Superintendent Battle. + +"Bauer was your man, Superintendent. And, somehow or other, you let him +slip through your fingers." + + + + + CHAPTER XXIV + + BUNDLE WONDERS + + +There was no doubt that Superintendent Battle was taken aback. He +fingered his chin thoughtfully. + +"Sir Oswald is right, Battle," said George. "This is the man. Any hope +of catching him?" + +"There may be, sir. It certainly looks--well, suspicious. Of course the +man may turn up again--at Chimneys, I mean." + +"Do you think it likely?" + +"No, it isn't," confessed Battle. "Yes, it certainly looks as though +Bauer were the man. But I can't quite see how he got in and out of +these grounds unobserved." + +"I have already told you my opinion of the men you posted," said +George. "Hopelessly inefficient--I don't want to blame you, +Superintendent, but--" His pause was eloquent. + +"Ah, well," said Battle lightly, "my shoulders are broad." + +He shook his head and sighed. + +"I must get to the telephone at once. Excuse me, gentlemen. I'm sorry, +Mr. Lomax--I feel I've rather bungled this business. But it's been +puzzling, more puzzling than you know." + +He strode hurriedly from the room. + +"Come into the garden," said Bundle to Jimmy. "I want to talk to you." + +They went out together through the window. Jimmy stared down at the +lawn, frowning. + +"What's the matter?" asked Bundle. + +Jimmy explained the circumstances of the pistol throwing. + +"I'm wondering," he ended, "what was in old Battle's mind when he got +Coote to throw the pistol. Something, I'll swear. Anyhow, it landed up +about ten yards farther than it should have done. You know, Bundle, +Battle's a deep one." + +"He's an extraordinary man," said Bundle. "I want to tell you about +last night." + +She retailed her conversation with the Superintendent. Jimmy listened +attentively. + +"So the Countess is No. 1," he said thoughtfully. "It all hangs +together very well. No. 2--Bauer--comes over from Chimneys. He climbs +up into O'Rourke's room, knowing that O'Rourke has had a sleeping +draught administered to him--by the Countess somehow or other. The +arrangement is that he is to throw down the papers to the Countess, who +will be waiting below. Then she'll nip back through the library and +up to her room. If Bauer's caught leaving the grounds, they'll find +nothing on him. Yes, it was a good plan--but it went wrong. No sooner +is the Countess in the library than she hears me coming and has to jump +behind the screen. Jolly awkward for her, because she can't warn her +accomplice. No. 2 pinches the papers, looks out of the window, sees, +as he thinks, the Countess waiting, pitches the papers down to her and +proceeds to climb down the ivy, where he finds a nasty surprise in the +shape of me waiting for him. Pretty nervy work for the Countess waiting +behind her screen. All things considered, she told a pretty good story. +Yes, it all hangs together very well." + +"Too well," said Bundle decidedly. + +"Eh?" said Jimmy, surprised. + +"What about No. 7--No. 7, who never appears, but lives in the +background. The Countess and Bauer? No, it's not so simple as that. +Bauer was here last night, yes. But he was only here in case things +went wrong--as they have done. His part is the part of scapegoat; to +draw all attention from No. 7--the boss." + +"I say, Bundle," said Jimmy anxiously, "you haven't been reading too +much sensational literature, have you?" + +Bundle threw him a glance of dignified reproach. + +"Well," said Jimmy, "I'm not yet like the Red Queen. I can't believe +six impossible things before breakfast." + +"It's after breakfast," said Bundle. + +"Or even after breakfast. We've got a perfectly good hypothesis which +fits the facts--and you won't have it at any price, simply because like +the old riddle, you want to make things more difficult." + +"I'm sorry," said Bundle, "but I cling passionately to a mysterious No. +7 being a member of the house-party." + +"What does Bill think?" + +"Bill," said Bundle coldly, "is impossible." + +"Oh!" said Jimmy. "I suppose you've told him about the Countess? +He ought to be warned. Heaven knows what he'll go blabbing about +otherwise." + +"He won't hear a word against her," said Bundle. "He's--oh, simply +idiotic. I wish you'd drive it home to him about that mole." + +"You forget I wasn't in the cupboard," said Jimmy. "And anyway I'd +rather not argue with Bill about his lady friend's mole. But surely he +can't be such an ass as not to see that everything fits in?" + +"He's every kind of ass," said Bundle bitterly. "You made the greatest +mistake, Jimmy, in ever telling him at all." + +"I'm sorry," said Jimmy. "I didn't see it at the time--but I do now. I +was a fool, but dash it all, old Bill--" + +"You know what foreign adventuresses are," said Bundle. "How they get +hold of one." + +"As a matter of fact, I don't," said Jimmy. "One has never tried to get +hold of me." And he sighed. + +For a moment or two there was silence. Jimmy was turning things over in +his mind. The more he thought about them, the more unsatisfactory they +seemed. + +"You say that Battle wants the Countess let alone," he said at last. + +"Yes." + +"The idea being that through her he will get at someone else?" + +Bundle nodded. + +Jimmy frowned deeply as he tried to see where this led. Clearly Battle +had some very definite idea in his mind. + +"Sir Stanley Digby went up to town early this morning, didn't he?" he +said. + +"Yes." + +"O'Rourke with him?" + +"Yes, I think so." + +"You don't think--no, that's impossible?" + +"What?" + +"That O'Rourke can be mixed up in this in any way?" + +"It's possible," said Bundle thoughtfully. "He's got what one calls a +very vivid personality. No, it wouldn't surprise me if--oh, to tell the +truth, nothing would surprise me! In fact, there's only one person I'm +really sure isn't No. 7." + +"Who's that?" + +"Superintendent Battle." + +"Oh! I thought you were going to say George Lomax." + +"Ssh, here he comes." + +George was, indeed, bearing down upon them in an unmistakable manner. +Jimmy made an excuse and slipped away. George sat down by Bundle. + +"My dear Eileen, must you really leave us?" + +"Well, Father seems to have got the wind up rather badly. I think I'd +better go home and hold his hand." + +"This little hand will indeed be comforting," said George, taking it +and pressing it playfully. "My dear Eileen, I understand your reasons +and I honour you for them. In these days of changed and unsettled +conditions--" + +"He's off," thought Bundle desperately. + +"--when family life is at a premium--all the old standards falling!--it +becomes our class to set an example--to show that we, at least, are +unaffected by modern conditions. They call us the Die Hards--I am proud +of the term--I repeat I am proud of the term! There are things that +_should_ die hard--dignity, beauty, modesty, the sanctity of family +life, filial respect--who dies if these shall live? As I was saying, +my dear Eileen, I envy you the privileges of your youth. Youth! What +a wonderful thing! What a wonderful word! And we do not appreciate it +until we grow to--er--maturer years. I confess, my dear child, that I +have in the past been disappointed by your levity. I see now it was but +the careless and charming levity of a child. I perceive now the serious +and earnest beauty of your mind. You will allow me, I hope, to help you +with your reading?" + +"Oh, thank you," said Bundle faintly. + +"And you must never be afraid of me again. I was shocked when Lady +Caterham told me that you stood in awe of me. I can assure you that I +am a very humdrum sort of person." + +The spectacle of George being modest struck Bundle spellbound. George +continued. + +"Never be shy with me, dear child. And do not be afraid of boring me. +It will be a great delight to me to--if I may say so--form your budding +mind. I will be your political mentor. We have never needed young women +of talent and charm in the Party more than we need them to-day. You +may well be destined to follow in the footsteps of your aunt, Lady +Caterham." + +This awful prospect knocked Bundle out completely. She could only stare +helplessly at George. This did not discourage him--on the contrary. His +main objection to women was that they talked too much. It was seldom +that he found what he considered a really good listener. He smiled +benignantly at Bundle. + +"The butterfly emerging from the chrysalis. A wonderful picture. I have +a very interesting work on political economy. I will look it out now, +and you can take it to Chimneys with you. When you have finished it, I +will discuss it with you. Do not hesitate to write to me if any point +puzzles you. I have many public duties, but by unsparing work I can +always make time for the affairs of my friends. I will look for the +book." + +He strode away. Bundle gazed after him with a dazed expression. She was +roused by the unexpected advent of Bill. + +"Look here," said Bill, "what the hell was Codders holding your hand +for?" + +"It wasn't my hand," said Bundle wildly. "It was my budding mind." + +"Don't be an ass, Bundle." + +"Sorry, Bill, but I'm a little worried. Do you remember saying that +Jimmy ran a grave risk coming down here?" + +"So he does," said Bill. "It's frightfully hard to escape from Codders +once he's got interested in you. Jimmy will be caught in the toils +before he knows where he is." + +"It's not Jimmy who's got caught--it's me," said Bundle wildly. "I +shall have to meet endless Mrs. Macattas, and read political economy +and discuss it with George, and heavens knows where it will end!" + +Bill whistled. + +"Poor old Bundle. Been laying it on a bit thick, haven't you?" + +"I must have done. Bill, I feel horribly entangled." + +"Never mind," said Bill consolingly. "George doesn't really believe +in women standing for Parliament, so you won't have to stand up on +platforms and talk a lot of junk, or kiss dirty babies in Bermondsey. +Come and have a cocktail. It's nearly lunch time." + +Bundle got up and walked by his side obediently. + +"And I do so hate politics," she murmured piteously. + +"Of course you do. So do all sensible people. It's only people like +Codders and Pongo who take them seriously and revel in them. But all +the same," said Bill, reverting suddenly to a former point, "you +oughtn't to let Codders hold your hand." + +"Why on earth not?" said Bundle. "He's known me all my life." + +"Well, I don't like it." + +"Virtuous William--Oh, I say, look at Superintendent Battle." + +They were just passing in through a side door. A cupboard-like +room opened out of the little hallway. In it were kept golf clubs, +tennis racquets, bowls and other features of country house life. +Superintendent Battle was conducting a minute examination of various +golf clubs. He looked up a little sheepishly at Bundle's exclamation. + +"Going to take up golf, Superintendent Battle?" + +"I might do worse, Lady Eileen. They say it's never too late to start. +And I've got one good quality that will tell at any game." + +"What's that?" asked Bill. + +"I don't know when I'm beaten. If everything goes wrong, I turn to and +start again!" + +And with a determined look on his face, Superintendent Battle came out +and joined them, shutting the door behind him. + + + + + CHAPTER XXV + + JIMMY LAYS HIS PLANS + + +Jimmy Thesiger was feeling depressed. Avoiding George, whom he +suspected of being ready to tackle him on serious subjects, he stole +quietly away after lunch. Proficient as he was in details of the Santa +Fé boundary dispute, he had no wish to stand an examination on it this +minute. + +Presently what he hoped would happen came to pass. Loraine Wade, also +unaccompanied, strolled down one of the shady garden paths. In a moment +Jimmy was by her side. They walked for some minutes in silence and then +Jimmy said tentatively: + +"Loraine?" + +"Yes?" + +"Look here, I'm a bad chap at putting things--but what about it? What's +wrong with getting a special license and being married and living +together happy ever afterwards?" + +Loraine displayed no embarrassment at this surprising proposal. Instead +she threw back her head and laughed frankly. + +"Don't laugh at a chap," said Jimmy reproachfully. + +"I can't help it. You were so funny." + +"Loraine--you are a little devil." + +"I'm not. I'm what's called a thoroughly nice girl." + +"Only to those who don't know you--who are taken in by your delusive +appearance of meekness and decorum." + +"I like your long words." + +"All out of cross-word puzzles." + +"So educative." + +"Loraine dear, don't beat about the bush. Will you or won't you!" + +Loraine's face sobered. It took on its characteristic appearance of +determination. Her small mouth hardened and her little chin shot out +aggressively. + +"No, Jimmy. Not while things are as they are at present--all +unfinished." + +"I know we haven't done what we set out to do," agreed Jimmy. "But all +the same--well, it's the end of a chapter. The papers are safe at the +Air Ministry. Virtue triumphant. And--for the moment--nothing doing." + +"So--let's get married?" said Loraine with a slight smile. + +"You've said it. Precisely the idea." + +But again Loraine shook her head. + +"No, Jimmy. Until this thing's rounded up--until we're safe--" + +"You think we're in danger?" + +"Don't you?" + +Jimmy's cherubic pink face clouded over. + +"You're right," he said at last. "If that extraordinary rigmarole of +Bundle's is true--and I suppose, incredible as it sounds, it must be +true--then we're not safe till we've settled with--No. 7!" + +"And the others?" + +"No--the others don't count. It's No. 7 with his own ways of working +that frightens me. Because I don't know who he is or where to look for +him." + +Loraine shivered. + +"I've been frightened," she said in a low voice. "Ever since Gerry's +death...." + +"You needn't be frightened. There's nothing for you to be frightened +about. You leave everything to me. I tell you, Loraine--_I'll get No. +7 yet_. Once we get him--well, I don't think there'll be much trouble +with the rest of the gang, whoever they are." + +"_If_ you get him--and suppose he gets you?" + +"Impossible," said Jimmy cheerfully. "I'm much too clever. Always have +a good opinion of yourself--that's my motto." + +"When I think of the things that might have happened last night--" +Loraine shivered. + +"Well, they didn't," said Jimmy. "We're both here, safe and +sound--though I must admit my arm is confoundedly painful." + +"Poor boy." + +"Oh, one must expect to suffer in a good cause. And what with my wounds +and my cheerful conversation, I've made a complete conquest of Lady +Coote." + +"Oh! Do you think that important?" + +"I've an idea it may come in useful." + +"You've got some plan in your mind, Jimmy. What is it?" + +"The young hero never tells his plans," said Jimmy firmly. "They mature +in the dark." + +"You are an idiot, Jimmy." + +"I know. I know. That's what everyone says. But I can assure you, +Loraine, there's a lot of brain-work going on underneath. Now what +about your plans? Got any?" + +"Bundle has suggested that I should go to Chimneys with her for a bit." + +"Excellent," said Jimmy approvingly. "Nothing could be better. I'd like +an eye kept on Bundle anyway. You never know what mad thing she won't +be up to next. She's so frightfully unexpected. And the worst of it is, +she's so astonishingly successful. I tell you, keeping Bundle out of +mischief is a whole-time job." + +"Bill ought to look after her," suggested Loraine. + +"Bill's pretty busy elsewhere." + +"Don't you believe it," said Loraine. + +"What? Not the Countess? But the lad's potty about her." + +Loraine continued to shake her head. + +"There's something there I don't quite understand. But it's not the +Countess with Bill--it's Bundle. Why, this morning Bill was talking to +me when Mr. Lomax came out and sat down by Bundle. He took her hand or +something, and Bill was off like--like a rocket." + +"What a curious taste some people have," observed Mr. Thesiger. "Fancy +anyone who was talking to you wanting to do anything else. But you +surprise me very much, Loraine. I thought our simple Bill was enmeshed +in the toils of the beautiful foreign adventuress. Bundle thinks so, I +know." + +"Bundle may," said Loraine, "but I tell you, Jimmy, it isn't so." + +"Then what's the big idea?" + +"Don't you think it possible that Bill is doing a bit of sleuthing on +his own?" + +"Bill? He hasn't got the brains." + +"I'm not so sure. When a simple, muscular person like Bill does set out +to be subtle, no one ever gives him credit for it." + +"And in consequence he can put in some good work. Yes, there's +something in that. But all the same I'd never have thought it of Bill. +He's doing the Countess's little woolly lamb to perfection. I think +you're wrong, you know, Loraine. The Countess is an extraordinarily +beautiful woman--not my type, of course," put in Mr. Thesiger +hastily--"and old Bill has always had a heart like an hotel." + +Loraine shook her head, unconvinced. + +"Well," said Jimmy, "have it your own way. We seem to have more or less +settled things. You go back with Bundle to Chimneys, and for Heavens' +sake keep her from poking about in that Seven Dials place again. +Heavens knows what will happen if she does." + +Loraine nodded. + +"And now," said Jimmy, "I think a few words with Lady Coote would be +advisable." + +Lady Coote was sitting on a garden seat doing wool-work. The subject +was a disconsolate and somewhat misshapen young woman weeping over an +urn. + +Lady Coote made room for Jimmy by her side, and he promptly, being a +tactful young man, admired her work. + +"Do you like it?" said Lady Coote, pleased. "It was begun by my Aunt +Selina the week before she died. Cancer of the liver, poor thing." + +"How beastly," said Jimmy. + +"And how is the arm?" + +"Oh, it's feeling quite all right. Bit of a nuisance and all that, you +know." + +"You'll have to be careful," said Lady Coote in a warning voice. "I've +known blood-poisoning set in--and in that case you might lose your arm +altogether." + +"Oh! I say, I hope not." + +"I'm only warning you," said Lady Coote. + +"Where are you hanging out now?" inquired Mr. Thesiger. "Town--or +where?" + +Considering that he knew the answer to his query perfectly well, he put +the question with a praiseworthy amount of ingenuousness. + +Lady Coote sighed heavily. + +"Sir Oswald has taken the Duke of Alton's place. Letherbury. You know +it, perhaps?" + +"Oh, rather. Topping place, isn't it?" + +"Oh, I don't know," said Lady Coote. "It's a very large place, and +gloomy, you know. Rows of picture galleries with such forbidding +looking people. What they call Old Masters are very depressing, I +think. You should have seen a little house we had in Yorkshire, Mr. +Thesiger. When Sir Oswald was plain Mr. Coote. Such a nice lounge hall +and a cheerful drawing-room with an ingle-nook--a white striped paper +with a frieze of wisteria I chose for it, I remember. Satin stripe, you +know, not moiré. Much better taste, I always think. The dining-room +faced northeast, so we didn't get much sun in it, but with a good +bright scarlet paper and a set of those comic hunting prints--why, it +was as cheerful as Christmas." + +In the excitement of these reminiscences, Lady Coote dropped several +little balls of wool, which Jimmy dutifully retrieved. + +"Thank you, my dear," said Lady Coote. "Now, what was I saying? +Oh!--about houses--yes, I do like a cheerful house. And choosing things +for it gives you an interest." + +"I suppose Sir Oswald will be buying a place of his own one of these +days," suggested Jimmy. "And then you can have it just as you like." + +Lady Coote shook her head sadly. + +"Sir Oswald talks of a firm doing it--and you know what that means." + +"Oh! But they'd consult you!" + +"It would be one of those grand places--all for the antique. They'd +look down on the things I call comfortable and homey. Not but that Sir +Oswald wasn't very comfortable and satisfied in his home always, and I +daresay his tastes are just the same underneath. But nothing will suit +him now but the best! He's got on wonderfully, and naturally he wants +something to show for it, but many's the time I wonder where it will +end." + +Jimmy looked sympathetic. + +"It's like a runaway horse," said Lady Coote. "Got the bit between its +teeth and away it goes. It's the same with Sir Oswald. He's got on, and +he's got on, till he can't stop getting on. He's one of the richest men +in England now--but does that satisfy him? No, he wants still more. +He wants to be--I don't know what he wants to be! I can tell you, it +frightens me sometimes!" + +"Like the Persian Johnny," said Jimmy, "who went about wailing for +fresh worlds to conquer." + +Lady Coote nodded acquiescence without much knowing what Jimmy was +talking about. + +"What I wonder is--will his stomach stand it?" she went on tearfully. +"To have him an invalid--with his ideas--oh, it won't bear thinking of." + +"He looks very hearty," said Jimmy, consolingly. + +"He's got something on his mind," said Lady Coote. "Worried, that's +what he is. _I_ know." + +"What's he worried about?" + +"I don't know. Perhaps something at the works. It's a great comfort +for him having Mr. Bateman. Such an earnest young man--and so +conscientious." + +"Marvellously conscientious," agreed Jimmy. + +"Oswald thinks a lot of Mr. Bateman's judgment. He says that Mr. +Bateman is always right." + +"That was one of his worst characteristics years ago," said Jimmy +feelingly. + +Lady Coote looked slightly puzzled. + +"That was an awfully jolly week-end I had with you at Chimneys," said +Jimmy. "I mean it would have been awfully jolly if it hadn't been for +poor old Gerry kicking the bucket. Jolly nice girls." + +"I find girls very perplexing," said Lady Coote. "Not romantic, you +know. Why, I embroidered some handkerchiefs for Sir Oswald with my own +hair when we were engaged." + +"Did you?" said Jimmy. "How marvellous. But I suppose girls haven't got +long enough hair to do that nowadays." + +"That's true," admitted Lady Coote. "But, oh, it shows in lots of +other ways. I remember when I was a girl, one of my--well, my young +men--picked up a handful of gravel, and a girl who was with me said at +once that he was treasuring it because my feet had trodden on it. Such +a pretty idea, I thought. Though it turned out afterwards that he was +taking a course of mineralogy--or do I mean geology?--at a technical +school. But I liked the idea--and stealing a girl's handkerchief and +treasuring it--all those sort of things." + +"Awkward if the girl wanted to blow her nose," said the practical Mr. +Thesiger. + +Lady Coote laid down her wool-work and looked searchingly but kindly at +him. + +"Come now," she said, "isn't there some nice girl that you fancy? That +you'd like to work and make a little home for?" + +Jimmy blushed and mumbled. + +"I thought you got on very well with one of those girls at Chimneys +that time--Vera Daventry." + +"Socks?" + +"They do call her that," admitted Lady Coote. "I can't think why. It +isn't pretty." + +"Oh, she's a topper," said Jimmy. "I'd like to meet her again." + +"She's coming down to stay with us next week-end." + +"Is she?" said Jimmy, trying to infuse a large amount of wistful +longing into the two words. + +"Yes. Would--would you like to come?"' + +"I _would_," said Jimmy heartily. "Thanks ever so much, Lady Coote." + +And reiterating fervent thanks, he left her. + +Sir Oswald presently joined his wife. + +"What has that young jackanapes been boring you about?" he demanded. "I +can't stand that young fellow." + +"He's a dear boy," said Lady Coote. "And so brave. Look how he got +wounded last night." + +"Yes, messing around where he'd no business to be." + +"I think you're very unfair, Oswald." + +"Never done an honest day's work in his life. A real waster if there +ever was one. He'd never get on if he had his way to make in the world." + +"You must have got your feet damp last night," said Lady Coote. "I hope +you won't get pneumonia. Freddie Richards died of it the other day. +Dear me, Oswald, it makes my blood run cold to think of you wandering +about with a dangerous burglar loose in the grounds. He might have shot +you. I've asked Mr. Thesiger down for next week-end, by the way." + +"Nonsense," said Sir Oswald. "I won't have that young man in my house, +do you hear, Maria?" + +"Why not?" + +"That's my business." + +"I'm so sorry, dear," said Lady Coote placidly. "I've asked him now, so +it can't be helped. Pick up that ball of pink wool, will you, Oswald?" + +Sir Oswald complied, his face black as thunder. He looked at his wife +and hesitated. Lady Coote was placidly threading her wool needle. + +"I particularly don't want Thesiger down next week-end," he said at +last. "I've heard a good deal about him from Bateman. He was at school +with him." + +"What did Mr. Bateman say?" + +"He'd no good to say of him. In fact, he warned me very seriously +against him." + +"He did, did he?" said Lady Coote thoughtfully. + +"And I have the highest respect for Bateman's judgment. I've never +known him wrong." + +"Dear me," said Lady Coote. "What a mess I seem to have made of things. +Of course, I should never have asked him if I had known. You should +have told me all this before, Oswald. It's too late now." + +She began to roll up her work very carefully. Sir Oswald looked at her, +made as if to speak, then shrugged his shoulders. He followed her into +the house. Lady Coote, walking ahead, wore a very faint smile on her +face. She was fond of her husband, but she was also fond--in a quiet, +unobtrusive, wholly womanly manner--of getting her own way. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVI + + MAINLY ABOUT GOLF + + +"That friend of yours is a nice girl, Bundle," said Lord Caterham. + +Loraine had been at Chimneys for nearly a week, and had earned the high +opinion of her host--mainly because of the charming readiness she had +shown to be instructed in the science of the mashie shot. + +Bored by his winter abroad, Lord Caterham had taken up golf. He was +an execrable player and in consequence was profoundly enthusiastic +over the game. He spent most of his mornings lofting mashie shots over +various shrubs and bushes--or, rather, essaying to loft them, hacking +large bits out of the velvety turf and generally reducing MacDonald to +despair. + +"We must lay out a little course," said Lord Caterham, addressing +a daisy. "A sporting little course. Now then, just watch this one, +Bundle. Off the right knee, slow back, keep the head still and use the +wrists." + +The ball, heavily topped, scudded across the lawn and disappeared into +the unfathomed depths of a great bank of rhododendrons. + +"Curious," said Lord Caterham. "What did I do then, I wonder? As I was +saying, Bundle, that friend of yours is a very nice girl. I really +think I am inducing her to take quite an interest in the game. She hit +some excellent shots this morning--really quite as good as I could do +myself." + +Lord Caterham took another careless swing and removed an immense chunk +of turf. MacDonald, who was passing, retrieved it and stamped it firmly +back. The look he gave Lord Caterham would have caused anyone but an +ardent golfer to sink through the earth. + +"If MacDonald has been guilty of cruelty to Cootes, which I strongly +suspect," said Bundle, "he's being punished now." + +"Why shouldn't I do as I like in my own garden?" demanded her father. +"MacDonald ought to be interested in the way my game is coming on--the +Scotch are a great golfing nation." + +"You poor old man," said Bundle. "You'll never be a golfer--but at any +rate it keeps you out of mischief." + +"Not at all," said Lord Caterham. "I did the long sixth in five the +other day. The pro was very surprised when I told him about it." + +"He would be," said Bundle. + +"Talking of Cootes, Sir Oswald plays a fair game--a very fair game. Not +a pretty style--too stiff. But straight down the middle every time. +But curious how the cloven hoof shows--won't give you a six-inch putt! +Makes you put it in every time. Now I don't like that." + +"I suppose he's a man who likes to be sure," said Bundle. + +"It's contrary to the spirit of the game," said her father. "And he's +not interested in the theory of the thing either. Says he just plays +for exercise and doesn't bother about style. Now, that secretary chap, +Bateman, is quite different. It's the theory interests him. I was +slicing badly with my spoon; and he said it all came from too much +right arm; and he evolved a very interesting theory. It's all left arm +in golf--the left arm is the arm that counts. He says he plays tennis +left handed but golf with ordinary clubs because there his superiority +with the left arm tells." + +"And did he play very marvellously?" inquired Bundle. + +"No, he didn't," confessed Lord Caterham. "But then he may have been +off his game. I see the theory all right and I think there's a lot in +it. Ah! Did you see that one, Bundle? Right over the rhododendrons. A +perfect shot. Ah! If one could be sure of doing that every time--Yes, +Tredwell, what is it?" + +Tredwell addressed Bundle. + +"Mr. Thesiger would like to speak to you on the telephone, my lady." + +Bundle set off at full speed for the house, yelling "Loraine, Loraine," +as she did so. Loraine joined her just as she was lifting the receiver. + +"Hallo, is that you, Jimmy?" + +"Hallo. How are you?" + +"Very fit, but a bit bored." + +"How's Loraine?" + +"She's all right. She's here. Do you want to speak to her?" + +"In a minute. I've got a lot to say. To begin with, I'm going down to +the Cootes' for the week-end," he said significantly. "Now, look here, +Bundle, you don't know how one gets hold of skeleton keys, do you?" + +"Haven't the foggiest. Is it really necessary to take skeleton keys to +the Cootes'?" + +"Well, I had a sort of idea they'd come in handy. You don't know the +sort of shop one gets them at?" + +"What you want is a kindly burglar friend to show you the ropes." + +"I do, Bundle, I do. And unfortunately, I haven't got one. I thought +perhaps your bright brain might grapple successfully with the problem. +But I suppose I shall have to fall back upon Stevens as usual. He'll be +getting some funny ideas in his head soon about me--first a blue-nosed +automatic--and now skeleton keys. He'll think I've joined the criminal +classes." + +"Jimmy?" said Bundle. + +"Yes?" + +"Look here--be careful, won't you? I mean if Sir Oswald finds you +nosing around with skeleton keys--well, I should think he could be very +unpleasant when he likes." + +"Young man of pleasing appearance in the dock! All right, I'll be +careful. Pongo's the fellow I'm really frightened of. He sneaks around +so on those flat feet of his. You never hear him coming. And he always +did have a genius for poking his nose in where he wasn't wanted. But +trust to the boy hero." + +"Well, I wish Loraine and I were going to be there to look after you." + +"Thank you, nurse. As a matter of fact, though, I have a scheme--" + +"Yes?" + +"Do you think you and Loraine might have a convenient car breakdown +near Letherbury to-morrow morning? It's not so very far from you, is +it?" + +"Forty miles. That's nothing." + +"I thought it wouldn't be--to you! Don't kill Loraine though. I'm +rather fond of Loraine. All right, then--somewhere round about quarter +to half-past twelve." + +"So that they invite us to lunch?" + +"That's the idea. I say, Bundle, I ran into that girl Socks yesterday +and what do you think--Terence O'Rourke is going to be down there this +week-end!" + +"Jimmy, do you think he--" + +"Well--suspect everyone, you know. That's what they say. He's a wild +lad, and daring as they make them. I wouldn't put it past him to run a +secret society. He and the Countess might be in this together. He was +out in Hungary last year." + +"But he could pinch the formula any time." + +"That's just what he couldn't. He'd have to do it under circumstances +where he couldn't be suspected. But the retreat up the ivy and into his +own bed--well, that would be rather neat. Now for instructions. After +a few polite nothings to Lady Coote, you and Loraine are to get hold +of Pongo and O'Rourke by hook or by crook and keep them occupied till +lunch time. See? It oughtn't to be difficult for a couple of beautiful +girls like you." + +"You're using the best butter, I see." + +"A plain statement of fact." + +"Well, at any rate, your instructions are duly noted. Do you want to +talk to Loraine now?" + +Bundle passed over the receiver and tactfully left the room. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVII + + NOCTURNAL ADVENTURE + + +Jimmy Thesiger arrived at Letherbury on a sunny autumn afternoon and +was greeted affectionately by Lady Coote and with cold dislike by Sir +Oswald. Aware of the keen match-making eye of Lady Coote upon him, +Jimmy took pains to make himself extremely agreeable to Socks Daventry. + +O'Rourke was there in excellent spirits. He was inclined to be +official and secretive about the mysterious events at the Abbey, about +which Socks catechized him freely, but his official reticence took a +novel form--namely that of embroidering the tale of events in such a +fantastic manner that nobody could possibly guess what the truth might +have been. + +"Four masked men with revolvers? Is that really so?" demanded Socks +severely. + +"Ah! I'm remembering now that there was the round half dozen of them to +hold me down and force the stuff down my throat. Sure, and I thought it +was poison, and I done for entirely." + +"And what was stolen, or what did they try and steal?" + +"What else but the crown jewels of Russia that were brought to Mr. +Lomax secretly to deposit in the Bank of England." + +"What a bloody liar you are," said Socks without emotion. + +"A liar? I? And the jewels brought over by aeroplane with my best +friend as pilot. This is secret history I'm telling you, Socks. Will +you ask Jimmy Thesiger there if you don't believe me. Not that I'd be +putting any trust in what he'd say." + +"Is it true," said Socks, "that George Lomax came down without his +false teeth? That's what I want to know." + +"There were two revolvers," said Lady Coote. "Nasty things. I saw them +myself. It's a wonder this poor boy wasn't killed." + +"Oh, I was born to be hanged," said Jimmy. + +"I hear that there was a Russian countess there of subtle beauty," said +Socks. "And that she vamped Bill." + +"Some of the things she said about Buda Pesth were too dreadful," +said Lady Coote. "I shall never forget them. Oswald, we must send a +subscription." + +Sir Oswald grunted. + +"I'll make a note of it, Lady Coote," said Rupert Bateman. + +"Thank you, Mr. Bateman. I feel one ought to do something as a thank +offering. I can't imagine how Sir Oswald escaped being shot--letting +alone die of pneumonia." + +"Don't be foolish, Maria," said Sir Oswald. + +"I've always had a horror of cat burglars," said Lady Coote. + +"Think of having the luck to meet one face to face. How thrilling!" +murmured Socks. + +"Don't you believe it," said Jimmy. "It's damned painful." And he +patted his right arm gingerly. + +"How is the poor arm?" inquired Lady Coote. + +"Oh, pretty well all right now. But it's been the most confounded +nuisance having to do everything with the left hand. I'm no good +whatever with it." + +"Every child should be brought up to be ambidextrous," said Sir Oswald. + +"Oh!" said Socks, somewhat out of her depth. "Is that like seals?" + +"Not amphibious," said Mr. Bateman. "Ambidextrous means using either +hand equally well." + +"Oh!" said Socks, looking at Sir Oswald with respect. "Can you?" + +"Certainly; I can write with either hand." + +"But not with both at once?" + +"That would not be practical," said Sir Oswald shortly. + +"No," said Socks thoughtfully. "I suppose that would be a bit too +subtle." + +"It would be a grand thing now in a Government department," observed +Mr. O'Rourke, "if one could keep the right hand from knowing what the +left hand was doing." + +"Can you use both hands?" + +"No, indeed. I'm the most right-handed person that ever was." + +"But you deal cards with your left hand," said the observant Bateman. +"I noticed the other night." + +"Oh, but that's different entirely," said Mr. O'Rourke easily. + +A gong with a sombre note pealed out and everyone went upstairs to +dress for dinner. + +After dinner Sir Oswald and Lady Coote, Mr. Bateman and Mr. O'Rourke +played bridge and Jimmy passed a flirtatious evening with Socks. The +last words Jimmy heard as he retreated up the staircase that night were +Sir Oswald saying to his wife: + +"You'll never make a bridge player, Maria." + +And her reply: + +"I know, dear. So you always say. You owe Mr. O'Rourke another pound, +Oswald. That's right." + +It was some two hours later that Jimmy crept noiselessly (or so he +hoped) down the stairs. He made one brief visit to the dining-room +and then found his way to Sir Oswald's study. There, after listening +intently for a minute or two, he set to work. Most of the drawers +of the desk were locked, but a curiously shaped bit of wire in +Jimmy's hand soon saw to that. One by one the drawers yielded to his +manipulations. + +Drawer by drawer he sorted through methodically, being careful to +replace everything in the same order. Once or twice he stopped +to listen, fancying he heard some distant sound. But he remained +undisturbed. + +The last drawer was looked through. Jimmy now knew--or could have +known had he been paying attention--many interesting details relating +to steel; but he had found nothing of what he wanted--a reference to +Herr Eberhard's invention or anything that could give him a clue to +the identity of the mysterious No. 7. He had, perhaps, hardly hoped +that he would. It was an off-chance and he had taken it--but he had not +expected much result--except by sheer luck. + +He tested the drawers to make sure that he had relocked them securely. +He knew Rupert Bateman's powers of minute observation and glanced round +the room to make sure that he had left no incriminating trace of his +presence. + +"That's that," he muttered to himself softly. "Nothing there. Well, +perhaps I'll have better luck to-morrow morning--if the girls only play +up." + +He came out of the study, closing the door behind him and locking it. +For a moment he thought he heard a sound quite near him, but decided he +had been mistaken. He felt his way noiselessly along the great hall. +Just enough light came from the high vaulted windows to enable him to +pick his way without stumbling into anything. + +Again he heard a soft sound--he heard it quite certainly this time and +without the possibility of making a mistake. He was not alone in the +hall. Somebody else was there, moving as stealthily as he was. His +heart beat suddenly very fast. + +With a sudden spring he jumped to the electric switch and turned on the +lights. The sudden glare made him blink--but he saw plainly enough. Not +four feet away stood Rupert Bateman. + +"My goodness, Pongo," cried Jimmy, "you did give me a start. Slinking +about like that in the dark." + +"I heard a noise," explained Mr. Bateman severely. "I thought burglars +had got in and I came down to see." + +Jimmy looked thoughtfully at Mr. Bateman's rubber-soled feet. + +"You think of everything, Pongo," he said genially. "Even a lethal +weapon." + +His eye rested on the bulge in the other's pocket. + +"It's as well to be armed. One never knows whom one may meet." + +"I am glad you didn't shoot," said Jimmy. "I'm a bit tired of being +shot at." + +"I might easily have done so," said Mr. Bateman. + +"It would be dead against the law if you did," said Jimmy. "You've got +to make quite sure the beggar's house-breaking, you know, before you +pot at him. You mustn't jump to conclusions. Otherwise you'd have to +explain why you shot a guest on a perfectly innocent errand like mine." + +"By the way, what did you come down for?" + +"I was hungry," said Jimmy. "I rather fancied a dry biscuit." + +"There are some biscuits in a tin by your bed," said Rupert Bateman. + +He was staring at Jimmy very intently through his horn-rimmed +spectacles. + +"Ah! That's where the staff work has gone wrong, old boy. There's a +tin there with 'Biscuits for Starving Visitors' on it. But when the +starving visitor opened it--nothing inside. So I just toddled down to +the dining-room." + +And with a sweet, ingenuous smile, Jimmy produced from his +dressing-gown pocket a handful of biscuits. + +There was a moment's pause. + +"And now I think I'll toddle back to bed," said Jimmy. "Night-night, +Pongo." + +With an affectation of nonchalance, he mounted the staircase. Rupert +Bateman followed him. At the doorway of his room, Jimmy paused as if to +say good-night once more. + +"It's an extraordinary thing about these biscuits," said Mr. Bateman. +"Do you mind if I just--" + +"Certainly, laddie, look for yourself." + +Mr. Bateman strode across the room, opened the biscuit box and stared +at its emptiness. + +"Very remiss," he murmured. "Well, good-night." + +He withdrew. Jimmy sat on the edge of his bed listening for a minute. + +"That was a narrow shave," he murmured to himself. "Suspicious sort of +chap, Pongo. Never seems to sleep. Nasty habit of his prowling around +with a revolver." + +He got up and opened one of the drawers of the dressing-table. Beneath +an assortment of ties lay a pile of biscuits. + +"There's nothing for it," said Jimmy. "I shall have to eat all the +damned things. Ten to one, Pongo will come prowling round in the +morning." + +With a sigh, he settled down to a meal of biscuits for which he had no +inclination whatever. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVIII + + SUSPICIONS + + +It was just on the appointed hour of twelve o'clock that Bundle and +Loraine entered the park gates, having left the Hispano at an adjacent +garage. + +Lady Coote greeted the two girls with surprise, but distinct pleasure, +and immediately pressed them to stay to lunch. + +O'Rourke, who had been reclining in an immense arm-chair, began at once +to talk with great animation to Loraine, who was listening with half an +ear to Bundle's highly technical explanation of the mechanical troubles +which had affected the Hispano. + +"And we said," ended Bundle, "how marvellous that the brute should have +broken down just here! Last time it happened was on a Sunday at a place +called Little Spedlington under the Hill. And it lived up to its name, +I can tell you." + +"That would be a grand name on the films," remarked O'Rourke. + +"Birthplace of the simple country maiden," suggested Socks. + +"I wonder now," said Lady Coote, "where Mr. Thesiger is?" + +"He's in the billiard-room, I think," said Socks. "I'll fetch him." + +She went off, but had hardly gone a minute when Rupert Bateman appeared +on the scene, with the harassed and serious air usual with him. + +"Yes, Lady Coote? Thesiger said you were asking for me. How do you do, +Lady Eileen--" + +He broke off to greet the two girls, and Loraine immediately took the +field. + +"Oh, Mr. Bateman! I've been wanting to see you. Wasn't it you who was +telling me what to do for a dog when he is continually getting sore +paws?" + +The secretary shook his head. + +"It must have been someone else, Miss Wade. Though, as a matter of +fact, I do happen to know--" + +"What a wonderful young man you are," interrupted Loraine. "You know +about everything." + +"One should keep abreast of modern knowledge," said Mr. Bateman +seriously. "Now about your dog's paws--" + +Terence O'Rourke murmured _sotto voce_ to Bundle: + +"'Tis a man like that that writes all those little paragraphs in +the weekly papers. 'It is not generally known that to keep a brass +fender uniformly bright,' etc.; 'The dorper beetle is one of the most +interesting characters in the insect world'; 'The marriage customs of +the Fingalese Indians,' and so on." + +"General information, in fact." + +"And what more horrible two words could you have?" said Mr. O'Rourke, +and added piously: "Thank the Heavens above I'm an educated man and +know nothing whatever upon any subject at all." + +"I see you've got clock golf here," said Bundle to Lady Coote. + +"I'll take you on at it, Lady Eileen," said O'Rourke. + +"Let's challenge those two," said Bundle. "Loraine, Mr. O'Rourke and I +want to take you and Mr. Bateman on at clock golf." + +"Do play, Mr. Bateman," said Lady Coote, as the secretary showed a +momentary hesitation. "I'm sure Sir Oswald doesn't want you." + +The four went out on the lawn. + +"Very cleverly managed, what?" whispered Bundle to Loraine. +"Congratulations on our girlish tact." + +The round ended just before one o'clock, victory going to Bateman and +Loraine. + +"But I think you'll agree with me, partner," said Mr. O'Rourke, "that +we played a more sporting game." + +He lagged a little behind with Bundle. + +"Old Pongo's a cautious player--he takes no risks. Now, with me it's +neck or nothing. And a fine motto through life, don't you agree, Lady +Eileen?" + +"Hasn't it ever landed you in trouble?" asked Bundle, laughing. + +"To be sure it has. Millions of times. But I'm still going strong. +Sure, it'll take the hangman's noose to defeat Terence O'Rourke." + +Just then Jimmy Thesiger strolled round the corner of the house. + +"Bundle, by all that's wonderful!" he exclaimed. + +"You've missed competing in the Autumn Meeting," said O'Rourke. + +"I'd gone for a stroll," said Jimmy. "Where did these girls drop from?" + +"We came on our flat feet," said Bundle. "The Hispano let us down." + +And she narrated the circumstances of the breakdown. + +Jimmy listened with sympathetic attention. + +"Hard luck," he vouchsafed. "If it's going to take some time, I'll run +you back in my car after lunch." + +A gong sounded at that moment and they all went in. Bundle observed +Jimmy covertly. She thought she had noticed an unusual note of +exultance in his voice. She had the feeling that things had gone well. + +After lunch they took a polite leave of Lady Coote, and Jimmy +volunteered to run them down to the garage in his car. As soon as they +had started the same word burst simultaneously from both girls' lips: + +"Well?" + +Jimmy chose to be provoking. + +"Well?" + +"Oh, pretty hearty, thanks. Slight indigestion owing to over indulgence +in dry biscuits." + +"But what has happened?" + +"I tell you. Devotion to the cause made me eat too many dry biscuits. +But did our hero flinch? No, he did not." + +"Oh, Jimmy," said Loraine reproachfully, and he softened. + +"What do you really want to know?" + +"Oh, everything. Didn't we do it well? I mean, the way we kept Pongo +and Terence O'Rourke in play." + +"I congratulate you on the handling of Pongo. O'Rourke was probably a +sitter--but Pongo is made of other stuff. There's only one word for +that lad--it was in the _Sunday Newsbag_ cross-word last week. Word +of ten letters meaning everywhere at once. Ubiquitous. That describes +Pongo down to the ground. You can't go anywhere without running into +him--and the worst of it is you never hear him coming." + +"You think he's dangerous?" + +"Dangerous? Of course he's not dangerous. Fancy Pongo being dangerous. +He's an ass. But, as I said just now, he's an ubiquitous ass. He +doesn't even seem to need sleep like ordinary mortals. In fact, to put +it bluntly, the fellow's a damned nuisance." + +And, in a somewhat aggrieved manner, Jimmy described the events of the +previous evening. + +Bundle was not very sympathetic. + +"I don't know what you think you're doing anyway, mouching round here." + +"No. 7," said Jimmy crisply. "That's what I'm after. No. 7." + +"And you think you'll find him in this house?" + +"I thought I might find a clue." + +"And you didn't?" + +"Not last night--no." + +"But this morning," said Loraine, breaking in suddenly. "Jimmy, you did +find something this morning. I can see it by your face." + +"Well, I don't know if it is anything. But during the course of my +stroll--" + +"Which stroll didn't take you far from the house, I imagine." + +"Strangely enough, it didn't. Round trip in the interior, we might +call it. Well, as I say, I don't know whether there's anything in it or +not. But I found this." + +With the celerity of a conjuror he produced a small bottle and tossed +it over to the girls. It was half full of a white powder. + +"What do you think it is?" asked Bundle. + +"A white crystalline powder, that's what it is," said Jimmy. "And to +any reader of detective fiction those words are both familiar and +suggestive. Of course, if it turns out to be a new kind of patent +tooth-powder, I shall be chagrined and annoyed." + +"Where did you find it?" asked Bundle sharply. + +"Ah!" said Jimmy, "that's my secret." + +And from that point he would not budge in spite of cajolery and insult. + +"Here we are at the garage," he said. "Let's hope the high-mettled +Hispano has not been subjected to any indignities." + +The gentleman at the garage presented a bill for five shillings and +made a few vague remarks about loose nuts. Bundle paid him with a sweet +smile. + +"It's nice to know we all get money for nothing sometimes," she +murmured to Jimmy. + +The three stood together in the road, silent for the moment as they +each pondered the situation. + +"I know," said Bundle suddenly. + +"Know what?" + +"Something I meant to ask you--and nearly forgot. Do you remember that +glove that Superintendent Battle found--the half-burnt one?" + +"Yes." + +"Didn't you say that he tried it on your hand?" + +"Yes--it was a shade big. That fits in with the idea of its being a +big, hefty man who wore it." + +"That's not at all what I'm bothering about. Never mind the size of it. +George and Sir Oswald were both there too, weren't they?" + +"Yes." + +"He could have given it to either of them to fit on?" + +"Yes, of course--" + +"But he didn't. He chose you. Jimmy, don't you see what that means?" + +Mr. Thesiger stared at her. + +"I'm sorry, Bundle. Possibly the jolly old brain isn't functioning as +well as usual, but I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking +about." + +"Don't you see, Loraine?" + +Loraine looked at her curiously, but shook her head. "Does it mean +anything in particular?" + +"Of course it does. Don't you see--Jimmy had his right hand in a sling." + +"By Jove, Bundle," said Jimmy slowly. "It was rather odd now I come to +think of it; it's being a left hand glove, I mean. Battle never said +anything." + +"He wasn't going to draw attention to it. By trying it on you it might +pass without notice being drawn to it, and he talked about the size +just to put everybody off. But surely it must mean that the man who +shot at you held the pistol in his _left_ hand." + +"So we've got to look for a left-handed man," said Loraine thoughtfully. + +"Yes, and I'll tell you another thing. That was what Battle was doing +looking through the golf clubs. He was looking for a left-handed man's." + +"By Jove," said Jimmy suddenly. + +"What is it?" + +"Well, I don't suppose there's anything in it, but it's rather curious." + +He retailed the conversation at tea the day before. + +"So Sir Oswald Coote is ambidextrous?" said Bundle. + +"Yes. And I remember now on that night at Chimneys--you know, the +night Gerry Wade died--I was watching the bridge and thinking idly how +awkwardly someone was dealing--and then realizing that it was because +they were dealing with the left hand. Of course, it must have been Sir +Oswald." + +They all three looked at each other. Loraine shook her head. + +"A man like Sir Oswald Coote! It's impossible. What could he have to +gain by it?" + +"It seems absurd," said Jimmy. "And yet--" + +"No. 7 has his own ways of working," quoted Bundle softly. "Supposing +this is the way Sir Oswald has really made his fortune?" + +"But why stage all that comedy at the Abbey when he'd had the formula +at his own works." + +"There might be ways of explaining that," said Loraine. "The same line +of argument you used about Mr. O'Rourke. Suspicion had to be diverted +from him and placed in another quarter." + +Bundle nodded eagerly. + +"It all fits in. Suspicion is to fall on Bauer and the Countess. Who on +earth would ever dream of suspecting Sir Oswald Coote?" + +"I wonder if Battle does," said Jimmy slowly. + +Some chord of memory vibrated in Bundle's mind. _Superintendent Battle +plucking an ivy leaf off the millionaire's coat._ + +Had Battle suspected all the time? + + + + + CHAPTER XXIX + + SINGULAR BEHAVIOUR OF GEORGE LOMAX + + +"Mr. Lomax is here, my lord." + +Lord Caterham started violently, for, absorbed in the intricacies +of what not to do with the left wrist, he had not heard the butler +approach over the soft turf. He looked at Tredwell more in sorrow than +in anger. + +"I told you at breakfast, Tredwell, that I should be particularly +engaged this morning." + +"Yes, my lord, but--" + +"Go and tell Mr. Lomax that you have made a mistake, that I am out in +the village, that I am laid up with the gout, or, if all else fails, +that I am dead." + +"Mr. Lomax, my lord, has already caught sight of your lordship when +driving up the drive." + +Lord Caterham sighed deeply. + +"He would. Very well, Tredwell, I am coming." In a manner highly +characteristic, Lord Caterham was always most genial when his feelings +were in reality the reverse. He greeted George now with a heartiness +quite unparalleled. + +"My dear fellow, my dear fellow. Delighted to see you. Absolutely +delighted. Sit down. Have a drink. Well, well, this is splendid!" + +And having pushed George into a large arm-chair, he sat down opposite +him and blinked nervously. + +"I wanted to see you very particularly," said George. + +"Oh!" said Lord Caterham faintly, and his heart sank, whilst his mind +raced actively over all the dread possibilities that might lie behind +that simple phrase. + +"_Very_ particularly," said George with heavy emphasis. + +Lord Caterham's heart sank lower than ever. He felt that something was +coming worse than anything he had yet thought of. + +"Yes?" he said, with a courageous attempt at nonchalance. + +"Is Eileen at home?" + +Lord Caterham felt reprieved, but slightly surprised. + +"Yes, yes," he said. "Bundle's here. Got that friend of hers with +her--the little Wade girl. Very nice girl--_very_ nice girl. Going to +be quite a good golfer one day. Nice easy swing--" + +He was chatting garrulously on when George interrupted with +ruthlessness: + +"I am glad Eileen is at home. Perhaps I might have an interview with +her presently?" + +"Certainly, my dear fellow, certainly." Lord Caterham still felt very +surprised, but was still enjoying the sensation of reprieve. "If it +doesn't bore you." + +"Nothing could bore me less," said George. "I think, Caterham, if I may +say so, that you hardly appreciate the fact that Eileen is grown up. +She is no longer a child. She is a woman, and if I may say so, a very +charming and talented woman. The man who succeeds in winning her love +will be extremely lucky. I repeat it--extremely lucky." + +"Oh, I daresay," said Lord Caterham. "But she's very restless, you +know. Never content to be in one place for more than two minutes +together. However, I daresay young fellows don't mind that nowadays." + +"You mean that she is not content to stagnate. Eileen has brains, +Caterham; she is ambitious. She interests herself in the questions of +the day, and brings her fresh and vivid young intellect to bear upon +them." + +Lord Caterham stared at him. It occurred to him that what was so often +referred to as "the strain of modern life," had begun to tell upon +George. Certainly his description of Bundle seemed to Lord Caterham +ludicrously unlike. + +"Are you sure you are feeling quite well?" he asked anxiously. + +George waved the inquiry aside impatiently. + +"Perhaps, Caterham, you begin to have some inkling of my purpose +in visiting you this morning. I am not a man to undertake fresh +responsibilities lightly. I have a proper sense, I hope, of what is due +to the position I hold. I have given this matter my deep and earnest +consideration. Marriage, especially at my age, is not to be undertaken +without full--er--consideration. Equality of birth, similarity of +tastes, general suitability, and the same religious creed--all these +things are necessary and the pros and cons have to be weighed and +considered. I can, I think, offer my wife a position in society that +is not to be despised. Eileen will grace that position admirably. By +birth and breeding she is fitted for it, and her brains and her acute +political sense cannot but further my career to our mutual advantage. +I am aware, Caterham, that there is--er--some disparity in years. But +I can assure you that I feel full of vigour--in my prime. The balance +of years should be on the husband's side. And Eileen has serious +tastes--an older man will suit her better than some young jackanapes +without either experience or _savoir-faire_. I can assure you, my dear +Caterham, that I will cherish her--er--exquisite youth; I will cherish +it--er--it will be appreciated. To watch the exquisite flower of her +mind unfolding--what a privilege! And to think that I never realized--" + +He shook his head deprecatingly and Lord Caterham, finding his voice +with difficulty, said blankly: + +"Do I understand you to mean--ah, my dear fellow, you can't want to +marry Bundle?" + +"You are surprised. I suppose to you it seems sudden. I have your +permission, then, to speak to her?" + +"Oh, yes," said Lord Caterham. "If it's permission you want--of course +you can. But you know, Lomax, I really shouldn't if I were you. Just go +home and think it over like a good fellow. Count twenty. All that sort +of thing. Always a pity to propose and make a fool of yourself." + +"I daresay you mean your advice kindly, Caterham, though I must confess +that you put it somewhat strangely. But I have made up my mind to put +my fortune to the test. I may see Eileen?" + +"Oh, it's nothing to do with me," said Lord Caterham hastily; "Eileen +settles her own affairs. If she came to me to-morrow and said she was +going to marry the chauffeur, I shouldn't make any objections. It's the +only way nowadays. Your children can make life damned unpleasant if you +don't give in to them in every way. I say to Bundle, 'Do as you like, +but don't worry me,' and really, on the whole, she is amazingly good +about it." + +George stood up, intent upon his purpose. + +"Where shall I find her?" + +"Well, really, I don't know," said Lord Caterham vaguely. "She might be +anywhere. As I told you just now, she's never in the same place for two +minutes together. No repose." + +"And I suppose Miss Wade will be with her? It seems to me, Caterham, +that the best plan would be for you to ring the bell and ask your +butler to find her, saying that I wish to speak to her for a few +minutes." + +Lord Caterham pressed the bell obediently. + +"Oh, Tredwell," he said, when the bell was answered, "just find her +ladyship, will you? Tell her Mr. Lomax is anxious to speak to her in +the drawing-room." + +"Yes, my lord." + +Tredwell withdrew. George seized Lord Caterham's hand and wrung it +warmly, much to the latter's discomfort. + +"A thousand thanks," he said. "I hope soon to bring you good news." + +He hastened from the room. + +"Well," said Lord Caterham. "Well!" + +And after a long pause: + +"What _has_ Bundle been up to?" + +The door opened again. + +"Mr. Eversleigh, my lord." + +As Bill hastened in, Lord Caterham caught his hand and spoke earnestly. + +"Hullo, Bill. You're looking for Lomax, I suppose? Look here, if you +want to do a good turn, hurry into the drawing-room and tell him the +Cabinet have called an immediate meeting, or get him away somehow. It's +really not fair to let the poor devil make an ass of himself all for +some silly girl's prank." + +"I've not come for Codders," said Bill. "Didn't know he was here. It's +Bundle I want to see. Is she anywhere about?" + +"You can't see her," said Lord Caterham. "Not just now, at any rate. +George is with her." + +"Well--what does it matter?" + +"I think it does rather," said Lord Caterham. "He's probably +spluttering horribly at this minute, and we mustn't do anything to make +it worse for him." + +"But what is he saying?" + +"Heavens knows," said Lord Caterham. "A lot of damned nonsense, +anyway. Never say too much, that was always my motto. Grab the girl's +hand and let events take their course." + +Bill stared at him. + +"But look here, sir, I'm in a hurry. I must talk to Bundle--" + +"Well, I don't suppose you'll have to wait long. I must confess I'm +rather glad to have you here with me--I suppose Lomax will insist on +coming back and talking to me when it's all over." + +"When what's all over? What is Lomax supposed to be doing?" + +"Hush," said Lord Caterham. "He's proposing." + +"Proposing? Proposing what?" + +"Marriage. To Bundle. Don't ask me why. I suppose he's come to what +they call the dangerous age. I can't explain it any other way." + +"Proposing to Bundle? The dirty swine. At his age." + +Bill's face grew crimson. + +"He says he's in the prime of life," said Lord Caterham cautiously. + +"He? Why, he's decrepit--senile! I--" Bill positively choked. + +"Not at all," said Lord Caterham coldly. "He's five years younger than +I am." + +"Of all the damned cheek! Codders and Bundle! A girl like Bundle! You +oughtn't to have allowed it." + +"I never interfere," said Lord Caterham. + +"You ought to have told him what you thought of him." + +"Unfortunately modern civilization rules that out," said Lord Caterham +regretfully. "In the Stone Age now--but, dear me, I suppose even then I +shouldn't be able to do it--being a small man." + +"Bundle! Bundle! Why, I've never dared to ask Bundle to marry me +because I knew she'd only laugh. And George--a disgusting wind-bag, an +unscrupulous, hypocritical old hot-air merchant--a foul, poisonous self +advertiser--" + +"Go on," said Lord Caterham. "I'm enjoying this." + +"My God!" said Bill simply and with feeling. "Look here, I must be off." + +"No, no, don't go. I'd much rather you stayed. Besides, you want to see +Bundle." + +"Not now. This has driven everything else out of my head. You don't +know where Jimmy Thesiger is by any chance? I believe he was staying +with the Cootes. Is he there still?" + +"I think he went back to town yesterday. Bundle and Loraine were over +there on Saturday. If you'll only wait--" + +But Bill shook his head energetically and rushed from the room. Lord +Caterham tiptoed out into the hall, seized a hat and made a hurried +exit by the side door. In the distance he observed Bill streaking down +the drive in his car. + +"That young man will have an accident," he thought. + +Bill, however, reached London without any mischance, and proceeded to +park his car in St. James's Square. Then he sought out Jimmy Thesiger's +rooms. Jimmy was at home. + +"Hullo, Bill. I say, what's the matter? You don't look your usual +bright little self." + +"I'm worried," said Bill. "I was worried anyway, and then something +else turned up and gave me a jolt." + +"Oh!" said Jimmy. "How lucid. What's it all about? Can I do anything?" + +Bill did not reply. He sat staring at the carpet and looking so puzzled +and uncomfortable that Jimmy felt his curiosity aroused. + +"Has anything very extraordinary occurred, William?" he asked gently. + +"Something damned odd. I can't make head or tail of it." + +"The Seven Dials business?" + +"Yes--the Seven Dials business. I got a letter this morning." + +"A letter? What sort of a letter?" + +"A letter from Ronny Devereux's executors." + +"Good Lord! After all this time!" + +"It seems he left instructions. If he was to die suddenly, a certain +sealed envelope was to be sent to me exactly a fortnight after his +death." + +"And they've sent it to you?" + +"Yes." + +"You've opened it?" + +"Yes." + +"Well--what did it say?" + +Bill turned a glance upon him, such a strange and uncertain one that +Jimmy was startled. + +"Look here," he said. "Pull yourself together, old man. It seems to +have knocked the wind out of you, whatever it is. Have a drink." + +He poured out a stiff whisky and soda and brought it over to Bill, who +took it obediently. His face still bore the same dazed expression. + +"It's what's in the letter," he said. "I simply can't believe it, +that's all." + +"Oh, nonsense," said Jimmy. "You must get into the habit of believing +six impossible things before breakfast. I do it regularly. Now then, +let's hear all about it. Wait a minute." + +He went outside. + +"Stevens?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Just go out and get me some cigarettes, will you? I've run out." + +"Very good, sir." + +Jimmy waited till he heard the front door close. Then he came back into +the sitting-room. Bill was just in the act of setting down his empty +glass. He looked better, more purposeful and more master of himself. + +"Now then," said Jimmy. "I've sent Stevens out so that we can't be +overheard. Are you going to tell me all about it?" + +"It's so incredible." + +"Then it's sure to be true. Come on, out with it." + +Bill drew a deep breath. + +"I will. I'll tell you everything." + + + + + CHAPTER XXX + + AN URGENT SUMMONS + + +Loraine, playing with a small and delectable puppy, was somewhat +surprised when Bundle rejoined her after an absence of twenty minutes, +in a breathless state and with an indescribable expression on her face. + +"Whoof," said Bundle, sinking on to a garden seat. "Whoof." + +"What's the matter?" asked Loraine, looking at her curiously. + +"George is the matter--George Lomax." + +"What's he been doing?" + +"Proposing to me. It was awful. He spluttered and he stuttered, but +he would go through with it--he must have learnt it out of a book, I +think. There was no stopping him. Oh, how I hate men who splutter! And, +unfortunately, I didn't know the reply." + +"You must have known what you wanted to do." + +"Naturally I'm not going to marry an apoplectic idiot like George. What +I mean is, I didn't know the correct reply from the book of etiquette. +I could only just say flatly: 'No, I won't.' What I ought to have said +was something about being very sensible of the honour he had done me +and so on and so on. But I got so rattled that in the end I jumped out +of the window and bolted." + +"Really, Bundle, that's not like you." + +"Well, I never dreamt of such a thing happening. George--who I always +thought hated me--and he did too. What a fatal thing it is to pretend +to take an interest in a man's pet subject. You should have heard the +drivel George talked about my girlish mind and the pleasure it would be +to form it. My mind! If George knew one quarter of what was going on in +my mind, he'd faint with horror!" + +Loraine laughed. She couldn't help it. + +"Oh, I know it's my own fault. I let myself in for this. There's Father +dodging round that rhododendron. Hallo Father." + +Lord Caterham approached with a hangdog expression. + +"Lomax gone, eh?" he remarked with somewhat forced geniality. + +"A nice business you let me in for," said Bundle. "George told me he +had your full approval and sanction." + +"Well," said Lord Caterham, "what did you expect me to say? As a matter +of fact, I didn't say that at all, or anything like it." + +"I didn't really think so," said Bundle. "I assumed that George had +talked you into a corner and reduced you to such a state that you could +only nod your head feebly." + +"That's very much what happened. How did he take it? Badly?" + +"I didn't wait to see," said Bundle. "I'm afraid I was rather abrupt." + +"Oh, well," said Lord Caterham, "perhaps that was the best way. Thank +goodness in the future Lomax won't always be running over as he has +been in the habit of doing, worrying me about things. Everything is for +the best they say. Have you seen my jigger anywhere?" + +"A mashie shot or two would steady my nerves, I think," said Bundle. +"I'll take you on for sixpence, Loraine." + +An hour passed very peacefully. The three returned to the house in a +harmonious spirit. A note lay on the hall table. + +"Mr. Lomax left that for you, my lord," explained Tredwell. "He was +much disappointed to find that you had gone out." + +Lord Caterham tore it open. He uttered a pained ejaculation and turned +upon his daughter. Tredwell had retired. + +"Really, Bundle, you might have made yourself clear, I think." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Well, read this." + +Bundle took it and read: + + "MY DEAR CATERHAM-- + + "I am sorry not to have had a word with you. I thought I made + it clear that I wanted to see you again after my interview with + Eileen. She, dear child, was evidently quite unaware of the + feelings I entertained towards her. She was, I am afraid, much + startled. I have no wish to hurry her in any way. Her girlish + confusion was very charming, and I entertain an even higher regard + for her, as I much appreciate her maidenly reserve. I must give her + time to become accustomed to the idea. Her very confusion shows + that she is not wholly indifferent to me and I have no doubts of my + ultimate success. + + "Believe me, dear Caterham, + "Your sincere friend, + "GEORGE LOMAX." + +"Well," said Bundle. "Well, I'm damned!" + +Words failed her. + +"The man must be mad," said Lord Caterham. "No one could write those +things about you, Bundle, unless they were slightly touched in the +head. Poor chap, poor chap. But what persistence! I don't wonder he +got into the Cabinet. It would serve him right if you did marry him, +Bundle." + +The telephone rang and Bundle moved forward to answer it. In another +minute George and his proposal were forgotten, and she was beckoning +eagerly to Loraine. Lord Caterham went off to his own sanctum. + +"It's Jimmy," said Bundle. "And he's tremendously excited about +something." + +"Thank goodness I've caught you," said Jimmy's voice. "There's no time +to be lost. Loraine's there, too?" + +"Yes, she's here." + +"Well, look here, I haven't got time to explain everything--in fact, I +can't through the telephone. But Bill has been round to see me with the +most amazing story you ever heard. If it's true--well, if it's true, +it's the biggest scoop of the century. Now, look here, this is what +you've got to do. Come up to town at once, both of you. Garage the car +somewhere and go straight to the Seven Dials Club. Do you think that +when you get there you can get rid of that footman fellow?" + +"Alfred? Rather. You leave that to me." + +"Good. Get rid of him and watch out for me and Bill. Don't show +yourselves at the windows, but when we drive up, let us in at once. +See?" + +"Yes." + +"That's all right then. Oh, Bundle, don't let on that you're going up +to town. Make some other excuse. Say you're taking Loraine home. How +would that do?" + +"Splendidly. I say, Jimmy, I'm thrilled to the core." + +"And you might as well make your will before starting." + +"Better and better. But I wish I knew what it was all about." + +"You will as soon as we meet. I'll tell you this much. We're going to +get ready the hell of a surprise for No. 7!" + +Bundle hung up the receiver and turned to Loraine, giving her a rapid +résumé of the conversation. Loraine rushed upstairs and hurriedly +packed her suitcase, and Bundle put her head round her father's door. + +"I'm taking Loraine home, Father." + +"Why? I had no idea she was going to-day." + +"They want her back," said Bundle vaguely. "Just telephoned. Bye-bye." + +"Here, Bundle, wait a minute. When will you be home?" + +"Don't know. Expect me when you see me." + +With this unceremonious exit Bundle rushed upstairs, put a hat on, +slipped into her fur coat and was ready to start. She had already +ordered the Hispano to be brought round. + +The journey to London was without adventure, except such as was +habitually provided by Bundle's driving. They left the car at a garage +and proceeded direct to the Seven Dials Club. + +The door was opened to them by Alfred. Bundle pushed her way past him +without ceremony and Loraine followed. + +"Shut the door, Alfred," said Bundle. "Now, I've come here especially +to do you a good turn. The police are after you." + +"Oh, my lady!" + +Alfred turned chalk white. + +"I've come to warn you because you did me a good turn the other night," +went on Bundle rapidly. "There's a warrant out for Mr. Mosgorovsky, +and the best thing you can do is to clear out of here as quick as you +can. If you're not found here, they won't bother about you. Here's ten +pounds to help you get away somewhere." + +In three minutes' time an incoherent and badly scared Alfred had left +14 Hunstanton Street with only one idea in his head--never to return. + +"Well, I've managed that all right," said Bundle with satisfaction. + +"Was it necessary to be so--well, drastic?" Loraine demurred. + +"It's safer," said Bundle. "I don't know what Jimmy and Bill are up to, +but we don't want Alfred coming back in the middle of it and wrecking +everything. Hallo, here they are. Well, they haven't wasted much time. +Probably watching round the corner to see Alfred leave. Go down and +open the door to them, Loraine." + +Loraine obeyed. Jimmy Thesiger alighted from the driving seat. + +"You stop there for a moment, Bill," he said. "Blow the horn if you +think anyone's watching the place." + +He ran up the steps and banged the door behind him. He looked pink and +elated. + +"Hallo, Bundle, there you are. Now then, we've got to get down to it. +Where's the key of the room you got into last time?" + +"It was one of the downstairs keys. We'd better bring the lot up." + +"Right you are, but be quick. Time's short." + +The key was easily found, the baize-lined door swung back and the three +entered. The room was exactly as Bundle had seen it before, with the +seven chairs grouped round the table. Jimmy surveyed it for a minute or +two in silence. Then his eye went to the two cupboards. + +"Which is the cupboard you hid in, Bundle?" + +"This one." + +Jimmy went to it and flung the door open. The same collection of +miscellaneous glassware covered the shelves. + +"We shall have to shift all this stuff," he murmured. "Run down and +get Bill, Loraine. There's no need for him to keep watch outside any +longer." + +Loraine ran off. + +"What are you going to do?" inquired Bundle impatiently. + +Jimmy was down on his knees, trying to peer through the crack of the +other cupboard door. + +"Wait till Bill comes and you shall hear the whole story. This is his +staff work--and a jolly creditable bit of work it is. Hallo--what's +Loraine flying up the stairs for as though she'd got a mad bull after +her?" + +Loraine was indeed racing up the stairs as fast as she could. She burst +in upon them with an ashen face and terror in her eyes. + +"Bill--Bill--oh, Bundle--Bill!" + +"What about Bill?" + +Jimmy caught her by the shoulder. + +"For God's sake, Loraine, what's happened?" + +Loraine was still gasping. + +"Bill--I think he's dead--he's in the car still--but he doesn't move or +speak. I'm sure he's dead." + +Jimmy muttered an oath and sprang for the stairs, Bundle behind +him, her heart pounding unevenly and an awful feeling of desolation +spreading over her. + +Bill--dead? Oh, no! Oh, no! Not that. Please God--not that. + +Together she and Jimmy reached the car, Loraine behind them. + +Jimmy peered under the hood. Bill was sitting as he had left him, +leaning back. But his eyes were closed and Jimmy's pull at his arm +brought no response. + +"I can't understand it," muttered Jimmy. "But he's not dead. Cheer up, +Bundle. Look here, we've got to get him into the house. Let's pray to +goodness no policeman comes along. If anybody says anything, he's our +sick friend we're helping into the house." + +Between the three of them they got Bill into the house without much +difficulty, and without attracting much attention, save for an unshaven +gentleman, who said sympathetically: + +"Genneman's 'ad a couple, I shee," and nodded his head sapiently. + +"Into the little back room downstairs," said Jimmy. "There's a sofa +there." + +They got him safely on to the sofa and Bundle knelt down beside him and +took his limp wrist in her hand. + +"His pulse is beating," she said. "What _is_ the matter with him?" + +"He was all right when I left him just now," said Jimmy. "I wonder if +someone's managed to inject some stuff into him. It would be easily +done--just a prick. The man might have been asking him the time. +There's only one thing for it. I must get a doctor at once. You stay +here and look after him." + +He hurried to the door, then paused. + +"Look here--don't be scared, either of you. But I'd better leave you my +revolver. I mean--just in case. I'll be back just as soon as I possibly +can." + +He laid the revolver down on the little table by the sofa, then hurried +off. They heard the front door bang behind him. + +The house seemed very still now. The two girls stayed motionless by +Bill. Bundle still kept her finger on his pulse. It seemed to be +beating very fast and irregularly. + +"I wish we could do something," she whispered to Loraine. "This is +awful." + +Loraine nodded. + +"I know. It seems ages since Jimmy went and yet it's only a minute and +a half." + +"I keep hearing things," said Bundle. "Footsteps and boards creaking +upstairs--and yet I know it's only imagination." + +"I wonder why Jimmy left us the revolver," said Loraine. "There can't +really be danger." + +"If they could get Bill--" said Bundle and stopped. Loraine shivered. + +"I know--but we're in the house. Nobody can get in without our hearing +them. And anyway we've got the revolver." + +Bundle turned her attention back again to Bill. + +"I wish I knew what to do. Hot coffee. You give them that sometimes." + +"I've got some smelling-salts in my bag," said Loraine. "And some +brandy. Where is it? Oh, I must have left it in the room upstairs." + +"I'll get it," said Bundle. "They might do some good." + +She sped quickly up the stairs, across the gaming room and through the +open door into the meeting place. Loraine's bag was lying on the table. + +As Bundle stretched out her hand to take it, she heard a noise from +behind her. Hidden behind the door a man stood ready with a sand-bag in +his hand. Before Bundle could turn her head, he had struck. + +With a faint moan, Bundle slipped down, an unconscious heap, upon the +floor. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXI + + THE SEVEN DIALS + + +Very slowly Bundle returned to consciousness. She was aware of a dark, +spinning blackness, the centre of which was a violent, throbbing ache. +Punctuating this were sounds. A voice that she knew very well saying +the same thing over and over again. + +The blackness spun less violently. The ache was now definitely located +as being in Bundle's own head. And she was sufficiently herself to take +an interest in what the voice was saying. + +"Darling, darling Bundle. Oh, darling Bundle. She's dead; I know she's +dead. Oh, my darling. Bundle, darling, darling Bundle. I do love you +so. Bundle--darling--darling--" + +Bundle lay quite still with her eyes shut. But she was now fully +conscious. Bill's arms held her closely. + +"Bundle, darling--Oh, dearest, darling Bundle. Oh, my dear love. Oh, +Bundle--Bundle. What shall I do? Oh, darling one--my Bundle--my own +dearest, sweetest Bundle. Oh, God, what shall I do? I've killed her. +I've killed her." + +Reluctantly--very reluctantly--Bundle spoke. + +"No, you haven't, you silly idiot," she said. + +Bill gave a gasp of utter amazement. + +"Bundle--you're alive?" + +"Of course I'm alive." + +"How long have you been--I mean when did you come to?" + +"About five minutes ago." + +"Why didn't you open your eyes--or say something?" + +"Didn't want to. I was enjoying myself." + +"Enjoying yourself?" + +"Yes. Listening to all the things you were saying. You'll never say +them so well again. You'll be too beastly self-conscious." + +Bill had turned a dark brick-red. + +"Bundle--you really didn't mind? You know, I _do_ love you so. I have +for ages. But I never have dared tell you so." + +"You silly juggins," said Bundle. "Why?" + +"I thought you'd only laugh at me. I mean--you've got brains and all +that--you'll marry some bigwig." + +"Like George Lomax?" suggested Bundle. + +"I don't mean a fatuous ass like Codders. But some really fine chap +who'll be worthy of you--though I don't think anyone could be that," +ended Bill. + +"You're rather a dear, Bill." + +"But, Bundle, seriously, could you ever? I mean, could you ever bring +yourself to?" + +"Could I ever bring myself to do what?" + +"Marry me. I know I'm awfully thick-headed--but I do love you, Bundle. +I'd be your dog or your slave or your anything." + +"You're very like a dog," said Bundle. "I like dogs. They're so +friendly and faithful and warmhearted. I think that perhaps I could +just bring myself to marry you, Bill--with a great effort, you know." + +Bill's response to this was to relinquish his grasp of her and recoil +violently. He looked at her with amazement in his eyes. + +"Bundle--you don't mean it?" + +"There's nothing for it," said Bundle. "I see I shall have to relapse +into unconsciousness again." + +"Bundle--darling--" Bill caught her to him. He was trembling violently. +"Bundle--do you really mean it--do you?--you don't know how much I love +you." + +"Oh, Bill," said Bundle. + +There is no need to describe in detail the conversation of the next ten +minutes. It consisted mostly of repetitions. + +"And do you really love me," said Bill, incredulously, for the +twentieth time as he at last released her. + +"Yes--yes--yes. Now do let's be sensible. I've got a racking head +still, and I've been nearly squeezed to death by you. I want to get the +hang of things. Where are we and what's happened?" + +For the first time, Bundle began to take stock of her surroundings. +They were in the secret room, she noted, and the baize door was closed +and presumably locked. They were prisoners, then! + +Bundle's eyes came back to Bill. Quite oblivious of her question he was +watching her with adoring eyes. + +"Bill, darling," said Bundle, "pull yourself together. We've got to get +out of here." + +"Eh?" said Bill. "What? Oh, yes. That'll be all right. No difficulty +about that." + +"It's being in love makes you feel like that," said Bundle. "I feel +rather the same myself. As though everything's easy and possible." + +"So it is," said Bill. "Now that I know you care for me--" + +"Stop it," said Bundle. "Once we begin again any serious conversation +will be hopeless. Unless you pull yourself together and become +sensible, I shall very likely change my mind." + +"I shan't let you," said Bill. "You don't think that once having got +you I'd be such a fool as to let you go, do you?" + +"You would not coerce me against my will, I hope," said Bundle +grandiloquently. + +"Wouldn't I?" said Bill. "You just watch me do it, that's all." + +"You really are rather a darling, Bill. I was afraid you might be too +meek, but I see there's going to be no danger of that. In another half +hour you'd be ordering me about. Oh, dear, we're getting silly again. +Now, look here, Bill, we've got to get out of here." + +"I tell you that'll be quite all right. I shall--" + +He broke off, obedient to a pressure from Bundle's hand. She was +leaning forward, listening intently. Yes, she had not been mistaken. A +step was crossing the outer room. The key was thrust into the lock and +turned. Bundle held her breath. Was it Jimmy coming to rescue them--or +was it someone else? + +The door opened and the black-bearded Mr. Mosgorovsky stood on the +threshold. + +Immediately Bill took a step forward, standing in front of Bundle. + +"Look here," he said, "I want a word with you privately." + +The Russian did not reply for a minute or two. He stood stroking his +long, silky, black beard and smiling quietly to himself. + +"So," he said at last, "it is like that. Very well. The lady will be +pleased to come with me." + +"It's all right, Bundle," said Bill. "Leave it to me. You go with this +chap. Nobody's going to hurt you. I know what I'm doing." + +Bundle rose obediently. That note of authority in Bill's voice was new +to her. He seemed absolutely sure of himself and confident of being +able to deal with the situation. Bundle wondered vaguely what it was +that Bill had--or thought he had--up his sleeve. + +She passed out of the room in front of the Russian. He followed her, +closing the door behind him and locking it. + +"This way, please," he said. + +He indicated the staircase and she mounted obediently to the floor +above. Here she was directed to pass into a small, frowsy room, which +she took to be Alfred's bedroom. + +Mosgorovsky said: "You will wait here quietly, please. There must be no +noise." + +Then he went out, closing the door behind him and locking her in. + +Bundle sat down on a chair. Her head was aching badly still and she +felt incapable of sustained thought. Bill seemed to have the situation +well in hand. Sooner or later, she supposed, someone would come and let +her out. + +The minutes passed. Bundle's watch had stopped, but she judged that +over an hour had passed since the Russian had brought her here. What +was happening? What, indeed, _had_ happened? + +At last she heard footsteps on the stairs. It was Mosgorovsky once +more. He spoke very formally to her. + +"Lady Eileen Brent, you are wanted at an emergency meeting of the Seven +Dials Society. Please follow me." + +He led the way down the stairs and Bundle followed him. He opened the +door of the secret chamber and Bundle passed in, catching her breath in +surprise as she did so. + +She was seeing for the second time what she had only had a glimpse of +the first time through her peephole. The masked figures were sitting +round the table. As she stood there, taken aback by the suddenness of +it, Mosgorovsky slipped into his place, adjusting his clock mask as he +did so. + +But this time the chair at the head of the table was occupied. No. 7 +was in his place. + +Bundle's heart beat violently. She was standing at the foot of the +table directly facing him and she stared and stared at the mocking +piece of hanging stuff, with the clock dial on it, that hid his +features. + +He sat quite immovable and Bundle got an odd sensation of power +radiating from him. His inactivity was not the inactivity of +weakness--and she wished violently, almost hysterically, that he would +speak--that he would make some sign, some gesture--not just sit there +like a gigantic spider in the middle of its web waiting remorselessly +for its prey. + +She shivered and as she did so Mosgorovsky rose. His voice, smooth, +silky, persuasive, seemed curiously far away. + +"Lady Eileen, you have been present unasked at the secret councils +of this society. It is therefore necessary that you should identify +yourself with our aims and ambitions. The place 2 o'clock, you may +notice, is vacant. It is that place that is offered to you." + +Bundle gasped. The thing was like a fantastic nightmare. Was it +possible that she, Bundle Brent, was being asked to join a murderous +secret society? Had the same proposition been made to Bill, and had he +refused indignantly? + +"I can't do that," she said bluntly. + +"Do not answer precipitately." + +She fancied that Mosgorovsky, beneath his clock mask, was smiling +significantly into his beard. + +"You do not as yet know, Lady Eileen, what it is you are refusing." + +"I can make a pretty good guess," said Bundle. + +"Can you?" + +It was the voice of 7 o'clock. It awoke some vague chord of memory in +Bundle's brain. Surely she knew that voice? + +Very slowly No. 7 raised a hand to his head and fumbled with the +fastening of the mask. + +Bundle held her breath. At last--she was going to _know_. + +The mask fell. + +_Bundle found herself looking into the expressionless, wooden face of +Superintendent Battle._ + + + + + CHAPTER XXXII + + BUNDLE IS DUMFOUNDED + + +"That's right," said Battle, as Mosgorovsky leapt up and came round to +Bundle. "Get a chair for her. It's been a bit of a shock, I can see." + +Bundle sank down on a chair. She felt limp and faint with surprise. +Battle went on talking in a quiet, comfortable way wholly +characteristic of him. + +"You didn't expect to see me, Lady Eileen. No, and no more did some +of the others sitting round this table. Mr. Mosgorovsky's been my +lieutenant in a manner of speaking. He's been in the know all along. +But most of the others have taken their orders blindly from him." + +Still Bundle said no word. She was--a most unusual state of affairs for +her--simply incapable of speech. + +Battle nodded at her comprehendingly, seeming to understand the state +of her feelings. + +"You'll have to get rid of one or two preconceived ideas of yours, +I'm afraid, Lady Eileen. About this society, for instance--I know +it's common enough in books--a secret organization of criminals with +a mysterious super-criminal at the head of it whom no one ever sees. +That sort of thing may exist in real life, but I can only say that I've +never come across anything of the sort, and I've had a good deal of +experience one way or another. + +"But there's a lot of romance in the world, Lady Eileen. People, +especially young people, like reading about such things, and they like +still better really _doing_ them. I'm going to introduce you now to a +very creditable band of amateurs that has done remarkably fine work for +my Department, work that nobody else could have done. If they've chosen +rather melodramatic trappings, well, why shouldn't they? They've been +willing to face real danger--danger of the very worst kind--and they've +done it for these reasons: love of danger for its own sake--which to my +mind is a very healthy sign in these Safety First days--and an honest +wish to serve their country. + +"And now, Lady Eileen, I'm going to introduce you. First of all, +there's Mr. Mosgorovsky, whom you already know in a manner of speaking. +As you're aware, he runs the club and he runs a host of other things +too. He's our most valuable Secret Anti-Bolshevist Agent in England. +No. 5 is Count Andras of the Hungarian Embassy, a very near and dear +friend of the late Mr. Gerald Wade. No. 4 is Mr. Hayward Phelps, an +American journalist, whose British sympathies are very keen and whose +aptitude for scenting 'news' is remarkable. No. 3--" + +He stopped, smiling, and Bundle stared dumfounded into the sheepish, +grinning face of Bill Eversleigh. + +"No. 2," went on Battle in a graver voice, "can only show an empty +place. It is the place belonging to Mr. Ronald Devereux, a very gallant +young gentleman who died for his country if any man ever did. No. +1--well, No. 1 was Mr. Gerald Wade, another very gallant gentleman +who died in the same way. His place was taken--not without some grave +misgivings on my part--by a lady--a lady who has proved her fitness to +have it and who has been a great help to us." + +The last to do so, No. 1, removed her mask, and Bundle looked without +surprise into the beautiful, dark face of Countess Radzky. + +"I might have known," said Bundle resentfully, "that you were too +completely the beautiful foreign adventuress to be anything of the kind +really." + +"But you don't know the real joke," said Bill. "_Bundle, this is Babe +St. Maur_--you remember my telling you about her and what a ripping +actress she was--and she's about proved it." + +"That's so," said Miss St. Maur in pure transatlantic nasal. "But it's +not a terrible lot of credit to me, because Poppa and Momma came from +that part of Yurrup--so I got the patter fairly easy. Gee, but I nearly +gave myself away once at the Abbey, talking about gardens." + +She paused and then said abruptly: + +"It's--it's not been just fun. You see, I was kinder engaged to Ronny, +and when he handed in his checks--well, I had to do something to track +down the skunk who murdered him. That's all." + +"I'm completely bewildered," said Bundle. "Nothing is what it seems." + +"It's very simple, Lady Eileen," said Superintendent Battle. "It began +with some of the young people wanting a bit of excitement. It was Mr. +Wade who first got on to me. He suggested the formation of a band of +what you might call amateur workers to do a bit of secret service work. +I warned him that it might be dangerous--but he wasn't the kind to +weigh that in the balance. I made it plain to him that any one who came +in must do so on that understanding. But, bless you, that wasn't going +to stop any of Mr. Wade's friends. And so the thing began." + +"But what was the object of it all?" asked Bundle. + +"We wanted a certain man--wanted him badly. He wasn't an ordinary +crook. He worked in Mr. Wade's world, a kind of Raffles, but much +more dangerous than any Raffles ever was or could be. He was out +for big stuff, international stuff. Twice already valuable secret +inventions had been stolen, and clearly stolen by someone who had +inside knowledge. The professionals had had a try--and failed. Then the +amateurs took on--and succeeded." + +"Succeeded?" + +"Yes--but they didn't come out of it unscathed. The man was dangerous. +Two lives fell victim to him and he got away with it. But the Seven +Dials stuck to it. And as I say, they succeeded. Thanks to Mr. +Eversleigh, the man was caught at last red-handed." + +"Who was he?" asked Bundle. "Do I know him?" + +"You know him very well, Lady Eileen. His name is Mr. Jimmy Thesiger, +and he was arrested this afternoon." + + + + + CHAPTER XXXIII + + BATTLE EXPLAINS + + +Superintendent Battle settled to explain. He spoke comfortably and +cozily. + +"I didn't suspect him myself for a long time. The first hint of it +I had was when I heard what Mr. Devereux's last words had been. +Naturally, you took them to mean that Mr. Devereux was trying to send +word to Mr. Thesiger that the Seven Dials had killed him. That's what +the words seemed to mean on their face value. But of course I knew +that that couldn't be so. It was the Seven Dials that Mr. Devereux +wanted told--and what he wanted them told was something about Mr. Jimmy +Thesiger. + +"The thing seemed incredible, because Mr. Devereux and Mr. Thesiger +were close friends. But I remembered something else--that these thefts +must have been committed by someone who was absolutely in the know. +Someone who, if not in the Foreign Office himself, was in the way of +hearing all its chit-chat. And I found it very hard to find out where +Mr. Thesiger got his money. The income his father left him was a small +one, yet he was able to live at a most expensive rate. Where did the +money come from? + +"I knew that Mr. Wade had been very excited by something that he had +found out. He was quite sure that he was on the right track. He didn't +confide in anyone about what he thought that track was, but he did say +something to Mr. Devereux about being on the point of making sure. That +was just before they both went down to Chimneys for that week-end. +As you know, Mr. Wade died there--apparently from an overdose of a +sleeping draught. It seemed straightforward enough, but Mr. Devereux +did not accept that explanation for a minute. He was convinced that +Mr. Wade had been very cleverly put out of the way and that someone in +the house must actually be the criminal we were all after. He came, I +think, very near confiding in Mr. Thesiger, for he certainly had no +suspicions of him at that moment. But something held him back. + +"Then he did rather a curious thing. He arranged seven clocks upon the +mantelpiece, throwing away the eighth. It was meant as a symbol that +the Seven Dials would revenge the death of one of their members--and he +watched eagerly to see if anyone betrayed themselves or showed signs of +perturbation." + +"And it was Jimmy Thesiger who poisoned Gerry Wade?" + +"Yes, he slipped the stuff into a whisky and soda which Mr. Wade had +downstairs before retiring to bed. That's why he was already feeling +sleepy when he wrote that letter to Miss Wade." + +"Then the footman, Bauer, hadn't anything to do with it?" asked Bundle. + +"Bauer was one of our people, Lady Eileen. It was thought likely that +our crook would go for Herr Eberhard's invention and Bauer was got +into the house to watch events on our behalf. But he wasn't able to do +much. As I say, Mr. Thesiger administered the fatal dose easily enough. +Later, when everyone was asleep, a bottle, glass and empty chloral +bottle were placed by Mr. Wade's bedside by Mr. Thesiger. Mr. Wade was +unconscious then, and his fingers were probably pressed round the glass +and the bottle so that they should be found there if any questions +should arise. I don't know what effect the seven clocks on the +mantelpiece made on Mr. Thesiger. He certainly didn't let on anything +to Mr. Devereux. All the same, I think he had a bad five minutes now +and again thinking of them. And I think he kept a pretty wary eye on +Mr. Devereux after that. + +"We don't know exactly what happened next. No one saw much of Mr. +Devereux after Mr. Wade's death. But it is clear that he worked along +the same lines that he knew Mr. Wade had been working on and reached +the same result--namely, that Mr. Thesiger was the man. I fancy, too, +that he was betrayed in the same way." + +"You mean?" + +"Through Miss Loraine Wade. Mr. Wade was devoted to her--I believe he +hoped to marry her--she wasn't really his sister, of course--and there +is no doubt that he told her more than he should have done. But Miss +Loraine Wade was devoted body and soul to Mr. Thesiger. She would do +anything he told her. She passed on the information to him. In the same +way, later, Mr. Devereux was attracted to her, and probably warned +her against Mr. Thesiger. So Mr. Devereux in turn was silenced--and +died trying to send word to the Seven Dials that his murderer was Mr. +Thesiger." + +"How ghastly," cried Bundle. "If I had only known." + +"Well, it didn't seem likely. In fact, I could hardly credit it myself. +But then we came to the affair at the Abbey. You will remember how +awkward it was--specially awkward for Mr. Eversleigh here. You and +Mr. Thesiger were hand in glove. Mr. Eversleigh had already been +embarrassed by your insisting on being brought to this place, and when +he found that you had actually overheard what went on at a meeting, he +was dumfounded." + +The Superintendent paused and a twinkle came into his eye. + +"So was I, Lady Eileen. I never dreamt of such a thing being possible. +You put one over on me there all right. + +"Well, Mr. Eversleigh was in a dilemma. He couldn't let you into the +secret of the Seven Dials without letting Mr. Thesiger in also--and +that would never do. It all suited Mr. Thesiger very well, of course, +for it gave him a bona fide reason for getting himself asked to the +Abbey, which made things much easier for him. + +"I may say that the Seven Dials had already sent a warning letter to +Mr. Lomax. That was to ensure his applying to me for assistance, so +that I should be able to be on the spot in a perfectly natural manner. +I made no secret of my presence, as you know." + +And again the Superintendent's eyes twinkled. + +"Well, ostensibly, Mr. Eversleigh and Mr. Thesiger were to divide the +night into two watches. Really, Mr. Eversleigh and Miss St. Maur did +so. She was on guard at the library window when she heard Mr. Thesiger +coming and had to dart behind the screen. + +"And now comes the cleverness of Mr. Thesiger. Up to a point he told +a perfectly true story, and I must admit that with the fight and +everything, I was distinctly shaken--and began to wonder whether he had +had anything to do with the theft at all, or whether we were completely +on the wrong track. There were one or two suspicious circumstances that +pointed in an entirely different direction, and I can tell you I didn't +know what to make of things, when something turned up to clinch matters. + +"I found the burnt glove in the fireplace with the teeth marks on +it--and then--well--I knew that I'd been right after all. But, upon my +word, he was a clever one." + +"What actually happened?" said Bundle. "Who was the other man?" + +"There wasn't any other man. Listen, and I'll show you how in the end +I reconstructed the whole story. To begin with, Mr. Thesiger and Miss +Wade are in this together. And they have a rendezvous for an exact +time. Miss Wade comes over in her car, climbs through the fence and +comes up to the house. She's got a perfectly good story if any one +stops her--the one she told eventually. But she arrived unmolested on +the terrace just after the clock had struck two. + +"Now, I may say to begin with that she was seen coming in. My men saw +her, but they had orders to stop nobody coming in--only going out. I +wanted, you see, to find out as much as possible. Miss Wade arrives +on the terrace, and at that minute a parcel falls at her feet and she +picks it up. A man comes down the ivy and she starts to run. What +happens next? The struggle--and presently the revolver shots. What will +everyone do? Rush to the scene of the fight. And Miss Loraine Wade +could have left the grounds and driven off with the formula safely in +her possession. + +"But things don't happen quite like that. Miss Wade runs straight into +my arms. And at that moment the game changes. It's no longer attack but +defence. Miss Wade tells her story. It is perfectly true and perfectly +sensible. + +"And now we come to Mr. Thesiger. One thing struck me at once. The +bullet wound alone couldn't have caused him to faint. Either he +had fallen and hit his head--or--well, he hadn't fainted at all. +Later we had Miss St. Maur's story. It agreed perfectly with Mr. +Thesiger's--there was only one suggestive point. Miss St. Maur said +that after the lights were turned out and Mr. Thesiger went over to +the window, he was so still that she thought he must have left the +room and gone outside. Now, if any one is in the room, you can hardly +help hearing their breathing if you are listening for it. Supposing, +then, that Mr. Thesiger _had_ gone outside. Where next? Up the ivy to +Mr. O'Rourke's room--Mr. O'Rourke's whisky and soda having been doped +the night before. He gets the papers, throws them down to the girl, +climbs down the ivy again, and--starts the fight. That's easy enough +when you come to think of it. Knock the tables down, stagger about, +speak in your own voice and then in a hoarse half-whisper. And then, +the final touch, the two revolver shots. His own Colt automatic, bought +openly the day before, is fired at an imaginary assailant. Then, with +his left gloved hand, he takes from his pocket the small Mauser pistol +and shoots himself through the fleshy part of the right arm. He flings +the pistol through the window, tears off the glove with his teeth, and +throws it into the fire. When I arrive he is lying on the floor in a +faint." + +Bundle drew a deep breath. + +"You didn't realize all this at the time, Superintendent Battle?" + +"No, that I didn't. I was taken in as much as anyone could be. It +wasn't till long afterwards that I pieced it all together. Finding +the glove was the beginning of it. Then I made Sir Oswald throw the +pistol through the window. It fell a good way farther on than it should +have done. But a man who is right-handed doesn't throw nearly as far +with the left hand. Even then it was only suspicion--and a very faint +suspicion at that. + +"But there was one point struck me. The papers were obviously thrown +down for someone to pick up. If Miss Wade was there by accident, who +was the real person? Of course, for those who weren't in the know, that +question was answered easily enough--the Countess. But there I had the +pull over you. _I knew the Countess was all right._ So what follows? +Why, the idea that the papers had actually been picked up by the person +they were meant for. And the more I thought of it, the more it seemed +to me a very remarkable coincidence that Miss Wade should have arrived +at the exact moment she did." + +"It must have been very difficult for you when I came to you full of +suspicion about the Countess." + +"It was, Lady Eileen. I had to say something to put you off the scent. +And it was very difficult for Mr. Eversleigh here, with the lady coming +out of a dead faint and no knowing what she might say." + +"I understand Bill's anxiety now," said Bundle. "And the way he kept +urging her to take time and not talk till she felt quite all right." + +"Poor old Bill," said Miss St. Maur. "That poor baby had to be vamped +against his will--getting madder'n a hornet every minute." + +"Well," said Superintendent Battle, "there it was. I suspected Mr. +Thesiger--but I couldn't get definite proof. On the other hand, Mr. +Thesiger himself was rattled. He realized more or less what he was up +against in the Seven Dials--but he wanted badly to know who No. 7 was. +He got himself asked to the Cootes under the impression that Sir Oswald +Coote was No. 7." + +"I suspected Sir Oswald," said Bundle, "especially when he came in from +the garden that night." + +"I never suspected him," said Battle. "But I don't mind telling you +that I _did_ have my suspicions of that young chap, his secretary." + +"Pongo?" said Bill. "Not old Pongo?" + +"Yes, Mr. Eversleigh, old Pongo as you call him. A very efficient +gentleman and one that could have put anything through if he'd a mind +to. I suspected him partly because he'd been the one to take the +clocks into Mr. Wade's room that night. It would have been easy for him +to put the bottle and glass by the bedside then. And then, for another +thing, he was left-handed. That glove pointed straight to him--if it +hadn't been for one thing--" + +"What?" + +"The teeth marks--only a man whose right hand was incapacitated would +have needed to tear off that glove with his teeth." + +"So Pongo was cleared." + +"So Pongo was cleared, as you say. I'm sure it would be a great +surprise to Mr. Bateman to know he was ever suspected." + +"It would," agreed Bill. "A solemn card--a silly ass like Pongo. How +you could ever think--" + +"Well, as far as that goes, Mr. Thesiger was what you might describe as +an empty-headed young ass of the most brainless description. One of the +two was playing a part. When I decided that it was Mr. Thesiger, I was +interested to get Mr. Bateman's opinion of him. All along, Mr. Bateman +had the gravest suspicions of Mr. Thesiger and frequently said as much +to Sir Oswald." + +"It's curious," said Bill, "but Pongo always is right. It's maddening." + +"Well, as I say," went on Superintendent Battle, "we got Mr. Thesiger +fairly on the run, badly rattled over this Seven Dials business and +uncertain just where the danger lay. That we got him in the end was +solely through Mr. Eversleigh. He knew what he was up against, and +he risked his life cheerfully. But he never dreamt that you would be +dragged into it, Lady Eileen." + +"My God, no," said Bill with feeling. + +"He went round to Mr. Thesiger's rooms with a cooked-up tale," +continued Battle. "He was to pretend that certain papers of Mr. +Devereux's had come into his hands. Those papers were to suggest +a suspicion of Mr. Thesiger. Naturally, as the honest friend, Mr. +Eversleigh rushed round, sure that Mr. Thesiger would have an +explanation. We calculated that if we were right, Mr. Thesiger would +try and put Mr. Eversleigh out of the way, and we were fairly certain +as to the way he'd do it. Sure enough, Mr. Thesiger gave his guest a +whisky and soda. During the minute or two that his host was out of the +room, Mr. Eversleigh poured that into a jar on the mantelpiece, but he +had to pretend, of course, that the drug was taking effect. It would +be slow, he knew, not sudden. He began his story, and Mr. Thesiger at +first denied it all indignantly, but as soon as he saw (or thought he +saw) that the drug was taking effect, he admitted everything and told +Mr. Eversleigh that he was the third victim. + +"When Mr. Eversleigh was nearly unconscious, Mr. Thesiger took him +down to the car and helped him in. The hood was up. He must already +have telephoned to you unknown to Mr. Eversleigh. He made a clever +suggestion to you. You were to say that you were taking Miss Wade home. + +"You made no mention of a message from him. Later, when your body was +found here, Miss Wade would swear that you had driven her home and gone +up to London with the idea of penetrating into this house by yourself. + +"Mr. Eversleigh continued to play his part, that of the unconscious +man. I may say that as soon as the two young men had left Jermyn +Street, one of my men gained admission and found the doctored whisky, +which contained enough hydrochloride of morphia to kill two men. Also +the car they were in was followed. Mr. Thesiger drove out of town to +a well-known golf course, where he showed himself for a few minutes, +speaking of playing a round. That, of course, was for an alibi, should +one be needed. He left the car with Mr. Eversleigh in it a little way +down the road. Then he drove back to town and to the Seven Dials Club. +As soon as he saw Alfred leave, he drove up to the door, spoke to Mr. +Eversleigh as he got out in case you might be listening and came into +the house and played his little comedy. + +"When he pretended to go for a doctor, he really only slammed the +door and then crept quietly upstairs and hid behind the door of this +room, where Miss Wade would presently send you up on some excuse. +Mr. Eversleigh, of course, was horror struck when he saw you, but he +thought it best to keep up the part he was playing. He knew our people +were watching the house, and he imagined that there was no immediate +danger intended to you. He could always 'come to life' at any moment. +When Mr. Thesiger threw his revolver on the table and apparently left +the house it seemed safer than ever. As for the next bit--" He paused, +looking at Bill. "Perhaps you'd like to tell that, sir." + +"I was still lying on that bally sofa," said Bill, "trying to look +done in and getting the fidgets worse and worse. Then I heard someone +run down the stairs, and Loraine got up and went to the door. I heard +Thesiger's voice, but not what he said. I heard Loraine say: 'That's +all right--it's gone splendidly.' Then he said: 'Help me carry him +up. It will be a bit of a job, but I want them both together there--a +nice little surprise for No. 7.' I didn't quite understand what they +were jawing about, but they hauled me up the stairs somehow or other. +It _was_ a bit of a job for them. I made myself a dead weight all +right. They heaved me in here, and then I heard Loraine say: 'You're +sure it's all right. She won't come round?' And Jimmy said--the damned +blackguard: 'No fear. I hit with all my might.' + +"They went away and locked the door, and then I opened my eyes and saw +you. My God, Bundle, I shall never feel so perfectly awful again. I +thought you were dead." + +"I suppose my hat saved me," said Bundle. + +"Partly," said Superintendent Battle. "But partly it was Mr. Thesiger's +wounded arm. He didn't realize it himself--but it had only half its +usual strength. Still, that's all no credit to the Department. We +didn't take the care of you we ought to have done, Lady Eileen--and +it's a black blot on the whole business." + +"I'm very tough," said Bundle. "And also rather lucky. What I can't get +over is Loraine being in it. She was such a gentle little thing." + +"Ah!" said the Superintendent. "So was the Pentonville murderess that +killed five children. You can't go by that. She's got bad blood in +her--her father ought to have seen the inside of a prison more than +once." + +"You've got her too?" + +Superintendent Battle nodded. + +"I daresay they won't hang her--juries are soft-hearted. But young +Thesiger will swing all right--and a good thing too--a more utterly +depraved and callous criminal I never met. + +"And now," he added. "If your head isn't aching too badly, Lady Eileen. +What about a little celebration? There's a nice little restaurant round +the corner." + +Bundle heartily agreed. + +"I'm starving, Superintendent Battle. Besides," she looked round, "I've +got to get to know all my colleagues." + +"The Seven Dials," said Bill. "Hurrah! Some fizz is what we need. Do +they run to fizz at this place, Battle?" + +"You won't have anything to complain of, sir. You leave it to me." + +"Superintendent Battle," said Bundle, "you are a wonderful man. I'm +sorry you're married already. As it is, I shall have to put up with +Bill." + + + + + CHAPTER XXXIV + + LORD CATERHAM APPROVES + + +"Father," said Bundle, "I've got to break a piece of news to you. +You're going to lose me." + +"Nonsense," said Lord Caterham. "Don't tell me that you're suffering +from galloping consumption or a weak heart or anything like that, +because I simply don't believe it." + +"It's not death," said Bundle. "It's marriage." + +"Very nearly as bad," said Lord Caterham. "I suppose I shall have to +come to the wedding, all dressed up in tight, uncomfortable clothes, +and give you away. And Lomax may think it necessary to kiss me in the +vestry." + +"Good heavens! You don't think I'm going to marry George, do you?" +cried Bundle. + +"Well, something like that seemed to be in the wind last time I saw +you," said her father. "Yesterday morning, you know." + +"I'm going to be married to someone a hundred times nicer than George," +said Bundle. + +"I hope so, I'm sure," said Lord Caterham. "But one never knows. I +don't feel you're really a good judge of character, Bundle. You told me +that young Thesiger was a cheerful inefficient, and from all I hear now +it seems that he was one of the most efficient criminals of the day. +The sad thing is that I never met him. I was thinking of writing my +reminiscences soon--with a special chapter on murderers I have met--and +by a purely technical oversight, I never met this young man." + +"Don't be silly," said Bundle. "You know you haven't got the energy to +write reminiscences or anything else." + +"I wasn't actually going to write them myself," said Lord Caterham. "I +believe that's never done. But I met a very charming girl the other day +and that's her special job. She collects the material and does all the +actual writing." + +"And what do you do?" + +"Oh, just give her a few facts for half an hour every day. Nothing +more than that." After a slight pause, Lord Caterham said: "She was a +nice-looking girl--very restful and sympathetic." + +"Father," said Bundle, "I have a feeling that without me you will run +into deadly danger." + +"Different kinds of danger suit different kinds of people," said Lord +Caterham. + +He was moving away, when he turned back and said over his shoulder: + +"By the way, Bundle, who _are_ you marrying?" + +"I was wondering," said Bundle, "when you were going to ask me that. +I'm going to marry Bill Eversleigh." + +The egoist thought it over for a minute. Then he nodded in complete +satisfaction. + +"Excellent," he said. "He's scratch, isn't he? He and I can play +together in the foursomes in the Autumn Meeting." + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75288 *** diff --git a/75288-h/75288-h.htm b/75288-h/75288-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..442d9de --- /dev/null +++ b/75288-h/75288-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10543 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + The Seven Dials Mystery | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; 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font-size: x-large; margin: .83em auto; } + +.ph2 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } +.ph2 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } + +.ph3 { text-align: right; text-indent: 0em; } +.ph3 { font-size: medium; margin: .83em auto; } + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75288 ***</div> + +<div class="titlepage"> + +<h1>The Seven Dials Mystery</h1> + +<p class="ph1">By Agatha Christie</p> + +<p>PRINTING HISTORY<br> +<i>Dodd, Mead edition published March 1929</i><br> +<i>Grosset & Dunlap edition published February 1930</i><br> +<i>American Mercury edition published October 1942</i><br> +<i>Bantam edition/January 1964</i><br> +<i>New Bantam edition/March 1976</i><br> +<i>The Agatha Christie Mystery Collection/September 1986</i></p> + +<p><i>All rights reserved.</i><br> +<i>Copyright 1929 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc.</i><br> +<i>Copyright renewed © 1957 by Agatha Christie Mallowan.</i></p> + +<p>PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Contents</span></h2> + + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_I">ON EARLY RISING</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_II">CONCERNING ALARUM CLOCKS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_III">THE JOKE THAT FAILED</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_IV">A LETTER</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_V">THE MAN IN THE ROAD</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_VI">SEVEN DIALS AGAIN</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_VII">BUNDLE PAYS A CALL</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_VIII">VISITORS FOR JIMMY</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_IX">PLANS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_X">BUNDLE VISITS SCOTLAND YARD</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XI">DINNER WITH BILL</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XII">INQUIRIES AT CHIMNEYS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XIII">THE SEVEN DIALS CLUB</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XIV">THE MEETING OF THE SEVEN DIALS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XV">THE INQUEST</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XVI">THE HOUSE PARTY AT THE ABBEY</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XVII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XVII">AFTER DINNER</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XVIII">JIMMY'S ADVENTURES</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XIX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XIX">BUNDLE'S ADVENTURES</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XX">LORAINE'S ADVENTURES</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXI">THE RECOVERY OF THE FORMULA</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXII">THE COUNTESS RADZKY'S STORY</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXIII">SUPERINTENDENT BATTLE IN CHARGE</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXIV">BUNDLE WONDERS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXV">JIMMY LAYS HIS PLANS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXVI">MAINLY ABOUT GOLF</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXVII">NOCTURNAL ADVENTURE</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXVIII">SUSPICIONS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXIX">SINGULAR BEHAVIOUR OF GEORGE LOMAX</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXX">AN URGENT SUMMONS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXXI">THE SEVEN DIALS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXXII">BUNDLE IS DUMFOUNDED</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXXIII">BATTLE EXPLAINS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXIV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#Chapter_XXXIV">LORD CATERHAM APPROVES</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="smcap">The Seven Dials Mystery</span></h2> + + + +<hr class="chap"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_I"><span class="smcap">Chapter I</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">On Early Rising</span></p> + + +<p>That amiable youth, Jimmy Thesiger, came racing down the big staircase +at Chimneys two steps at a time. So precipitate was his descent that +he collided with Tredwell, the stately butler, just as the latter +was crossing the hall bearing a fresh supply of hot coffee. Owing to +the marvellous presence of mind and masterly agility of Tredwell, no +casualty occurred.</p> + +<p>"Sorry," apologized Jimmy. "I say, Tredwell, am I the last down?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, Mr. Wade has not come down yet."</p> + +<p>"Good," said Jimmy, and entered the breakfast-room.</p> + +<p>The room was empty save for his hostess, and her reproachful gaze gave +Jimmy the same feeling of discomfort he always experienced on catching +the eye of a defunct codfish exposed on a fishmonger's slab. Yet, hang +it all, why should the woman look at him like that? To come down at +a punctual nine-thirty when staying in a country house simply wasn't +done. To be sure, it was now a quarter past eleven which was, perhaps, +the outside limit, but even then—</p> + +<p>"Afraid I'm a bit late, Lady Coote. What?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! it doesn't matter," said Lady Coote in a melancholy voice.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, people being late for breakfast worried her very +much. For the first ten years of her married life, Sir Oswald Coote +(then plain Mr.) had, to put it baldly, raised hell if his morning +meal were even a half minute later than eight o'clock. Lady Coote had +been disciplined to regard unpunctuality as a deadly sin of the most +unpardonable nature. And habit dies hard. Also, she was an earnest +woman, and she could not help asking herself what possible good these +young people would ever do in the world without early rising. As Sir +Oswald so often said, to reporters and others: "I attribute my success +entirely to my habits of early rising, frugal living, and methodical +habits."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote was a big, handsome woman in a tragic sort of fashion. She +had large, dark, mournful eyes and a deep voice. An artist looking +for a model for "Rachel mourning for her children" would have hailed +Lady Coote with delight. She would have done well, too, in melodrama, +staggering through the falling snow as the deeply wronged wife of the +villain.</p> + +<p>She looked as though she had some terrible secret sorrow in her life, +and yet if the truth be told, Lady Coote had had no trouble in her +life whatever, except the meteoric rise to prosperity of Sir Oswald. +As a young girl she had been a jolly flamboyant creature, very much +in love with Oswald Coote, the aspiring young man in the bicycle shop +next to her father's hardware store. They had lived very happily, +first in a couple of rooms, and then in a tiny house, and then in a +larger house, and then in successive houses of increasing magnitude, +but always within a reasonable distance of "the Works" until now Sir +Oswald had reached such an eminence that he and "the Works" were no +longer interdependent, and it was his pleasure to rent the very largest +and most magnificent mansions available all over England. Chimneys was +a historic place, and in renting it from the Marquis of Caterham for +two years, Sir Oswald felt that he had attained the top notch of his +ambition.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote was not nearly so happy about it. She was a lonely woman. +The principal relaxation of her early married life had been talking +to "the girl"—and even when "the girl" had been multiplied by three, +conversation with her domestic staff had still been the principal +distraction of Lady Coote's day. Now, with a pack of housemaids, a +butler like an archbishop, several footmen of imposing proportions, +a bevy of scuttling kitchen and scullery maids, a terrifying foreign +chef with a "temperament" and a housekeeper of immense proportions who +alternately creaked and rustled when she moved, Lady Coote was as one +marooned on a desert island.</p> + +<p>She sighed now, heavily, and drifted out through the open window, much +to the relief of Jimmy Thesiger who at once helped himself to more +kidneys and bacon on the strength of it.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote stood for a few moments tragically on the terrace and +then nerved herself to speak to MacDonald, the head gardener, who +was surveying the domain over which he ruled with an autocratic eye. +MacDonald was a very chief and prince among head gardeners. He knew his +place—which was to rule. And he ruled—despotically.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote approached him nervously.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, MacDonald."</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, m'lady."</p> + +<p>He spoke as head gardeners should speak—mournfully, but with +dignity—like an emperor at a funeral.</p> + +<p>"I was wondering—could we have some of those late grapes for dessert +to-night?"</p> + +<p>"They're no fit for picking yet," said MacDonald.</p> + +<p>He spoke kindly but firmly.</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>She plucked up courage.</p> + +<p>"Oh! but I was in the end house yesterday, and I tasted one and they +seemed very good."</p> + +<p>MacDonald looked at her, and she blushed. She was made to feel that she +had taken an unpardonable liberty. Evidently the late Marchioness of +Caterham had never committed such a solecism as to enter one of her own +hothouses and help herself to grapes.</p> + +<p>"If you had given orders, m'lady, a bunch should have been cut and sent +in to you," said MacDonald severely.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you," said Lady Coote. "Yes, I will do that another time."</p> + +<p>"But they're no properly fit for picking yet."</p> + +<p>"No," murmured Lady Coote. "No, I suppose not. We'd better leave it +then."</p> + +<p>MacDonald maintained a masterly silence. Lady Coote nerved herself once +more.</p> + +<p>"I was going to speak to you about the piece of lawn at the back of the +rose garden. I wondered if it could be used as a bowling green. Sir +Oswald is very fond of a game of bowls."</p> + +<p>"And why not?" thought Lady Coote to herself. She had been instructed +in her history of England. Had not Sir Francis Drake and his knightly +companions been playing a game of bowls when the Armada was sighted? +Surely a gentlemanly pursuit and one to which MacDonald could not +reasonably object. But she had reckoned without the predominant trait +of a good head gardener, which is to oppose any and every suggestion +made to him.</p> + +<p>"Nae doot it could be used for that purpose," said MacDonald +noncommittally.</p> + +<p>He threw a discouraging flavour into the remark, but its real object +was to lure Lady Coote on to her destruction.</p> + +<p>"If it was cleared up and—er—cut—and—er—all that sort of thing," +she went on hopefully.</p> + +<p>"Aye," said MacDonald slowly. "It could be done. But it would mean +taking William from the lower border."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Lady Coote doubtfully. The words "lower border" conveyed +absolutely nothing to her mind—except a vague suggestion of a +Scottish song—but it was clear that to MacDonald they constituted an +insuperable objection.</p> + +<p>"And that would be a pity," said MacDonald.</p> + +<p>"Oh! of course," said Lady Coote. "It <i>would</i>."</p> + +<p>And wondered why she agreed so fervently.</p> + +<p>MacDonald looked at her very hard.</p> + +<p>"Of course," he said, "if it's your <i>orders</i>, m'lady—"</p> + +<p>He left it like that. But his menacing tone was too much for Lady +Coote. She capitulated at once.</p> + +<p>"Oh! no," she said. "I see what you mean, MacDonald. N-no—William had +better get on with the lower border."</p> + +<p>"That's what I thocht meself, m'lady."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Lady Coote. "Yes. Certainly."</p> + +<p>"I thocht you'd gree, m'lady," said MacDonald.</p> + +<p>"Oh! certainly," said Lady Coote again.</p> + +<p>MacDonald touched his hat and moved away.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote sighed unhappily and looked after him. Jimmy Thesiger, +replete with kidneys and bacon, stepped out on to the terrace beside +her, and sighed in quite a different manner.</p> + +<p>"Topping morning, eh?" he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Is it?" said Lady Coote, absently. "Oh! yes, I suppose it is. I hadn't +noticed."</p> + +<p>"Where are the others? Punting on the lake?"</p> + +<p>"I expect so. I mean, I shouldn't wonder if they were."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote turned and plunged abruptly into the house again. Tredwell +was just examining the coffee pot.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," said Lady Coote. "Isn't Mr.—Mr.—"</p> + +<p>"Wade, m'lady?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mr. Wade. Isn't he down <i>yet</i>?"</p> + +<p>"No, m'lady."</p> + +<p>"It's very late."</p> + +<p>"Yes, m'lady."</p> + +<p>"Oh! dear. I suppose he will come down <i>sometime</i>, Tredwell?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, undoubtedly, m'lady. It was eleven thirty yesterday morning when +Mr. Wade came down, m'lady."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote glanced at the clock. It was now twenty minutes to twelve. A +wave of human sympathy rushed over her.</p> + +<p>"It's very hard luck on you, Tredwell. Having to clear and then get +lunch on the table by one o'clock."</p> + +<p>"I am accustomed to the ways of young gentlemen, m'lady."</p> + +<p>The reproof was dignified, but unmistakable. So might a prince of the +Church reprove a Turk or an infidel who had unwittingly committed a +solecism in all good faith.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote blushed for the second time that morning. But a welcome +interruption occurred. The door opened and a serious, spectacled young +man put his head in.</p> + +<p>"Oh! there you are, Lady Coote. Sir Oswald was asking for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll go to him at once, Mr. Bateman."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote hurried out.</p> + +<p>Rupert Bateman, who was Sir Oswald's private secretary, went out the +other way, through the window where Jimmy Thesiger was still lounging +amiably.</p> + +<p>"Morning, Pongo," said Jimmy. "I suppose I shall have to go and make +myself agreeable to those blasted girls. You coming?"</p> + +<p>Bateman shook his head and hurried along the terrace and in at the +library window. Jimmy grinned pleasantly at his retreating back. He and +Bateman had been at school together, when Bateman had been a serious, +spectacled boy, and had been nicknamed Pongo for no earthly reason +whatever.</p> + +<p>Pongo, Jimmy reflected, was very much the same sort of ass now that he +had been then. The words "Life is real, life is earnest" might have +been written specially for him.</p> + +<p>Jimmy yawned and strolled slowly down to the lake. The girls were +there, three of them—just the usual sort of girls, two with dark, +shingled heads and one with a fair, shingled head. The one that giggled +most was (he thought) called Helen—and there was another called +Nancy—and the third one was, for some reason, addressed as Socks. With +them were his two friends, Bill Eversleigh and Ronny Devereux, who were +employed in a purely ornamental capacity at the Foreign Office.</p> + +<p>"Hallo," said Nancy (or possibly Helen). "It's Jimmy. Where's what's +his name?"</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say," said Bill Eversleigh, "that Gerry Wade's not +up <i>yet</i>? Something ought to be done about it."</p> + +<p>"If he's not careful," said Ronny Devereux, "he'll miss his breakfast +altogether one day—find it's lunch or tea instead when he rolls down."</p> + +<p>"It's a shame," said the girl called Socks. "Because it worries Lady +Coote so. She gets more and more like a hen that wants to lay an egg +and can't. It's too bad."</p> + +<p>"Let's pull him out of bed," suggested Bill. "Come on, Jimmy."</p> + +<p>"Oh! let's be more subtle than that," said the girl called Socks. +Subtle was a word of which she was rather fond. She used it a great +deal.</p> + +<p>"I'm not subtle," said Jimmy. "I don't know how."</p> + +<p>"Let's get together and do something about it to-morrow morning," +suggested Ronny vaguely. "You know, get him up at seven. Stagger the +household. Tredwell loses his false whiskers and drops the tea urn. +Lady Coote has hysterics and faints in Bill's arms—Bill being the +weight carrier. Sir Oswald says 'Ha!' and steel goes up a point and +five eighths. Pongo registers emotion by throwing down his spectacles +and stamping on them."</p> + +<p>"You don't know Gerry," said Jimmy. "I daresay enough cold water +<i>might</i> wake him—judiciously applied, that is. But he'd only turn over +and go to sleep again."</p> + +<p>"Oh! we must think of something more subtle than cold water," said +Socks.</p> + +<p>"Well, what?" asked Ronny bluntly. And nobody had any answer ready.</p> + +<p>"We ought to be able to think of something," said Bill. "Who's got any +brains?"</p> + +<p>"Pongo," said Jimmy. "And here he is, rushing along in a hurried manner +as usual. Pongo was always the one for brains. It's been his misfortune +from his youth upwards. Let's turn Pongo on to it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Bateman listened patiently to a somewhat incoherent statement. His +attitude was that of one poised for flight. He delivered his solution +without loss of time.</p> + +<p>"I should suggest an alarum clock," he said briskly. "I always use one +myself for fear of oversleeping. I find that early tea brought in in a +noiseless manner is sometimes powerless to awaken one."</p> + +<p>He hurried away.</p> + +<p>"An alarum clock." Ronny shook his head. "<i>One</i> alarum clock. It would +take about a dozen to disturb Gerry Wade."</p> + +<p>"Well, why not?" Bill was flushed and earnest. "I've got it. Let's all +go into Market Basing and buy an alarum clock each."</p> + +<p>There was laughter and discussion. Bill and Ronny went off to get hold +of cars. Jimmy was deputed to spy upon the dining-room. He returned +rapidly.</p> + +<p>"He's there right enough. Making up for lost time and wolfing down +toast and marmalade. How are we going to prevent him coming along with +us?"</p> + +<p>It was decided that Lady Coote must be approached and instructed to +hold him in play. Jimmy and Nancy and Helen fulfilled this duty. Lady +Coote was bewildered and apprehensive.</p> + +<p>"A rag? You will be careful, won't you, my dears? I mean, you won't +smash the furniture and wreck things or use too much water. We've got +to hand this house over next week, you know. I shouldn't like Lord +Caterham to think—"</p> + +<p>Bill, who had returned from the garage, broke in reassuringly.</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Lady Coote. Bundle Brent—Lord Caterham's +daughter—is a great friend of mine. And there's nothing she'd stick +at—absolutely nothing! You can take it from me. And anyway there's not +going to be any damage done. This is quite a quiet affair."</p> + +<p>"Subtle," said the girl called Socks.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote went sadly along the terrace just as Gerald Wade emerged +from the breakfast-room. Jimmy Thesiger was a fair, cherubic young man, +and all that could be said of Gerald Wade was that he was fairer and +more cherubic, and that his vacuous expression made Jimmy's face quite +intelligent by contrast.</p> + +<p>"Morning, Lady Coote," said Gerald Wade. "Where are all the others?"</p> + +<p>"They've all gone to Market Basing," said Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"Some joke," said Lady Coote in her deep, melancholy voice.</p> + +<p>"Rather early in the morning for jokes," said Mr. Wade.</p> + +<p>"It's not so very early in the morning," said Lady Coote pointedly.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I was a bit late coming down," said Mr. Wade with engaging +frankness. "It's an extraordinary thing, but wherever I happen to be +staying, I'm always last to be down."</p> + +<p>"Very extraordinary," said Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>"I don't know why it is," said Mr. Wade, meditating. "I can't think, +I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you just get up?" suggested Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Mr. Wade. The simplicity of the solution rather took him +aback.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote went on earnestly.</p> + +<p>"I've heard Sir Oswald say so many times that there's nothing for +getting a young man on in the world like punctual habits."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I know," said Mr. Wade. "And I have to when I'm in town. I mean, +I have to be round at the jolly old Foreign Office by eleven o'clock. +You mustn't think I'm always a slacker, Lady Coote. I say, what +awfully jolly flowers you've got down in that lower border. I can't +remember the names of them, but we've got some at home—those mauve +thingummybobs. My sister's tremendously keen on gardening."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote was immediately diverted. Her wrongs rankled within her.</p> + +<p>"What kind of gardeners do you have?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! just one. Rather an old fool, I believe. Doesn't know much, but he +does what he's told. And that's a great thing, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>Lady Coote agreed that it was with a depth of feeling in her voice that +would have been invaluable to her as an emotional actress. They began +to discourse on the iniquities of gardeners.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the expedition was doing well. The principal emporium of +Market Basing had been invaded and the sudden demand for alarum clocks +was considerably puzzling the proprietor.</p> + +<p>"I wish we'd got Bundle here," murmured Bill. "You know her, don't +you, Jimmy? Oh, you'd like her. She's a splendid girl—a real good +sport—and mark you, she's got brains too. You know her, Ronny?"</p> + +<p>Ronny shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Don't know Bundle? Where have you been vegetating? She's simply it."</p> + +<p>"Be a bit more subtle, Bill," said Socks. "Stop blethering about your +lady friends and get on with the business."</p> + +<p>Mr. Murgatroyd, owner of Murgatroyd's Stores, burst into eloquence.</p> + +<p>"If you'll allow me to advise you, Miss, I should say—<i>not</i> the 7/11 +one. It's a good clock—I'm not running it down, mark you, but I +should strongly advise this kind at 10/6. Well worth the extra money. +Reliability, you understand. I shouldn't like you to say afterwards—"</p> + +<p>It was evident to everybody that Mr. Murgatroyd must be turned off like +a tap.</p> + +<p>"We don't want a reliable clock," said Nancy.</p> + +<p>"It's got to go for one day, that's all," said Helen.</p> + +<p>"We don't want a subtle one," said Socks. "We want one with a good loud +ring."</p> + +<p>"We want—" began Bill, but was unable to finish, because Jimmy, who +was of a mechanical turn of mind, had at last grasped the mechanism. +For the next five minutes the shop was hideous with the loud raucous +ringing of many alarum clocks.</p> + +<p>In the end six excellent starters were selected.</p> + +<p>"And I'll tell you what," said Ronny handsomely, "I'll get one for +Pongo. It was his idea, and it's a shame that he should be out of it. +He shall be represented among those present."</p> + +<p>"That's right," said Bill. "And I'll take an extra one for Lady Coote. +The more the merrier. And she's doing some of the spade work. Probably +gassing away to old Gerry now."</p> + +<p>Indeed at this precise moment Lady Coote was detailing a long story +about MacDonald and a prize peach and enjoying herself very much.</p> + +<p>The clocks were wrapped up and paid for. Mr. Murgatroyd watched the +cars drive away with a puzzled air. Very spirited the young people of +the upper classes nowadays, very spirited indeed, but not at all easy +to understand. He turned with relief to attend to the vicar's wife, who +wanted a new kind of dripless teapot.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_II"><span class="smcap">Chapter II</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Concerning Alarum Clocks</span></p> + + +<p>"Now where shall we put them?"</p> + +<p>Dinner was over. Lady Coote had been once more detailed for duty. Sir +Oswald had unexpectedly come to the rescue by suggesting bridge—not +that suggesting is the right word. Sir Oswald, as became one of +"Our Captains of Industry" (No. 7 of Series I), merely expressed a +preference and those around him hastened to accommodate themselves to +the great man's wishes.</p> + +<p>Rupert Bateman and Sir Oswald were partners against Lady Coote and +Gerald Wade, which was a very happy arrangement. Sir Oswald played +bridge, like he did everything else, extremely well, and liked a +partner to correspond. Bateman was as efficient a bridge player as +he was a secretary. Both of them confined themselves strictly to the +matter in hand, merely uttering in curt short barks, "Two no trumps," +"Double," "Three spades." Lady Coote and Gerald Wade were amiable and +discursive and the young man never failed to say at the conclusion +of each hand, "I say, partner, you played that simply splendidly," +in tones of simple admiration which Lady Coote found both novel and +extremely soothing. They also held very good cards.</p> + +<p>The others were supposed to be dancing to the wireless in the big +ballroom. In reality they were grouped around the door of Gerald Wade's +bedroom, and the air was full of subdued giggles and the loud ticking +of clocks.</p> + +<p>"Under the bed in a row," suggested Jimmy in answer to Bill's question.</p> + +<p>"And what shall we set them at? What time, I mean? All together so that +there's one glorious what-not, or at intervals?"</p> + +<p>The point was hotly disputed. One party argued that for a champion +sleeper like Gerry Wade the combined ringing of eight alarum clocks was +necessary. The other party argued in favour of steady and sustained +effort.</p> + +<p>In the end the latter won the day. The clocks were set to go off one +after the other, starting at 6:30 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span></p> + +<p>"And I hope," said Bill virtuously, "that this will be a lesson to him."</p> + +<p>"Hear, hear," said Socks.</p> + +<p>The business of hiding the clocks was just being begun when there was a +sudden alarm.</p> + +<p>"Hist," cried Jimmy. "Somebody's coming up the stairs."</p> + +<p>There was a panic.</p> + +<p>"It's all right," said Jimmy. "It's only Pongo."</p> + +<p>Taking advantage of being dummy, Mr. Bateman was going to his room for +a handkerchief. He paused on his way and took in the situation at a +glance. He then made a comment, a simple and practical one.</p> + +<p>"He will hear them ticking when he goes to bed."</p> + +<p>The conspirators looked at each other.</p> + +<p>"What did I tell you?" said Jimmy in a reverent voice. "Pongo always +<i>did</i> have brains!"</p> + +<p>The brainy one passed on.</p> + +<p>"It's true," admitted Ronny Devereux, his head on one side. "Eight +clocks all ticking at once do make a devil of a row. Even old Gerry, +ass as he is, couldn't miss it. He'll guess something's up."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if he is," said Jimmy Thesiger.</p> + +<p>"Is what?"</p> + +<p>"Such an ass as we all think."</p> + +<p>Ronny stared at him.</p> + +<p>"We all know old Gerald."</p> + +<p>"Do we?" said Jimmy. "I've sometimes thought that—well, that it isn't +possible for anyone to be quite the ass old Gerry makes himself out to +be."</p> + +<p>They all stared at him. There was a serious look on Ronny's face.</p> + +<p>"Jimmy," he said, "you've got brains."</p> + +<p>"A second Pongo," said Bill encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"Well, it just occurred to me, that's all," said Jimmy, defending +himself.</p> + +<p>"Oh! don't let's all be subtle," cried Socks. "What are we to do about +these clocks?"</p> + +<p>"Here's Pongo coming back again. Let's ask him," suggested Jimmy.</p> + +<p>Pongo, urged to bring his great brain to bear upon the matter, gave his +decision.</p> + +<p>"Wait till he's gone to bed and got to sleep. Then enter the room very +quietly and put the clocks down on the floor."</p> + +<p>"Little Pongo's right again," said Jimmy. "On the word one all park +clocks, and then we'll go downstairs and disarm suspicion."</p> + +<p>Bridge was still proceeding—with a slight difference. Sir Oswald was +now playing with his wife and was conscientiously pointing out to her +the mistakes she had made during the play of each hand. Lady Coote +accepted reproof good-humouredly, and with a complete lack of any real +interest. She reiterated, not once but many times:</p> + +<p>"I see, dear. It's so kind of you to tell me."</p> + +<p>And she continued to make exactly the same errors.</p> + +<p>At intervals, Gerald Wade said to Pongo:</p> + +<p>"Well played, partner, jolly well played."</p> + +<p>Bill Eversleigh was making calculations with Ronny Devereux.</p> + +<p>"Say he goes to bed about twelve—what do you think we ought to give +him—about an hour?"</p> + +<p>He yawned.</p> + +<p>"Curious thing—three in the morning is my usual time for bye-bye, +but to-night, just because I know we've got to sit up a bit, I'd give +anything to be a mother's boy and turn in right away."</p> + +<p>Everyone agreed that he felt the same.</p> + +<p>"My dear Maria," rose the voice of Sir Oswald in mild irritation, +"I have told you over and over again not to hesitate when you are +wondering whether to finesse or not. You give the whole table +information."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote had a very good answer to this—namely that as Sir Oswald +was dummy, he had no right to comment on the play of the hand. But she +did not make it. Instead she smiled kindly, leaned her ample chest well +forward over the table, and gazed firmly into Gerald Wade's hand where +he sat on her right.</p> + +<p>Her anxieties lulled to rest by perceiving the queen, she played the +knave and took the trick and proceeded to lay down her cards.</p> + +<p>"Four tricks and the rubber," she announced. "I think I was very lucky +to get four tricks there."</p> + +<p>"Lucky," murmured Gerald Wade, as he pushed back his chair and came +over to the fireplace to join the others. "Lucky, she calls it. That +woman wants watching."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote was gathering up notes and silver.</p> + +<p>"I know I'm not a good player," she announced in a mournful tone which +nevertheless held an undercurrent of pleasure in it. "But I'm really +very lucky at the game."</p> + +<p>"You'll never be a bridge player, Maria," said Sir Oswald.</p> + +<p>"No, dear," said Lady Coote. "I know I shan't. You're always telling me +so. And I do try so hard."</p> + +<p>"She does," said Gerald Wade <i>sotto voce</i>. "There's no subterfuge about +it. She'd put her head right down on your shoulder if she couldn't see +into your hand any other way."</p> + +<p>"I know you try," said Sir Oswald. "It's just that you haven't any card +sense."</p> + +<p>"I know, dear," said Lady Coote. "That's what you're always telling me. +And you owe me another ten shillings, Oswald."</p> + +<p>"Do I?" Sir Oswald looked surprised.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Seventeen hundred—eight pounds ten. You've only given me eight +pounds."</p> + +<p>"Dear me," said Sir Oswald. "My mistake."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote smiled at him sadly and took up the extra ten-shilling note. +She was very fond of her husband, but she had no intention of allowing +him to cheat her out of ten shillings.</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald moved over to a side table and became hospitable with whisky +and soda. It was half-past twelve when general good-nights were said.</p> + +<p>Ronny Devereux, who had the room next door to Gerald Wade's, was told +off to report progress. At a quarter to two he crept round tapping at +doors. The party, pyjamaed and dressing-gowned, assembled with various +scuffles and giggles and low whispers.</p> + +<p>"His light went out about twenty minutes ago," reported Ronny in a +hoarse whisper. "I thought he'd never put it out. I opened the door +just now and peeped in, and he seems sound off. What about it?"</p> + +<p>Once more the clocks were solemnly assembled. Then another difficulty +arose.</p> + +<p>"We can't all go barging in. Make no end of a row. One person's got to +do it and the others can hand him the what-nots from the door."</p> + +<p>Hot discussion then arose as to the proper person to be selected.</p> + +<p>The three girls were rejected on the grounds that they would giggle. +Bill Eversleigh was rejected on the grounds of his height, weight and +heavy tread, also for his general clumsiness, which latter clause he +fiercely denied. Jimmy Thesiger and Ronny Devereux were considered +possibles, but in the end an overwhelming majority decided in favour of +Rupert Bateman.</p> + +<p>"Pongo's the lad," agreed Jimmy. "Anyway, he walks like a cat—always +did. And then, if Gerry should waken up, Pongo will be able to think of +some rotten silly thing to say to him. You know, something plausible +that'll calm him down and not rouse his suspicions."</p> + +<p>"Something subtle," suggested the girl Socks thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Exactly," said Jimmy.</p> + +<p>Pongo performed his job neatly and efficiently. Cautiously opening the +bedroom door, he disappeared into the darkness inside bearing the two +largest clocks. In a minute or two he reappeared on the threshold +and two more were handed to him and then again twice more. Finally +he emerged. Every one held his breath and listened. The rhythmical +breathing of Gerald Wade could still be heard, but drowned, smothered +and buried beneath the triumphant, impassioned ticking of Mr. +Murgatroyd's eight alarum clocks.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_III"><span class="smcap">Chapter III</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">The Joke That Failed</span></p> + + +<p>"Twelve o'clock," said Socks despairingly.</p> + +<p>The joke—as a joke—had not gone off any too well. The alarum clocks, +on the other hand, had performed their part. <i>They</i> had gone off—with +a vigour and <i>élan</i> that could hardly have been surpassed and which had +sent Ronny Devereux leaping out of bed with a confused idea that the +day of judgment had come. If such had been the effect in the room next +door, what must it have been at close quarters? Ronny hurried out in +the passage and applied his ear to the crack of the door.</p> + +<p>He expected profanity—expected it confidently and with intelligent +anticipation. But he heard nothing at all. That is to say, he heard +nothing of what he expected. The clocks were ticking all right—ticking +in a loud, arrogant, exasperating manner. And presently another went +off, ringing with a crude, deafening note that would have aroused acute +irritation in a deaf man.</p> + +<p>There was no doubt about it; the clocks had performed their part +faithfully. They did all and more than Mr. Murgatroyd had claimed for +them. But apparently they had met their match in Gerald Wade.</p> + +<p>The syndicate was inclined to be despondent about it.</p> + +<p>"The lad isn't human," grumbled Jimmy Thesiger.</p> + +<p>"Probably thought he heard the telephone in the distance and rolled +over and went to sleep again," suggested Helen (or possibly Nancy).</p> + +<p>"It seems to me very remarkable," said Rupert Bateman seriously. "I +think he ought to see a doctor about it."</p> + +<p>"Some disease of the ear-drums," suggested Bill hopefully.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you ask me," said Socks, "I think he's just spoofing us. +Of course they woke him up. But he's just going to do us down by +pretending that he didn't hear anything."</p> + +<p>Every one looked at Socks with respect and admiration.</p> + +<p>"It's an idea," said Bill.</p> + +<p>"He's subtle, that's what it is," said Socks. "You'll see, he'll be +extra late for breakfast this morning—just to show us."</p> + +<p>And since the clock now pointed to some minutes past twelve the general +opinion was that Socks' theory was a correct one. Only Ronny Devereux +demurred.</p> + +<p>"You forget, I was outside the door when the first one went off. +Whatever old Gerry decided to do later, the first one must have +surprised him. He'd have let out something about it. Where did you put +it, Pongo?"</p> + +<p>"On a little table close to his ear," said Mr. Bateman.</p> + +<p>"That was thoughtful of you, Pongo," said Ronny. "Now, tell me." He +turned to Bill. "If a whacking great bell started ringing within a few +inches of your ear at half-past six in the morning, what would you say +about it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! Lord," said Bill. "I should say—" He came to a stop.</p> + +<p>"Of course you would," said Ronny. "So should I. So would anyone. What +they call the natural man would emerge. Well, it didn't. So I say that +Pongo is right—as usual—and that Gerry has got an obscure disease of +the ear-drums."</p> + +<p>"It's now twenty past twelve," said one of the other girls sadly.</p> + +<p>"I say," said Jimmy slowly, "that's a bit beyond anything, isn't it? I +mean a joke's a joke. But this is carrying it a bit far. It's a shade +hard on the Cootes."</p> + +<p>Bill stared at him.</p> + +<p>"What are you getting at?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jimmy, "somehow or other—it's not like old Gerry."</p> + +<p>He found it hard to put into words just what he meant to say. He +didn't want to say too much, and yet—He saw Ronny looking at him. +Ronny was suddenly alert.</p> + +<p>It was at that moment Tredwell came into the room and looked round him +hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"I thought Mr. Bateman was here," he explained apologetically.</p> + +<p>"Just gone out this minute through the window," said Ronny. "Can I do +anything?"</p> + +<p>Tredwell's eyes wandered from him to Jimmy Thesiger and then back +again. As though singled out, the two young men left the room with him. +Tredwell closed the dining-room door carefully behind him.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Ronny. "What's up?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Wade not having yet come down, sir, I took the liberty of sending +Williams up to his room."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Williams has just come running down in a great state of agitation, +sir." Tredwell paused—a pause of preparation. "I am afraid, sir, the +poor young gentleman must have died in his sleep."</p> + +<p>Jimmy and Ronny stared at him.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," cried Ronny at last. "It's—it's impossible. Gerry—" His +face worked suddenly. "I'll—I'll run up and see. That fool Williams +may have made a mistake."</p> + +<p>Tredwell stretched out a detaining hand. With a queer, unnatural +feeling of detachment, Jimmy realized that the butler had the whole +situation in hand.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, Williams has made no mistake. I have already sent for Dr. +Cartwright, and in the meantime I have taken the liberty of locking the +door, preparatory to informing Sir Oswald of what has occurred. I must +now find Mr. Bateman."</p> + +<p>Tredwell hurried away. Ronny stood like a man dazed.</p> + +<p>"Gerry," he muttered to himself.</p> + +<p>Jimmy took his friend by the arm and steered him out through a side +door on to a secluded portion of the terrace. He pushed him down on to +a seat.</p> + +<p>"Take it easy, old son," he said kindly. "You'll get your wind in a +minute."</p> + +<p>But he looked at him rather curiously. He had had no idea that Ronny +was such a friend of Gerry Wade's.</p> + +<p>"Poor old Gerry," he said thoughtfully. "If ever a man looked fit, he +did."</p> + +<p>Ronny nodded.</p> + +<p>"All that clock business seems so rotten now," went on Jimmy. "It's +odd, isn't it, why farce so often seems to get mixed up with tragedy?"</p> + +<p>He was talking more or less at random, to give Ronny time to recover +himself. The other moved restlessly.</p> + +<p>"I wish that doctor would come. I want to know—"</p> + +<p>"Know what?"</p> + +<p>"What he—died of."</p> + +<p>Jimmy pursed up his lips.</p> + +<p>"Heart?" he hazarded.</p> + +<p>Ronny gave a short, scornful laugh.</p> + +<p>"I say, Ronny," said Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy found a difficulty in going on.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean—you aren't thinking—I mean, you haven't got it into +your head that—that, well, I mean he wasn't biffed on the head or +anything? Tredwell's locking the door and all that."</p> + +<p>It seemed to Jimmy that his words deserved an answer, but Ronny +continued to stare straight out in front of him.</p> + +<p>Jimmy shook his head and relapsed into silence. He didn't see that +there was anything to do except just wait. So he waited.</p> + +<p>It was Tredwell who disturbed them.</p> + +<p>"The doctor would like to see you two gentlemen in the library, if you +please, sir."</p> + +<p>Ronny sprang up. Jimmy followed him.</p> + +<p>Dr. Cartwright was a thin, energetic young man with a clever face. +He greeted them with a brief nod. Pongo, looking more serious and +spectacled than ever, performed introductions.</p> + +<p>"I understand you were a great friend of Mr. Wade's," the doctor said +to Ronny.</p> + +<p>"His greatest friend."</p> + +<p>"H'm. Well, this business seems straightforward enough. Sad, though. +He looked a healthy young chap. Do you know if he was in the habit of +taking stuff to make him sleep?"</p> + +<p>"Make him <i>sleep</i>?" Ronny stared. "He always slept like a top."</p> + +<p>"You never heard him complain of sleeplessness?"</p> + +<p>"Never."</p> + +<p>"Well, the facts are simple enough. There'll have to be an inquest, I'm +afraid, nevertheless."</p> + +<p>"How did he die?"</p> + +<p>"There's not much doubt; I should say an overdose of chloral. The stuff +was by his bed. And a bottle and glass. Very sad, these things are."</p> + +<p>It was Jimmy who asked the question which he felt was trembling on his +friend's lips, and yet which the other could somehow or other not get +out.</p> + +<p>"There's no question of—foul play?"</p> + +<p>The doctor looked at him sharply.</p> + +<p>"Why do you say that? Any cause to suspect it, eh?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy looked at Ronny. If Ronny knew anything, now was the time to +speak. But to his astonishment Ronny shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No cause whatever," he said clearly.</p> + +<p>"And suicide—eh?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not."</p> + +<p>Ronny was emphatic. The doctor was not so clearly convinced.</p> + +<p>"No troubles that you know of? Money troubles? A woman?"</p> + +<p>Again Ronny shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Now about his relations. They must be notified."</p> + +<p>"He's got a sister—a half-sister rather. Lives at Deane Priory. About +twenty miles from here. When he wasn't in town Gerry lived with her."</p> + +<p>"H'm," said the doctor. "Well, she must be told."</p> + +<p>"I'll go," said Ronny. "It's a rotten job, but somebody's got to do +it." He looked at Jimmy. "You know her, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Slightly. I've danced with her once or twice."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go in your car. You don't mind, do you? I can't face it +alone."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," said Jimmy reassuringly. "I was going to suggest it +myself. I'll go and get the old bus cranked up."</p> + +<p>He was glad to have something to do. Ronny's manner puzzled him. What +did he know or suspect? And why had he not voiced his suspicions, if he +had them, to the doctor.</p> + +<p>Presently the two friends were skimming along in Jimmy's car with a +cheerful disregard for such things as speed limits.</p> + +<p>"Jimmy," said Ronny at last, "I suppose you're about the best pal I +have—now."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jimmy, "what about it?"</p> + +<p>He spoke gruffly.</p> + +<p>"There's something I'd like to tell you. Something you ought to know."</p> + +<p>"About Gerry Wade?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, about Gerry Wade."</p> + +<p>Jimmy waited.</p> + +<p>"Well?" he inquired at last.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that I ought to," said Ronny.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"I'm bound by a kind of promise."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Well then, perhaps you'd better not."</p> + +<p>There was a silence.</p> + +<p>"And yet, I'd like—You see, Jimmy, your brains are better than mine."</p> + +<p>"They could easily be that," said Jimmy unkindly.</p> + +<p>"No, I can't," said Ronny suddenly.</p> + +<p>"All right," said Jimmy. "Just as you like."</p> + +<p>After a long silence, Ronny said:</p> + +<p>"What's she like?"</p> + +<p>"Who?"</p> + +<p>"This girl. Gerry's sister."</p> + +<p>Jimmy was silent for some minutes, then he said in a voice that had +somehow or other altered:</p> + +<p>"She's all right. In fact—well, she's a corker."</p> + +<p>"Gerry was very devoted to her, I know. He often spoke of her."</p> + +<p>"She was very devoted to Gerry. It—it's going to hit her hard."</p> + +<p>"Yes, a nasty job."</p> + +<p>They were silent till they reached Deane Priory.</p> + +<p>Miss Loraine, the maid told them, was in the garden. Unless they wanted +to see Mrs. Coker—</p> + +<p>Jimmy was eloquent that they did not want to see Mrs. Coker.</p> + +<p>"Who's Mrs. Coker?" asked Ronny as they went round into the somewhat +neglected garden.</p> + +<p>"The old trout who lives with Loraine."</p> + +<p>They had stepped out into a paved walk. At the end of it was a girl +with two black spaniels. A small girl, very fair, dressed in shabby old +tweeds. Not at all the girl that Ronny had expected to see. Not, in +fact, Jimmy's usual type.</p> + +<p>Holding one dog by the collar, she came down the pathway to meet them.</p> + +<p>"How do you do," she said. "You mustn't mind Elizabeth. She's just had +some puppies and she's very suspicious."</p> + +<p>She had a supremely natural manner and, as she looked up smiling, the +faint wild rose flush deepened in her cheeks. Her eyes were a very dark +blue—like cornflowers.</p> + +<p>Suddenly they widened—was it with alarm? As though, already, she +guessed.</p> + +<p>Jimmy hastened to speak.</p> + +<p>"This is Ronny Devereux, Miss Wade. You must often have heard Gerry +speak of him."</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes." She turned a lovely, warm, welcoming smile on him. "You've +both been staying at Chimneys, haven't you? Why didn't you bring Gerry +over with you?"</p> + +<p>"We—er—couldn't," said Ronny, and then stopped.</p> + +<p>Again Jimmy saw the look of fear flash into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Miss Wade," he said, "I'm afraid—I mean, we've got bad news for you."</p> + +<p>She was on the alert in a moment.</p> + +<p>"Gerry?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—Gerry. He's—"</p> + +<p>She stamped her foot with sudden passion.</p> + +<p>"Oh! tell me—tell me—" She turned suddenly on Ronny. "<i>You'll</i> tell +me."</p> + +<p>Jimmy felt a pang of jealousy, and in that moment he knew what up to +now he had hesitated to admit to himself.</p> + +<p>He knew why Helen and Nancy and Socks were just "girls" to him and +nothing more.</p> + +<p>He only <i>half</i> heard Ronny's voice saying gravely:</p> + +<p>"Yes, Miss Wade, I'll tell you. Gerry is dead."</p> + +<p>She had plenty of pluck. She gasped and drew back, but in a minute or +two she was asking eager, searching questions. How? When?</p> + +<p>Ronny answered her as gently as he could.</p> + +<p>"<i>Sleeping</i> draught? Gerry?"</p> + +<p>The incredulity in her voice was plain. Jimmy gave her a glance. It was +almost a glance of warning. He had a sudden feeling that Loraine in her +innocence might say too much.</p> + +<p>In his turn he explained as gently as possible the need for an +inquest. She shuddered. She declined their offer of taking her back to +Chimneys with them, but explained she would come over later. She had a +two-seater of her own.</p> + +<p>"But I want to be—be alone a little first," she said piteously.</p> + +<p>"I know," said Ronny.</p> + +<p>"That's all right," said Jimmy.</p> + +<p>They looked at her, feeling awkward and helpless.</p> + +<p>"Thank you both ever so much for coming."</p> + +<p>They drove back in silence and there was something like constraint +between them.</p> + +<p>"My God! that girl's plucky," said Ronny once.</p> + +<p>Jimmy agreed.</p> + +<p>"Gerry was my friend," said Ronny. "It's up to me to keep an eye on +her."</p> + +<p>"Oh! rather. Of course."</p> + +<p>They said no more.</p> + +<p>On returning to Chimneys Jimmy was waylaid by a tearful Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>"That poor boy," she kept repeating. "That poor boy."</p> + +<p>Jimmy made all the suitable remarks he could think of.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote told him at great length various details about the decease +of various dear friends of hers. Jimmy listened with a show of sympathy +and at last managed to detach himself without actual rudeness.</p> + +<p>He ran lightly up the stairs. Ronny was just emerging from Gerald +Wade's room. He seemed taken aback at the sight of Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"I've been in to see him," he said. "Are you going in?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," said Jimmy, who was a healthy young man with a +natural dislike to being reminded of death.</p> + +<p>"I think all his friends ought to."</p> + +<p>"Oh! do you?" said Jimmy, and registered to himself an impression that +Ronny Devereux was damned odd about it all.</p> + +<p>"Yes. It's a sign of respect."</p> + +<p>Jimmy sighed, but gave in.</p> + +<p>"Oh! very well," he said, and passed in, setting his teeth a little.</p> + +<p>There were white flowers arranged on the coverlet, and the room had +been tidied and set to rights.</p> + +<p>Jimmy gave one quick, nervous glance at the still, white face. Could +that be cherubic, pink Gerry Wade? That still peaceful figure. He +shivered.</p> + +<p>As he turned to leave the room, his glance swept the mantelshelf and +he stopped in astonishment. The alarum clocks had been ranged along it +neatly in a row.</p> + +<p>He went out sharply. Ronny was waiting for him.</p> + +<p>"Looks very peaceful and all that. Rotten luck on him," mumbled Jimmy.</p> + +<p>Then he said:</p> + +<p>"I say, Ronny, who arranged all those clocks like that in a row?"</p> + +<p>"How should I know? One of the servants, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"The funny thing is," said Jimmy, "that there are seven of them, not +eight. One of them's missing. Did you notice that?"</p> + +<p>Ronny made an inaudible sound.</p> + +<p>"Seven instead of eight," said Jimmy, frowning. "I wonder why."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_IV"><span class="smcap">Chapter IV</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">A Letter</span></p> + + +<p>"Inconsiderate, that's what I call it," said Lord Caterham.</p> + +<p>He spoke in a gentle, plaintive voice and seemed pleased with the +adjective he had found.</p> + +<p>"Yes, distinctly inconsiderate. I often find these self-made men +<i>are</i> inconsiderate. Very possibly that is why they amass such large +fortunes."</p> + +<p>He looked mournfully out over his ancestral acres, of which he had +to-day regained possession.</p> + +<p>His daughter, Lady Eileen Brent, known to her friends and society in +general as "Bundle," laughed.</p> + +<p>"You'll certainly never amass a large fortune," she observed dryly, +"though you didn't do so badly out of old Coote, sticking him for this +place. What was he like? Presentable?"</p> + +<p>"One of those large men," said Lord Caterham, shuddering slightly, +"with a red square face and iron-grey hair. Powerful, you know. What +they call a forceful personality. The kind of a man you'd get if a +steam-roller were turned into a human being."</p> + +<p>"Rather tiring?" suggested Bundle sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"Frightfully tiring, full of all the most depressing virtues like +sobriety and punctuality. I don't know which are the worst, powerful +personalities or earnest politicians. I do so prefer the cheerful +inefficient."</p> + +<p>"A cheerful inefficient wouldn't have been able to pay you the price +you asked for this old mausoleum," Bundle reminded him.</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham winced.</p> + +<p>"I wish you wouldn't use that word, Bundle. We were just getting away +from the subject."</p> + +<p>"I don't see why you're so frightfully sensitive about it," said +Bundle. "After all, people must die somewhere."</p> + +<p>"They needn't die in my house," said Lord Caterham.</p> + +<p>"I don't see why not. Lots of people have. Masses of stuffy old great +grandfathers and grandmothers."</p> + +<p>"That's different," said Lord Caterham. "Naturally I expect Brents +to die here—they don't count. But I do object to strangers. And I +especially object to inquests. The thing will become a habit soon. This +is the second. You remember all that fuss we had four years ago? For +which, by the way, I hold George Lomax entirely to blame."</p> + +<p>"And now you're blaming poor old steam-roller Coote. I'm sure he was +quite as annoyed about it as anyone."</p> + +<p>"Very inconsiderate," said Lord Caterham obstinately. "People who are +likely to do that sort of thing oughtn't to be asked to stay. And you +may say what you like, Bundle, I don't like inquests. I never have and +I never shall."</p> + +<p>"Well, this wasn't the same sort of thing as the last one," said Bundle +soothingly. "I mean, it wasn't a murder."</p> + +<p>"It might have been—from the fuss that thick-head of an inspector +made. He's never got over that business four years ago. He thinks every +death that takes place here must necessarily be a case of foul play +fraught with grave political significance. You've no idea the fuss +he made. I've been hearing about it from Tredwell. Tested everything +imaginable for fingerprints. And of course they only found the dead +man's own. The clearest case imaginable—though whether it was suicide +or accident is another matter."</p> + +<p>"I met Gerry Wade once," said Bundle. "He was a friend of Bill's. You'd +have liked him, Father. I never saw anyone more cheerfully inefficient +than he was."</p> + +<p>"I don't like anyone who comes and dies in my house on purpose to annoy +me," said Lord Caterham obstinately.</p> + +<p>"But I certainly can't imagine anyone murdering him," continued Bundle. +"The idea's absurd."</p> + +<p>"Of course it is," said Lord Caterham. "Or would be to anyone but an +ass like Inspector Raglan."</p> + +<p>"I daresay looking for fingerprints made him feel important," said +Bundle soothingly. "Anyway, they brought it in 'Death by misadventure,' +didn't they?"</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham acquiesced.</p> + +<p>"They had to show some consideration for the sister's feelings."</p> + +<p>"Was there a sister? I didn't know."</p> + +<p>"Half-sister, I believe. She was much younger. Old Wade ran away with +her mother—he was always doing that sort of thing. No woman appealed +to him unless she belonged to another man."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad there's one bad habit you haven't got," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"I've always led a very respectable God-fearing life," said Lord +Caterham. "It seems extraordinary, considering how little harm I do to +anybody, that I can't be let alone. If only—"</p> + +<p>He stopped as Bundle made a sudden excursion through the window.</p> + +<p>"MacDonald," called Bundle in a clear, autocratic voice.</p> + +<p>The emperor approached. Something that might possibly have been taken +for a smile of welcome tried to express itself on his countenance, but +the natural gloom of gardeners dispelled it.</p> + +<p>"Your ladyship?" said MacDonald.</p> + +<p>"How are you?" said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"I'm no verra grand," said MacDonald.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to speak to you about the bowling green. It's shockingly +overgrown. Put someone on to it, will you?"</p> + +<p>MacDonald shook his head dubiously.</p> + +<p>"It would mean taking William from the lower border, m'lady."</p> + +<p>"Damn the lower border," said Bundle. "Let him start at once. And, +MacDonald—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, m'lady?"</p> + +<p>"Let's have some of those grapes in from the far house. I know it's the +wrong time to cut them because it always is, but I want them all the +same. See?"</p> + +<p>Bundle re-entered the library.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, Father," she said, "I wanted to catch MacDonald. Were you +speaking?"</p> + +<p>"As a matter of fact I was," said Lord Caterham. "But it doesn't +matter. What were you saying to MacDonald?"</p> + +<p>"Trying to cure him of thinking he's God Almighty. But that's an +impossible task. I expect the Cootes have been bad for him. MacDonald +wouldn't care one hoot, or even two hoots for the largest steam-roller +that ever was. What's Lady Coote like?"</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham considered the question.</p> + +<p>"Very like my idea of Mrs. Siddons," he said at last. "I should think +she went in a lot for amateur theatricals. I gather she was very upset +about the clock business."</p> + +<p>"What clock business?"</p> + +<p>"Tredwell has just been telling me. It seems the house-party had some +joke on. They bought a lot of alarum clocks and hid them about this +young Wade's room. And then, of course, the poor chap was dead. Which +made the whole thing rather beastly."</p> + +<p>Bundle nodded.</p> + +<p>"Tredwell told me something else rather odd about the clocks," +continued Lord Caterham, who was now quite enjoying himself. "It +seems that somebody collected them all and put them in a row on the +mantelpiece after the poor fellow was dead."</p> + +<p>"Well, why not?" said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"I don't see why not myself," said Lord Caterham. "But apparently there +was some fuss about it. No one would own up to having done it, you see. +All the servants were questioned and swore they hadn't touched the +beastly things. In fact, it was rather a mystery. And then the coroner +asked questions at the inquest, and you know how difficult it is to +explain things to people of that class."</p> + +<p>"Perfectly foul," agreed Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Lord Caterham, "it's very difficult to get the hang +of things afterwards. I didn't quite see the point of half the things +Tredwell told me. By the way, Bundle, the fellow died in your room."</p> + +<p>Bundle made a grimace.</p> + +<p>"Why need people die in my room?" she asked with some indignation.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I've been saying," said Lord Caterham, in triumph. +"Inconsiderate. Everybody's damned inconsiderate nowadays."</p> + +<p>"Not that I mind," said Bundle valiantly. "Why should I?"</p> + +<p>"I should," said her father. "I should mind very much. I should dream +things, you know—spectral hands and clanking chains."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Bundle, "Great Aunt Louisa died in <i>your</i> bed. I wonder +you don't see her spook hovering over you."</p> + +<p>"I do sometimes," said Lord Caterham, shuddering. "Especially after +lobster."</p> + +<p>"Well, thank heavens I'm not superstitious," declared Bundle.</p> + +<p>Yet that evening, as she sat in front of her bedroom fire, a slim, +pyjamaed figure, she found her thoughts reverting to that cheery, +vacuous young man, Gerry Wade. Impossible to believe that anyone so +full of the joy of living could deliberately have committed suicide. +No, the other solution must be the right one. He had taken a sleeping +draught and by a pure mistake had swallowed an overdose. That <i>was</i> +possible. She did not fancy that Gerry Wade had been overburdened in an +intellectual capacity.</p> + +<p>Her gaze shifted to the mantelpiece and she began thinking about the +story of the clocks. Her maid had been full of that, having just been +primed by the second housemaid. She had added a detail which apparently +Tredwell had not thought worth while retailing to Lord Caterham, but +which had piqued Bundle's curiosity.</p> + +<p>Seven clocks had been neatly ranged on the mantelpiece; the last +and remaining one had been found on the lawn outside, where it had +obviously been thrown from the window.</p> + +<p>Bundle puzzled over that point now. It seemed such an extraordinarily +purposeless thing to do. She could imagine that one of the maids might +have tidied the clocks and then, frightened by the inquisition into the +matter, have denied doing so. But surely no maid would have thrown a +clock into the garden.</p> + +<p>Had Gerry Wade done so when its first sharp summons woke him? But no; +that again was impossible. Bundle remembered hearing that his death +must have taken place in the early hours of the morning, and he would +have been in a comatose condition for some time before that.</p> + +<p>Bundle frowned. This business of the clocks was curious. She must get +hold of Bill Eversleigh. He had been there, she knew.</p> + +<p>To think was to act with Bundle. She got up and went over to the +writing desk. It was an inlaid affair with a lid that rolled back. +Bundle sat down at it, pulled a sheet of notepaper towards her and +wrote.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>DEAR BILL,—</p> +</div> + +<p>She paused to pull out the lower part of the desk. It had stuck +half-way, as she remembered it often did. Bundle tugged at it +impatiently but it did not move. She recalled that on a former occasion +an envelope had been pushed back with it and had jammed it for the time +being. She took a thin paperknife and slipped it into the narrow crack. +She was so far successful that a corner of white paper showed. Bundle +caught hold of it and drew it out. It was the first sheet of a letter, +somewhat crumpled.</p> + +<p>It was the date that first caught Bundle's eye. A big flourishing date +that leaped out from the paper. Sept. 21st.</p> + +<p>"September 21st," said Bundle slowly. "Why, surely that was—"</p> + +<p>She broke off. Yes, she was sure of it. The 22nd was the day Gerry Wade +was found dead. This, then, was a letter he must have been writing on +the very evening of the tragedy.</p> + +<p>Bundle smoothed it out and read it. It was unfinished.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">My Darling Loraine</span>,—I will be down on Wednesday. Am feeling +awfully fit and rather pleased with myself all round. It will be +heavenly to see you. Look here, do forget what I said about that Seven +Dials business. I thought it was going to be more or less of a joke, +but it isn't—anything but. I'm sorry I ever said anything about +it—it's not the kind of business kids like you ought to be mixed up +in. So forget about it, see?</p> + +<p>"Something else I wanted to tell you—but I'm so sleepy I can't keep +my eyes open.</p> + +<p>"Oh, about Lurcher; I think—"</p> +</div> + +<p>Here the letter broke off.</p> + +<p>Bundle sat frowning. Seven Dials. Where was that? Some rather slummy +district of London, she fancied. The words Seven Dials reminded her of +something else, but for the moment she couldn't think of what. Instead +her attention fastened on two phrases. "Am feeling awfully fit ..." and +"I'm so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open."</p> + +<p>That didn't fit in. That didn't fit in at all. For it was that very +night that Gerry Wade had taken such a heavy dose of chloral that he +never woke again. And if what he had written in that letter was true, +why should he have taken it?</p> + +<p>Bundle shook her head. She looked round the room and gave a slight +shiver. Supposing Gerry Wade were watching her now. In this room he had +died...</p> + +<p>She sat very still. The silence was unbroken save for the ticking of +her little gold clock. That sounded unnaturally loud and important.</p> + +<p>Bundle glanced towards the mantelpiece. A vivid picture rose before her +mind's eye. The dead man lying on the bed, and seven clocks ticking on +the mantelpiece—ticking loudly, ominously ... ticking ... ticking....</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_V"><span class="smcap">Chapter V</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">The Man in the Road</span></p> + + +<p>"Father," said Bundle, opening the door of Lord Caterham's special +sanctum and putting her head in, "I'm going up to town in the Hispano. +I can't stand the monotony down here any longer."</p> + +<p>"We only got home yesterday," complained Lord Caterham.</p> + +<p>"I know. It seems like a hundred years. I'd forgotten how dull the +country could be."</p> + +<p>"I don't agree with you," said Lord Caterham. "It's peaceful, that's +what it is—peaceful. And extremely comfortable. I appreciate getting +back to Tredwell more than I can tell you. That man studies my comfort +in the most marvellous manner. Somebody came round only this morning to +know if they could hold a tally for girl guides here—"</p> + +<p>"A rally," interrupted Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Rally or tally—it's all the same. Some silly word meaning nothing +whatever. But it would have put me in a very awkward position—having +to refuse—in fact, I probably shouldn't have refused. But Tredwell got +me out of it. I've forgotten what he said—something damned ingenious +which couldn't hurt anybody's feelings and which knocked the idea on +the head absolutely."</p> + +<p>"Being comfortable isn't enough for me," said Bundle. "I want +excitement."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham shuddered.</p> + +<p>"Didn't we have enough excitement four years ago?" he demanded +plaintively.</p> + +<p>"I'm about ready for some more," said Bundle. "Not that I expect I +shall find any in town. But at any rate I shan't dislocate my jaw with +yawning."</p> + +<p>"In my experience," said Lord Caterham, "people who go about looking +for trouble usually find it." He yawned. "All the same," he added, "I +wouldn't mind running up to town myself."</p> + +<p>"Well, come on," said Bundle. "But be quick, because I'm in a hurry."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham, who had begun to rise from his chair, paused.</p> + +<p>"Did you say you were in a hurry?" he asked suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"In the devil of a hurry," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"That settles it," said Lord Caterham. "I'm not coming. To be driven +by you in the Hispano when you're in a hurry—no, it's not fair on any +elderly man. I shall stay here."</p> + +<p>"Please yourself," said Bundle, and withdrew.</p> + +<p>Tredwell took her place.</p> + +<p>"The vicar, my lord, is most anxious to see you, some unfortunate +controversy having arisen about the status of the Boys' Brigade."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham groaned.</p> + +<p>"I rather fancied, my lord, that I had heard you mention at breakfast +that you were strolling down to the village this morning to converse +with the vicar on the subject."</p> + +<p>"Did you tell him so?" asked Lord Caterham eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I did, my lord. He departed, if I may say so, hot-foot. I hope I did +right, my lord?"</p> + +<p>"Of course you did, Tredwell. You are always right. You couldn't go +wrong if you tried."</p> + +<p>Tredwell smiled benignly and withdrew.</p> + +<p>Bundle, meanwhile, was sounding the Klaxon impatiently before the lodge +gates, while a small child came hastening out with all speed from the +lodge, admonishment from her mother following her.</p> + +<p>"Make haste, Katie. That be her ladyship in a mortal hurry as always."</p> + +<p>It was indeed characteristic of Bundle to be in a hurry, especially +when driving a car. She had skill and nerve and was a good driver; had +it been otherwise her reckless pace would have ended in disaster more +than once.</p> + +<p>It was a crisp October day, with a blue sky and a dazzling sun. The +sharp tang of the air brought the blood to Bundle's cheeks and filled +her with the zest of living.</p> + +<p>She had that morning sent Gerald Wade's unfinished letter to Loraine +Wade at Deane Priory, enclosing a few explanatory lines. The curious +impression it had made upon her was somewhat dimmed in the daylight, +yet it still struck her as needing explanation. She intended to get +hold of Bill Eversleigh sometime and extract from him fuller details +of the house-party which had ended so tragically. In the meantime, it +was a lovely morning and she felt particularly well and the Hispano was +running like a dream.</p> + +<p>Bundle pressed her foot down on the accelerator and the Hispano +responded at once. Mile after mile vanished, traffic stops were few and +far between and Bundle had a clear stretch of road in front of her.</p> + +<p>And then, without any warning whatever, a man reeled out of the +hedge and on to the road right in front of the car. To stop in time +was out of the question. With all her might Bundle wrenched at the +steering wheel and swerved out to the right. The car was nearly in the +ditch—nearly, but not quite. It was a dangerous manoeuvre, but it +succeeded. Bundle was almost certain that she had missed the man.</p> + +<p>She looked back and felt a sickening sensation in the middle of her +anatomy. The car had not passed over the man, but nevertheless it must +have struck him in passing. He was lying face downwards on the road, +and he lay ominously still.</p> + +<p>Bundle jumped out and ran back. She had never yet run over anything +more important than a stray hen. The fact that the accident was hardly +her fault did not weigh with her at the minute. The man had seemed +drunk, but drunk or not, she had killed him. She was quite sure she +had killed him. Her heart beat sickeningly in great pounding thumps, +sounding right up in her ears.</p> + +<p>She knelt down by the prone figure and turned him very gingerly over. +He neither groaned nor moaned. He was young, she saw, rather a +pleasant-faced young man, well dressed and wearing a small toothbrush +moustache.</p> + +<p>There was no external mark of injury that she could see, but she was +quite positive that he was either dead or dying. His eyelids flickered +and the eyes half opened. Piteous eyes, brown and suffering, like a +dog's. He seemed to be struggling to speak. Bundle bent right over.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said. "Yes?"</p> + +<p>There was something he wanted to say, she could see that. Wanted to say +badly. And she couldn't help him, couldn't do anything.</p> + +<p>At last the words came, a mere sighing breath:</p> + +<p>"<i>Seven Dials</i> ... tell...."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Bundle again. It was a name he was trying to get +out—trying with all his failing strength. "Yes. Who am I to tell?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Tell</i> ... <i>Jimmy Thesiger</i>...." He got it out at last, and then +suddenly, his head fell back and his body went limp.</p> + +<p>Bundle sat back on her heels, shivering from head to foot. She could +never have imagined that anything so awful could have happened to her. +He was dead—and she had killed him.</p> + +<p>She tried to pull herself together. What must she do now? A +doctor—that was her first thought. It was possible—just +possible—that the man might only be unconscious, not dead. Her +instinct cried out against the possibility, but she forced herself to +act upon it. Somehow or other she must get him into the car and take +him to the nearest doctor's. It was a deserted stretch of country road +and there was no one to help her.</p> + +<p>Bundle, for all her slimness, was strong. She had muscles of whipcord. +She brought the Hispano as close as possible, and then, exerting all +her strength, she dragged and pulled the inanimate figure into it. It +was a horrid business, and one that made her set her teeth, but at last +she managed it.</p> + +<p>Then she jumped into the driver's seat and started off. A couple of +miles brought her into a small town and on inquiry she was quickly +directed to the doctor's house.</p> + +<p>Dr. Cassell, a kindly, middle-aged man, was startled to come into +his surgery and find a girl there who was evidently on the verge of +collapse.</p> + +<p>Bundle spoke abruptly.</p> + +<p>"I—I think I've killed a man. I ran over him. I brought him along in +the car. He's outside now. I—I was driving too fast, I suppose. I've +always driven too fast."</p> + +<p>The doctor cast a practised glance over her. He stepped over to a shelf +and poured something into a glass. He brought it over to her.</p> + +<p>"Drink this down," he said, "and you'll feel better. You've had a +shock."</p> + +<p>Bundle drank obediently and a tinge of colour came into her pallid +face. The doctor nodded approvingly.</p> + +<p>"That's right. Now I want you to sit quietly here. I'll go out and +attend to things. After I've made sure there's nothing to be done for +the poor fellow, I'll come back and we'll talk about it."</p> + +<p>He was away some time. Bundle watched the clock on the mantelpiece. +Five minutes, ten minutes, a quarter of an hour, twenty minutes—would +he never come?</p> + +<p>Then the door opened and Dr. Cassell reappeared. He looked +different—Bundle noticed that at once—grimmer and at the same time +more alert. There was something else in his manner that she did not +quite understand, a suggestion of repressed excitement.</p> + +<p>"Now then, young lady," he said, "let's have this out. You ran over +this man, you say. Tell me just how the accident happened?"</p> + +<p>Bundle explained to the best of her ability. The doctor followed her +narrative with keen attention.</p> + +<p>"Just so; the car didn't pass over his body?"</p> + +<p>"No. In fact, I thought I'd missed him altogether."</p> + +<p>"He was reeling, you say?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I thought he was drunk."</p> + +<p>"And he came from the hedge?"</p> + +<p>"There was a gate just there, I think. He must have come through the +gate."</p> + +<p>The doctor nodded, then he leaned back in his chair and removed his +pince-nez.</p> + +<p>"I've no doubt at all," he said, "that you're a very reckless driver, +and that you'll probably run over some poor fellow and do for him one +of these days—but you haven't done it this time."</p> + +<p>"But—"</p> + +<p>"The car never touched him. <i>This man was shot.</i>"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_VI"><span class="smcap">Chapter VI</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Seven Dials Again</span></p> + + +<p>Bundle stared at him. And very slowly the world, which for the last +three quarters of an hour had been upside down, shifted till it stood +once more the right way up. It was quite two minutes before Bundle +spoke, but when she did it was no longer the panic-stricken girl but +the real Bundle, cool, efficient, and logical.</p> + +<p>"How could he be shot?" she said.</p> + +<p>"I don't know how he could," said the doctor dryly. "But he was. He's +got a rifle bullet in him all right. He bled internally, that's why you +didn't notice anything."</p> + +<p>Bundle nodded.</p> + +<p>"The question is," the doctor continued, "Who shot him? You saw nobody +about?"</p> + +<p>Bundle shook her head.</p> + +<p>"It's odd," said the doctor. "If it was an accident, you'd expect +the fellow who did it would come running to the rescue—unless just +possibly he didn't know what he'd done."</p> + +<p>"There was no one about," said Bundle. "On the road, that is."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me," said the doctor, "that the poor lad must have been +running—the bullet got him just as he passed through the gate and he +came reeling on to the road in consequence. You didn't hear a shot?"</p> + +<p>Bundle shook her head.</p> + +<p>"But I probably shouldn't anyway," she said, "with the noise of the +car."</p> + +<p>"Just so. He didn't say anything before he died?"</p> + +<p>"He muttered a few words."</p> + +<p>"Nothing to throw light on the tragedy?"</p> + +<p>"No. He wanted something—I don't know what—told to a friend of his. +Oh! yes, and he mentioned Seven Dials."</p> + +<p>"H'm," said Doctor Cassell. "Not a likely neighborhood for one of his +class. Perhaps his assailant came from there. Well, we needn't worry +about that now. You can leave it in my hands. I'll notify the police. +You must, of course, leave your name and address, as the police are +sure to want to question you. In fact, perhaps you'd better come round +to the police station with me now. They might say I ought to have +detained you."</p> + +<p>They went together in Bundle's car. The police inspector was a +slow-speaking man. He was somewhat overawed by Bundle's name and +address when she gave it to him, and he took down her statement with +great care.</p> + +<p>"Lads!" he said. "That's what it is. Lads practising! Cruel stupid, +them young varmints are. Always loosing off at birds with no +consideration for anyone as may be the other side of a hedge."</p> + +<p>The doctor thought it a most unlikely solution, but he realized that +the case would soon be in abler hands and it did not seem worth while +to make objections.</p> + +<p>"Name of deceased?" asked the sergeant, moistening his pencil.</p> + +<p>"He had a cardcase on him. He appears to have been a Mr. Ronald +Devereux, with an address in the Albany."</p> + +<p>Bundle frowned. The name Ronald Devereux awoke some chord of +remembrance. She was sure she had heard it before.</p> + +<p>It was not until she was half-way back to Chimneys in the car that it +came to her. Of course! Ronny Devereux. Bill's friend in the Foreign +Office. He and Bill and—yes—Gerald Wade.</p> + +<p>As this last realisation came to her, Bundle nearly went into the +hedge. First Gerald Wade—then Ronny Devereux. Gerry Wade's death might +have been natural—the result of carelessness—but Ronny Devereux's +surely bore a more sinister interpretation.</p> + +<p>And then Bundle remembered something else. Seven Dials! When the +dying man had said it, it had seemed vaguely familiar. Now she knew +why. Gerald Wade had mentioned Seven Dials in that last letter of his +written to his sister on the night before his death. And that again +connected up with something else that escaped her.</p> + +<p>Thinking all these things over, Bundle had slowed down to such a sober +pace that nobody would have recognised her. She drove the car round to +the garage and went in search of her father.</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham was happily reading a catalogue of a forthcoming sale of +rare editions and was immeasurably astonished to see Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Even you," he said, "can't have been to London and back in this time."</p> + +<p>"I haven't been to London," said Bundle. "I ran over a man."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Only I didn't really. He was shot."</p> + +<p>"How could he have been?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know how he could have been, but he was."</p> + +<p>"But why did you shoot him?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't shoot him."</p> + +<p>"You shouldn't shoot people," said Lord Caterham in a tone of mild +remonstrance. "You shouldn't really. I daresay some of them richly +deserve it—but all the same it will lead to trouble."</p> + +<p>"I tell you I didn't shoot him."</p> + +<p>"Well, who did?"</p> + +<p>"Nobody knows," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said Lord Caterham. "A man can't be shot and run over +without anyone having done it."</p> + +<p>"He wasn't run over," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"I thought you said he was."</p> + +<p>"I said I thought I had."</p> + +<p>"A tyre burst, I suppose," said Lord Caterham. "That does sound like a +shot. It says so in detective stories."</p> + +<p>"You really are perfectly impossible, Father. You don't seem to have +the brains of a rabbit."</p> + +<p>"Not at all," said Lord Caterham. "You come in with a wildly impossible +tale about men being run over and shot and I don't know what, and then +you expect me to know all about it by magic."</p> + +<p>Bundle sighed wearily.</p> + +<p>"Just attend," she said. "I'll tell you all about it in words of one +syllable."</p> + +<p>"There," she said when she had concluded. "Now have you got it?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. I understand perfectly now. I can make allowances for your +being a little upset, my dear. I was not far wrong when I remarked to +you before starting out that people looking for trouble usually found +it. I am thankful," finished Lord Caterham with a slight shiver, "that +I stayed quietly here."</p> + +<p>He picked up the catalogue again.</p> + +<p>"Father, where is Seven Dials?"</p> + +<p>"In the East End somewhere, I fancy. I have frequently observed buses +going there—or do I mean Seven Sisters? I have never been there +myself, I am thankful to say. Just as well, because I don't fancy it is +the sort of spot I should like. And yet, curiously enough, I seem to +have heard of it in some connection just lately."</p> + +<p>"You don't know a Jimmy Thesiger, do you?"</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham was now engrossed in his catalogue once more. He had made +an effort to be intelligent on the subject of Seven Dials. This time he +made hardly any effort at all.</p> + +<p>"Thesiger," he murmured vaguely. "Thesiger. One of the Yorkshire +Thesigers?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I'm asking you. Do attend, Father. This is important."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham made a desperate effort to look intelligent without +really having to give his mind to the matter.</p> + +<p>"There <i>are</i> some Yorkshire Thesigers," he said earnestly. "And unless +I am mistaken some Devonshire Thesigers also. Your Great Aunt Selina +married a Thesiger."</p> + +<p>"What good is that to me?" cried Bundle.</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham chuckled.</p> + +<p>"It was very little good to her, if I remember rightly."</p> + +<p>"You're impossible," said Bundle, rising. "I shall have to get hold of +Bill."</p> + +<p>"Do, dear," said her father absently as he turned a page. "Certainly. +By all means. Quite so."</p> + +<p>Bundle rose to her feet with an impatient sigh.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could remember what that letter said," she murmured more to +herself than aloud. "I didn't read it very carefully. Something about a +joke—that the Seven Dials business wasn't a joke."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham emerged suddenly from his catalogue.</p> + +<p>"Seven Dials?" he said. "Of course. I've got it now."</p> + +<p>"Got what?"</p> + +<p>"I know why it sounded so familiar. George Lomax has been over. +Tredwell failed for once and let him in. He was on his way up to town. +It seems he's having some political party at the Abbey next week and he +got a warning letter."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by a warning letter?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't really know. He didn't go into details. I gather it +said 'Beware' and 'Trouble is at hand,' and all those sort of things. +But anyway it was written from Seven Dials, I distinctly remember his +saying so. He was going up to town to consult Scotland Yard about it. +You know George?"</p> + +<p>Bundle nodded. She was well acquainted with that public-spirited +Cabinet Minister, George Lomax, His Majesty's permanent Under Secretary +of State for Foreign Affairs, who was shunned by many because of his +inveterate habit of quoting from his public speeches in private. In +allusion to his bulging eyeballs, he was known to many—Bill Eversleigh +among others—as Codders.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," she said, "was Codders interested at all in Gerald Wade's +death?"</p> + +<p>"Not that I ever heard of. He may have been, of course."</p> + +<p>Bundle said nothing for some minutes. She was busily engaged in trying +to remember the exact wording of the letter she had sent on to Loraine +Wade, and at the same time she was trying to picture the girl to whom +it had been written. What sort of a girl was this to whom, apparently, +Gerald Wade was so devoted? The more she thought over it, the more it +seemed to her that it was an unusual letter for a brother to write.</p> + +<p>"Did you say the Wade girl was Gerry's half-sister?" she asked suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Well, of course, strictly speaking, I suppose she isn't—wasn't, I +mean—his sister at all."</p> + +<p>"But her name's Wade?"</p> + +<p>"Not really. She wasn't old Wade's child. As I was saying, he ran +away with his second wife, who was married to a perfect blackguard. I +suppose the Courts gave the rascally husband the custody of the child, +but he certainly didn't avail himself of the privilege. Old Wade got +very fond of the child and insisted that she should be called by his +name."</p> + +<p>"I see," said Bundle. "That explains it."</p> + +<p>"Explains what?"</p> + +<p>"Something that puzzled me about that letter."</p> + +<p>"She's rather a pretty girl, I believe," said Lord Caterham. "Or so +I've heard."</p> + +<p>Bundle went upstairs thoughtfully. She had several objects in view. +First she must find this Jimmy Thesiger. Bill, perhaps, would be +helpful there. Ronny Devereux had been a friend of Bill's. If Jimmy +Thesiger was a friend of Ronny's, the chances were that Bill would know +him too. Then there was the girl, Loraine Wade. It was possible that +she could throw some light on the problem of Seven Dials. Evidently +Gerry Wade had said something to her about it. His anxiety that she +should forget the fact had a sinister suggestion.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_VII"><span class="smcap">Chapter VII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Bundle Pays a Call</span></p> + + +<p>Getting hold of Bill presented few difficulties. Bundle motored up +to town on the following morning—this time without adventures by +the way—and rang him up. Bill responded with alacrity, and made +various suggestions as to lunch, tea, dinner and dancing. All of which +suggestions Bundle turned down as made.</p> + +<p>"In a day or two, I'll come and frivol with you, Bill. But for the +moment I'm up on business."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Bill. "What a beastly bore."</p> + +<p>"It's not that kind," said Bundle. "It's anything but boring. Bill, do +you know anyone called Jimmy Thesiger."</p> + +<p>"Of course. So do you."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you do. You must. Everyone knows old Jimmy."</p> + +<p>"Sorry," said Bundle. "Just for once I don't seem to be everyone."</p> + +<p>"Oh! but you must know Jimmy—pink-faced chap. Looks a bit of an ass. +But really he's got as many brains as I have."</p> + +<p>"You don't say so," said Bundle. "He must feel a bit top heavy when he +walks about."</p> + +<p>"Was that meant for sarcasm?"</p> + +<p>"It was a feeble effort at it. What does Jimmy Thesiger do?"</p> + +<p>"How do you mean, what does he do?"</p> + +<p>"Does being at the Foreign Office prevent you from understanding your +native language?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I see, you mean, has he got a job? No, he just tools around. Why +should he do anything?"</p> + +<p>"In fact, more money than brains?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I wouldn't say that. I told you just now that he had more brains +than you'd think."</p> + +<p>Bundle was silent. She was feeling more and more doubtful. This gilded +youth did not sound a very promising ally. And yet it was his name that +had come first to the dying man's lips. Bill's voice chimed in suddenly +with singular appropriateness.</p> + +<p>"Ronny always thought a lot of his brains. You know, Ronny Devereux. +Thesiger was his greatest pal."</p> + +<p>"Ronny—"</p> + +<p>Bundle stopped, undecided. Clearly Bill knew nothing of the other's +death. It occurred to Bundle for the first time that it was odd the +morning papers had contained nothing of the tragedy. Surely it was the +kind of spicy item of news that would never be passed over. There could +be one explanation, and one explanation only. The police, for reasons +of their own, were keeping the matter quiet.</p> + +<p>Bill's voice was continuing.</p> + +<p>"I haven't seen Ronny for an age—not since that week-end down at your +place. You know, when poor old Gerry Wade passed out."</p> + +<p>He paused and then went on.</p> + +<p>"Rather a foul business that altogether. I expect you've heard about +it. I say, Bundle—are you there still?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I'm here."</p> + +<p>"Well, you haven't said anything for an age. I began to think that you +had gone away."</p> + +<p>"No, I was just thinking over something."</p> + +<p>Should she tell Bill of Ronny's death? She decided against it—it was +not the sort of thing to be said over the telephone. But soon, very +soon, she must have a meeting with Bill. In the meantime—</p> + +<p>"Bill?"</p> + +<p>"Hullo."</p> + +<p>"I might dine with you to-morrow night."</p> + +<p>"Good, and we'll dance afterwards. I've got a lot to talk to you +about. As a matter of fact I've been rather hard hit—the foulest +luck—"</p> + +<p>"Well, tell me about it to-morrow," said Bundle, cutting him short +rather unkindly. "In the meantime, what is Jimmy Thesiger's address?"</p> + +<p>"Jimmy Thesiger?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I said."</p> + +<p>"He's got rooms in Jermyn Street—do I mean Jermyn Street or the other +one?"</p> + +<p>"Bring that class A brain to bear upon it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Jermyn Street. Wait a bit and I'll give you the number."</p> + +<p>There was a pause.</p> + +<p>"Are you there still?"</p> + +<p>"I'm always there."</p> + +<p>"Well, one never knows with these dashed telephones. The number is 103. +Got it?"</p> + +<p>"103. Thank you, Bill."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I say—what do you want it for? You said you didn't know him."</p> + +<p>"I don't, but I shall in half an hour."</p> + +<p>"You're going round to his rooms?"</p> + +<p>"Quite right, Sherlock."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I say—well, for one thing he won't be up."</p> + +<p>"Won't be up?"</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't think so. I mean, who would if they hadn't got to? Look at +it that way. You've no idea what an effort it is for me to get here at +eleven every morning, and the fuss Codders makes if I'm behind time is +simply appalling. You haven't the least idea, Bundle, what a dog's life +this is—"</p> + +<p>"You shall tell me all about it to-morrow night," said Bundle hastily.</p> + +<p>She slammed down the receiver and took stock of the situation. First +she glanced at the clock. It was five and twenty minutes to twelve. +Despite Bill's knowledge of his friend's habits, she inclined to the +belief that Mr. Thesiger would by now be in a fit state to receive +visitors. She took a taxi to 103 Jermyn Street.</p> + +<p>The door was opened by a perfect example of the retired gentleman's +gentleman. His face, expressionless and polite, was such a face as may +be found by the score in that particular district of London.</p> + +<p>"Will you come this way, madam?"</p> + +<p>He ushered her upstairs into an extremely comfortable sitting-room +containing leather covered arm-chairs of immense dimensions. Sunk +in one of those monstrosities was another girl, rather younger than +Bundle. A small, fair girl, dressed in black.</p> + +<p>"What name shall I say, madam?"</p> + +<p>"I won't give any name," said Bundle. "I just want to see Mr. Thesiger +on important business."</p> + +<p>The grave gentleman bowed and withdrew, shutting the door noiselessly +behind him.</p> + +<p>There was a pause.</p> + +<p>"It's a nice morning," said the fair girl timidly.</p> + +<p>"It's an awfully nice morning," agreed Bundle.</p> + +<p>There was another pause.</p> + +<p>"I motored up from the country this morning," said Bundle, plunging +once more into speech. "And I thought it was going to be one of those +foul fogs. But it wasn't."</p> + +<p>"No," said the other girl. "It wasn't." And she added: "I've come up +from the country too."</p> + +<p>Bundle eyed her more attentively. She had been slightly annoyed at +finding the other there. Bundle belonged to the energetic order of +people who like "to get on with it," and she foresaw that the second +visitor would have to be disposed of and got rid of before she could +broach her own business. It was not a topic she could introduce before +a stranger.</p> + +<p>Now, as she looked more closely, an extraordinary idea rose in her +brain. Could it be? Yes, the girl was in deep mourning; her black, +silk-clad ankles showed that. It was a long shot, but Bundle was +convinced that her idea was right. She drew a long breath.</p> + +<p>"Look here," she said. "Are you by any chance Loraine Wade?"</p> + +<p>Loraine's eyes opened wide.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am. How clever of you to know. We've never met, have we?"</p> + +<p>Bundle shook her head.</p> + +<p>"I wrote to you yesterday, though. I'm Bundle Brent."</p> + +<p>"It was so very kind of you to send me Gerry's letter," said Loraine. +"I've written to thank you. I never expected to see you here."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you why I'm here," said Bundle. "Did you know Ronny +Devereux?"</p> + +<p>Loraine nodded.</p> + +<p>"He came over the day that Gerry—you know. And he's been to see me two +or three times since. He was one of Gerry's greatest friends."</p> + +<p>"I know. Well—he's dead."</p> + +<p>Loraine's lips parted in surprise.</p> + +<p>"<i>Dead!</i> But he always seemed so fit."</p> + +<p>Bundle narrated the events of the preceding day as briefly as possible. +A look of fear and horror came into Loraine's face.</p> + +<p>"Then it <i>is</i> true. It <i>is</i> true."</p> + +<p>"What's true?"</p> + +<p>"What I've thought—what I've been thinking all these weeks. Gerald +didn't die a natural death. He was killed."</p> + +<p>"You've thought that, have you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Gerry would never have taken things to make him sleep." She gave +the little ghost of a laugh. "He slept much too well to need them. I +always thought it queer. And <i>he</i> thought so too—I know he did."</p> + +<p>"Who?"</p> + +<p>"Ronny. And now this happens. Now he's killed too." She paused and then +went on: "That's what I came for to-day. That letter of Gerry's you +sent me—as soon as I read it, I tried to get hold of Ronny, but they +said he was away. So I thought I'd come and see Jimmy—he was Ronny's +other great friend. I thought perhaps he'd tell me what I ought to do."</p> + +<p>"You mean—" Bundle paused. "About—Seven Dials."</p> + +<p>Loraine nodded.</p> + +<p>"You see—" she began.</p> + +<p>But at that moment Jimmy Thesiger entered the room.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_VIII"><span class="smcap">Chapter VIII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Visitors for Jimmy</span></p> + + +<p>We must at this point go back to some twenty minutes earlier. To a +moment when Jimmy Thesiger, emerging from the mists of sleep, was +conscious of a familiar voice speaking unfamiliar words.</p> + +<p>His sleep-ridden brain tried for a moment to cope with the situation, +but failed. He yawned and rolled over again.</p> + +<p>"A young lady, sir, has called to see you."</p> + +<p>The voice was implacable. So prepared was it to go on repeating the +statement indefinitely that Jimmy resigned himself to the inevitable. +He opened his eyes and blinked.</p> + +<p>"Eh, Stevens?" he said. "Say that again."</p> + +<p>"A young lady, sir, has called to see you."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" Jimmy strove to grasp the situation. "Why?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't say, sir."</p> + +<p>"No, I suppose not. No," he thought it over. "I suppose you couldn't."</p> + +<p>Stevens swooped down upon a tray by the bedside.</p> + +<p>"I will bring you some fresh tea, sir. This is cold."</p> + +<p>"You think that I ought to get up and—er—see the lady?"</p> + +<p>Stevens made no reply, but he held his back very stiff and Jimmy read +the signs correctly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! very well," he said. "I suppose I'd better. She didn't give her +name?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"H'm. She couldn't be by any possible chance my Aunt Jemima, could +she? Because if so, I'm damned if I'm going to get up."</p> + +<p>"The lady, sir, could not possibly be anyone's aunt, I should say, +unless the youngest of a large family."</p> + +<p>"Aha," said Jimmy. "Young and lovely. Is she—what kind is she?"</p> + +<p>"The young lady, sir, is most undoubtedly strictly <i>comme il faut</i>, if +I may use the expression."</p> + +<p>"You may use it," said Jimmy graciously. "Your French pronunciation, +Stevens, if I may say so, is very good. Much better than mine."</p> + +<p>"I am gratified to hear it, sir. I have lately been taking a +correspondence course in French."</p> + +<p>"Have you really? You're a wonderful chap, Stevens."</p> + +<p>Stevens smiled in a superior fashion and left the room. Jimmy lay +trying to recall the names of any young and lovely girls strictly +<i>comme il faut</i> who might be likely to come and call upon him.</p> + +<p>Stevens re-entered with fresh tea, and as Jimmy sipped it he felt a +pleasurable curiosity.</p> + +<p>"You've given her the paper and all that, I hope, Stevens," he said.</p> + +<p>"I supplied her with the <i>Morning Post</i> and <i>Punch</i>, sir."</p> + +<p>A ring at the bell took him away. In a few minutes he returned.</p> + +<p>"Another young lady, sir."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy clutched his head.</p> + +<p>"Another young lady; she declines to give her name, sir, but says her +business is important."</p> + +<p>Jimmy stared at him.</p> + +<p>"This is damned odd, Stevens. Damned odd. Look here, what time did I +come home last night?"</p> + +<p>"Just upon five o'clock, sir."</p> + +<p>"And was I—er—how was I?"</p> + +<p>"Just a little cheerful, sir—nothing more. Inclined to sing 'Rule +Britannia.'"</p> + +<p>"What an extraordinary thing," said Jimmy. "'Rule Britannia,' +eh? I cannot imagine myself in a sober state ever singing 'Rule +Britannia.' Some latent patriotism must have emerged under the stimulus +of—er—just a couple too many. I was celebrating at the 'Mustard and +Cress,' I remember. Not nearly such an innocent spot as it sounds, +Stevens." He paused. "I was wondering—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir?"</p> + +<p>"I was wondering whether under the aforementioned stimulus I had put +an advertisement in a newspaper asking for a nursery governess or +something of that sort."</p> + +<p>Stevens coughed.</p> + +<p>"<i>Two</i> girls turning up. It looks odd. I shall eschew the 'Mustard and +Cress' in future. That's a good word, Stevens—<i>eschew</i>—I met it in a +cross-word the other day and took a fancy to it."</p> + +<p>Whilst he was talking Jimmy was rapidly apparelling himself. At the +end of ten minutes he was ready to face his unknown guests. As he +opened the door of his sitting-room the first person he saw was a dark, +slim girl who was totally unknown to him. She was standing by the +mantelpiece, leaning against it. Then his glance went on to the big +leather covered arm-chair, and his heart missed a beat. Loraine!</p> + +<p>It was she who rose and spoke first a little nervously.</p> + +<p>"You must be very surprised to see me. But I had to come. I'll explain +in a minute. This is Lady Eileen Brent."</p> + +<p>"Bundle—that's what I'm usually known as. You've probably heard of me +from Bill Eversleigh."</p> + +<p>"Oh! rather, of course I have," said Jimmy, endeavouring to cope +with the situation. "I say, do sit down and let's have a cocktail or +something."</p> + +<p>But both girls declined.</p> + +<p>"As a matter of fact," continued Jimmy, "I'm only just out of bed."</p> + +<p>"That's what Bill said," remarked Bundle. "I told him I was coming +round to see you, and he said you wouldn't be up."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm up now," said Jimmy encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"It's about Gerry," said Loraine. "And now about Ronny—"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by 'and now about Ronny'?"</p> + +<p>"He was shot yesterday."</p> + +<p>"What?" cried Jimmy.</p> + +<p>Bundle told her story for the second time. Jimmy listened like a man in +a dream.</p> + +<p>"Old Ronny—shot," he murmured. "What <i>is</i> this damned business?"</p> + +<p>He sat down on the edge of a chair, thinking for a minute or two, and +then spoke in a quiet, level voice.</p> + +<p>"There's something I think I ought to tell you."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Bundle encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"It was on the day Gerry Wade died. On the way over to break the news +to <i>you</i>"—he nodded at Loraine—"in the car Ronny said something +to me. That is to say, he started to tell me something. There was +something he wanted to tell me, and he began about it, and then he said +he was bound by a promise and couldn't go on."</p> + +<p>"Bound by a promise," said Loraine thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"That's what he said. Naturally I didn't press him after that. But he +was odd—darned odd—all through. I got the impression then that he +suspected—well, foul play. I thought he'd tell the doctor so. But no, +not even a hint. So I thought I'd been mistaken. And afterwards, with +the evidence and all—well, it seemed such a very clear case. I thought +my suspicions had been all bosh."</p> + +<p>"But you think Ronny still suspected?" asked Bundle.</p> + +<p>Jimmy nodded.</p> + +<p>"That's what I think now. Why, none of us have seen anything of him +since. I believe he was playing a lone hand—trying to find out the +truth about Gerry's death, and what's more, I believe he <i>did</i> find +out. That's why the devils shot him. And then he tried to send word to +me, but could only get out those two words."</p> + +<p>"Seven Dials," said Bundle, and shivered a little.</p> + +<p>"Seven Dials," said Jimmy gravely. "At any rate we've got that to go on +with."</p> + +<p>Bundle turned to Loraine.</p> + +<p>"You were just going to tell me—"</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes. First, about the letter." She spoke to Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"Gerry left a letter. Lady Eileen—"</p> + +<p>"Bundle."</p> + +<p>"Bundle found it." She explained the circumstances in a few words.</p> + +<p>Jimmy listened, keenly interested. This was the first he had heard of +the letter. Loraine took it from her bag and handed it to him. He read +it, then looked across at her.</p> + +<p>"This is where you can help us. What was it Gerry wanted you to forget?"</p> + +<p>Loraine's brows wrinkled a little in perplexity.</p> + +<p>"It's so hard to remember exactly now. I opened a letter of Gerry's by +mistake. It was written on cheap sort of paper, I remember, and very +illiterate handwriting. It had some address in Seven Dials at the head +of it. I realized it wasn't for me, so I put it back in the envelope +without reading it."</p> + +<p>"Sure?" asked Jimmy very gently.</p> + +<p>Loraine laughed for the first time.</p> + +<p>"I know what you think, and I admit that women are curious. But, you +see, this didn't even look interesting. It was a kind of list of names +and dates."</p> + +<p>"Names and dates," said Jimmy thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Gerry didn't seem to mind much," continued Loraine. "He laughed. He +asked me if I had ever heard of the Mafia, and then said it would be +queer if a society like the Mafia started in England—but that that +kind of secret society didn't take on much with English people. 'Our +criminals,' he said, 'haven't got a picturesque imagination.'"</p> + +<p>Jimmy pursed up his lips into a whistle.</p> + +<p>"I'm beginning to see," he said. "Seven Dials must be the headquarters +of some secret society. As he says in his letter to you, he thought +it rather a joke to start with. But evidently it wasn't a joke—he +says as much. And there's something else: his anxiety that you should +forget what he'd told you. There can be only one reason for that—if +that society suspected that you had any knowledge of its activity, you +too would be in danger. Gerald realized the peril, and he was terribly +anxious—for you."</p> + +<p>He stopped, then he went on quietly:</p> + +<p>"I rather fancy that we're all going to be in danger—if we go on with +this."</p> + +<p>"If—?" cried Bundle indignantly.</p> + +<p>"I'm talking to you two. It's different for me. I was poor old Ronny's +pal." He looked at Bundle. "You've done your bit. You've delivered the +message he sent me. No; for God's sake keep out of it, you and Loraine."</p> + +<p>Bundle looked questioningly at the other girl. Her own mind was +definitely made up, but she gave no indication of it just then. She +had no wish to push Loraine Wade into a dangerous undertaking. But +Loraine's small face was alight at once with indignation.</p> + +<p>"You say that! Do you think for one minute I'd be contented to keep out +of it—when they killed Gerry—my own dear Gerry, the best and dearest +and kindest brother any girl ever had. The only person belonging to me +I had in the whole world!"</p> + +<p>Jimmy cleared his throat uncomfortably. Loraine, he thought, was +wonderful; simply wonderful.</p> + +<p>"Look here," he said awkwardly, "you mustn't say that. About being +alone in the world—all that rot. You've got lots of friends—only too +glad to do what they can. See what I mean?"</p> + +<p>It is possible that Loraine did, for she suddenly blushed, and to cover +her confusion began to talk nervously.</p> + +<p>"That's settled," she said. "I'm going to help. Nobody's going to stop +me."</p> + +<p>"And so am I, of course," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>They both looked at Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said slowly. "Yes, quite so."</p> + +<p>They looked at him inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"I was just wondering," said Jimmy, "how we were going to begin."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_IX"><span class="smcap">Chapter IX</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Plans</span></p> + + +<p>Jimmy's words lifted the discussion at once into a more practical +sphere.</p> + +<p>"All things considered," he said, "we haven't got much to go on. In +fact, just the words Seven Dials. As a matter of fact I don't even know +exactly where Seven Dials is. But, anyway, we can't very well comb out +the whole of that district, house by house."</p> + +<p>"We could," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps we could eventually—though I'm not so sure. I imagine +it's a well-populated area. But it wouldn't be very subtle."</p> + +<p>The word reminded him of the girl Socks and he smiled.</p> + +<p>"Then, of course, there's the part of the country where Ronny was +shot. We could nose around there. But the police are probably doing +everything we could do, and doing it much better."</p> + +<p>"What I like about you," said Bundle sarcastically, "is your cheerful +and optimistic disposition."</p> + +<p>"Never mind her, Jimmy," said Loraine softly. "Go on."</p> + +<p>"Don't be so impatient," said Jimmy to Bundle. "All the best sleuths +approach a case this way, by eliminating unnecessary and unprofitable +investigation. I'm coming now to the third alternative—Gerald's death. +Now that we know it was murder—by the way, you do both believe that, +don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Loraine.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Good. So do I. Well, it seems to me that there we do stand some faint +chance. After all, if Gerry didn't take the chloral himself, someone +must have got into his room and put it there—dissolved it in the glass +of water, so that when he woke up he drank it off. And of course left +the empty box or bottle or whatever it was. You agree with that?"</p> + +<p>"Ye-es," said Bundle slowly. "But—"</p> + +<p>"Wait. And that someone must have been in the house at the time. It +couldn't very well have been someone from outside."</p> + +<p>"No," agreed Bundle, more readily this time.</p> + +<p>"Very well. Now, that narrows down things considerably. To begin with, +I suppose a good many of the servants are family ones—they're your +lot, I mean."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Bundle. "Practically all the staff stayed when we let it. +All the principal ones are there still—of course there have been +changes among the under servants."</p> + +<p>"Exactly—that's what I am getting at. <i>You</i>,"—he addressed +Bundle—"must go into all that. Find out when new servants were +engaged—what about footmen, for instance?"</p> + +<p>"One of the footmen is new. John, his name is."</p> + +<p>"Well, make inquiries about John. And about any others who have only +come recently."</p> + +<p>"I suppose," said Bundle slowly, "it must have been a servant. It +couldn't have been one of the guests?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see how that's possible."</p> + +<p>"Who were there exactly?"</p> + +<p>"Well, there were three girls—Nancy and Helen and Socks—"</p> + +<p>"Socks Daventry? I know her."</p> + +<p>"May have been. Girl who was always saying things were subtle."</p> + +<p>"That's Socks all right. Subtle is one of her words."</p> + +<p>"And then there were Gerry Wade and me and Bill Eversleigh and Ronny. +And, of course, Sir Oswald and Lady Coote. Oh! and Pongo."</p> + +<p>"Who's Pongo?"</p> + +<p>"Chap called Bateman—secretary to old Coote. Solemn sort of cove but +very conscientious. I was at school with him."</p> + +<p>"There doesn't seem anything very suspicious there," remarked Loraine.</p> + +<p>"No, there doesn't," said Bundle. "As you say, we'll have to look +amongst the servants. By the way, you don't suppose that clock being +thrown out of the window had anything to do with it."</p> + +<p>"A clock thrown out of the window," said Jimmy, staring. It was the +first he had heard of it.</p> + +<p>"I can't see how it can have anything to do with it," said Bundle. "But +it's odd somehow. There seems no sense in it."</p> + +<p>"I remember," said Jimmy slowly. "I went in to—to see poor old Gerry, +and there were the clocks ranged along the mantelpiece. I remember +noticing there were only seven—not eight."</p> + +<p>He gave a sudden shiver and explained himself apologetically.</p> + +<p>"Sorry. But somehow those clocks have always given me the shivers. I +dream of them sometimes. I'd hate to go into that room in the dark and +see them there in a row."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't be able to see them if it was dark," said Bundle +practically. "Not unless they had luminous dials—Oh!" She gave a +sudden gasp and the colour rushed into her cheeks. "Don't you see? +<i>Seven Dials!</i>"</p> + +<p>The others looked at her doubtfully, but she insisted with increasing +vehemence.</p> + +<p>"It must be. It can't be a coincidence."</p> + +<p>There was a pause.</p> + +<p>"You may be right," said Jimmy Thesiger at last. "It's—it's dashed +odd."</p> + +<p>Bundle started questioning him eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Who bought the clocks?"</p> + +<p>"All of us."</p> + +<p>"Who thought of them?"</p> + +<p>"All of us."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, somebody must have thought of them first."</p> + +<p>"It didn't happen that way. We were discussing what we could do to get +Gerry up, and Pongo said an alarum clock, and somebody said one would +be no good, and somebody else—Bill Eversleigh, I think—said why not +get a dozen. And we all said good egg and hoofed off to get them. We +got one each and an extra one for Pongo and one for Lady Coote—just +out of the generosity of our hearts. There was nothing premeditated +about it—it just happened."</p> + +<p>Bundle was silenced, but not convinced.</p> + +<p>Jimmy proceeded to sum up methodically.</p> + +<p>"I think we can say we're sure of certain facts. There's a secret +society, with points of resemblance to the Mafia, in existence. Gerry +Wade came to know about it. At first he treated it as rather a joke—as +an absurdity, shall we say. He couldn't believe in its being really +dangerous. But later something happened to convince him, and then he +got the wind up in earnest. I rather fancy he must have said something +to Ronny Devereux about it. Anyway, when he was put out of the way, +Ronny suspected, and he must have known enough to get on the same track +himself. The unfortunate thing is that we've got to start quite from +the outer darkness. We haven't got the knowledge the other two had."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that's an advantage," said Loraine coolly. "They won't suspect +us and therefore they won't be trying to put us out of the way."</p> + +<p>"I wish I felt sure about that," said Jimmy in a worried voice. "You +know, Loraine, old Gerry himself wanted you to keep out of it. Don't +you think you could—"</p> + +<p>"No, I couldn't," said Loraine. "Don't let's start discussing that +again. It's only a waste of time."</p> + +<p>At the mention of the word time, Jimmy's eyes rose to the clock and he +uttered an exclamation of astonishment. He rose and opened the door.</p> + +<p>"Stevens."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir?"</p> + +<p>"What about a spot of lunch, Stevens? Could it be managed?"</p> + +<p>"I anticipated that it would be required, sir. Mrs. Stevens has made +preparations accordingly."</p> + +<p>"That's a wonderful man," said Jimmy, as he returned, heaving a sigh +of relief. "Brain, you know. Sheer brain. He takes correspondence +courses. I sometimes wonder if they'd do any good to me."</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly," said Loraine.</p> + +<p>Stevens opened the door and proceeded to bring in a most recherché +meal. An omelette was followed by quails and the very lightest things +in soufflés.</p> + +<p>"Why are men so happy when they're single," said Loraine tragically. +"Why are they so much better looked after by other people than by us?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! but that's rot, you know," said Jimmy. "I mean, they're not. How +could they be. I often think—"</p> + +<p>He stammered and stopped. Loraine blushed again.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Bundle let out a whoop and both the others started violently.</p> + +<p>"Idiot," said Bundle. "Imbecile. Me, I mean. I knew there was something +I'd forgotten."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"You know Codders—George Lomax, I mean?"</p> + +<p>"I've heard of him a good deal," said Jimmy. "From Bill and Ronny, you +know."</p> + +<p>"Well, Codders is giving some sort of a dry party next week—and he's +had a warning letter from Seven Dials."</p> + +<p>"What?" cried Jimmy excitedly, leaning forward. "You can't mean it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do. He told Father about it. Now what do you think that points +to?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy leant back in his chair. He thought rapidly and carefully. At +last he spoke. His speech was brief and to the point.</p> + +<p>"Something's going to happen at that party," he said.</p> + +<p>"That's what I think," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"It all fits in," said Jimmy almost dreamily.</p> + +<p>He turned to Loraine.</p> + +<p>"How old were you when the war was on?" he asked unexpectedly.</p> + +<p>"Nine—no, eight."</p> + +<p>"And Gerry, I suppose, was about twenty. Most lads of twenty fought in +the war. Gerry didn't."</p> + +<p>"No," said Loraine, after thinking a minute or two. "No, Gerry wasn't a +soldier. I don't know why."</p> + +<p>"I can tell you why," said Jimmy. "Or at least I can make a very shrewd +guess. He was out of England from 1915 to 1918. I've taken the trouble +to find that out. And nobody seems to know exactly where he was. I +think he was in Germany."</p> + +<p>The colour rose in Loraine's cheeks. She looked at Jimmy with +admiration.</p> + +<p>"How clever of you."</p> + +<p>"He spoke German well, didn't he?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, like a native."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I'm right. Listen, you two. Gerry Wade was at the Foreign +Office. He appeared to be the same sort of amiable idiot—excuse the +term, but you know what I mean—as Bill Eversleigh and Ronny Devereux. +A purely ornamental excrescence. But in reality he was something quite +different. I think Gerry Wade was the real thing. Our secret service +is supposed to be the best in the world. I think Gerry Wade was pretty +high up in that service. And that explains everything! I remember +saying idly that last evening at Chimneys that Gerry couldn't be quite +such an ass as he made himself out to be."</p> + +<p>"And if you're right?" said Bundle, practical as ever.</p> + +<p>"Then the thing's bigger than we thought. This Seven Dials business +isn't merely criminal—it's international. One thing's certain, +somebody has got to be at this house-party of Lomax's."</p> + +<p>Bundle made a slight grimace.</p> + +<p>"I know George well—but he doesn't like me. He'd never think of asking +me to a serious gathering. All the same, I might—"</p> + +<p>She remained a moment lost in thought.</p> + +<p>"Do you think <i>I</i> could work it through Bill?" asked Jimmy. "He's +bound to be there as Codders's right-hand man. He might bring me along +somehow or other."</p> + +<p>"I don't see why not," said Bundle. "You'll have to prime Bill and +make him say the right things. He's incapable of thinking of them for +himself."</p> + +<p>"What do you suggest?" asked Jimmy humbly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it's quite easy. Bill describes you as a rich young +man—interested in politics, anxious to stand for Parliament. George +will fall at once. You know what these political parties are: always +looking for new, rich young men. The richer Bill says you are, the +easier it will be to manage."</p> + +<p>"Short of being described as Rothschild, I don't mind," said Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"Then I think that's practically settled. I'm dining with Bill +to-morrow night, and I'll get a list of who is to be there. That will +be useful."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry you can't be there," said Jimmy. "But on the whole I think +it's all for the best."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure I shan't be there," said Bundle. "Codders hates me +like poison—but there are other ways."</p> + +<p>She became meditative.</p> + +<p>"And what about me?" asked Loraine in a small, meek voice.</p> + +<p>"You're not on in this act," said Jimmy instantly. "See? After all, +we've got to have someone outside to—er—"</p> + +<p>"To what?" said Loraine.</p> + +<p>Jimmy decided not to pursue this tack. He appealed to Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Look here," he said. "Loraine must keep out of this, mustn't she?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly think she'd better."</p> + +<p>"Next time," said Jimmy kindly.</p> + +<p>"And suppose there isn't a next time," said Loraine.</p> + +<p>"Oh! there probably will be. Not a doubt of it."</p> + +<p>"I see. I'm just to go home and—wait."</p> + +<p>"That's it," said Jimmy, with every appearance of relief. "I thought +you'd understand."</p> + +<p>"You see," explained Bundle, "three of us forcing our way in might look +rather suspicious. And you would be particularly difficult. You do see +that, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes," said Loraine.</p> + +<p>"Then it's settled—you do nothing," said Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"I do nothing," said Loraine meekly.</p> + +<p>Bundle looked at her in sudden suspicion. The tameness with which +Loraine was taking it seemed hardly natural. Loraine looked at her. Her +eyes were blue and guileless. They met Bundle's without a quiver even +of the lashes. Bundle was only partly satisfied. She found the meekness +of Loraine Wade highly suspicious.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_X"><span class="smcap">Chapter X</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Bundle Visits Scotland Yard</span></p> + + +<p>Now it may be said at once that in the foregoing conversation each one +of the three participants had, as it were, held something in reserve. +That "Nobody tells everything" is a very true motto.</p> + +<p>It may be questioned, for instance, if Loraine Wade was perfectly +sincere in her account of the motives which had led her to seek out +Jimmy Thesiger.</p> + +<p>In the same way, Jimmy Thesiger himself had various ideas and plans +connected with the forthcoming party at George Lomax's which he had no +intention of revealing to—say, Bundle.</p> + +<p>And Bundle herself had a fully-fledged plan which she proposed to put +into immediate execution and which she had said nothing whatever about.</p> + +<p>On leaving Jimmy Thesiger's rooms, she drove to Scotland Yard, where +she asked to see Superintendent Battle.</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle was rather a big man. He worked almost entirely +on cases of a delicate political nature. On such a case he had come +to Chimneys four years ago, and Bundle was frankly trading on his +remembering this fact.</p> + +<p>After a short delay, she was taken along several corridors and into +the Superintendent's private room. Battle was a stolid-looking man +with a wooden face. He looked supremely unintelligent and more like a +commissionaire than a detective.</p> + +<p>He was standing by the window when she entered, gazing in an +expressionless manner at some sparrows.</p> + +<p>"Good-afternoon, Lady Eileen," he said. "Sit down, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Bundle. "I was afraid you mightn't remember me."</p> + +<p>"Always remember people," said Battle. He added: "Got to in my job."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Bundle, rather damped.</p> + +<p>"And what can I do for you?" inquired the Superintendent.</p> + +<p>Bundle came straight to the point.</p> + +<p>"I've always heard that you people at Scotland Yard have lists of all +secret societies and things like that that are formed in London."</p> + +<p>"We try to keep up to date," said Superintendent Battle cautiously.</p> + +<p>"I suppose a great many of them aren't really dangerous."</p> + +<p>"We've got a very good rule to go by," said Battle. "The more they +talk, the less they'll do. You'd be surprised how well that works out."</p> + +<p>"And I've heard that very often you let them go on?"</p> + +<p>Battle nodded.</p> + +<p>"That's so. Why shouldn't a man call himself a Brother of Liberty and +meet twice a week in a cellar and talk about rivers of blood—it won't +hurt either him or us. And if there is trouble any time, we know where +to lay our hands on him."</p> + +<p>"But sometimes, I suppose," said Bundle slowly, "a society may be more +dangerous than anyone imagines?"</p> + +<p>"Very unlikely," said Battle.</p> + +<p>"But it <i>might</i> happen," persisted Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it <i>might</i>," admitted the Superintendent.</p> + +<p>There was a moment or two's silence. Then Bundle said quietly.</p> + +<p>"Superintendent Battle, could you give me a list of secret societies +that have their headquarters in Seven Dials?"</p> + +<p>It was Superintendent Battle's boast that he had never been seen to +display emotion. But Bundle could have sworn that just for a moment +his eyelids flickered and he looked taken aback. Only for a moment, +however. He was his usual wooden self as he said:</p> + +<p>"Strictly speaking, Lady Eileen, there's no such place as Seven Dials +nowadays."</p> + +<p>"No?"</p> + +<p>"No. Most of it is pulled down and rebuilt. It was rather a low quarter +once, but it's very respectable and high class nowadays. Not at all a +romantic spot to poke about in for mysterious secret societies."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Bundle, rather nonplussed.</p> + +<p>"But all the same I should very much like to know what put that +neighborhood into your head, Lady Eileen?"</p> + +<p>"Have I got to tell you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it saves trouble, doesn't it? We know where we are, so to speak?"</p> + +<p>Bundle hesitated for a minute.</p> + +<p>"There was a man shot yesterday," she said slowly. "I thought I had run +over him—"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ronald Devereux?"</p> + +<p>"You know about it, of course. Why has there been nothing in the +papers?"</p> + +<p>"Do you really want to know that, Lady Eileen?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, please."</p> + +<p>"Well, we just thought we should like to have a clear twenty-four +hours—see? It will be in the papers to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" Bundle studied him, puzzled.</p> + +<p>What was hidden behind that immovable face. Did he regard the shooting +of Ronald Devereux as an ordinary crime or as an extraordinary one.</p> + +<p>"He mentioned Seven Dials when he was dying," said Bundle slowly.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Battle. "I'll make a note of that."</p> + +<p>He wrote a few words on the blotting pad in front of him.</p> + +<p>Bundle started on another tack.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Lomax, I understand, came to see you yesterday about a threatening +letter he had had."</p> + +<p>"He did."</p> + +<p>"And that was written from Seven Dials?"</p> + +<p>"It had Seven Dials written at the top of it, I believe."</p> + +<p>Bundle felt as though she was battering hopelessly on a locked door.</p> + +<p>"If you'll let me advise you, Lady Eileen—"'</p> + +<p>"I know what you're going to say."</p> + +<p>"I should go home and—well, think no more about these matters."</p> + +<p>"Leave it to you, in fact?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said Superintendent Battle, "after all, we <i>are</i> the +professionals."</p> + +<p>"And I'm only an amateur? Yes, but you forget one thing—I mayn't have +your knowledge and skill—but I have one advantage over you. I can work +in the dark."</p> + +<p>She thought that the Superintendent seemed a little taken aback, as +though the force of her words struck home.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Bundle, "if you won't give me a list of secret +societies—"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I never said that. You shall have a list of the whole lot."</p> + +<p>He went to the door, put his head through and called out something, +then came back to his chair. Bundle, rather unreasonably, felt baffled. +The ease with which he acceded to her request seemed to her suspicious. +He was looking at her now in a placid fashion.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember the death of Mr. Gerald Wade?" she asked abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Down at your place, wasn't it? Took an overdraught of sleeping +mixture."</p> + +<p>"His sister says he never took things to make him sleep."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the Superintendent. "You'd be surprised what a lot of things +there are that sisters don't know."</p> + +<p>Bundle again felt baffled. She sat in silence till a man came in with a +typewritten sheet of paper, which he handed to the Superintendent.</p> + +<p>"Here you are," said the latter when the other had left the room. "The +Blood Brothers of St. Sebastian. The Wolf Hounds. The Comrades of +Peace. The Comrades Club. The Friends of Oppression. The Children of +Moscow. The Red Standard Bearers. The Herrings. The Comrades of the +Fallen—and half a dozen more."</p> + +<p>He handed it to her with a distinct twinkle in his eye.</p> + +<p>"You give it to me," said Bundle, "because you know it's not going to +be the slightest use to me. Do you want me to leave the whole thing +alone?"</p> + +<p>"I should prefer it," said Battle. "You see—if you go messing round +all these places—well, it's going to give us a lot of trouble."</p> + +<p>"Looking after me, you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Looking after you, Lady Eileen."</p> + +<p>Bundle had risen to her feet. Now she stood undecided. So far the +honours lay with Superintendent Battle. Then she remembered one slight +incident, and she based a last appeal upon it.</p> + +<p>"I said just now that an amateur could do some things which a +professional couldn't. You didn't contradict me. That's because you're +an honest man, Superintendent Battle. You knew I was right."</p> + +<p>"Go on," said Battle quietly.</p> + +<p>"At Chimneys you let me help. Won't you let me help now?"</p> + +<p>Battle seemed to be turning the thing over in his mind. Emboldened by +his silence, Bundle continued.</p> + +<p>"You know pretty well what I'm like, Superintendent Battle. I butt into +things. I'm a Nosey Parker. I don't want to get in your way or to try +and do things that you're doing and can do a great deal better. But if +there's a chance for an amateur, let me have it."</p> + +<p>Again there was a pause, and then Superintendent Battle said quietly:</p> + +<p>"You couldn't have spoken fairer than you have done, Lady Eileen. But +I'm just going to say this to you. What you propose is dangerous. And +when I say dangerous, I <i>mean</i> dangerous."</p> + +<p>"I've grasped that," said Bundle. "I'm not a fool."</p> + +<p>"No," said Superintendent Battle. "Never knew a young lady who was less +so. What I'll do for you, Lady Eileen, is this. I'll just give you one +little hint. And I'm doing it because I never have thought much of the +motto 'Safety First.' In my opinion half the people who spend their +lives avoiding being run over by buses had much better be run over and +put safely out of the way. They're no good."</p> + +<p>This remarkable utterance issuing from the conventional lips of +Superintendent Battle quite took Bundle's breath away.</p> + +<p>"What was the hint you were going to give me," she asked at last.</p> + +<p>"You know Mr. Eversleigh, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Know Bill? Why, of course. But what—"</p> + +<p>"I think Mr. Bill Eversleigh will be able to tell you all you want to +know about Seven Dials."</p> + +<p>"Bill knows about it? <i>Bill?</i>"</p> + +<p>"I didn't say that. Not at all. But I think, being a quick-witted young +lady, you'll get what you want from him.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Superintendent Battle firmly, "I'm not going to say +another word."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XI"><span class="smcap">Chapter XI</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Dinner with Bill</span></p> + + +<p>Bundle set out to keep her appointment with Bill on the following +evening full of expectation.</p> + +<p>Bill greeted her with every sign of elation.</p> + +<p>"Bill really <i>is</i> rather nice," thought Bundle to herself. "Just like a +large, clumsy dog that wags its tail when it's pleased to see you."</p> + +<p>The large dog was uttering short staccato yelps of comment and +information.</p> + +<p>"You look tremendously fit, Bundle. I can't tell you how pleased I am +to see you. I've ordered oysters—you do like oysters, don't you? And +how's everything? What did you want to go mouldering about abroad so +long? Were you having a very gay time?"</p> + +<p>"No, deadly," said Bundle. "Perfectly foul. Old diseased colonels +creeping about in the sun, and active, wizened spinsters running +libraries and churches."</p> + +<p>"Give me England," said Bill. "I bar this foreign business—except +Switzerland. Switzerland's all right. I'm thinking of going this +Christmas. Why don't you come along?"</p> + +<p>"I'll think of it," said Bundle. "What have you been doing with +yourself lately, Bill?"</p> + +<p>It was an incautious query. Bundle had merely made it out of politeness +and as a preliminary to introducing her own topics of conversation. It +was, however, the opening for which Bill had been waiting.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I've been wanting to tell you about. You're brainy, +Bundle, and I want your advice. You know that musical show, 'Damn Your +Eyes'?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going to tell you about one of the dirtiest pieces of work +imaginable. My God! the theatrical crowd. There's a girl—a Yankee +girl—a perfect stunner—"</p> + +<p>Bundle's heart sank. The grievances of Bill's lady friends were always +interminable—they went on and on and there was no stemming them.</p> + +<p>"This girl, Babe St. Maur her name is—"</p> + +<p>"I wonder how she got that name?" said Bundle sarcastically.</p> + +<p>Bill replied literally.</p> + +<p>"She got it out of <i>Who's Who</i>. Opened it and jabbed her finger down on +a page without looking. Pretty nifty, eh? Her real name's Goldschmidt +or Abrameier—something quite impossible."</p> + +<p>"Oh! quite," agreed Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Well, Babe St. Maur is pretty smart. And she's got muscles. She was +one of the eight girls who made the living bridge—"</p> + +<p>"Bill," said Bundle desperately, "I went to see Jimmy Thesiger +yesterday morning."</p> + +<p>"Good old Jimmy," said Bill. "Well, as I was telling you, Babe's +pretty smart. You've got to be nowadays. She can put it over on most +theatrical people. If you want to live, be high-handed, that's what +Babe says. And mind you, she's the goods all right. She can act—it's +marvellous how that girl can act. She'd not much chance in 'Damn Your +Eyes'—just swamped in a pack of good-looking girls. I said why not try +the legitimate stage—you know, Mrs. Tanqueray—that sort of stuff—but +Babe just laughed—"</p> + +<p>"Have you seen Jimmy at all?"</p> + +<p>"Saw him this morning. Let me see, where was I? Oh, yes, I hadn't +got to the rumpus yet. And mind you it was jealousy—sheer, spiteful +jealousy. The other girl wasn't a patch on Babe for looks and she knew +it. So she went behind her back—"</p> + +<p>Bundle resigned herself to the inevitable and heard the whole story +of the unfortunate circumstances which had led up to Babe St. Maur's +summary disappearance from the cast of "Damn Your Eyes." It took a long +time. When Bill finally paused for breath and sympathy, Bundle said:</p> + +<p>"You're quite right, Bill, it's a rotten shame. There must be a lot of +jealousy about—"</p> + +<p>"The whole theatrical world's rotten with it."</p> + +<p>"It must be. Did Jimmy say anything to you about coming down to the +Abbey next week?"</p> + +<p>For the first time, Bill gave his attention to what Bundle was saying.</p> + +<p>"He was full of a long rigmarole he wanted me to stuff Codders with. +About wanting to stand in the Conservative interest. But you know, +Bundle, it's too damned risky."</p> + +<p>"Stuff," said Bundle. "If George <i>does</i> find him out, he won't blame +you. You'll just have been taken in, that's all."</p> + +<p>"That's not it at all," said Bill. "I mean it's too damned risky for +Jimmy. Before he knows where he is, he'll be parked down somewhere like +Tooting West, pledged to kiss babies and make speeches. You don't know +how thorough Codders is and how frightfully energetic."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll have to risk that," said Bundle. "Jimmy can take care of +himself all right."</p> + +<p>"You don't know Codders," repeated Bill.</p> + +<p>"Who's coming to this party, Bill? Is it anything very special?"</p> + +<p>"Only the usual sort of muck. Mrs. Macatta for one."</p> + +<p>"The M.P.?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you know, always going off the deep end about Welfare and Pure +Milk and Save the Children. Think of poor Jimmy being talked to by her."</p> + +<p>"Never mind Jimmy. Go on telling me."</p> + +<p>"Then there's a Hungarian, what they call a Young Hungarian. Countess +something unpronounceable. She's all right."</p> + +<p>He swallowed as though embarrassed and Bundle observed that he was +crumbling his bread nervously.</p> + +<p>"Young and beautiful?" she inquired delicately.</p> + +<p>"Oh! rather."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know George went in for female beauty much."</p> + +<p>"Oh! he doesn't. She runs baby feeding in Buda Pesth—something like +that. Naturally she and Mrs. Macatta want to get together."</p> + +<p>"Who else?"</p> + +<p>"Sir Stanley Digby—"</p> + +<p>"The Air Minister?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. And his secretary, Terence O'Rourke. He's rather a lad, by +the way—or used to be in his flying days. Then there's a perfectly +poisonous German chap called Herr Eberhard. I don't know who he is, but +we're all making the hell of a fuss about him. I've been twice told off +to take him out to lunch, and I can tell you, Bundle, it was no joke. +He's not like the Embassy chaps, who are all very decent. This man +sucks in soup and eats peas with a knife. Not only that, but the brute +is always biting his finger-nails—positively gnaws at them."</p> + +<p>"Pretty foul."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it? I believe he invents things—something of the kind. Well, +that's all. Oh! yes, Sir Oswald Coote."</p> + +<p>"And Lady Coote?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe she's coming too."</p> + +<p>Bundle sat lost in thought for some minutes. Bill's list was +suggestive, but she hadn't time to think out various possibilities just +now. She must get on to the next point.</p> + +<p>"Bill?" she said. "What's all this about Seven Dials?"</p> + +<p>Bill at once looked horribly embarrassed. He blinked and avoided her +glance.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you mean," he said.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said Bundle. "I was told you know all about it."</p> + +<p>"About what?"</p> + +<p>This was rather a poser. Bundle shifted her ground.</p> + +<p>"I don't see what you want to be so secretive for," she complained.</p> + +<p>"Nothing to be secretive about. Nobody goes there much now. It was only +a craze."</p> + +<p>This sounded puzzling.</p> + +<p>"One gets so out of things when one is away," said Bundle in a sad +voice.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you haven't missed much," said Bill. "Everyone went there just to +say they had been. It was boring really, and, my God, you <i>can</i> get +tired of fried fish."</p> + +<p>"Where did everyone go?"</p> + +<p>"To the Seven Dials Club, of course," said Bill, staring. "Wasn't that +what you were asking about?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't know it by that name," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Used to be a slummy sort of district round about Tottenham Court Road +way. It's all pulled down and cleaned up now. But the Seven Dials Club +keeps to the old atmosphere. Fried fish and chips. General squalor. +Kind of East End stunt, but awfully handy to get at after a show."</p> + +<p>"It's a night club, I suppose," said Bundle. "Dancing and all that?"</p> + +<p>"That's it. Awfully mixed crowd. Not a posh affair. Artists, you know, +and all sorts of odd women and a sprinkling of our lot. They say quite +a lot of things, but I think that that's all bunkum myself, just said +to make the place go."</p> + +<p>"Good," said Bundle. "We'll go there to-night."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I shouldn't do that," said Bill. His embarrassment had returned. +"I tell you it's played out. Nobody goes there now."</p> + +<p>"Well, we're going."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't care for it, Bundle. You wouldn't really."</p> + +<p>"You're going to take me to the Seven Dials Club and nowhere else, +Bill. And I should like to know why you are so unwilling?"</p> + +<p>"I? Unwilling?"</p> + +<p>"Painfully so. What's the guilty secret?"</p> + +<p>"Guilty secret?"</p> + +<p>"Don't keep repeating what I say. You do it to give yourself time."</p> + +<p>"I don't," said Bill indignantly. "It's only—"</p> + +<p>"Well? I know there's something. You never can conceal anything."</p> + +<p>"I've got nothing to conceal. It's only—"</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"It's a long story—You see, I took Babe St. Maur there one night—"</p> + +<p>"Oh! Babe St. Maur again."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't know it was about her—" said Bundle, stifling a yawn.</p> + +<p>"As I say, I took Babe there. She rather fancied a lobster. I had a +lobster under my arm—"</p> + +<p>The story went on—When the lobster had been finally dismembered in +a struggle between Bill and a fellow who was a rank outsider, Bundle +brought her attention back to him.</p> + +<p>"I see," she said. "And there was a row?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but it was <i>my</i> lobster. I'd bought it and paid for it. I had a +perfect right—"</p> + +<p>"Oh! you had, you had," said Bundle hastily. "But I'm sure that's all +forgotten now. And I don't care for lobsters anyway. So let's go."</p> + +<p>"We may be raided by the police. There's a room upstairs where they +play baccarat."</p> + +<p>"Father will have to come out and bail me out, that's all. Come on, +Bill."</p> + +<p>Bill still seemed rather reluctant, but Bundle was adamant, and they +were soon speeding to their destination in a taxi.</p> + +<p>The place, when they got to it, was much as she imagined it would be. +It was a tall house in a narrow street, 14 Hunstanton Street; she noted +the number.</p> + +<p>A man whose face was strangely familiar opened the door. She thought he +started slightly when he saw her, but he greeted Bill with respectful +recognition. He was a tall man, with fair hair, a rather weak, anaemic +face and slightly shifty eyes. Bundle puzzled to herself where she +could have seen him before.</p> + +<p>Bill had recovered his equilibrium now and quite enjoyed doing showman. +They danced in the cellar, which was very full of smoke—so much so +that you saw everyone through a blue haze. The smell of fried fish was +almost overpowering.</p> + +<p>On the wall were rough charcoal sketches, some of them executed with +real talent. The company was extremely mixed. There were portly +foreigners, opulent Jewesses, a sprinkling of the really smart, and +several ladies belonging to the oldest profession in the world.</p> + +<p>Soon Bill led Bundle upstairs. There the weak-faced man was on guard, +watching all those admitted to the gambling room with a lynx eye. +Suddenly recognition came to Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Of course," she said. "How stupid of me. It's Alfred, who used to be +second footman at Chimneys. How are you, Alfred?"</p> + +<p>"Nicely, thank you, your ladyship."</p> + +<p>"When did you leave Chimneys, Alfred? Was it long before we got back?"</p> + +<p>"It was about a month ago, m'lady. I got a chance of bettering myself, +and it seemed a pity not to take it."</p> + +<p>"I suppose they pay you very well here," remarked Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Very fair, m'lady."</p> + +<p>Bundle passed in. It seemed to her that in this room the real life +of the club was exposed. The stakes were high, she saw that at +once, and the people gathered round the two tables were of the true +type—hawk-eyed, haggard, with the gambling fever in their blood.</p> + +<p>She and Bill stayed there for about half an hour. Then Bill grew +restive.</p> + +<p>"Let's get out of this place, Bundle, and go on dancing."</p> + +<p>Bundle agreed. There was nothing to be seen here. They went down again. +They danced for another half hour, had fish and chips, and then Bundle +declared herself ready to go home.</p> + +<p>"But it's so early," Bill protested.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't. Not really. And, anyway, I've got a long day in front of +me to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?"</p> + +<p>"That depends," said Bundle mysteriously. "But I can tell you this, +Bill, the grass is not going to grow under my feet."</p> + +<p>"It never does," said Mr. Eversleigh.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Inquiries at Chimneys</span></p> + + +<p>Bundle's temperament was certainly not inherited from her father, +whose prevailing characteristic was a wholly amiable inertia. As Bill +Eversleigh had very justly remarked, the grass never did grow under +Bundle's feet.</p> + +<p>On the morning following her dinner with Bill, Bundle woke full of +energy. She had three distinct plans which she meant to put into +operation that day, and she realized that she was going to be slightly +hampered by the limits of time and space.</p> + +<p>Fortunately she did not suffer from the affliction of Gerry Wade, +Ronny Devereux and Jimmy Thesiger—that of not being able to get up in +the morning. Sir Oswald Coote himself would have had no fault to find +with her on the score of early rising. At half-past eight Bundle had +breakfasted and was on her way to Chimneys in the Hispano.</p> + +<p>Her father seemed mildly pleased to see her.</p> + +<p>"I never know when you're going to turn up," he said. "But this will +save me ringing up, which I hate. Colonel Melrose was here yesterday +about the inquest."</p> + +<p>Colonel Melrose was Chief Constable of the county, and an old friend of +Lord Caterham.</p> + +<p>"You mean the inquest on Ronny Devereux? When is it to be?"</p> + +<p>"To-morrow. Twelve o'clock. Melrose will call for you. Having found the +body, you'll have to give evidence, but he said you needn't be at all +alarmed."</p> + +<p>"Why on earth should I be alarmed?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you know," said Lord Caterham apologetically, "Melrose is a bit +old-fashioned."</p> + +<p>"Twelve o'clock," said Bundle. "Good. I shall be here, if I'm still +alive."</p> + +<p>"Have you any reason to anticipate not being alive?"</p> + +<p>"One never knows," said Bundle. "The strain of modern life—as the +newspapers say."</p> + +<p>"Which reminds me that George Lomax asked me to come over to the Abbey +next week. I refused, of course."</p> + +<p>"Quite right," said Bundle. "We don't want you mixed up in any funny +business."</p> + +<p>"Is there going to be any funny business?" asked Lord Caterham with a +sudden awakening of interest.</p> + +<p>"Well—warning letters and all that, you know," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps George is going to be assassinated," said Lord Caterham +hopefully. "What do you think, Bundle—perhaps I'd better go after all."</p> + +<p>"You curb your bloodthirsty instincts and stay quietly at home," said +Bundle. "I'm going to talk to Mrs. Howell."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Howell was the housekeeper, that dignified, creaking lady who had +struck such terror to the heart of Lady Coote. She had no terrors for +Bundle, whom, indeed, she always called Miss Bundle, a relic of the +days when Bundle had stayed at Chimneys, a long-legged, impish child, +before her father had succeeded to the title.</p> + +<p>"Now, Howelly," said Bundle, "let's have a cup of rich cocoa together, +and let me hear all the household news."</p> + +<p>She gleaned what she wanted without much difficulty, making mental +notes as follows:</p> + +<p>"Two new scullery maids—village girls—doesn't seem much there. New +third housemaid—head housemaid's niece. That sounds all right. Howelly +seems to have bullied poor Lady Coote a good deal. She would."</p> + +<p>"I never thought the day would come when I should see Chimneys +inhabited by strangers, Miss Bundle."</p> + +<p>"Oh! one must go with the times," said Bundle. "You'll be lucky, +Howelly, if you never see it converted into desirable flats with use of +superb pleasure grounds."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Howell shivered all down her reactionary aristocratic spine.</p> + +<p>"I've never seen Sir Oswald Coote," remarked Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Sir Oswald is no doubt a very clever gentleman," said Mrs. Howell +distantly.</p> + +<p>Bundle gathered that Sir Oswald had not been liked by his staff.</p> + +<p>"Of course, it was Mr. Bateman who saw to everything," continued the +housekeeper. "A very efficient gentleman. A very efficient gentleman +indeed, and one who knew the way things ought to be done."</p> + +<p>Bundle led the talk on to the topic of Gerald Wade's death. Mrs. +Howell was only too willing to talk about it, and was full of pitying +ejaculations about the poor young gentleman, but Bundle gleaned nothing +new. Presently she took leave of Mrs. Howell and came downstairs again, +where she promptly rang for Tredwell.</p> + +<p>"Tredwell, when did Alfred leave?"</p> + +<p>"It would be about a month ago now, my lady."</p> + +<p>"Why did he leave?"</p> + +<p>"It was by his own wish, my lady. I believe he has gone to London. I +was not dissatisfied with him in any way. I think you will find the new +footman, John, very satisfactory. He seems to know his work and to be +most anxious to give satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"Where did he come from?"</p> + +<p>"He had excellent references, my lady. He had lived last with Lord +Mount Vernon."</p> + +<p>"I see," said Bundle thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>She was remembering that Lord Mount Vernon was at present on a shooting +trip in East Africa.</p> + +<p>"What's his last name, Tredwell?"</p> + +<p>"Bower, my lady."</p> + +<p>Tredwell paused for a minute or two and then, seeing that Bundle had +finished, he quietly left the room. Bundle remained lost in thought.</p> + +<p>John had opened the door to her on her arrival that day, and she had +taken particular notice of him without seeming to do so. Apparently, he +was the perfect servant, well trained, with an expressionless face. He +had, perhaps, a more soldierly bearing than most footmen and there was +something a little odd about the shape of the back of his head.</p> + +<p>But these details, as Bundle realized, were hardly relevant to the +situation. She sat frowning down at the blotting paper in front of her. +She had a pencil in her hand and was idly tracing the name Bower over +and over again.</p> + +<p>Suddenly an idea struck her and she stopped dead, staring at the word. +Then she summoned Tredwell once more.</p> + +<p>"Tredwell, how is the name Bower spelt?"</p> + +<p>"B-A-U-E-R, my lady."</p> + +<p>"That's not an English name."</p> + +<p>"I believe he is of Swiss extraction, my lady."</p> + +<p>"Oh! That's all, Tredwell, thank you."</p> + +<p>Swiss extraction? No. German! That martial carriage, that flat back to +the head. And he had come to Chimneys a fortnight before Gerry Wade's +death.</p> + +<p>Bundle rose to her feet. She had done all she could here. Now to get on +with things! She went in search of her father.</p> + +<p>"I'm off again," she said. "I've got to go and see Aunt Marcia."</p> + +<p>"Got to see Marcia?" Lord Caterham's voice was full of astonishment. +"Poor child, how did you get let in for that?"</p> + +<p>"Just for once," said Bundle, "I happen to be going of my own free +will."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham looked at her in amazement. That anyone could have +a genuine desire to face his redoubtable sister-in-law was quite +incomprehensible to him. Marcia, Marchioness of Caterham, the widow of +his late brother Henry, was a very prominent personality. Lord Caterham +admitted that she had made Henry an admirable wife and that but for her +in all probability he would never have held the office of Secretary of +State for Foreign Affairs. On the other hand, he had always looked upon +Henry's early death as a merciful release.</p> + +<p>It seemed to him that Bundle was foolishly putting her head into the +lion's mouth.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I say," he said. "You know, I shouldn't do that. You don't know +what it may lead to."</p> + +<p>"I know what I hope it's going to lead to," said Bundle. "I'm all +right, Father, don't you worry about me."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham sighed and settled himself more comfortably in his chair. +He went back to his perusal of the <i>Field</i>. But in a minute or two +Bundle suddenly put her head in again.</p> + +<p>"Sorry," she said. "But there's one other thing I wanted to ask you. +What is Sir Oswald Coote?"</p> + +<p>"I told you—a steam-roller."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean your personal impression of him. How did he make his +money—trouser buttons or brass beds or what?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I see. He's steel. Steel and iron. He's got the biggest steel +works, or whatever you call it, in England. He doesn't, of course, run +the show personally now. It's a company or companies. He got me in as +a director of something or other. Very good business for me—nothing +to do except go down to the city once or twice a year to one of those +hotel places—Cannon Street or Liverpool Street—and sit round a table +where they have very nice new blotting paper. Then Coote or some clever +Johnny makes a speech simply bristling with figures, but fortunately +you needn't listen to it—and I can tell you, you often get a jolly +good lunch out of it."</p> + +<p>Uninterested in Lord Caterham's lunches, Bundle had departed again +before he had finished speaking. On the way back to London, she tried +to piece together things to her satisfaction.</p> + +<p>As far as she could see, steel and infant welfare did not go together. +One of the two, then, was just padding—presumably the latter. Mrs. +Macatta and the Hungarian countess could be ruled out of court. They +were camouflage. No, the pivot of the whole thing seemed to be the +unattractive Herr Eberhard. He did not seem to be the type of man whom +George Lomax would normally invite. Bill had said vaguely that he +invented. Then there was the Air Minister and Sir Oswald Coote, who was +steel. Somehow that seemed to hang together.</p> + +<p>Since it was useless speculating further, Bundle abandoned the attempt +and concentrated on her forthcoming interview with Lady Caterham.</p> + +<p>The lady lived in a large gloomy house in one of London's higher +class squares. Inside it smelt of sealing wax, bird seed and slightly +decayed flowers. Lady Caterham was a large woman—large in every way. +Her proportions were majestic, rather than ample. She had a large +beaked nose, wore gold rimmed pince-nez and her upper lip bore just the +faintest suspicion of a moustache.</p> + +<p>She was somewhat surprised to see her niece, but accorded her a frigid +cheek, which Bundle duly kissed.</p> + +<p>"This is quite an unexpected pleasure, Eileen," she observed coldly.</p> + +<p>"We've only just got back, Aunt Marcia."</p> + +<p>"I know. How is your father? Much as usual?"</p> + +<p>Her tone conveyed disparagement. She had a poor opinion of Alastair +Edward Brent, ninth Marquis of Caterham. She would have called him, had +she known the term, a "poor fish."</p> + +<p>"Father is very well. He's down at Chimneys."</p> + +<p>"Indeed. You know, Eileen, I never approved of the letting of Chimneys. +The place is, in many ways, a historical monument. It should not be +cheapened."</p> + +<p>"It must have been wonderful in Uncle Henry's day," said Bundle with a +slight sigh.</p> + +<p>"Henry realized his responsibilities," said Henry's widow.</p> + +<p>"Think of the people who stayed there," went on Bundle ecstatically. +"All the principal statesmen of Europe."</p> + +<p>Lady Caterham sighed.</p> + +<p>"I can truly say that history has been made there more than once," she +observed. "If only your father—"</p> + +<p>She shook her head sadly.</p> + +<p>"Politics bore Father," said Bundle, "and yet they are about the most +fascinating study there is, I should say. Especially if one knew about +them from the inside."</p> + +<p>She made this extravagantly untruthful statement of her feelings +without even a blush. Her aunt looked at her with some surprise.</p> + +<p>"I am pleased to hear you say so," she said. "I always imagined, +Eileen, that you cared for nothing but this modern pursuit of pleasure."</p> + +<p>"I used to," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"It is true that you are still very young," said Lady Caterham +thoughtfully. "But with your advantages, and if you were to marry +suitably, you might be one of the leading political hostesses of the +day."</p> + +<p>Bundle felt slightly alarmed. For a moment she feared that her aunt +might produce a suitable husband straight away.</p> + +<p>"But I feel such a fool," said Bundle. "I mean I know so little."</p> + +<p>"That can easily be remedied," said Lady Caterham briskly. "I have any +amount of literature I can lend you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Aunt Marcia," said Bundle, and proceeded hastily to her +second line of attack.</p> + +<p>"I wondered if you knew Mrs. Macatta, Aunt Marcia?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I know her. A most estimable woman with a brilliant brain. +I may say that as a general rule I do not hold with women standing +for Parliament. They can make their influence felt in a more womanly +fashion." She paused, doubtless to recall the womanly way in which +she had forced a reluctant husband into the political arena and the +marvellous success which had crowned his and her efforts. "But still, +times change. And the work Mrs. Macatta is doing is of truly national +importance, and of the utmost value to all women. It is, I think I may +say, true womanly work. You must certainly meet Mrs. Macatta."</p> + +<p>Bundle gave a rather dismal sigh.</p> + +<p>"She's going to be at a house-party at George Lomax's next week. He +asked Father, who, of course, won't go, but he never thought of asking +me. Thinks I'm too much of an idiot, I suppose."</p> + +<p>It occurred to Lady Caterham that her niece was really wonderfully +improved. Had she, perhaps, had an unfortunate love affair? An +unfortunate love affair, in Lady Caterham's opinion, was often highly +beneficial to young girls. It made them take life seriously.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose George Lomax realizes for a moment that you +have—shall we say, grown up? Eileen, dear," she said, "I must have a +few words with him."</p> + +<p>"He doesn't like me," said Bundle. "I know he won't ask me."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said Lady Caterham. "I shall make a point of it. I knew +George Lomax when he was so high." She indicated a quite impossible +height. "He will be only too pleased to do me a favour. And he will be +sure to see for himself that it is vitally important that the present +day young girls of our own class should take an intelligent interest in +the welfare of their country."</p> + +<p>Bundle nearly said: "Hear, hear," but checked herself.</p> + +<p>"I will find you some literature now," said Lady Caterham, rising.</p> + +<p>She called in a piercing voice, "Miss Connor."</p> + +<p>A very neat secretary with a frightened expression came running. Lady +Caterham gave her various directions. Presently Bundle was driving +back to Brook Street with an armful of the driest looking literature +imaginable.</p> + +<p>Her next proceeding was to ring up Jimmy Thesiger. His first words were +full of triumph.</p> + +<p>"I've managed it," he said. "Had a lot of trouble with Bill, though. +He'd got it into his thick head that I should be a lamb among +the wolves. But I made him see sense at last. I've got a lot of +thingummybobs now and I'm studying them. You know, blue books and white +papers. Deadly dull—but one must do the thing properly. Have you ever +heard of the Santa Fé boundary dispute?"</p> + +<p>"Never," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm taking special pains with that. It went on for years and +was very complicated. I'm making it my subject. Nowadays one has to +specialize."</p> + +<p>"I've got a lot of the same sort of things," said Bundle. "Aunt Marcia +gave them to me."</p> + +<p>"Aunt who?"</p> + +<p>"Aunt Marcia—Father's sister-in-law. She's very political. In fact, +she's going to get me invited to George's party."</p> + +<p>"No? Oh, I say, that will be splendid." There was a pause and then +Jimmy said:</p> + +<p>"I say, I don't think we'd better tell Loraine that—eh?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not."</p> + +<p>"You see, she mayn't like being out of it. And she really must be kept +out of it."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I mean you can't let a girl like that run into danger!"</p> + +<p>Bundle reflected that Mr. Thesiger was slightly deficient in tact. The +prospect of <i>her</i> running into danger did not seem to give him any +qualms whatever.</p> + +<p>"Have you gone away?" asked Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"No, I was only thinking."</p> + +<p>"I see. I say, are you going to the inquest to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; are you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. By the way, it's in the evening papers. But tucked away in a +corner. Funny—I should have thought they'd have made rather a splash +about it."</p> + +<p>"Yes—so should I."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jimmy, "I must be getting on with my task. I've just got +to where Bolivia sent us a Note."</p> + +<p>"I suppose I must get on with my little lot," said Bundle. "Are you +going to swot at it all the evening?"</p> + +<p>"I think so. Are you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, probably. Good-night."</p> + +<p>They were both liars of the most unblushing order. Jimmy Thesiger knew +perfectly well that he was taking Loraine Wade out to dinner.</p> + +<p>As for Bundle, no sooner had she rung off than she attired herself in +various nondescript garments belonging, as a matter of fact, to her +maid. And having donned them, she sallied out on foot deliberating +whether bus or tube would be the best route by which to reach the Seven +Dials Club.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XIII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XIII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">The Seven Dials Club</span></p> + + +<p>Bundle reached 14 Hunstanton Street about 6 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> At that hour, +as she rightly judged, the Seven Dials Club was a dead spot. Bundle's +aim was a simple one. She intended to get hold of the ex-footman +Alfred. She was convinced that once she had got hold of him the rest +would be easy. Bundle had a simple autocratic method of dealing with +retainers. It seldom failed, and she saw no reason why it should fail +now.</p> + +<p>The only thing of which she was not certain was how many people +inhabited the club premises. Naturally she wished to disclose her +presence to as few people as possible.</p> + +<p>Whilst she was hesitating as to her best line of attack, the problem +was solved for her in a singularly easy fashion. The door of No. 14 +opened and Alfred himself came out.</p> + +<p>"Good-afternoon, Alfred," said Bundle pleasantly.</p> + +<p>Alfred jumped.</p> + +<p>"Oh! good-afternoon, your ladyship. I—I didn't recognize your ladyship +just for a moment."</p> + +<p>Paying a tribute in her own mind to her maid's clothing, Bundle +proceeded to business.</p> + +<p>"I want a few words with you, Alfred? Where shall we go?"</p> + +<p>"Well—really, my lady—I don't know—it's not what you might call a +nice part round here—I don't know, I'm sure—"</p> + +<p>Bundle cut him short.</p> + +<p>"Who's in the club?"</p> + +<p>"No one at present, my lady."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go in there."</p> + +<p>Alfred produced a key and opened the door. Bundle passed in. Alfred, +troubled and sheepish, followed her. Bundle sat down and looked +straight at the uncomfortable Alfred.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you know," she said crisply, "that what you're doing here is +dead against the law?"</p> + +<p>Alfred shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.</p> + +<p>"It's true as we've been raided twice," he admitted. "But nothing +compromising was found, owing to the neatness of Mr. Mosgorovsky's +arrangements."</p> + +<p>"I'm not talking of the gambling only," said Bundle. "There's more than +that—probably a great deal more than you know. I'm going to ask you a +direct question, Alfred, and I should like the truth, please. <i>How much +were you paid for leaving Chimneys?</i>"</p> + +<p>Alfred looked twice round the cornice as though seeking for +inspirations, swallowed three or four times, and then took the +inevitable course of a weak will opposed to a strong one.</p> + +<p>"It was this way, your ladyship. Mr. Mosgorovsky, he come with a +party to visit Chimneys on one of the show days. Mr. Tredwell, he +was indisposed like—an ingrowing toe-nail as a matter of fact—so +it fell to me to show the parties over. At the end of the tour, Mr. +Mosgorovsky, he stays behind the rest, and after giving me something +handsome, he falls into conversation."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Bundle encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"And the long and the short of it was," said Alfred, with a sudden +acceleration of his narrative, "that he offers me a hundred pound +down to leave that instant minute and to look after this here club. +He wanted someone as was used to the best families—to give the place +a tone, as he put it. And, well, it seemed flying in the face of +providence to refuse—let alone that the wages I get here are just +three times what they were as second footman."</p> + +<p>"A hundred pounds," said Bundle. "That's a very large sum, Alfred. Did +they say anything about who was to fill your place at Chimneys?"</p> + +<p>"I demurred a bit, my lady, about leaving at once. As I pointed out, +it wasn't usual and might cause inconvenience. But Mr. Mosgorovsky, +he knew of a young chap—been in good service and ready to come any +minute. So I mentioned his name to Mr. Tredwell and everything was +settled pleasant like."</p> + +<p>Bundle nodded. Her own suspicions had been correct and the <i>modus +operandi</i> was much as she had thought it to be. She essayed a further +inquiry.</p> + +<p>"Who is Mr. Mosgorovsky?"</p> + +<p>"Gentleman as runs this club. Russian gentleman. A very clever +gentleman too."</p> + +<p>Bundle abandoned the getting of information for the moment and +proceeded to other matters.</p> + +<p>"A hundred pounds is a very large sum of money, Alfred."</p> + +<p>"Larger than I ever handled, my lady," said Alfred with simple candour.</p> + +<p>"Did you never suspect that there was something wrong?"</p> + +<p>"Wrong, my lady?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I'm not talking about the gambling. I mean something far more +serious. You don't want to be sent to penal servitude, do you, Alfred?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lord, my lady, you don't mean it?"</p> + +<p>"I was at Scotland Yard the day before yesterday," said Bundle +impressively. "I heard some very curious things. I want you to help me, +Alfred, and if you do, well—if things go wrong, I'll put in a good +word for you."</p> + +<p>"Anything I can do, I shall be only too pleased, my lady. I mean, I +would anyway."</p> + +<p>"Well, first," said Bundle, "I want to go all over this place—from top +to bottom."</p> + +<p>Accompanied by a mystified and scared Alfred, she made a very thorough +tour of inspection. Nothing struck her eye till she came to the gaming +room. There she noticed an inconspicuous door in a corner, and the door +was locked.</p> + +<p>Alfred explained readily.</p> + +<p>"That's used as a getaway, your ladyship. There's a room and a door on +to a staircase what comes out in the next street. That's the way the +gentry goes when there's a raid."</p> + +<p>"But don't the police know about it?"</p> + +<p>"It's a cunning door, you see, my lady. Looks like a cupboard, that's +all."</p> + +<p>Bundle felt a rising excitement.</p> + +<p>"I must get in here," she said.</p> + +<p>Alfred shook his head.</p> + +<p>"You can't, my lady; Mr. Mosgorovsky, he has the key."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Bundle, "there are other keys."</p> + +<p>She perceived that the lock was a perfectly ordinary one which probably +could be easily unlocked by the key of one of the other doors. Alfred, +rather troubled, was sent to collect likely specimens. The fourth that +Bundle tried fitted. She turned it, opened the door and passed through.</p> + +<p>She found herself in a small, dingy apartment. A long table occupied +the centre of the room with chairs ranged round it. There was no other +furniture in the room. Two built-in cupboards stood on either side of +the fireplace. Alfred indicated the nearer one with a nod.</p> + +<p>"That's it," he explained.</p> + +<p>Bundle tried the cupboard door, but it was locked, and she saw at once +that this lock was a very different affair. It was of the patent kind +that would only yield to its own key.</p> + +<p>"'Ighly ingenious, it is," explained Alfred. "It looks all right when +opened. Shelves, you know, with a few ledgers and that on 'em. Nobody'd +ever suspect, but you touch the right spot and the whole thing swings +open."</p> + +<p>Bundle had turned round and was surveying the room thoughtfully. The +first thing she noticed was that the door by which they had entered was +carefully fitted round with baize. It must be completely soundproof. +Then her eyes wandered to the chairs. There were seven of them, three +each side and one rather more imposing in design at the head of the +table.</p> + +<p>Bundle's eyes brightened. She had found what she was looking for. This, +she felt sure, was the meeting place of the secret organization. The +place was almost perfectly planned. It looked so innocent—you could +reach it just by stepping through from the gaming room, or you could +arrive there by the secret entrance—and any secrecy, any precautions +were easily explained by the gaming going on in the next room.</p> + +<p>Idly, as these thoughts passed through her mind, she drew a finger +across the marble of the mantelpiece. Alfred saw and misinterpreted the +action.</p> + +<p>"You won't find no dirt, not to speak of," he said. "Mr. Mosgorovsky he +ordered the place to be swept out this morning, and I did it while he +waited."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Bundle, thinking very hard. "This morning, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Has to be done sometimes," said Alfred. "Though the room's never what +you might call used."</p> + +<p>Next minute he received a shock.</p> + +<p>"Alfred," said Bundle, "you've got to find me a place in this room +where I can hide."</p> + +<p>Alfred looked at her in dismay.</p> + +<p>"But it's impossible, my lady. You'll get me into trouble and I'll lose +my job."</p> + +<p>"You'll lose it anyway when you go to prison," said Bundle unkindly. +"But as a matter of fact, you needn't worry, nobody will know anything +about it."</p> + +<p>"And there ain't no place," wailed Alfred. "Look round for yourself, +your ladyship, if you don't believe me."</p> + +<p>Bundle was forced to admit that there was something in this argument. +But she had the true spirit of one undertaking adventures.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," she said with determination. "There has <i>got</i> to be a +place."</p> + +<p>"But there ain't one," wailed Alfred.</p> + +<p>Never had a room shown itself more unpropitious for concealment. Dingy +blinds were drawn down over the dirty window panes, and there were no +curtains. The window sill outside, which Bundle examined, was about +four inches wide! Inside the room there were the table, the chairs and +the cupboards.</p> + +<p>The second cupboard had a key in the lock. Bundle went across and +pulled it open. Inside were shelves covered with an odd assortment of +glasses and crockery.</p> + +<p>"Surplus stuff as we don't use," explained Alfred. "You can see for +yourself, my lady, there's no place here as a cat could hide."</p> + +<p>But Bundle was examining the shelves.</p> + +<p>"Flimsy work," she said. "Now then, Alfred, have you got a cupboard +downstairs where you could shove all this glass? You have? Good. Then +get a tray and start to carry it down at once. Hurry—there's no time +to lose."</p> + +<p>"You can't, my lady. And it's getting late, too. The cooks will be here +any minute now."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Mosgo-what-not doesn't come till later, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"He's never here much before midnight. But, oh, my lady—"</p> + +<p>"Don't talk so much, Alfred," said Bundle. "Get that tray. If you stay +here arguing, you <i>will</i> get into trouble."</p> + +<p>Doing what is familiarly known as "wringing his hands," Alfred +departed. Presently he returned with a tray, and having by now realized +that his protests were useless, he worked with a nervous energy quite +surprising.</p> + +<p>As Bundle had seen, the shelves were easily detachable. She took them +down, ranged them upright against the wall, and then stepped in.</p> + +<p>"H'm," she remarked. "Pretty narrow. It's going to be a tight fit. Shut +the door on me carefully, Alfred—that's right. Yes, it can be done. +Now I want a gimlet."</p> + +<p>"A gimlet, my lady?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I said."</p> + +<p>"I don't know—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, you must have a gimlet—perhaps you've got an auger as well. +If you haven't got what I want, you'll have to go out and buy it, so +you'd better try hard to find the right thing."</p> + +<p>Alfred departed and returned presently with quite a creditable +assortment of tools. Bundle seized what she wanted and proceeded +swiftly and efficiently to bore a small hole at the level of her +right eye. She did this from the outside so that it should be less +noticeable, and she dared not make it too large lest it should attract +attention.</p> + +<p>"There, that'll do," she remarked at last.</p> + +<p>"Oh! but, my lady, my lady—"</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"But they'll find you—if they should open the door."</p> + +<p>"They won't open the door," said Bundle, "because you are going to lock +it and take the key away."</p> + +<p>"And if by chance Mr. Mosgorovsky should ask for the key?"</p> + +<p>"Tell him it's lost," said Bundle briskly. "But nobody's going to worry +about this cupboard—it's only here to attract attention from the other +one and make a pair. Go on, Alfred, someone might come at any time. +Lock me in and take the key and come and let me out when everyone's +gone."</p> + +<p>"You'll be taken bad, my lady. You'll faint—"</p> + +<p>"I never faint," said Bundle. "But you might as well get me a cocktail. +I shall certainly need it. Then lock the door of the room again—don't +forget—and take all the door keys back to their proper doors. And, +Alfred—don't be too much of a rabbit. Remember, if anything goes +wrong, I'll see you through."</p> + +<p>"And that's that," said Bundle to herself when, having served the +cocktail, Alfred had finally departed.</p> + +<p>She was not nervous lest Alfred's nerve should fail and he should +give her away. She knew that his sense of self-preservation was far +too strong for that. His training alone helped him to conceal private +emotions beneath the mask of the well-trained servant.</p> + +<p>Only one thing worried Bundle. The interpretation she had chosen to put +upon the cleaning of the room that morning might be all wrong. And if +so—Bundle sighed in the narrow confines of the cupboard. The prospect +of spending long hours in it for nothing was not attractive.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XIV"><span class="smcap">Chapter XIV</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">The Meeting Of The Seven Dials</span></p> + + +<p>It would be as well to pass over the sufferings of the next four hours +as quickly as possible. Bundle found her position extremely cramped. +She had judged that the meeting, if meeting there was to be, would take +place at a time when the club was in full swing—somewhere probably +between the hours of midnight and 2 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span></p> + +<p>She was just deciding that it must be at least six o'clock in the +morning when a welcome sound came to her ears, the sound of the +unlocking of a door.</p> + +<p>In another minute the electric light was switched on. The hum of +voices, which had come to her for a minute or two rather like the +far-off roar of sea waves, ceased as suddenly as it had begun, and +Bundle heard the sound of a bolt being shot. Clearly someone had +come in from the gaming room next door, and she paid tribute to the +thoroughness with which the communicating door had been rendered sound +proof.</p> + +<p>In another minute the intruder came into her line of vision—a line of +vision that was necessarily somewhat incomplete but which yet answered +its purpose. A tall man, broad shouldered and powerful looking, with a +long black beard. Bundle remembered having seen him sitting at one of +the baccarat tables on the preceding night.</p> + +<p>This, then, was Alfred's mysterious Russian gentleman, the proprietor +of the club, the sinister Mr. Mosgorovsky. Bundle's heart beat faster +with excitement. So little did she resemble her father that at this +minute she fairly gloried in the extreme discomfort of her position.</p> + +<p>The Russian remained for some minutes standing by the table, stroking +his beard. Then he drew a watch from his pocket and glanced at the +time. Nodding his head as though satisfied, he again thrust his hand +into his pocket, and, pulling out something that Bundle could not see, +he moved out of her line of vision.</p> + +<p>When he reappeared again, she could hardly help giving a gasp of +surprise.</p> + +<p>His face was now covered by a mask—but hardly a mask in the +conventional sense. It was not shaped to the face. It was a mere piece +of material hanging in front of the features like a curtain in which +two slits were pierced for the eyes. In shape it was round and on it +was the representation of a clock face, with the hands pointing to six +o'clock.</p> + +<p>"The Seven Dials!" said Bundle to herself.</p> + +<p>And at that minute there came a new sound—seven muffled taps.</p> + +<p>Mosgorovsky strode across to where Bundle knew was the other cupboard +door. She heard a sharp click, and then the sound of greetings in a +foreign tongue.</p> + +<p>Presently she had a view of the newcomers.</p> + +<p>They also wore clock masks, but in their case the hands were in a +different position—four o'clock and five o'clock respectively. Both +men were in evening dress—but with a difference. One was an elegant, +slender young man wearing evening clothes of exquisite cut. The grace +with which he moved was foreign rather than English. The other man +could be better described as wiry and lean. His clothes fitted him +sufficiently well, but no more, and Bundle guessed at his nationality +even before she heard his voice.</p> + +<p>"I reckon we're the first to arrive at this little meeting."</p> + +<p>A full pleasant voice with a slight American drawl, and an inflection +of Irish behind it.</p> + +<p>The elegant young man said in good, but slightly stilted, English:</p> + +<p>"I had much difficulty in getting away to-night. These things do not +always arrange themselves fortunately. I am not, like No. 4 here, my +own master."</p> + +<p>Bundle tried to guess at his nationality. Until he spoke, she had +thought he might be French, but the accent was not a French one. He +might possibly, she thought, be an Austrian, or a Hungarian, or even a +Russian.</p> + +<p>The American moved to the other side of the table, and Bundle heard a +chair being pulled out.</p> + +<p>"One o'clock's being a great success," he said. "I congratulate you on +taking the risk."</p> + +<p>Five o'clock shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Unless one takes risks—" He left the sentence unfinished.</p> + +<p>Again seven taps sounded, and Mosgorovsky moved across to the secret +door.</p> + +<p>She failed to catch anything definite for some moments since the +whole company were out of sight, but presently she heard the bearded +Russian's voice upraised.</p> + +<p>"Shall we begin proceedings?"</p> + +<p>He himself came round the table and took the seat next to the arm-chair +at the top. Sitting thus, he was directly facing Bundle's cupboard. The +elegant five o'clock took the place next to him. The third chair that +side was out of Bundle's sight, but the American, No. 4, moved into her +line of vision for a moment or two before he sat down.</p> + +<p>On the near side of the table also, only two chairs were visible, and +as she watched a hand turned the second—really the middle chair—down. +And then with a swift movement, one of the newcomers brushed past the +cupboard and took the chair opposite Mosgorovsky. Whoever sat there +had, of course, their back directly turned to Bundle—and it was at +that back that Bundle was staring with a good deal of interest, for it +was the back of a singularly beautiful woman very much <i>décolleté</i>.</p> + +<p>It was she who spoke first. Her voice was musical, foreign—with a deep +seductive note in it. She was glancing towards the empty chair at the +head of the table.</p> + +<p>"So we are not to see No. 7 to-night?" she said. "Tell me, my friends, +shall we ever see him?"</p> + +<p>"That's darned good," said the American. "Darned good! As for seven +o'clock—<i>I'm</i> beginning to believe there is no such person."</p> + +<p>"I should not advise you to think that, my friend," said the Russian +pleasantly.</p> + +<p>There was a silence—rather an uncomfortable silence, Bundle felt.</p> + +<p>She was still staring as though fascinated at the beautiful back in +front of her. There was a tiny black mole just below the right shoulder +blade that enhanced the whiteness of the skin. Bundle felt that at last +the term "beautiful adventuress," so often read, had a real meaning for +her. She was quite certain that this woman had a beautiful face—a dark +Slavonic face with passionate eyes.</p> + +<p>She was recalled from her imaginings by the voice of the Russian, who +seemed to act as master of ceremonies.</p> + +<p>"Shall we get on with our business? First to our absent comrade! No. 2!"</p> + +<p>He made a curious gesture with his hand towards the turned down chair +next to the woman, which everyone present imitated, turning to the +chair as they did so.</p> + +<p>"I wish No. 2 were with us to-night," he continued. "There are many +things to be done. Unsuspected difficulties have arisen."</p> + +<p>"Have you had his report?" It was the American who spoke.</p> + +<p>"As yet—I have nothing from him." There was a pause. "I cannot +understand it."</p> + +<p>"You think it may have—gone astray?"</p> + +<p>"That is—a possibility."</p> + +<p>"In other words," said five o'clock softly, "there is—danger."</p> + +<p>He spoke the word delicately—and yet with relish.</p> + +<p>The Russian nodded emphatically.</p> + +<p>"Yes—there's danger. Too much is getting known about us—about this +place. I know of several people who suspect." He added coldly: "They +must be silenced."</p> + +<p>Bundle felt a little cold shiver pass down her spine. If she were to be +found, would she be silenced? She was recalled suddenly to attention by +a word.</p> + +<p>"So nothing has come to light about Chimneys?"</p> + +<p>Mosgorovsky shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>Suddenly No. 5 leant forward.</p> + +<p>"I agree with Anna; where is our president—No. 7? He who called us +into being. Why do we never see him?"</p> + +<p>"No. 7," said the Russian, "has his own ways of working."</p> + +<p>"So you always say."</p> + +<p>"I will say more," said Mosgorovsky. "I pity the man—or woman—who +comes up against him."</p> + +<p>There was an awkward silence.</p> + +<p>"We must get on with our business," said Mosgorovsky quietly. "No. 3, +you have the plans of Wyvern Abbey?"</p> + +<p>Bundle strained her ears. So far she had neither caught a glimpse of +No. 3, nor had she heard his voice. She heard it now and recognized it +as unmistakable. Low, pleasant, indistinct—the voice of a well-bred +Englishman.</p> + +<p>"I've got them here, sir."</p> + +<p>Some papers were shoved across the table. Everyone bent forward. +Presently Mosgorovsky raised his head again.</p> + +<p>"And the list of guests?"</p> + +<p>"Here."</p> + +<p>The Russian read them.</p> + +<p>"Sir Stanley Digby. Mr. Terence O'Rourke. Sir Oswald and Lady Coote. +Mr. Bateman. Countess Anna Radzky. Mrs. Macatta. Mr. James Thesiger—" +he paused and then asked sharply:</p> + +<p>"Who is Mr. James Thesiger?"</p> + +<p>The American laughed.</p> + +<p>"I guess you needn't worry any about him. The usual complete young ass."</p> + +<p>The Russian continued reading.</p> + +<p>"Herr Eberhard and Mr. Eversleigh. That completes the list."</p> + +<p>"Does it?" said Bundle silently. "What about that sweet girl, Lady +Eileen Brent?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, there seems nothing to worry about there," said Mosgorovsky. He +looked across the table. "I suppose there's no doubt whatever about the +value of Eberhard's invention?"</p> + +<p>Three o'clock made a laconic British reply.</p> + +<p>"None whatever."</p> + +<p>"Commercially it should be worth millions," said the Russian. "And +internationally—well, one knows only too well the greed of nations."</p> + +<p>Bundle had an idea that behind his mask he was smiling unpleasantly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he went on, "a gold mine."</p> + +<p>"Well worth a few lives," said No. 5, cynically, and laughed.</p> + +<p>"But you know what inventions are," said the American. "Sometimes these +darned things won't work."</p> + +<p>"A man like Sir Oswald Coote will have made no mistake," said +Mosgorovsky.</p> + +<p>"Speaking as an aviator myself," said No. 5, "the thing is perfectly +feasible. It has been discussed for years—but it needed the genius of +Eberhard to bring it to fruition."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mosgorovsky, "I don't think we need discuss matters any +further. You have all seen the plans. I do not think our original +scheme can be bettered. By the way, I hear something about a letter +of Gerald Wade's that has been found—a letter that mentions this +organization. Who found it?"</p> + +<p>"Lord Caterham's daughter—Lady Eileen Brent."</p> + +<p>"Bauer should have been on to that," said Mosgorovsky. "It was careless +of him. Who was the letter written to?"</p> + +<p>"His sister, I believe," said No. 3.</p> + +<p>"Unfortunate," said Mosgorovsky. "But it cannot be helped. The inquest +on Ronald Devereux is to-morrow. I suppose that has been arranged for?"</p> + +<p>"Reports as to local lads having been practising with rifles have been +spread everywhere," said the American.</p> + +<p>"That should be all right then. I think there is nothing further to be +said. I think we must all congratulate our dear one o'clock and wish +her luck in the part she has to play."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried No. 5. "To Anna!"</p> + +<p>All hands flew out in the same gesture which Bundle had noticed before.</p> + +<p>"To Anna!"</p> + +<p>One o'clock acknowledged the salutation with a typically foreign +gesture. Then she rose to her feet and the others followed suit. For +the first time, Bundle caught a glimpse of No. 3 as he came to put +Anna's cloak round her—a tall, heavily built man.</p> + +<p>Then the party filed out through the secret door. Mosgorovsky secured +it after them. He waited a few moments and then Bundle heard him unbolt +the other door and pass through, after extinguishing the electric light.</p> + +<p>It was not until two hours later that a white and anxious Alfred came +to release Bundle. She almost fell into his arms and he had to hold her +up.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," said Bundle. "Just stiff, that's all. Here, let me sit down."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Gord, my lady, it's been awful."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said Bundle. "It all went off splendidly. Don't get the +wind up now it's all over. It might have gone wrong, but thank goodness +it didn't."</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness, as you say, my lady. I've been in a twitter all the +evening. They're a funny crowd, you know."</p> + +<p>"A damned funny crowd," said Bundle, vigorously massaging her arms and +legs. "As a matter of fact, they're the sort of crowd I always imagined +until to-night only existed in books. In this life, Alfred, one never +stops learning."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XV"><span class="smcap">Chapter XV</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">The Inquest</span></p> + + +<p>Bundle reached home about 6 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span> She was up and dressed by +half-past nine, and rang up Jimmy Thesiger on the telephone.</p> + +<p>The promptitude of his reply somewhat surprised her, till he explained +that he was going down to attend the inquest.</p> + +<p>"So am I," said Bundle. "And I've got a lot to tell you."</p> + +<p>"Well, suppose you let me drive you down and we can talk on the way. +How about that?"</p> + +<p>"All right. But allow a bit extra because you'll have to take me to +Chimneys. The Chief Constable's picking me up there."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because he's a kind man," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"So am I," said Jimmy. "Very kind."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you—you're an ass," said Bundle. "I heard somebody say so last +night."</p> + +<p>"Who?"</p> + +<p>"To be strictly accurate—a Russian Jew. No, it wasn't. It was—"</p> + +<p>But an indignant protest drowned her words.</p> + +<p>"I may be an ass," said Jimmy. "I daresay I am—but I won't have +Russian Jews saying so. What were you doing last night, Bundle?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I'm going to talk about," said Bundle. "Good-bye for the +moment."</p> + +<p>She rang off in a tantalizing manner which left Jimmy pleasantly +puzzled. He had the highest respect for Bundle's capabilities, though +there was not the slightest trace of sentiment in his feeling towards +her.</p> + +<p>"She's been up to something," he opined, as he took a last hasty drink +of coffee. "Depend upon it, she's been up to something."</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later, his little two-seater drew up before the Brook +Street house and Bundle, who had been waiting, came tripping down the +steps. Jimmy was not ordinarily an observant young man, but he noticed +that there were black rings around Bundle's eyes and that she had all +the appearance of having had a late night the night before.</p> + +<p>"Now then," he said, as the car began to nose her way through the +suburbs, "what dark deeds have you been up to?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you," said Bundle. "But don't interrupt until I've finished."</p> + +<p>It was a somewhat long story, and Jimmy had all he could do to keep +sufficient attention on the car to prevent an accident. When Bundle had +finished he sighed—then looked at her searchingly.</p> + +<p>"Bundle?"</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"Look here, you're not pulling my leg?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," apologized Jimmy, "but it seems to me as though I'd heard +it all before—in a dream, you know."</p> + +<p>"I know," said Bundle sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"It's impossible," said Jimmy, following out his own train of thought. +"The beautiful foreign adventuress, the international gang, the +mysterious No. 7, whose identity nobody knows—I've read it all a +hundred times in books."</p> + +<p>"Of course you have. So have I. But it's no reason why it shouldn't +really happen."</p> + +<p>"I suppose not," admitted Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"After all—I suppose fiction is founded on the truth. I mean unless +things did happen, people couldn't think of them."</p> + +<p>"There is something in what you say," agreed Jimmy. "But all the same +I can't help pinching myself to see if I'm awake."</p> + +<p>"That's how I felt."</p> + +<p>Jimmy gave a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose we are awake. Let me see, a Russian, an American, an +Englishman—a possible Austrian or Hungarian—and the lady who may +be any nationality—for choice Russian or Polish—that's a pretty +representative gathering."</p> + +<p>"And a German," said Bundle. "You've forgotten the German."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Jimmy slowly. "You think—"</p> + +<p>"The absent No. 2 is Bauer—our footman. That seems to me quite +clear from what they said about expecting a report which hadn't come +in—though what there can be to report about Chimneys, I can't think."</p> + +<p>"It must be something to do with Gerry Wade's death," said Jimmy. +"There's something there we haven't fathomed yet. You say they actually +mentioned Bauer by name?"</p> + +<p>Bundle nodded.</p> + +<p>"They blamed him for not having found that letter."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't see what you could have clearer than that. There's +no going against it. You'll have to forgive my first incredulity, +Bundle—but you know, it was rather a tall story. You say they knew +about my going down to Wyvern Abbey next week?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's when the American—it was him, not the Russian—said they +needn't worry—you were only the usual kind of ass."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Jimmy. He pressed his foot down on the accelerator viciously +and the car shot forward. "I'm very glad you told me that. It gives me +what you might call a personal interest in the case."</p> + +<p>He was silent for a minute or two and then he said:</p> + +<p>"Did you say that German inventor's name was Eberhard?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Why?"</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute. Something's coming back to me. Eberhard, Eberhard—yes, +I'm sure that was the name."</p> + +<p>"Tell me."</p> + +<p>"Eberhard was a Johnny who'd got some patent process he applied to +steel. I can't put the thing properly because I haven't got the +scientific knowledge—but I know the result was that it became so +toughened that a wire was as strong as a steel bar had previously +been. Eberhard had to do with aeroplanes and his idea was that the +weight would be so enormously reduced that flying would be practically +revolutionized—the cost of it, I mean. I believe he offered his +invention to the German Government, and they turned it down, pointed +out some undeniable flaw in it—but they did it rather nastily. He set +to work and circumvented the difficulty, whatever it was, but he'd been +offended by their attitude and swore they shouldn't have his ewe lamb. +I always thought the whole thing was probably bunkum, but now—it looks +differently."</p> + +<p>"That's it," said Bundle eagerly. "You must be right, Jimmy. Eberhard +must have offered his invention to our Government. They've been taking, +or are going to take, Sir Oswald Coote's expert opinion on it. There's +going to be an unofficial conference at the Abbey. Sir Oswald, George, +the Air Minister and Eberhard. Eberhard will have the plans or the +process or whatever you call it—"</p> + +<p>"Formula," suggested Jimmy. "I think 'formula' is a good word myself."</p> + +<p>"He'll have the formula with him, and the Seven Dials are out to steal +the formula. I remember the Russian saying it was worth millions."</p> + +<p>"I suppose it would be," said Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"And well worth a few lives—that's what the other man said."</p> + +<p>"Well, it seems to have been," said Jimmy, his face clouding over. +"Look at this damned inquest to-day. Bundle, are you sure Ronny said +nothing else?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Bundle. "Just that. <i>Seven Dials. Tell Jimmy Thesiger</i>. +That's all he could get out, poor lad."</p> + +<p>"I wish we knew what he knew," said Jimmy. "But we've found out one +thing. I take it that the footman, Bauer, must almost certainly have +been responsible for Gerry's death. You know, Bundle—"</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm a bit worried sometimes. Who's going to be the next one! It +really isn't the sort of business for a girl to be mixed up in."</p> + +<p>Bundle smiled in spite of herself. It occurred to her that it had taken +Jimmy a long time to put her in the same category as Loraine Wade.</p> + +<p>"It's far more likely to be you than me," she remarked cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"Hear, hear," said Jimmy. "But what about a few casualties on the other +side for a change? I'm feeling rather bloodthirsty this morning. Tell +me, Bundle, would you recognize any of these people if you saw them?"</p> + +<p>Bundle hesitated.</p> + +<p>"I think I should recognize No. 5," she said at last. "He's got a queer +way of speaking—a kind of venomous, lisping way—that I think I'd know +again."</p> + +<p>"What about the Englishman?"</p> + +<p>Bundle shook her head.</p> + +<p>"I saw him least—only a glimpse—and he's got a very ordinary voice. +Except that he's a big man, there's nothing much to go by."</p> + +<p>"There's the woman, of course," continued Jimmy. "She ought to be +easier. But then, you're not likely to run across her. She's probably +putting in the dirty work being taken out to dinner by amorous Cabinet +Ministers and getting State secrets out of them when they've had a +couple. At least, that's how it's done in books. As a matter of fact, +the only Cabinet Minister I know drinks hot water with a dash of lemon +in it."</p> + +<p>"Take George Lomax, for instance, can you imagine him being amorous +with beautiful foreign women?" said Bundle with a laugh.</p> + +<p>Jimmy agreed with her criticism.</p> + +<p>"And now about the man of mystery—No. 7," went on Jimmy. "You've no +idea who he could be?"</p> + +<p>"None whatever."</p> + +<p>"Again—by book standard, that is—he ought to be someone we all know. +What about George Lomax himself?"</p> + +<p>Bundle reluctantly shook her head.</p> + +<p>"In a book, it would be perfect," she agreed. "But knowing Codders—" +And she gave herself up to a sudden uncontrollable mirth. "Codders, the +great criminal organizer," she gasped. "Wouldn't it be marvellous?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy agreed that it would. Their discussion had taken some time and +his driving had slowed down involuntarily once or twice. They arrived +at Chimneys, to find Colonel Melrose already there waiting. Jimmy was +introduced to him and they all three proceeded to the inquest together.</p> + +<p>As Colonel Melrose had predicted, the whole affair was very simple. +Bundle gave her evidence. The doctor gave his. Evidence was given of +rifle practice in the neighbourhood. A verdict of death by misadventure +was brought in.</p> + +<p>After the proceedings were over, Colonel Melrose volunteered to drive +Bundle back to Chimneys, and Jimmy Thesiger returned to London. For all +his lighthearted manner, Bundle's story had impressed him profoundly. +He set his lips closely together.</p> + +<p>"Ronny, old boy," he murmured, "I'm going to be up against it. And +you're not here to join in the game."</p> + +<p>Another thought flashed into his mind. Loraine! Was she in danger?</p> + +<p>After a minute or two's hesitation, he went over to the telephone and +rang her up.</p> + +<p>"It's me—Jimmy. I thought you'd like to know the result of the +inquest. Death by misadventure."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I think there's something behind that. The coroner had had a +hint. Someone's at work to hush it up. I say, Loraine—"</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"Look here. There's—there's some funny business going about. You'll be +very careful, won't you? For my sake."</p> + +<p>He heard the quick note of alarm that sprang into her voice.</p> + +<p>"Jimmy—but then it's dangerous—for <i>you</i>."</p> + +<p>He laughed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>that's</i> all right. I'm the cat that had nine lives. Bye-bye, old +thing."</p> + +<p>He rang off and remained a minute or two lost in thought. Then he +summoned Stevens.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you could go out and buy me a pistol, Stevens?"</p> + +<p>"A pistol, sir?"</p> + +<p>True to his training, Stevens betrayed no hint of surprise.</p> + +<p>"What kind of a pistol would you be requiring?"</p> + +<p>"The kind where you put your finger on the trigger and the thing goes +on shooting until you take it off again."</p> + +<p>"An automatic, sir."</p> + +<p>"That's it," said Jimmy. "An automatic. And I should like it to be a +blue-nosed one—if you and the shopman know what that is. In American +stories, the hero always takes his blue-nosed automatic from his hip +pocket."</p> + +<p>Stevens permitted himself a faint, discreet smile.</p> + +<p>"Most American gentlemen that I have known, sir, carry something very +different in their hip pockets," he observed.</p> + +<p>Jimmy Thesiger laughed.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XVI"><span class="smcap">Chapter XVI</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">The House Party at the Abbey</span></p> + + +<p>Bundle drove over to Wyvern Abbey just in time for tea on Friday +afternoon. George Lomax came forward to welcome her with considerable +<i>empressement</i>.</p> + +<p>"My dear Eileen," he said, "I can't tell you how pleased I am to see +you here. You must forgive my not having invited you when I asked your +father, but to tell the truth I never dreamed that a party of this kind +would appeal to you. I was both—er—surprised and—er—delighted when +Lady Caterham told me of your—er—interest in—er—politics."</p> + +<p>"I wanted to come so much," said Bundle in a simple, ingenuous manner.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Macatta will not arrive till the later train," explained George. +"She was speaking at a meeting in Manchester last night. Do you know +Thesiger? Quite a young fellow, but a remarkable grasp of foreign +politics. One would hardly suspect it from his appearance."</p> + +<p>"I know Mr. Thesiger," said Bundle, and she shook hands solemnly with +Jimmy, whom she observed had parted his hair in the middle in the +endeavour to add earnestness to his expression.</p> + +<p>"Look here," said Jimmy in a low hurried voice, as George temporarily +withdrew. "You mustn't be angry, but I've told Bill about our little +stunt."</p> + +<p>"Bill?" said Bundle, annoyed.</p> + +<p>"Well, after all," said Jimmy, "Bill is one of the lads, you know. +Ronny was a pal of his and so was Gerry."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I know," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"But you think it's a pity? Sorry."</p> + +<p>"Bill's all right, of course. It isn't that," said Bundle. "But +he's—well, Bill's a born blunderer."</p> + +<p>"Not mentally very agile?" suggested Jimmy. "But you forget one +thing—Bill's got a very hefty fist. And I've an idea that a hefty fist +is going to come in handy."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps you're right. How did he take it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, he clutched his head a good bit, but—I mean the facts took some +driving home. But by repeating the thing patiently in words of one +syllable I at last got it into his thick head. And, naturally, he's +with us to the death, as you might say."</p> + +<p>George reappeared suddenly.</p> + +<p>"I must make some introductions, Eileen. This is Sir Stanley +Digby—Lady Eileen Brent. Mr. O'Rourke." The Air Minister was a little +round man with a cheerful smile. Mr. O'Rourke, a tall young man with +laughing blue eyes and a typical Irish face, greeted Bundle with +enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"And I thinking it was going to be a dull political party entirely," he +murmured in an adroit whisper.</p> + +<p>"Hush," said Bundle. "I'm political—very political."</p> + +<p>"Sir Oswald and Lady Coote you know," continued George.</p> + +<p>"We've never actually met," said Bundle, smiling.</p> + +<p>She was mentally applauding her father's descriptive powers.</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald took her hand in an iron grip and she winced slightly.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote, after a somewhat mournful greeting, had turned to Jimmy +Thesiger, and appeared to be registering something closely akin to +pleasure. Despite his reprehensible habit of being late for breakfast, +Lady Coote had a fondness for this amiable, pink-faced young man. His +air of irrepressible good nature fascinated her. She had a motherly +wish to cure him of his bad habits and form him into one of the world's +workers. Whether, once formed, he would be as attractive was a question +she had never asked herself. She began now to tell him of a very +painful motor accident which had happened to one of her friends.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Bateman," said George briefly, as one who would pass on to better +things.</p> + +<p>A serious, pale-faced young man bowed.</p> + +<p>"And now," continued George, "I must introduce you to Countess Radzky."</p> + +<p>Countess Radzky had been conversing with Mr. Bateman. Leaning very +far back on a sofa, with her legs crossed in a daring manner, she was +smoking a cigarette in an incredibly long turquoise-studded holder.</p> + +<p>Bundle thought she was one of the most beautiful women she had ever +seen. Her eyes were very large and blue, her hair was coal black, +she had a matte skin, the slightly flattened nose of the Slav, and a +sinuous, slender body. Her lips were reddened to a degree with which +Bundle was sure Wyvern Abbey was totally unacquainted.</p> + +<p>She said eagerly: "This is Mrs. Macatta—yes?"</p> + +<p>On George's replying in the negative and introducing Bundle, the +Countess gave her a careless nod, and at once resumed her conversation +with the serious Mr. Bateman.</p> + +<p>Bundle heard Jimmy's voice in her ear:</p> + +<p>"Pongo is absolutely fascinated by the lovely Slav," he said. +"Pathetic, isn't it? Come and have some tea."</p> + +<p>They drifted once more into the neighbourhood of Sir Oswald Coote.</p> + +<p>"That's a fine place of yours, Chimneys," remarked the great man.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you liked it," said Bundle meekly.</p> + +<p>"Wants new plumbing," said Sir Oswald. "Bring it up to date, you know."</p> + +<p>He ruminated for a minute or two.</p> + +<p>"I'm taking the Duke of Alton's place. Three years. Just while I'm +looking round for a place of my own. Your father couldn't sell if he +wanted to, I suppose."</p> + +<p>Bundle felt her breath taken away. She had a nightmare vision of +England with innumerable Cootes in innumerable counterparts of +Chimneys—all, be it understood, with an entirely new system of +plumbing installed.</p> + +<p>She felt a sudden violent resentment which, she told herself, was +absurd. After all, contrasting Lord Caterham with Sir Oswald Coote, +there was no doubt as to who would go to the wall. Sir Oswald had one +of those powerful personalities which make all those with whom they +come in contact appear faded. He was, as Lord Caterham had said, a +human steam-roller. And yet, undoubtedly, in many ways, Sir Oswald was +a stupid man. Apart from his special line of knowledge and his terrific +driving force, he was probably intensely ignorant. A hundred delicate +appreciations of life which Lord Caterham could and did enjoy were a +sealed book to Sir Oswald.</p> + +<p>Whilst indulging in these reflections Bundle continued to chat +pleasantly. Herr Eberhard, she heard, had arrived, but was lying down +with a nervous headache. This was told her by Mr. O'Rourke, who managed +to find a place by her side and keep it.</p> + +<p>Altogether, Bundle went up to dress in a pleasant mood of expectation, +with a slight nervous dread hovering in the background whenever she +thought of the imminent arrival of Mrs. Macatta. Bundle felt that +dalliance with Mrs. Macatta was going to prove no primrose path.</p> + +<p>Her first shock was when she came down, demurely attired in a black +lace frock, and passed along the hall. A footman was standing there—at +least a man dressed as a footman. But that square, burly figure lent +itself badly to the deception. Bundle stopped and stared.</p> + +<p>"Superintendent Battle," she breathed.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Lady Eileen."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Bundle uncertainly. "Are you here to—to—"</p> + +<p>"Keep an eye on things."</p> + +<p>"I see."</p> + +<p>"That warning letter, you know," said the Superintendent, "fairly put +the wind up Mr. Lomax. Nothing would do for him but that I should come +down myself."</p> + +<p>"But don't you think—" began Bundle, and stopped. She hardly liked to +suggest to the Superintendent that his disguise was not a particularly +efficient one. He seemed to have "police officer" written all over him, +and Bundle could hardly imagine the most unsuspecting criminal failing +to be put on his guard.</p> + +<p>"You think," said the Superintendent stolidly, "that I might be +recognized?"</p> + +<p>He gave the final word a distinct capital letter.</p> + +<p>"I did think so—yes—" admitted Bundle.</p> + +<p>Something that might conceivably have been intended for a smile crossed +the woodenness of Superintendent Battle's features.</p> + +<p>"Put them on their guard, eh? Well, Lady Eileen, why not?"</p> + +<p>"Why not?" echoed Bundle, rather stupidly, she felt.</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle was nodding his head slowly.</p> + +<p>"We don't want any unpleasantness, do we?" he said. "Don't want +to be too clever—just show any light-fingered gentry that may be +about—well, just show them that there's somebody on the spot, so to +speak."</p> + +<p>Bundle gazed at him in some admiration. She could imagine that the +sudden appearance of so renowned a personage as Superintendent Battle +might have a depressing effect on any scheme and the hatchers of it.</p> + +<p>"It's a great mistake to be too clever," Superintendent Battle was +repeating. "The great thing is not to have any unpleasantness this +week-end."</p> + +<p>Bundle passed on, wondering how many of her fellow guests had +recognized or would recognize the Scotland Yard detective. In the +drawing-room George was standing with a puckered brow and an orange +envelope in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Most vexatious," he said. "A telegram from Mrs. Macatta to say she +will be unable to be with us. Her children are suffering from mumps."</p> + +<p>Bundle's heart gave a throb of relief.</p> + +<p>"I especially feel this on your account, Eileen," said George kindly. +"I know how anxious you were to meet her. The Countess too will be +sadly disappointed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind," said Bundle. "I should hate it if she'd come and +given me mumps."</p> + +<p>"A very distressing complaint," agreed George. "But I do not think +that infection could be carried that way. Indeed, I am sure that Mrs. +Macatta would have run no risk of that kind. She is a most highly +principled woman, with a very real sense of her responsibilities to +the community. In these days of national stress, we must all take into +account—"</p> + +<p>On the brink of embarking on a speech, George pulled himself up short.</p> + +<p>"But it must be for another time," he said. "Fortunately there is no +hurry in your case. But the Countess, alas, is only a visitor to our +shores."</p> + +<p>"She's a Hungarian, isn't she?" said Bundle, who was curious about the +Countess.</p> + +<p>"Yes. You have heard, no doubt, of the Young Hungarian party? The +Countess is a leader in that party. A woman of great wealth, left a +widow at an early age, she has devoted her money and her talents to +public service. She has especially devoted herself to the problem of +infant mortality—a terrible one under present conditions in Hungary. +I—Ah! here is Herr Eberhard."</p> + +<p>The German inventor was younger than Bundle had imagined him. He was +probably not more than thirty-three or four. He was boorish and ill at +ease, and yet his personality was not an unpleasing one. His blue eyes +were more shy than furtive, and his more unpleasant mannerisms, such as +the one that Bill had described of gnawing his finger-nails, arose, she +thought, more from nervousness than from any other cause. He was thin +and weedy in appearance and looked anaemic and delicate.</p> + +<p>He conversed rather awkwardly with Bundle in stilted English and they +both welcomed the interruption of the joyous Mr. O'Rourke. Presently +Bill bustled in—there is no other word for it. In the same such way +does a favoured Newfoundland make his entrance, and at once came over +to Bundle. He was looking perplexed and harassed.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Bundle. Heard you'd got here. Been kept with my nose to the +grindstone all the blessed afternoon or I'd have seen you before."</p> + +<p>"Cares of State heavy to-night?" suggested O'Rourke sympathetically.</p> + +<p>Bill groaned.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what your fellow's like," he complained. "Looks a +good-natured, tubby little chap. But Codders is absolutely impossible. +Drive, drive, drive, from morning to night. Everything you do is wrong, +and everything you haven't done you ought to have done."</p> + +<p>"Quite like a quotation from the prayer book," remarked Jimmy, who had +just strolled up.</p> + +<p>Bill glanced at them reproachfully.</p> + +<p>"Nobody knows," he said pathetically, "what I have to put up with."</p> + +<p>"Entertaining the Countess, eh?" suggested Jimmy. "Poor Bill, that must +have been a sad strain—to a woman hater like yourself."</p> + +<p>"What's this?" asked Bundle.</p> + +<p>"After tea," said Jimmy with a grin, "the Countess asked Bill to show +her round the interesting old place."</p> + +<p>"Well, I couldn't refuse, could I?" said Bill, his countenance assuming +a brick-red tint.</p> + +<p>Bundle felt faintly uneasy. She knew, only too well, the susceptibility +of Mr. William Eversleigh to female charms. In the hands of a woman +like the Countess, Bill would be as wax. She wondered once more whether +Jimmy Thesiger had been wise to take Bill into their confidence.</p> + +<p>"The Countess," said Bill, "is a very charming woman. And no end +intelligent. You should have seen her going round the house. All sorts +of questions she asked."</p> + +<p>"What kind of questions?" asked Bundle suddenly.</p> + +<p>Bill was vague.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I don't know. About the history of it. And old furniture. And—oh! +all sorts of things."</p> + +<p>At that moment the Countess swept into the room. She seemed a shade +breathless. She was looking magnificent in a close-fitting black velvet +gown. Bundle noticed how Bill gravitated at once into her immediate +neighbourhood. The serious, spectacled young man joined him.</p> + +<p>"Bill and Pongo have both got it badly," observed Jimmy Thesiger with a +laugh.</p> + +<p>Bundle was by no means so sure that it was a laughing matter.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XVII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XVII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">After Dinner</span></p> + + +<p>George was not a believer in modern innovations. The Abbey was innocent +of anything so up to date as central heating. Consequently, when the +ladies entered the drawing-room after dinner, the temperature of the +room was woefully inadequate to the needs of modern evening clothes. +The fire that burnt in the well-burnished steel grate became as a +magnet. The three women huddled round it.</p> + +<p>"Brrrrrrrrrrrr!" said the Countess, a fine, exotic, foreign sound.</p> + +<p>"The days are drawing in," said Lady Coote, and drew a flowered +atrocity of a scarf closer about her ample shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Why on earth doesn't George have the house properly heated?" said +Bundle.</p> + +<p>"You English, you never heat your houses," said the Countess.</p> + +<p>She took out her long cigarette holder and began to smoke.</p> + +<p>"That grate is old-fashioned," said Lady Coote. "The heat goes up the +chimney instead of into the room."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said the Countess.</p> + +<p>There was a pause. The Countess was so plainly bored by her company +that conversation became difficult.</p> + +<p>"It's funny," said Lady Coote, breaking the silence, "that Mrs. +Macatta's children should have mumps. At least, I don't mean exactly +funny—"</p> + +<p>"What," said the Countess, "are mumps?"</p> + +<p>Bundle and Lady Coote started simultaneously to explain. Finally, +between them, they managed it.</p> + +<p>"I suppose Hungarian children have it?" asked Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>"Eh?" said the Countess.</p> + +<p>"Hungarian children. They suffer from it?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know," said the Countess. "How should I?"</p> + +<p>Lady Coote looked at her in some surprise.</p> + +<p>"But I understood that you worked—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that!" The Countess uncrossed her legs, took her cigarette holder +from her mouth and began to talk rapidly.</p> + +<p>"I will tell you some horrors," she said. "Horrors that I have seen. +Incredible! You would not believe!"</p> + +<p>And she was as good as her word. She talked fluently and with a graphic +power of description. Incredible scenes of starvation and misery were +painted by her for the benefit of her audience. She spoke of Buda Pesth +shortly after the war and traced its vicissitudes to the present day. +She was dramatic, but she was also, to Bundle's mind, a little like a +gramophone record. You turned her on, and there you were. Presently, +just as suddenly, she would stop.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote was thrilled to the marrow—that much was clear. She sat +with her mouth slightly open and her large, sad, dark eyes fixed on the +Countess. Occasionally, she interpolated a comment of her own.</p> + +<p>"One of my cousins had three children burned to death. Awful, wasn't +it?"</p> + +<p>The Countess paid no attention. She went on and on. And she finally +stopped as suddenly as she had begun.</p> + +<p>"There!" she said. "I have told you! We have money—but no +organization. It is organization we need."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote sighed.</p> + +<p>"I've heard my husband say that nothing can be done without regular +methods. He attributes his own success entirely to that. He declares he +would have never got on without them."</p> + +<p>She sighed again. A sudden fleeting vision passed before her eyes of a +Sir Oswald who had not got on in the world. A Sir Oswald who retained, +in all essentials, the attributes of that cheery young man in the +bicycle shop. Just for a second it occurred to her how much pleasanter +life might have been for her if Sir Oswald had <i>not</i> had regular +methods.</p> + +<p>By a quite understandable association of ideas she turned to Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Tell me, Lady Eileen," she said, "do you like that head gardener of +yours?"</p> + +<p>"MacDonald? Well—" Bundle hesitated. "One couldn't exactly <i>like</i> +MacDonald," she explained apologetically. "But he's a first-class +gardener."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I know he is," said Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>"He's all right if he's kept in his place," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"I suppose so," said Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>She looked enviously at Bundle, who appeared to approach the task of +keeping MacDonald in his place so light heartedly.</p> + +<p>"I'd just adore a high-toned garden," said the Countess dreamily.</p> + +<p>Bundle stared, but at that moment a diversion occurred. Jimmy Thesiger +entered the room and spoke directly to her in a strange, hurried voice.</p> + +<p>"I say, will you come and see those etchings now? They're waiting for +you."</p> + +<p>Bundle left the room hurriedly, Jimmy close behind her.</p> + +<p>"What etchings?" she asked, as the drawing-room door closed behind her.</p> + +<p>"No etchings," said Jimmy. "I'd got to say something to get hold of +you. Come on, Bill is waiting for us in the library. There's nobody +there."</p> + +<p>Bill was striding up and down the library, clearly in a very perturbed +state of mind.</p> + +<p>"Look here," he burst out, "I don't like this."</p> + +<p>"Don't like what?"</p> + +<p>"You being mixed up in this. Ten to one there's going to be a rough +house and then—"</p> + +<p>He looked at her with a kind of pathetic dismay that gave Bundle a warm +and comfortable feeling.</p> + +<p>"She ought to be kept out of it, oughtn't she, Jimmy?"</p> + +<p>He appealed to the other.</p> + +<p>"I've told her so," said Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"Dash it all, Bundle, I mean—someone might get hurt."</p> + +<p>Bundle turned round to Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"How much have you told him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! everything."</p> + +<p>"I haven't got the hang of it all yet," confessed Bill. "You in that +place in Seven Dials and all that." He looked at her unhappily. "I say, +Bundle, I wish you wouldn't."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't what?"</p> + +<p>"Get mixed up in these sorts of things."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" said Bundle. "They're exciting."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes—exciting. But they may be damnably dangerous. Look at poor +old Ronny."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Bundle. "If it hadn't been for your friend Ronny, I don't +suppose I should ever have got what you call 'mixed up' in this thing. +But I am. And it's no earthly use your bleating about it."</p> + +<p>"I know you're the most frightful sport, Bundle, but—"</p> + +<p>"Cut out the compliments. Let's make plans."</p> + +<p>To her relief, Bill reacted favourably to the suggestion.</p> + +<p>"You're right about the formula," he said. "Eberhard's got some sort +of formula with him, or rather Sir Oswald has. The stuff has been +tested out at his works—very secretly and all that. Eberhard has been +down there with him. They're all in the study now—what you might call +coming down to brass tacks."</p> + +<p>"How long is Sir Stanley Digby staying?" asked Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"Going back to town to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"H'm," said Jimmy. "Then one thing's quite clear. If, as I suppose, Sir +Stanley will be taking the formula with him, any funny business there's +going to be will be to-night."</p> + +<p>"I suppose it will."</p> + +<p>"Not a doubt of it. That narrows the thing down very comfortably. But +the bright lads will have to be their very brightest. We must come down +to details. First of all, where will the sacred formula be to-night? +Will Eberhard have it, or Sir Oswald Coote?"</p> + +<p>"Neither. I understand it's to be handed over to the Air Minister this +evening, for him to take to town to-morrow. In that case O'Rourke will +have it. Sure to."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's only one thing for it. If we believe someone's going to +have a shot at pinching that paper, we've got to keep watch to-night, +Bill, my boy."</p> + +<p>Bundle opened her mouth as though to protest, but shut it again without +speaking.</p> + +<p>"By the way," continued Jimmy, "did I recognize the commissionaire from +Harrods in the hall this evening, or was it our old friend Lestrade +from Scotland Yard?"</p> + +<p>"Scintillating, Watson," said Bill.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," said Jimmy, "that we are rather butting in on his +preserves."</p> + +<p>"Can't be helped," said Bill. "Not if we mean to see this thing +through."</p> + +<p>"Then it's agreed," said Jimmy. "We divide the night into two watches?"</p> + +<p>Again Bundle opened her mouth, and again shut it without speaking.</p> + +<p>"Right you are," agreed Bill. "Who'll take first duty?"</p> + +<p>"Shall we spin for it?"</p> + +<p>"Might as well."</p> + +<p>"All right. Here goes. Heads you first and I second. Tails, vice versa."</p> + +<p>Bill nodded. The coin spun in the air. Jimmy bent to look at it.</p> + +<p>"Tails," he said.</p> + +<p>"Damn," said Bill. "You get first half and probably any fun that's +going."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you never know," said Jimmy. "Criminals are very uncertain. What +time shall I wake you? Three thirty?"</p> + +<p>"That's about fair, I think."</p> + +<p>And now, at last, Bundle spoke:</p> + +<p>"What about <i>me</i>?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing. You go to bed and sleep."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Bundle. "That's not very exciting."</p> + +<p>"You never know," said Jimmy kindly. "You may be murdered in your sleep +whilst Bill and I escape scot-free."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's always that possibility. Do you know, Jimmy, I don't +half like the look of that Countess. I suspect her."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," cried Bill hotly. "She's absolutely above suspicion."</p> + +<p>"How do you know?" retorted Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Because I do. Why, one of the fellows at the Hungarian Embassy vouched +for her."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Bundle, momentarily taken aback by his fervour.</p> + +<p>"You girls are all the same," grumbled Bill. "Just because she's a +jolly good-looking woman—"</p> + +<p>Bundle was only too well acquainted with this unfair masculine line of +argument.</p> + +<p>"Well, don't you go and pour confidences into her shell-pink ear," she +remarked. "I'm going to bed. I was bored stiff in that drawing-room and +I'm not going back."</p> + +<p>She left the room. Bill looked at Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"Good old Bundle," he said. "I was afraid we might have trouble with +her. You know how keen she is to be in everything. I think the way she +took it was just wonderful."</p> + +<p>"So did I," said Jimmy. "It staggered me."</p> + +<p>"She's got some sense, Bundle has. She knows when a thing's plumb +impossible. I say, oughtn't we to have some lethal weapons? Chaps +usually do when they're going on this sort of stunt."</p> + +<p>"I have a blue-nosed automatic," said Jimmy with gentle pride. "It +weighs several pounds and looks most murderous. I'll lend it to you +when the time comes."</p> + +<p>Bill looked at him with respect and envy.</p> + +<p>"What made you think of getting that?" he said.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Jimmy carelessly. "It just came to me."</p> + +<p>"I hope we shan't go and shoot the wrong person," said Bill with some +anxiety.</p> + +<p>"That would be unfortunate," said Mr. Thesiger gravely.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XVIII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XVIII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Jimmy's Adventures</span></p> + + +<p>Our chronicle must here split into three separate and distinct +portions. The night was to prove an eventful one and each of the three +persons involved saw it from his or her own individual angle.</p> + +<p>We will begin with that pleasant and engaging youth, Mr. Jimmy +Thesiger, at a moment when he has at last exchanged final good-nights +with his fellow conspirator, Bill Eversleigh.</p> + +<p>"Don't forget," said Bill, "3 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span> If you're still alive, that +is," he added kindly.</p> + +<p>"I may be an ass," said Jimmy, with rancorous remembrance of the remark +Bundle had repeated to him, "but I'm not nearly so much of an ass as I +look."</p> + +<p>"That's what you said about Gerry Wade," said Bill slowly. "Do you +remember? And that very night he—"</p> + +<p>"Shut up, you damned fool," said Jimmy. "Haven't you got <i>any</i> tact?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I've got tact," said Bill. "I'm a budding diplomatist. All +diplomatists have tact."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Jimmy. "You must be still in what they call the larval +stage."</p> + +<p>"I can't get over Bundle," said Bill, reverting abruptly to a former +topic. "I should certainly have said that she'd be—well, difficult. +Bundle's improved. She's improved very much."</p> + +<p>"That's what your Chief was saying," said Jimmy. "He said he was +agreeably surprised."</p> + +<p>"I thought Bundle was laying it on a bit thick myself," said Bill. +"But Codders is such an ass he'd swallow anything. Well, night-night. +I expect you'll have a bit of a job waking me when the time comes—but +stick to it."</p> + +<p>"It won't be much good if you've taken a leaf out of Gerry Wade's +book," said Jimmy maliciously.</p> + +<p>Bill looked at him reproachfully.</p> + +<p>"What the hell do you want to go and make a chap uncomfortable for?" he +demanded.</p> + +<p>"You're only getting your own back," said Jimmy. "Toddle along."</p> + +<p>But Bill lingered. He stood uncomfortably, first on one foot and then +on the other.</p> + +<p>"Look here," he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"What I mean to say is—well, I mean you'll be all right and all that, +won't you? It's all very well ragging, but when I think of poor old +Gerry—and then poor old Ronny—"</p> + +<p>Jimmy gazed at him in exasperation. Bill was one of those who +undoubtedly meant well, but the result of his efforts would not be +described as heartening.</p> + +<p>"I see," he remarked, "that I shall have to show you Leopold."</p> + +<p>He slipped his hand into the pocket of the dark blue suit into which he +had just changed and held out something for Bill's inspection.</p> + +<p>"A real, genuine, blue-nosed automatic," he said with modest pride.</p> + +<p>"No, I say," Bill said. "Is it really?"</p> + +<p>He was undoubtedly impressed.</p> + +<p>"Stevens, my man, got him for me. Warranted clean and methodical in his +habits. You press the button and Leopold does the rest."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Bill. "I say, Jimmy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"Be careful, won't you? I mean, don't go loosing that thing off at +anybody. Pretty awkward if you shot old Digby walking in his sleep."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," said Jimmy. "Naturally, I want to get value out of +Leopold now I've bought him, but I'll curb my bloodthirsty instincts as +far as possible."</p> + +<p>"Well, night-night," said Bill for the fourteenth time, and this time +really did depart.</p> + +<p>Jimmy was left alone to take up his vigil.</p> + +<p>Sir Stanley Digby occupied a room at the extremity of the west wing. A +bathroom adjoined it on one side, and on the other a communicating door +led into a smaller room, which was tenanted by Mr. Terence O'Rourke. +The doors of these three rooms gave on to a short corridor. The watcher +had a simple task. A chair placed inconspicuously in the shadow of an +oak press just where the corridor ran into the main gallery formed a +perfect vantage ground. There was no other way into the west wing, and +anyone going to or from it could not fail to be seen. One electric +light was still on.</p> + +<p>Jimmy ensconced himself comfortably, crossed his legs and waited. +Leopold lay in readiness across his knee.</p> + +<p>He glanced at his watch. It was twenty minutes to one—just an hour +since the household had retired to rest. Not a sound broke the +stillness, except for the far-off ticking of a clock somewhere.</p> + +<p>Somehow or other, Jimmy did not much care for that sound. It +recalled things. Gerald Wade—and those seven ticking clocks on the +mantelpiece.... Whose hand had placed them there, and why? He shivered.</p> + +<p>It was a creepy business, this waiting. He didn't wonder that things +happened at spiritualistic séances. Sitting in the gloom, one got all +worked up—ready to start at the least sound. And unpleasant thoughts +came crowding in on a fellow.</p> + +<p>Ronny Devereux! Ronny Devereux and Gerry Wade! Both young, both full +of life and energy; ordinary, jolly, healthy young men. And now, where +were they? Dank earth ... worms getting them.... Ugh! why couldn't he +put these horrible thoughts out of his mind?</p> + +<p>He looked again at his watch. Twenty minutes past one only. How the +time crawled.</p> + +<p>Extraordinary girl, Bundle! Fancy having the nerve and the daring +actually to get into the midst of that Seven Dials place. Why hadn't +he had the nerve and the initiative to think of that? He supposed +because the thing <i>was</i> so fantastic.</p> + +<p>No. 7. Who the hell could No. 7 be? Was he, perhaps, in the house +at this minute? Disguised as a servant. He couldn't, surely, be one +of the guests. No, that was impossible. But then, the whole thing +was impossible. If he hadn't believed Bundle to be essentially +truthful—well, he would have thought she had invented the whole thing.</p> + +<p>He yawned. Queer, to feel sleepy, and yet at the same time strung up. +He looked again at his watch. Ten minutes to two. Time was getting on.</p> + +<p>And then, suddenly, he held his breath and leaned forward, listening. +He had heard something.</p> + +<p>The minutes went past.... There it was again. The creak of a board.... +But it came from downstairs somewhere. There it was again! A slight, +ominous creak. Somebody was moving stealthily about the house.</p> + +<p>Jimmy sprang noiselessly to his feet. He crept silently to the head +of the staircase. Everything seemed perfectly quiet. Yet he was quite +certain he had really heard that stealthy sound. It was not imagination.</p> + +<p>Very quietly and cautiously he crept down the staircase, Leopold +clasped tightly in his right hand. Not a sound in the big hall. If he +had been correct in assuming that the muffled sound came from directly +beneath him, then it must have come from the library.</p> + +<p>Jimmy stole to the door of it, listened, but heard nothing; then, +suddenly flinging open the door, he switched on the lights.</p> + +<p>Nothing! The big room was flooded with light. But it was empty.</p> + +<p>Jimmy frowned.</p> + +<p>"I could have sworn—" he murmured to himself.</p> + +<p>The library was a large room with three windows which opened on to the +terrace. Jimmy strode across the room. The middle window was unlatched.</p> + +<p>He opened it and stepped out on the terrace, looking from end to end of +it. Nothing!</p> + +<p>"Looks all right," he murmured to himself. "And yet—"</p> + +<p>He remained for a minute lost in thought. Then he stepped back into +the library. Crossing to the door, he locked it and put the key in +his pocket. Then he switched off the light. He stood for a minute +listening, then crossed softly to the open window and stood there, +Leopold ready in his hand.</p> + +<p>Was there, or was there not, a soft patter of feet along the terrace? +No—his imagination. He grasped Leopold tightly and stood listening....</p> + +<p>In the distance a stable clock chimed two.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XIX"><span class="smcap">Chapter XIX</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Bundle's Adventures</span></p> + + +<p>Bundle Brent was a resourceful girl—she was also a girl of +imagination. She had foreseen that Bill, if not Jimmy, would make +objections to her participation in the possible dangers of the night. +It was not Bundle's idea to waste time in argument. She had laid her +own plans and made her own arrangements. A glance from her bedroom +window shortly before dinner had been highly satisfactory. She had +known that the gray walls of the Abbey were plentifully adorned with +ivy, but the ivy outside her window was particularly solid looking and +would present no difficulties to one of her athletic propensities.</p> + +<p>She had no fault to find with Bill's and Jimmy's arrangements as far as +they went. But in her opinion they did not go far enough. She offered +no criticism, because she intended to see to that side of things +herself. Briefly, while Jimmy and Bill were devoting themselves to the +inside of the Abbey, Bundle intended to devote her attentions to the +outside.</p> + +<p>Her own meek acquiescence in the tame rôle assigned to her gave her an +infinity of pleasure, though she wondered scornfully how either of the +two men could be so easily deceived. Bill, of course, had never been +famous for scintillating brain power. On the other hand, he knew, or +should know, his Bundle. And she considered that Jimmy Thesiger, though +only slightly acquainted with her, ought to have known better than to +imagine that she could be so easily and summarily disposed of.</p> + +<p>Once in the privacy of her own room, Bundle set rapidly to work. First +she discarded her evening dress and the negligible trifle which she +wore beneath it, and started again, so to speak, from the foundations. +Bundle had not brought her maid with her, and she herself had packed. +Otherwise, the puzzled Frenchwoman might have wondered why her lady +took a pair of riding breeches and no further equine equipment.</p> + +<p>Arrayed in riding breeches, rubber-soled shoes, and a dark-coloured +pullover, Bundle was ready for the fray. She glanced at the time. As +yet, it was only half-past twelve. Too early by far. Whatever was going +to happen would not happen for some time yet. The occupants of the +house must all be given time to get off to sleep. Half-past one was the +time fixed by Bundle for the start of operations.</p> + +<p>She switched off her light and sat down by the window to wait. +Punctually at the appointed moment, she rose, pushed up the sash and +swung her leg over the sill. The night was a fine one, cold and still. +There was starlight but no moon.</p> + +<p>She found the descent very easy. Bundle and her two sisters had run +wild in the park at Chimneys as small children, and they could all +climb like cats. Bundle arrived on a flower-bed, rather breathless, but +quite unscathed.</p> + +<p>She paused a minute to take stock of her plans. She knew that the rooms +occupied by the Air Minister and his secretary were in the west wing; +that was the opposite side of the house from where Bundle was now +standing. A terrace ran along the south and west side of the house, +ending abruptly against a walled fruit garden.</p> + +<p>Bundle stepped out of her flower-bed and turned the corner of the house +to where the terrace began on the south side. She crept very quietly +along it, keeping close to the shadow of the house. But, as she reached +the second corner, she got a shock, for a man was standing there, with +the clear intention of barring her way.</p> + +<p>The next instant she had recognized him.</p> + +<p>"Superintendent Battle! You did give me a fright!"</p> + +<p>"That's what I'm here for," said the Superintendent pleasantly.</p> + +<p>Bundle looked at him. It struck her now, as so often before, how +remarkably little camouflage there was about him. He was large and +solid and noticeable. He was, somehow, very English. But of one thing +Bundle was quite sure. Superintendent Battle was no fool.</p> + +<p>"What are you really doing here?" she asked, still in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Just seeing," said Battle, "that nobody's about who shouldn't be."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Bundle, rather taken aback.</p> + +<p>"You, for instance, Lady Eileen. I don't suppose you usually take a +walk at this time of night."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean," said Bundle slowly, "that you want me to go back?"</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle nodded approvingly.</p> + +<p>"You're very quick, Lady Eileen. That's just what I do mean. Did +you—er—come out of a door, or the window?"</p> + +<p>"The window. It's easy as anything climbing down this ivy."</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle looked up at it thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said. "I should say it would be."</p> + +<p>"And you want me to go back?" said Bundle. "I'm rather sick about that. +I wanted to go round on to the west terrace."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you won't be the only one who'll want to do that," said Battle.</p> + +<p>"Nobody could miss seeing you," said Bundle rather spitefully.</p> + +<p>The Superintendent seemed rather pleased than otherwise.</p> + +<p>"I hope they won't," he said. "<i>No unpleasantness.</i> That's my motto. +And if you'll excuse me, Lady Eileen, I think it's time you were going +back to bed."</p> + +<p>The firmness of his tone admitted of no parley. Rather crestfallen, +Bundle retraced her steps. She was half-way up the ivy when a sudden +idea occurred to her, and she nearly relaxed her grip and fell.</p> + +<p>Supposing Superintendent Battle suspected <i>her</i>.</p> + +<p>There had been something—yes, surely there had been something in his +manner that vaguely suggested the idea. She couldn't help laughing +as she crawled over the sill into her bedroom. Fancy the solid +Superintendent suspecting <i>her</i>!</p> + +<p>Though she had so far obeyed Battle's orders as to return to her room, +Bundle had no intention of going to bed and sleeping. Nor did she think +that Battle had really intended her to do so. He was not a man to +expect impossibilities. And to remain quiescent when something daring +and exciting might be going on was a sheer impossibility to Bundle.</p> + +<p>She glanced at her watch. It was ten minutes to two. After a moment +or two of irresolution, she cautiously opened her door. Not a sound. +Everything was still and peaceful. She stole cautiously along the +passage.</p> + +<p>Once she halted, thinking she heard a board creak somewhere, but then +convinced that she was mistaken, she went on again. She was now in the +main corridor, making her way to the west wing. She reached the angle +of intersection and peered cautiously round—then she stared in blank +surprise.</p> + +<p>The watcher's post was empty. Jimmy Thesiger was not there.</p> + +<p>Bundle stared in complete amazement. What had happened? Why had Jimmy +left his post? What did it mean?</p> + +<p>And at that moment she heard a clock strike two.</p> + +<p>She was still standing there, debating what to do next, when suddenly +her heart gave a leap and then seemed to stand still.</p> + +<p><i>The door handle of Terence O'Rourke's room was slowly turning.</i></p> + +<p>Bundle watched, fascinated. But the door did not open. Instead the knob +returned slowly to its original position. What did it mean?</p> + +<p>Suddenly Bundle came to a resolution. Jimmy, for some unknown reason, +had deserted his post. She must get hold of Bill.</p> + +<p>Quickly and noiselessly, Bundle fled along the way she had come. She +burst unceremoniously into Bill's room.</p> + +<p>"Bill, wake up! Oh, do wake up!"</p> + +<p>It was an urgent whisper she sent forth, but there came no response to +it.</p> + +<p>"Bill," breathed Bundle.</p> + +<p>Impatiently she switched on the lights, and then stood dumfounded.</p> + +<p>The room was empty, and the bed had not even been slept in.</p> + +<p>Where then was Bill?</p> + +<p>Suddenly she caught her breath. <i>This was not Bill's room.</i> The +dainty négligé thrown over a chair, the feminine knick-knacks on the +dressing-table, the black velvet evening dress thrown carelessly over a +chair—Of course, in her haste she had mistaken the doors. This was the +Countess Radzky's room.</p> + +<p>But where, oh, where, was the Countess?</p> + +<p>And just as Bundle was asking herself this question, the silence of the +night was suddenly broken, and in no uncertain manner.</p> + +<p>The clamour came from below. In an instant Bundle had sped out of the +Countess's room and downstairs. The sounds came from the library—a +violent crashing of chairs being overturned.</p> + +<p>Bundle rattled vainly at the library door. It was locked. But she could +clearly hear the struggle that was going on within—the panting and +scuffling, curses in manly tones, the occasional crash as some light +piece of furniture came into the line of battle.</p> + +<p>And then, sinister and distinct, breaking the peace of the night for +good and all, two shots in rapid succession.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XX"><span class="smcap">Chapter XX</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Loraine's Adventures</span></p> + + +<p>Loraine Wade sat up in bed and switched on the light. It was exactly +ten minutes to one. She had gone to bed early—at half-past nine. +She possessed the useful art of being able to wake herself up at the +required time, so she had been able to enjoy some hours of refreshing +sleep.</p> + +<p>Two dogs slept in the room with her, and one of these now raised his +head and looked at her inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Quiet, Lurcher," said Loraine, and the big animal put his head down +again obediently, watching her from between his shaggy eyelashes.</p> + +<p>It is true that Bundle had once doubted the meekness of Loraine Wade, +but that brief moment of suspicion had passed. Loraine had seemed so +entirely reasonable, so willing to be kept out of everything.</p> + +<p>And yet, if you studied the girl's face, you saw that there was +strength of purpose in the small, resolute jaw and the lips that closed +together so firmly.</p> + +<p>Loraine rose and dressed herself in a tweed coat and skirt. Into one +pocket of the coat she dropped an electric torch. Then she opened +the drawer of her dressing-table and took out a small ivory-handled +pistol—almost a toy in appearance. She had bought it the day before at +Harrods and she was very pleased with it.</p> + +<p>She gave a final glance round the room to see if she had forgotten +anything, and at that moment the big dog rose and came over to her, +looking up at her with pleading eyes and wagging his tail.</p> + +<p>Loraine shook her head.</p> + +<p>"No, Lurcher. Can't go. Missus can't take you. Got to stay here and be +a good boy."</p> + +<p>She dropped a kiss on the dog's head, made him lie down on his rug +again, and then slipped noiselessly out of the room, closing the door +behind her.</p> + +<p>She let herself out of the house by a side door and made her way round +to the garage, where her little two-seater car was in readiness. +There was a gentle slope, and she let the car run silently down it, +not starting the engine till she was some way from the house. Then +she glanced at the watch on her arm and pressed her foot down on the +accelerator.</p> + +<p>She left the car at a spot she had previously marked down. There was +a gap there in the fencing that she could easily get through. A few +minutes later, slightly muddy, Loraine stood inside the grounds of +Wyvern Abbey.</p> + +<p>As noiselessly as possible, she made her way towards the venerable +ivy-covered building. In the distance a stable clock chimed two.</p> + +<p>Loraine's heart beat faster as she drew near to the terrace. There was +no one about—no sign of life anywhere. Everything seemed peaceful and +undisturbed. She reached the terrace and stood there, looking about her.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, without the least warning, something from above fell with a +flop almost at her feet. Loraine stooped to pick it up. It was a brown +paper packet, loosely wrapped. Holding it, Loraine looked up.</p> + +<p>There was an open window just above her head, and even as she looked a +leg swung over it and a man began to climb down the ivy.</p> + +<p>Loraine waited for no more. She took to her heels and ran, still +clasping the brown paper packet.</p> + +<p>Behind her, the noise of a struggle suddenly broke out. A hoarse voice: +"Lemme go"; another that she knew well: "Not if I know it—ah, you +would, would you?"</p> + +<p>Still Loraine ran—blindly, as though panic-stricken—right round the +corner of the terrace—and slap into the arms of a large, solidly built +man.</p> + +<p>"There, there," said Superintendent Battle kindly.</p> + +<p>Loraine was struggling to speak.</p> + +<p>"Oh, quick—oh, quick! They're killing each other. Oh, do be quick!"</p> + +<p>There was a sharp crack of a revolver shot—and then another.</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle started to run. Loraine followed. Back round the +corner of the terrace and along to the library window. The window was +open.</p> + +<p>Battle stooped and switched on an electric torch. Loraine was close +beside him, peering over his shoulder. She gave a little sobbing gasp.</p> + +<p>On the threshold of the window lay Jimmy Thesiger in what looked like a +pool of blood. His right arm lay dangling in a curious position.</p> + +<p>Loraine gave a sharp cry.</p> + +<p>"He's dead," she wailed. "Oh, Jimmy—Jimmy—he's dead!"</p> + +<p>"Now, now," said Superintendent Battle soothingly, "don't you take on +so. The young gentleman isn't dead, I'll be bound. See if you can find +the lights and turn them on."</p> + +<p>Loraine obeyed. She stumbled across the room, found the switch by +the door and pressed it down. The room was flooded with light. +Superintendent Battle uttered a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>"It's all right—he's only shot in the right arm. He's fainted through +loss of blood. Come and give me a hand with him."</p> + +<p>There was a pounding on the library door. Voices were heard, asking, +expostulating, demanding.</p> + +<p>Loraine looked doubtfully at it.</p> + +<p>"Shall I—"</p> + +<p>"No hurry," said Battle. "We'll let them in presently. You come and +give me a hand."</p> + +<p>Loraine came obediently. The Superintendent had produced a large, clean +pocket-handkerchief and was neatly bandaging the wounded man's arm. +Loraine helped him.</p> + +<p>"He'll be all right," said the Superintendent. "Don't you worry. As +many lives as cats, these young fellows. It wasn't the loss of blood +knocked him out either. He must have caught his head a crack on the +floor as he fell."</p> + +<p>Outside the knocking on the door had become tremendous. The voice of +George Lomax, furiously upraised, came loud and distinct:</p> + +<p>"Who is in there? Open the door at once."</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle sighed.</p> + +<p>"I suppose we shall have to," he said. "A pity."</p> + +<p>His eyes darted round, taking in the scene. An automatic lay by Jimmy's +side. The Superintendent picked it up gingerly, holding it very +delicately, and examined it. He grunted and laid it on the table. Then +he stepped across and unlocked the door.</p> + +<p>Several people almost fell into the room. Nearly everybody said +something at the same minute. George Lomax, spluttering with obdurate +words which refused to come with sufficient fluency, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"The—the—the meaning of this? Ah! It's you, Superintendent. What's +happened? I say—what has—happened?"</p> + +<p>Bill Eversleigh said: "My God! Old Jimmy!" and stared at the limp +figure on the ground.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote, clad in a resplendent purple dressing-gown, cried out: +"The poor boy!" and swept past Superintendent Battle to bend over the +prostrate Jimmy in a motherly fashion.</p> + +<p>Bundle said: "Loraine!"</p> + +<p>Herr Eberhard said: "Gott im Himmel!" and other words of that nature.</p> + +<p>Sir Stanley Digby said: "My God, what's all this?"</p> + +<p>A housemaid said: "Look at the blood," and screamed with pleasurable +excitement.</p> + +<p>A footman said: "Lor!"</p> + +<p>The butler said, with a good deal more bravery in his manner than had +been noticeable a few minutes earlier: "Now then, this won't do!" and +waved away underservants.</p> + +<p>The efficient Mr. Rupert Bateman said to George: "Shall we get rid of +some of these people, sir?"</p> + +<p>Then they all took fresh breath.</p> + +<p>"Incredible!" said George Lomax. "Battle, what has <i>happened</i>?"</p> + +<p>Battle gave him a look, and George's discreet habits assumed their +usual sway.</p> + +<p>"Now then," he said, moving to the door, "everyone go back to bed, +please. There's been a—er—"</p> + +<p>"A little accident," said Superintendent Battle easily.</p> + +<p>"A—er—an accident. I shall be much obliged if everyone will go back +to bed."</p> + +<p>Everyone was clearly reluctant to do so.</p> + +<p>"Lady Coote—please—"</p> + +<p>"The poor boy," said Lady Coote in a motherly fashion.</p> + +<p>She rose from a kneeling position with great reluctance. And as she did +so, Jimmy stirred and sat up.</p> + +<p>"Hallo!" he said thickly. "What's the matter?"</p> + +<p>He looked round him vacantly for a minute or two and then intelligence +returned to his eye.</p> + +<p>"Have you got him?" he demanded eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Got who?"</p> + +<p>"The man. Climbed down the ivy. I was by the window there. Grabbed him +and we had no end of a set-to—"</p> + +<p>"One of those nasty, murderous cat burglars," said Lady Coote. "Poor +boy."</p> + +<p>Jimmy was looking round him.</p> + +<p>"I say—I'm afraid we—er—have made rather a mess of things. Fellow +was as strong as an ox and we went fairly waltzing around."</p> + +<p>The condition of the room was clear proof of this statement. Everything +light and breakable within a range of twelve feet that could be broken +<i>had</i> been broken.</p> + +<p>"And what happened then?"</p> + +<p>But Jimmy was looking round for something.</p> + +<p>"Where's Leopold? The pride of the blue-nosed automatics."</p> + +<p>Battle indicated the pistol on the table.</p> + +<p>"Is this yours, Mr. Thesiger?"</p> + +<p>"That's right. That's little Leopold. How many shots have been fired?"</p> + +<p>"One shot."</p> + +<p>Jimmy looked chagrined.</p> + +<p>"I'm disappointed in Leopold," he murmured. "I can't have pressed the +button properly, or he'd have gone on shooting."</p> + +<p>"Who shot first?"</p> + +<p>"I did, I'm afraid," said Jimmy. "You see, the man twisted himself out +of my grasp suddenly. I saw him making for the window and I closed my +finger down on Leopold and let him have it. He turned in the window and +fired at me and—well, I suppose after that I took the count."</p> + +<p>He rubbed his head rather ruefully.</p> + +<p>But Sir Stanley Digby was suddenly alert.</p> + +<p>"Climbing down the ivy, you said? My God, Lomax, you don't think +they've got away with it?"</p> + +<p>He rushed from the room. For some curious reason nobody spoke during +his absence. In a few minutes Sir Stanley returned. His round, chubby +face was white as death.</p> + +<p>"My God Battle," he said, "they've got it. O'Rourke's fast +asleep—drugged, I think. I can't wake him. And the papers have +vanished."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXI"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXI</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">The Recovery of the Formula</span></p> + + +<p>"Der liebe Gott!" said Herr Eberhard in a whisper.</p> + +<p>His face had gone chalky white.</p> + +<p>George turned a face of dignified reproach on Battle.</p> + +<p>"Is this true, Battle? I left all arrangements in your hands."</p> + +<p>The rock-like quality of the Superintendent showed out well. Not a +muscle of his face moved.</p> + +<p>"The best of us are defeated sometimes, sir," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>"Then you mean—you really mean—that the document is gone?"</p> + +<p>But to everyone's intense surprise Superintendent Battle shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No, no, Mr. Lomax, it's not so bad as you think. Everything's all +right. But you can't lay the credit for it at my door. You've got to +thank this young lady."</p> + +<p>He indicated Loraine, who stared at him in surprise. Battle stepped +across to her and gently took the brown paper parcel which she was +still clutching mechanically.</p> + +<p>"I think, Mr. Lomax," he said, "that you will find what you want here."</p> + +<p>Sir Stanley Digby, quicker in action than George, snatched at the +package and tore it open, investigating its contents eagerly. A sigh +of relief escaped him and he mopped his brow. Herr Eberhard fell upon +the child of his brain and clasped it to his heart, whilst a torrent of +German burst from him.</p> + +<p>Sir Stanley turned to Loraine, shaking her warmly by the hand.</p> + +<p>"My dear young lady," he said, "we are infinitely obliged to you, I am +sure."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," said George. "Though I—er—"</p> + +<p>He paused in some perplexity, staring at a young lady who was a total +stranger to him. Loraine looked appealingly at Jimmy, who came to the +rescue.</p> + +<p>"Er—this is Miss Wade," said Jimmy. "Gerald Wade's sister."</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said George, shaking her warmly by the hand. "My dear Miss +Wade, I must express my deep gratitude to you for what you have done. I +must confess that I do not quite see—"</p> + +<p>He paused delicately and four of the persons present felt that +explanations were going to be fraught with much difficulty. +Superintendent Battle came to the rescue.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'd better not go into that just now, sir," he suggested +tactfully.</p> + +<p>The efficient Mr. Bateman created a further diversion.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't it be wise for someone to see to O'Rourke? Don't you think, +sir, that a doctor had better be sent for?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," said George. "Of course. Most remiss of us not to +have thought of it before." He looked towards Bill. "Get Dr. +Cartwright on the telephone. Ask him to come. Just hint, if you can, +that—er—discretion should be observed."</p> + +<p>Bill went off on his errand.</p> + +<p>"I will come up with you, Digby," said George. "Something, possibly, +could be done—measures should, perhaps, be taken—whilst awaiting the +arrival of the doctor."</p> + +<p>He looked rather helplessly at Rupert Bateman. Efficiency always makes +itself felt. It was Pongo who was really in charge of the situation.</p> + +<p>"Shall I come up with you, sir?"</p> + +<p>George accepted the offer with relief. Here, he felt, was someone on +whom he could lean. He experienced that sense of complete trust in +Mr. Bateman's efficiency which came to all those who encountered that +excellent young man.</p> + +<p>The three men left the room together. Lady Coote, murmuring in deep +rich tones: "The poor young fellow. Perhaps I could do something—" +hurried after them.</p> + +<p>"That's a very motherly woman," observed the Superintendent +thoughtfully. "A very motherly woman. I wonder—"</p> + +<p>Three pairs of eyes looked at him inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"I was wondering," said Superintendent Battle slowly, "where Sir Oswald +Coote may be."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" gasped Loraine. "Do you think he's been murdered?"</p> + +<p>Battle shook his head at her reproachfully.</p> + +<p>"No need for anything so melodramatic," he said. "No—I rather think—"</p> + +<p>He paused, his head on one side, listening—one large hand raised to +enjoin silence.</p> + +<p>In another minute they all heard what his sharper ears had been the +first to notice—footsteps coming along the terrace outside. They rang +out clearly with no kind of subterfuge about them. In another minute +the window was blocked by a bulky figure which stood there regarding +them and who conveyed, in an odd way, a sense of dominating the +situation.</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald, for it was he, looked slowly from one face to another. His +keen eyes took in the details of the situation. Jimmy, with his roughly +bandaged arm; Bundle, in her somewhat anomalous attire; Loraine, a +perfect stranger to him. His eyes came last to Superintendent Battle. +He spoke sharply and crisply:</p> + +<p>"What's been happening here, officer?"</p> + +<p>"Attempted robbery, sir."</p> + +<p>"<i>Attempted</i>—eh?"</p> + +<p>"Thanks to this young lady, Miss Wade, the thieves failed to get away +with it."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he said again, his scrutiny ended. "And now, officer, what about +<i>this</i>?"</p> + +<p>He held out a small Mauser pistol which he carried delicately by the +butt.</p> + +<p>"Where did you find that, Sir Oswald?"</p> + +<p>"On the lawn outside. I presume it must have been thrown down by one +of the thieves as he took to his heels. I've held it carefully, as I +thought you might wish to examine it for fingerprints."</p> + +<p>"You think of everything, Sir Oswald," said Battle.</p> + +<p>He took the pistol from the other, handling it with equal care, and +laid it down on the table beside Jimmy's Colt.</p> + +<p>"And now, if you please," said Sir Oswald, "I should like to hear +exactly what occurred."</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle gave a brief résumé of the events of the night. +Sir Oswald frowned thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"I understand," he said sharply. "After wounding and disabling Mr. +Thesiger, the man took to his heels and ran, throwing away the pistol +as he did so. What I cannot understand is why no one pursued him."</p> + +<p>"It wasn't till we heard Mr. Thesiger's story that we knew there was +anyone to pursue," remarked Superintendent Battle dryly.</p> + +<p>"You didn't—er—catch sight of him making off as you turned the corner +of the terrace?"</p> + +<p>"No, I missed him by just about forty seconds, I should say. There's no +moon and he'd be invisible as soon as he'd left the terrace. He must +have leapt for it as soon as he'd fired the shot."</p> + +<p>"H'm," said Sir Oswald. "I still think that a search should have been +organized. Someone else should have been posted—"</p> + +<p>"There are three of my men in the grounds," said the Superintendent +quietly.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" Sir Oswald seemed rather taken aback.</p> + +<p>"They were to hold and detain any one attempting to leave the grounds."</p> + +<p>"And yet—they haven't done so?"</p> + +<p>"And yet they haven't done so," agreed Battle gravely.</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald looked at him as though something in the words puzzled him. +He said sharply:</p> + +<p>"Are you telling me all that you know, Superintendent Battle?"</p> + +<p>"All that I <i>know</i>—yes, Sir Oswald. What I think is a different +matter. Maybe I think some rather curious things—but until thinking's +got you somewhere it's no use talking about it."</p> + +<p>"And yet," said Sir Oswald slowly, "I should like to know what you +think, Superintendent Battle."</p> + +<p>"For one thing, sir, I think there's a lot too much ivy about this +place—excuse me, sir, you've got a bit on your coat—yes, a great deal +too much ivy. It complicates things."</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald stared at him, but any reply he might have contemplated +making was arrested by the entrance of Rupert Bateman.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there you are, Sir Oswald. I'm so glad. Lady Coote has just +discovered that you were missing—and she has been insisting upon it +that you had been murdered by the thieves. I really think, Sir Oswald, +that you had better come to her at once. She is terribly upset."</p> + +<p>"Maria is an incredibly foolish woman," said Sir Oswald. "Why should I +be murdered? I'll come with you, Bateman."</p> + +<p>He left the room with his secretary.</p> + +<p>"That's a very efficient young man," said Battle, looking after them. +"What's his name—Bateman?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy nodded.</p> + +<p>"Bateman—Rupert," he said. "Commonly known as Pongo. I was at school +with him."</p> + +<p>"Were you? Now, that's interesting, Mr. Thesiger. What was your opinion +of him in those days?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he was always the same sort of ass."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't have thought," said Battle mildly, "that he was an ass."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you know what I mean. Of course he wasn't really an ass. Tons of +brains and always swotting at things. But deadly serious. No sense of +humour."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Superintendent Battle. "That's a pity. Gentlemen who have no +sense of humour get to taking themselves too seriously—and that leads +to mischief."</p> + +<p>"I can't imagine Pongo getting into mischief," said Jimmy. "He's done +extremely well for himself so far—dug himself in with old Coote and +looks like being a permanency in the job."</p> + +<p>"Superintendent Battle," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Lady Eileen?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you think it very odd that Sir Oswald didn't say what he was +doing wandering about in the garden in the middle of the night?"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Battle. "Sir Oswald's a great man—and a great man always +knows better than to explain unless an explanation is demanded. To rush +into explanations and excuses is always a sign of weakness. Sir Oswald +knows that as well as I do. He's not going to come in explaining and +apologizing—not he. He just stalks in and hauls <i>me</i> over the coals. +He's a big man, Sir Oswald."</p> + +<p>Such a warm admiration sounded in the Superintendent's tones that +Bundle pursued the subject no further.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Superintendent Battle, looking round with a slight +twinkle in his eye, "now that we're together and friendly like—I +<i>should</i> like to hear just how Miss Wade happened to arrive on the +scene so pat."</p> + +<p>"She ought to be ashamed of herself," said Jimmy. "Hoodwinking us all +as she did."</p> + +<p>"Why should I be kept out of it all?" cried Loraine passionately. "I +never meant to be—no, not the very first day in your rooms when you +both explained how the best thing for me to do was to stay quietly at +home and keep out of danger. I didn't say anything, but I made up my +mind then."</p> + +<p>"I half suspected it," said Bundle. "You were so surprisingly meek +about it. I might have known you were up to something."</p> + +<p>"I thought you were remarkably sensible," said Jimmy Thesiger.</p> + +<p>"You would, Jimmy dear," said Loraine. "It was easy enough to deceive +you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you for these kind words," said Jimmy. "Go on, and don't mind +me."</p> + +<p>"When you rang up and said there might be danger, I was more determined +than ever," went on Loraine. "I went to Harrods and I bought a pistol. +Here it is."</p> + +<p>She produced the dainty weapon, and Superintendent Battle took it from +her and examined it.</p> + +<p>"Quite a deadly little toy, Miss Wade," he said. "Have you had +much—er—practise with it?"</p> + +<p>"None at all," said Loraine. "But I thought if I took it with me—well, +that it would give me a comforting feeling."</p> + +<p>"Quite so," said Battle gravely.</p> + +<p>"My idea was to come over here and see what was going on. I left the +car in the road and climbed through the hedge and came up to the +terrace. I was just looking about me when—plop—something fell right +at my feet. I picked it up and then looked to see where it could have +come from. And then I saw the man climbing down the ivy and I ran."</p> + +<p>"Just so," said Battle. "Now, Miss Wade, can you describe that man at +all?"</p> + +<p>The girl shook her head.</p> + +<p>"It was too dark to see much. I think he was a big man—but that's +about all."</p> + +<p>"And now you, Mr. Thesiger." Battle turned to him. "You struggled with +the man—can you tell me anything about him?"</p> + +<p>"He was a pretty hefty individual—that's all I can say. He gave a few +hoarse whispers—that's when I had him by the throat. He said, 'Lemme +go, guvnor,' something like that."</p> + +<p>"An uneducated man, then?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose he was. He spoke like one."</p> + +<p>"I still don't quite understand about the packet," said Loraine. "Why +should he throw it down as he did? Was it because it hampered him +climbing?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Battle. "I've got an entirely different theory about that. +That packet, Miss Wade, was deliberately thrown down to you—or so I +believe."</p> + +<p>"To <i>me</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Shall we say—to the person the thief thought you were."</p> + +<p>"This is getting very involved," said Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Thesiger, when you came into this room, did you switch on the +light at all?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And there was no one in the room?"</p> + +<p>"No one at all."</p> + +<p>"But previously you thought you heard someone moving about down here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And then, after trying the window, you switched off the light again +and locked the door?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy nodded.</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle looked slowly round him. His glance was arrested +by a big screen of Spanish leather which stood near one of the +bookcases.</p> + +<p>Brusquely he strode across the room and looked behind it.</p> + +<p>He uttered a sharp ejaculation, which brought the three young people +quickly to his side.</p> + +<p>Huddled on the floor, in a dead faint, lay the Countess Radzky.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">The Countess Radzky's Story</span></p> + + +<p>The Countess's return to consciousness was very different from that of +Jimmy Thesiger. It was more prolonged and infinitely more artistic.</p> + +<p>Artistic was Bundle's word. She had been zealous in her +ministrations—largely consisting of the application of cold water—and +the Countess had instantly responded, passing a white, bewildered hand +across her brow and murmuring faintly.</p> + +<p>It was at this point that Bill, at last relieved from his duties +with telephone and doctors, had come bustling into the room and had +instantly proceeded to make (in Bundle's opinion) a most regrettable +idiot of himself.</p> + +<p>He had hung over the Countess with a concerned and anxious face and had +addressed a series of singularly idiotic remarks to her:</p> + +<p>"I say, Countess. It's all right. It's really all right. Don't try +to talk. It's bad for you. Just lie still. You'll be all right in a +minute. It'll all come back to you. Don't say anything till you're +quite all right. Take your time. Just lie still and close your eyes. +You'll remember everything in a minute. Have another sip of water. +Have some brandy. That's the stuff. Don't you think, Bundle, that some +brandy...?"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, Bill, leave her alone," said Bundle crossly. "She'll +be all right."</p> + +<p>And with an expert hand she flipped a good deal of cold water on to the +exquisite make-up of the Countess's face.</p> + +<p>The Countess flinched and sat up. She looked considerably more wide +awake.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she murmured. "I am here. Yes, I am here."</p> + +<p>"Take your time," said Bill. "Don't talk till you feel quite all right +again."</p> + +<p>The Countess drew the folds of a very transparent négligé closer around +her.</p> + +<p>"It is coming back to me," she murmured. "Yes, it is coming back."</p> + +<p>She looked at the little crowd grouped around her. Perhaps something in +the attentive faces struck her as unsympathetic. In any case she smiled +deliberately up at the one face which clearly displayed a very opposite +emotion.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my big Englishman," she said very softly, "do not distress +yourself. All is well with me."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I say, but are you sure?" demanded Bill anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Quite sure." She smiled at him reassuringly. "We Hungarians, we have +nerves of steel."</p> + +<p>A look of intense relief passed over Bill's face. A fatuous look +settled down there instead—a look which made Bundle earnestly long to +kick him.</p> + +<p>"Have some water," she said coldly.</p> + +<p>The Countess refused water. Jimmy, kindlier to beauty in distress, +suggested a cocktail. The Countess reacted favourably to this +suggestion. When she had swallowed it, she looked round once more, this +time with a livelier eye.</p> + +<p>"Tell me, what has happened?" she demanded briskly.</p> + +<p>"We were hoping you might be able to tell us that," said Superintendent +Battle.</p> + +<p>The Countess looked at him sharply. She seemed to become aware of the +big, quiet man for the first time.</p> + +<p>"I went to your room," said Bundle. "The bed hadn't been slept in and +you weren't there."</p> + +<p>She paused—looking accusingly at the Countess. The latter closed her +eyes and nodded her head slowly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I remember it all now. Oh, it was horrible!" She shuddered. +"Do you want me to tell you?"</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle said, "If you please" at the same moment that +Bill said, "Not if you don't feel up to it."</p> + +<p>The Countess looked from one to the other, but the quiet, masterful eye +of Superintendent Battle won the game.</p> + +<p>"I could not sleep," began the Countess. "The house—it oppressed me. I +was all, as you say, on wires, the cat on the hot bricks. I knew that +in the state I was in it was useless to think of going to bed. I walked +about my room. I read. But the books placed there did not interest +me greatly. I thought I would come down here and find something more +absorbing."</p> + +<p>"Very natural," said Bill.</p> + +<p>"Very often done, I believe," said Battle.</p> + +<p>"So as soon as the idea occurred to me, I left my room and came down. +The house was very still—"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," interrupted the Superintendent, "but can you give me an +idea of the time when this occurred?"</p> + +<p>"I never know the time," said the Countess superbly, and swept on with +her story.</p> + +<p>"The house was very quiet. One could even hear the little mouse run, if +there had been one. I come down the stairs—very quietly—"</p> + +<p>"Very quietly?"</p> + +<p>"Naturally, I do not want to disturb the household," said the Countess +reproachfully. "I come in here. I go into this corner and I search the +shelves for a suitable book."</p> + +<p>"Having, of course, switched on the light?"</p> + +<p>"No, I did not switch on the light. I had, you see, my little electric +torch with me. With that, I scanned the shelves."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the Superintendent.</p> + +<p>"Suddenly," continued the Countess dramatically, "I hear something. A +stealthy sound. A muffled footstep. I switch out my torch and listen. +The footsteps draw nearer—stealthy, horrible footsteps. I shrink +behind the screen. In another minute the door opens and the light is +switched on. The man—the burglar is in the room."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I say—" began Mr. Thesiger.</p> + +<p>A large-sized foot pressed his, and realizing that Superintendent +Battle was giving him a hint, Jimmy shut up.</p> + +<p>"I nearly died of fear," continued the Countess. "I tried not to +breathe. The man waited for a minute, listening. Then, still with that +horrible, stealthy tread—"</p> + +<p>Again Jimmy opened his mouth in protest, and again shut it.</p> + +<p>"—he crossed to the window and peered out. He remained there for a +minute or two, then he recrossed the room and turned out the lights +again, locking the door. I am terrified. He is in the room, moving +stealthily about in the dark. Ah, it is horrible. Suppose he should +come upon me in the dark! In another minute I hear him again by the +window. Then silence. I hope that perhaps he may have gone out that +way. As the minutes pass and I hear no further sound, I am almost sure +that he has done so. Indeed I am in the very act of switching on my +torch and investigating when—<i>prestissimo!</i>—it all begins."</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! But it was terrible—never—never shall I forget it! Two men +trying to murder each other. Oh, it was horrible! They reeled about +the room, and furniture crashed in every direction. I thought, too, +that I heard a woman scream—but that was not in the room. It was +outside somewhere. The criminal had a hoarse voice. He croaked rather +than spoke. He kept saying, 'Lemme go—lemme go.' The other man was a +gentleman. He had a cultured, English voice."</p> + +<p>Jimmy looked gratified.</p> + +<p>"He swore—mostly," continued the Countess.</p> + +<p>"Clearly a gentleman," said Superintendent Battle.</p> + +<p>"And then," continued the Countess, "a flash and a shot. The bullet hit +the bookcase beside me. I—I suppose I must have fainted."</p> + +<p>She looked up at Bill. He took her hand and patted it.</p> + +<p>"You poor dear," he said. "How rotten for you."</p> + +<p>"Silly idiot," thought Bundle.</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle had moved on swift, noiseless feet over to the +bookcase a little to the right of the screen. He bent down, searching. +Presently he stooped and picked something up.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't a bullet, Countess," he said. "It's the shell of the +cartridge. Where were you standing when you fired, Mr. Thesiger?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy took up a position by the window.</p> + +<p>"As nearly as I can say, about here."</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle placed himself in the same spot.</p> + +<p>"That's right," he agreed. "The empty shell would throw right rear. +It's a .455. I don't wonder the Countess thought it was a bullet in +the dark. It hit the bookcase about a foot from her. The bullet itself +grazed the window frame and we'll find it outside to-morrow—unless +your assailant happens to be carrying it about in him."</p> + +<p>Jimmy shook his head regretfully.</p> + +<p>"Leopold, I fear, did not cover himself with glory," he remarked sadly.</p> + +<p>The Countess was looking at him with most flattering attention.</p> + +<p>"Your arm!" she exclaimed. "It is all tied up! Was it you then—"</p> + +<p>Jimmy made her a mock bow.</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad I've got a cultured English voice," he said. "And I can +assure you that I wouldn't have dreamed of using the language I did if +I had had any suspicion that a lady was present."</p> + +<p>"I did not understand all of it," the Countess hastened to explain. +"Although I had an English governess when I was young—"</p> + +<p>"It isn't the sort of thing she'd be likely to teach you," agreed +Jimmy. "Kept you busy with your uncle's pen, and the umbrella of the +gardener's niece. I know the sort of stuff."</p> + +<p>"But what has happened?" asked the Countess. "That is what I want to +know. I demand to know what has happened."</p> + +<p>There was a moment's silence whilst everybody looked at Superintendent +Battle.</p> + +<p>"It's very simple," said Battle mildly. "Attempted robbery. Some +political papers stolen from Sir Stanley Digby. The thieves nearly +got away with them, but thanks to this young lady"—he indicated +Loraine—"they didn't."</p> + +<p>The Countess flashed a glance at the girl—rather an odd glance.</p> + +<p>"Indeed," she said coldly.</p> + +<p>"A very fortunate coincidence that she happened to be there," said +Superintendent Battle, smiling.</p> + +<p>The Countess gave a little sigh and half closed her eyes again.</p> + +<p>"It is absurd, but I still feel extremely faint," she murmured.</p> + +<p>"Of course you do," cried Bill. "Let me help you up to your room. +Bundle will come with you."</p> + +<p>"It is very kind of Lady Eileen," said the Countess, "but I should +prefer to be alone. I am really quite all right. Perhaps you will just +help me up the stairs?"</p> + +<p>She rose to her feet, accepted Bill's arm and, leaning heavily on it, +went out of the room. Bundle followed as far as the hall but, the +Countess reiterating her assurance—with some tartness—that she was +quite all right, she did not accompany them upstairs.</p> + +<p>But as she stood watching the Countess's graceful form, supported by +Bill, slowly mounting the stairway, she stiffened suddenly to acute +attention. The Countess's négligé, as previously mentioned, was thin—a +mere veil of orange chiffon. Through it Bundle saw distinctly below the +right shoulder blade <i>a small black mole</i>.</p> + +<p>With a gasp, Bundle swung impetuously round to where Superintendent +Battle was just emerging from the library. Jimmy and Loraine had +preceded him.</p> + +<p>"There," said Battle. "I've fastened the window and there will be a +man on duty outside. And I'll lock this door and take the key. In the +morning we'll do what the French call reconstruct the crime—Yes, Lady +Eileen, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"Superintendent Battle, I must speak to you—at once."</p> + +<p>"Why, certainly, I—"</p> + +<p>George Lomax suddenly appeared, Dr. Cartwright by his side.</p> + +<p>"Ah, there you are, Battle. You'll be relieved to hear that there's +nothing seriously wrong with O'Rourke."</p> + +<p>"I never thought there would be much wrong with Mr. O'Rourke," said +Battle.</p> + +<p>"He's had a strong hypnotic administered to him," said the doctor. +"He'll wake perfectly all right in the morning. Perhaps a bit of a +head, perhaps not. Now then, young man, let's look at this bullet wound +of yours."</p> + +<p>"Come on, nurse," said Jimmy to Loraine. "Come and hold the basin or my +hand. Witness a strong man's agony. You know the stunt."</p> + +<p>Jimmy, Loraine and the doctor went off together. Bundle continued to +throw agonized glances in the direction of Superintendent Battle, who +had been buttonholed by George.</p> + +<p>The Superintendent waited patiently till a pause occurred in George's +loquacity. He then swiftly took advantage of it.</p> + +<p>"I wonder, sir, if I might have a word privately with Sir Stanley? In +the little study at the end there."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said George. "Certainly. I'll go and fetch him at once."</p> + +<p>He hurried off upstairs again. Battle drew Bundle swiftly into the +drawing-room and shut the door.</p> + +<p>"Now, Lady Eileen, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you as quickly as I can—but it's rather long and +complicated."</p> + +<p>As concisely as she could, Bundle related her introduction to the Seven +Dials Club and her subsequent adventures there. When she had finished, +Superintendent Battle drew a long breath. For once, his facial +woodenness was laid aside.</p> + +<p>"Remarkable," he said. "Remarkable. I wouldn't have believed it +possible—even for you, Lady Eileen. I ought to have known better."</p> + +<p>"But you did give me a hint, Superintendent Battle. You told me to ask +Bill Eversleigh."</p> + +<p>"It's dangerous to give people like you a hint, Lady Eileen. I never +dreamt of your going to the lengths you have."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's all right, Superintendent Battle. My death doesn't lie at +your door."</p> + +<p>"Not yet, it doesn't," said Battle grimly.</p> + +<p>He stood as though in thought, turning things over in his mind.</p> + +<p>"What Mr. Thesiger was about, letting you run into danger like that, I +can't think," he said presently.</p> + +<p>"He didn't know till afterwards," said Bundle. "I'm not a complete mug, +Superintendent Battle. And anyway, he's got his hands full looking +after Miss Wade."</p> + +<p>"Is that so?" said the Superintendent. "Ah!"</p> + +<p>He twinkled a little.</p> + +<p>"I shall have to detail Mr. Eversleigh to look after you, Lady Eileen."</p> + +<p>"Bill!" said Bundle contemptuously. "But Superintendent Battle, you +haven't heard the end of my story. The woman I saw there—Anna—No. 1. +Yes, No. 1 is the Countess Radzky."</p> + +<p>And rapidly she went on to describe her recognition of the mole.</p> + +<p>To her surprise the Superintendent hemmed and hawed.</p> + +<p>"A mole isn't much to go upon, Lady Eileen. Two women might have an +identical mole very easily. You must remember that the Countess Radzky +is a very well-known figure in Hungary."</p> + +<p>"Then this isn't the real Countess Radzky. I tell you I'm sure this is +the same woman I saw there. And look at her to-night—the way we found +her. I don't believe she ever fainted at all."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I shouldn't say that, Lady Eileen. That empty shell striking the +bookcase beside her might have frightened any woman half out of her +wits."</p> + +<p>"But what was she doing there anyway? One doesn't come down to look for +a book with an electric torch."</p> + +<p>Battle scratched his cheek. He seemed unwilling to speak. He began to +pace up and down the room, as though making up his mind. At last he +turned to the girl.</p> + +<p>"See here, Lady Eileen, I'm going to trust you. The Countess's +conduct <i>is</i> suspicious. I know that as well as you do. It's very +suspicious—but we've got to go carefully. There mustn't be any +unpleasantness with the Embassies. One has got to be <i>sure</i>."</p> + +<p>"I see. If you were <i>sure</i>...."</p> + +<p>"There's something else. During the war, Lady Eileen, there was a great +outcry about German spies being left at large. Busybodies wrote letters +to the papers about it. We paid no attention. Hard words didn't hurt +us. The small fry were left alone. Why? Because through them, sooner or +later, <i>we got the big fellow—the man at the top</i>."</p> + +<p>"You mean?"</p> + +<p>"Don't bother about what I mean, Lady Eileen. But remember this. <i>I +know all about the Countess.</i> And I want her let alone.</p> + +<p>"And now," added Superintendent Battle ruefully, "I've got to think of +something to say to Sir Stanley Digby!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXIII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXIII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Superintendent Battle In Charge</span></p> + + +<p>It was ten o'clock on the following morning. The sun poured in through +the windows of the library, where Superintendent Battle had been at +work since six. On a summons from him, George Lomax, Sir Oswald Coote +and Jimmy Thesiger had just joined him, having repaired the fatigues of +the night with a substantial breakfast. Jimmy's arm was in a sling, but +he bore little other trace of the night's affray.</p> + +<p>The Superintendent eyed all three of them benevolently, somewhat with +the air of a kindly curator explaining a museum to little boys. On the +table beside him were various objects, neatly labelled. Amongst them +Jimmy recognized Leopold.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Superintendent," said George, "I have been anxious to know how you +have progressed. Have you caught the man?"</p> + +<p>"He'll take a lot of catching, he will," said the Superintendent easily.</p> + +<p>His failure in that respect did not appear to rankle with him.</p> + +<p>George Lomax did not look particularly well pleased. He detested levity +of any kind.</p> + +<p>"I've got everything taped out pretty clearly," went on the detective.</p> + +<p>He took up two objects from the table.</p> + +<p>"Here we've got the two bullets. The largest is a .455, fired from +Mr. Thesiger's Colt automatic. Grazed the window sash and I found it +embedded in the trunk of that cedar tree. This little fellow was fired +from the Mauser .25. After passing through Mr. Thesiger's arm, it +embedded itself in this arm-chair here. As for the pistol itself—"</p> + +<p>"Well?" said Sir Oswald eagerly. "Any fingerprints?"</p> + +<p>Battle shook his head.</p> + +<p>"The man who handled it wore gloves," he said slowly.</p> + +<p>"A pity," said Sir Oswald.</p> + +<p>"A man who knew his business would wear gloves. Am I right in thinking, +Sir Oswald, that you found this pistol just about twenty yards from the +bottom of the steps leading up to the terrace?"</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald stepped to the window.</p> + +<p>"Yes, almost exactly, I should say."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to find fault, but it would have been wiser on your part, +sir, to leave it exactly as you found it."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry," said Sir Oswald stiffly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it doesn't matter. I've been able to reconstruct things. There +were your footprints, you see, leading up from the bottom of the +garden, and a place where you had obviously stopped and stooped down, +and a kind of dent in the grass which was highly suggestive. By the +way, what was your theory of the pistol being there?"</p> + +<p>"I presumed that it had been dropped by the man in his flight."</p> + +<p>Battle shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Not dropped, Sir Oswald. There are two points against that. To begin +with, there is only one set of footprints crossing the lawn just +there—your own."</p> + +<p>"I see," said Sir Oswald thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Can you be sure of that, Battle?" put in George.</p> + +<p>"Quite sure, sir. There is one other set of tracks crossing the lawn, +Miss Wade's, but they are a good deal farther to the left."</p> + +<p>He paused, and then went on: "And there's the dent in the ground. The +pistol must have struck the ground with some force. It all points to +its having been thrown."</p> + +<p>"Well, why not?" said Sir Oswald. "Say the man fled down the path to +the left. He'd leave no footprints on the path and he'd hurl the +pistol away from him into the middle of the lawn, eh, Lomax?"</p> + +<p>George agreed by a nod of the head.</p> + +<p>"It's true that he'd leave no footprints on the path," said Battle, +"but from the shape of the dent and the way the turf was cut, I don't +think the pistol was thrown from that direction. I think it was thrown +from the terrace here."</p> + +<p>"Very likely," said Sir Oswald. "Does it matter, Superintendent?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, Battle," broke in George. "Is it—er—strictly relevant?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, Mr. Lomax. But we like to get things just so, you know. I +wonder now if one of you gentlemen would take this pistol and throw it. +Will you, Sir Oswald? That's very kind. Stand just here in the window. +Now fling it into the middle of the lawn."</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald complied, sending the pistol flying through the air with a +powerful sweep of his arm. Jimmy Thesiger drew near with breathless +interest. The Superintendent lumbered off after it like a well-trained +retriever. He reappeared with a beaming face.</p> + +<p>"That's it, sir. Just the same kind of mark. Although, by the way, you +sent it a good ten yards farther. But then, you're a very powerfully +built man, aren't you, Sir Oswald? Excuse me, I thought I heard someone +at the door."</p> + +<p>The Superintendent's ears must have been very much sharper than anyone +else's. Nobody else had heard a sound, but Battle was proved right, for +Lady Coote stood outside, a medicine glass in her hand.</p> + +<p>"Your medicine, Oswald," she said, advancing into the room. "You forgot +it after breakfast."</p> + +<p>"I'm very busy, Maria," said Sir Oswald. "I don't want my medicine."</p> + +<p>"You would never take it if it wasn't for me," said his wife serenely, +advancing upon him. "You're just like a naughty little boy. Drink it up +now."</p> + +<p>And meekly, obediently, the great steel magnate drank it up!</p> + +<p>Lady Coote smiled sadly and sweetly at everyone.</p> + +<p>"Am I interrupting you? Are you very busy? Oh, look at those revolvers. +Nasty, noisy, murdering things. To think, Oswald, that you might have +been shot by the burglar last night."</p> + +<p>"You must have been alarmed when you found he was missing, Lady Coote," +said Battle.</p> + +<p>"I didn't think of it at first," confessed Lady Coote. "This poor boy +here"—she indicated Jimmy—"being shot—and everything so dreadful, +but so exciting. It wasn't till Mr. Bateman asked me where Sir Oswald +was that I remembered he'd gone out half an hour before for a stroll."</p> + +<p>"Sleepless, eh, Sir Oswald?" asked Battle.</p> + +<p>"I am usually an excellent sleeper," said Sir Oswald. "But I must +confess that last night I felt unusually restless. I thought the night +air would do me good."</p> + +<p>"You came out through this window, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>Was it his fancy, or did Sir Oswald hesitate for a moment before +replying.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"In your pumps too," said Lady Coote, "instead of putting thick shoes +on. What would you do without me to look after you?"</p> + +<p>She shook her head sadly.</p> + +<p>"I think, Maria, if you don't mind leaving us—we have still a lot to +discuss."</p> + +<p>"I know, dear, I'm just going."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote withdrew, carrying the empty medicine glass as though it +were a goblet out of which she had just administered a death potion.</p> + +<p>"Well, Battle," said George Lomax, "it all seems clear enough. Yes, +perfectly clear. The man fires a shot, disabling Mr. Thesiger, flings +away the weapon, runs along the terrace and down the gravel path."</p> + +<p>"Where he ought to have been caught by my men," put in Battle.</p> + +<p>"Your men, if I may say so, Battle, seem to have been singularly +remiss. They didn't see Miss Wade come in. If they could miss her +coming in, they could easily miss the thief going out."</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle opened his mouth to speak, then seemed to think +better of it. Jimmy Thesiger looked at him curiously. He would have +given a lot to know just what was in Superintendent Battle's mind.</p> + +<p>"Must have been a champion runner," was all the Scotland Yard man +contented himself with saying.</p> + +<p>"How do you mean, Battle?"</p> + +<p>"Just what I say, Mr. Lomax. I was round the corner of the terrace +myself not fifty seconds after the shot was fired. And for a man to +run all that distance towards me and get round the corner of the path +before I appeared round the side of the house—well, as I say, he must +have been a champion runner."</p> + +<p>"I am at a loss to understand you, Battle. You have some idea of your +own which I have not yet—er—grasped. You say the man did not go +across the lawn and now you hint—What exactly do you hint? That the +man did not go down the path? Then in your opinion—er—where <i>did</i> he +go?"</p> + +<p>For answer, Superintendent Battle jerked an eloquent thumb upwards.</p> + +<p>"Eh?" said George.</p> + +<p>The Superintendent jerked harder than ever. George raised his head and +looked at the ceiling.</p> + +<p>"Up there," said Battle. "Up the ivy again."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Superintendent. What you are suggesting is impossible."</p> + +<p>"Not at all impossible, sir. He'd done it once. He could do it twice."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean impossible in that sense. But if the man wanted to +escape, he'd never bolt back into the house."</p> + +<p>"Safest place for him, Mr. Lomax."</p> + +<p>"But Mr. O'Rourke's door was still locked on the inside when we came to +him."</p> + +<p>"And how did you get to him? Through Sir Stanley's room. That's the +way our man went. Lady Eileen tells me she saw the door knob of Mr. +O'Rourke's door move. That was when our friend was up there the first +time. I suspect the key was under Mr. O'Rourke's pillow. But his exit +is clear enough the second time—through the communicating door and +through Sir Stanley's room, which, of course, was empty. Like everyone +else, Sir Stanley is rushing downstairs to the library. Our man's got a +clear course."</p> + +<p>"And where did he go then?"</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle shrugged his burly shoulders and became evasive.</p> + +<p>"Plenty of ways open. Into an empty room on the other side of the house +and down the ivy again—out through a side door—or, just possibly, if +it was an inside job, he—well, stayed in the house."</p> + +<p>George looked at him in shocked surprise.</p> + +<p>"Really, Battle, I should—I should feel it very deeply if one of +my servants—er—I have the most perfect reliance on them—it would +distress me very much to have to suspect—"</p> + +<p>"Nobody's asking you to suspect anyone, Mr. Lomax. I'm just putting all +the possibilities before you. The servants may be all right—probably +are."</p> + +<p>"You have disturbed me," said George. "You have disturbed me greatly."</p> + +<p>His eyes appeared more protuberant than ever.</p> + +<p>To distract him, Jimmy poked delicately at a curious blackened object +on the table.</p> + +<p>"What's this?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"That's exhibit Z," said Battle. "The last of our little lot. It is, or +rather it has been, a glove."</p> + +<p>He picked it up, the charred relic, and manipulated it with pride.</p> + +<p>"Where did you find it?" asked Sir Oswald.</p> + +<p>Battle jerked his head over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"In the grate—nearly burnt, but not quite. Queer; looks as though it +had been chewed by a dog."</p> + +<p>"It might possibly be Miss Wade's," suggested Jimmy. "She has several +dogs."</p> + +<p>The Superintendent shook his head.</p> + +<p>"This isn't a lady's glove—no, not even the large kind of loose glove +ladies wear nowadays. Fit it on, sir, a moment."</p> + +<p>He adjusted the blackened object over Jimmy's hand.</p> + +<p>"You see—it's large even for you."</p> + +<p>"Do you attach importance to this discovery?" inquired Sir Oswald +coldly.</p> + +<p>"You never know, Sir Oswald, what's going to be important or what +isn't."</p> + +<p>There was a sharp tap at the door and Bundle entered.</p> + +<p>"I'm so sorry," she said apologetically, "but Father has just rung up. +He says I must come home because everybody is worrying him."</p> + +<p>She paused.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear Eileen?" said George encouragingly, perceiving that there +was more to come.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have interrupted you—only that I thought it might perhaps +have something to do with all this. You see, what has upset Father is +that one of our footmen is missing. He went out last night and hasn't +come back."</p> + +<p>"What is the man's name?" It was Sir Oswald who took up the +cross-examination.</p> + +<p>"John Bauer."</p> + +<p>"An Englishman?"</p> + +<p>"I believe he calls himself a Swiss—but I think he's a German. He +speaks English perfectly, though."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Sir Oswald drew in his breath with a long, satisfied hiss. "And +he has been at Chimneys—how long?"</p> + +<p>"Just under a month."</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald turned to the other two.</p> + +<p>"Here is our missing man. You know, Lomax, as well as I do, that +several foreign Governments are after the thing. I remember the man +now perfectly—tall, well-drilled fellow. Came about a fortnight +before we left. A clever move. Any new servants here would be closely +scrutinized, but at Chimneys, five miles away—" He did not finish the +sentence.</p> + +<p>"You think the plan was laid so long beforehand?"</p> + +<p>"Why not? There are millions in that formula, Lomax. Doubtless Bauer +hoped to get access to my private papers at Chimneys, and to learn +something of forthcoming arrangements from them. It seems likely that +he may have had an accomplice in this house—someone who put him +wise to the lie of the land and who saw to the doping of O'Rourke. +But Bauer was the man Miss Wade saw climbing down the ivy—the big, +powerful man."</p> + +<p>He turned to Superintendent Battle.</p> + +<p>"Bauer was your man, Superintendent. And, somehow or other, you let him +slip through your fingers."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXIV"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXIV</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Bundle Wonders</span></p> + + +<p>There was no doubt that Superintendent Battle was taken aback. He +fingered his chin thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Sir Oswald is right, Battle," said George. "This is the man. Any hope +of catching him?"</p> + +<p>"There may be, sir. It certainly looks—well, suspicious. Of course the +man may turn up again—at Chimneys, I mean."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it likely?"</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't," confessed Battle. "Yes, it certainly looks as though +Bauer were the man. But I can't quite see how he got in and out of +these grounds unobserved."</p> + +<p>"I have already told you my opinion of the men you posted," said +George. "Hopelessly inefficient—I don't want to blame you, +Superintendent, but—" His pause was eloquent.</p> + +<p>"Ah, well," said Battle lightly, "my shoulders are broad."</p> + +<p>He shook his head and sighed.</p> + +<p>"I must get to the telephone at once. Excuse me, gentlemen. I'm sorry, +Mr. Lomax—I feel I've rather bungled this business. But it's been +puzzling, more puzzling than you know."</p> + +<p>He strode hurriedly from the room.</p> + +<p>"Come into the garden," said Bundle to Jimmy. "I want to talk to you."</p> + +<p>They went out together through the window. Jimmy stared down at the +lawn, frowning.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Bundle.</p> + +<p>Jimmy explained the circumstances of the pistol throwing.</p> + +<p>"I'm wondering," he ended, "what was in old Battle's mind when he got +Coote to throw the pistol. Something, I'll swear. Anyhow, it landed up +about ten yards farther than it should have done. You know, Bundle, +Battle's a deep one."</p> + +<p>"He's an extraordinary man," said Bundle. "I want to tell you about +last night."</p> + +<p>She retailed her conversation with the Superintendent. Jimmy listened +attentively.</p> + +<p>"So the Countess is No. 1," he said thoughtfully. "It all hangs +together very well. No. 2—Bauer—comes over from Chimneys. He climbs +up into O'Rourke's room, knowing that O'Rourke has had a sleeping +draught administered to him—by the Countess somehow or other. The +arrangement is that he is to throw down the papers to the Countess, who +will be waiting below. Then she'll nip back through the library and +up to her room. If Bauer's caught leaving the grounds, they'll find +nothing on him. Yes, it was a good plan—but it went wrong. No sooner +is the Countess in the library than she hears me coming and has to jump +behind the screen. Jolly awkward for her, because she can't warn her +accomplice. No. 2 pinches the papers, looks out of the window, sees, +as he thinks, the Countess waiting, pitches the papers down to her and +proceeds to climb down the ivy, where he finds a nasty surprise in the +shape of me waiting for him. Pretty nervy work for the Countess waiting +behind her screen. All things considered, she told a pretty good story. +Yes, it all hangs together very well."</p> + +<p>"Too well," said Bundle decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Eh?" said Jimmy, surprised.</p> + +<p>"What about No. 7—No. 7, who never appears, but lives in the +background. The Countess and Bauer? No, it's not so simple as that. +Bauer was here last night, yes. But he was only here in case things +went wrong—as they have done. His part is the part of scapegoat; to +draw all attention from No. 7—the boss."</p> + +<p>"I say, Bundle," said Jimmy anxiously, "you haven't been reading too +much sensational literature, have you?"</p> + +<p>Bundle threw him a glance of dignified reproach.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jimmy, "I'm not yet like the Red Queen. I can't believe +six impossible things before breakfast."</p> + +<p>"It's after breakfast," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Or even after breakfast. We've got a perfectly good hypothesis which +fits the facts—and you won't have it at any price, simply because like +the old riddle, you want to make things more difficult."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," said Bundle, "but I cling passionately to a mysterious No. +7 being a member of the house-party."</p> + +<p>"What does Bill think?"</p> + +<p>"Bill," said Bundle coldly, "is impossible."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Jimmy. "I suppose you've told him about the Countess? +He ought to be warned. Heaven knows what he'll go blabbing about +otherwise."</p> + +<p>"He won't hear a word against her," said Bundle. "He's—oh, simply +idiotic. I wish you'd drive it home to him about that mole."</p> + +<p>"You forget I wasn't in the cupboard," said Jimmy. "And anyway I'd +rather not argue with Bill about his lady friend's mole. But surely he +can't be such an ass as not to see that everything fits in?"</p> + +<p>"He's every kind of ass," said Bundle bitterly. "You made the greatest +mistake, Jimmy, in ever telling him at all."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," said Jimmy. "I didn't see it at the time—but I do now. I +was a fool, but dash it all, old Bill—"</p> + +<p>"You know what foreign adventuresses are," said Bundle. "How they get +hold of one."</p> + +<p>"As a matter of fact, I don't," said Jimmy. "One has never tried to get +hold of me." And he sighed.</p> + +<p>For a moment or two there was silence. Jimmy was turning things over in +his mind. The more he thought about them, the more unsatisfactory they +seemed.</p> + +<p>"You say that Battle wants the Countess let alone," he said at last.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"The idea being that through her he will get at someone else?"</p> + +<p>Bundle nodded.</p> + +<p>Jimmy frowned deeply as he tried to see where this led. Clearly Battle +had some very definite idea in his mind.</p> + +<p>"Sir Stanley Digby went up to town early this morning, didn't he?" he +said.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"O'Rourke with him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so."</p> + +<p>"You don't think—no, that's impossible?"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"That O'Rourke can be mixed up in this in any way?"</p> + +<p>"It's possible," said Bundle thoughtfully. "He's got what one calls a +very vivid personality. No, it wouldn't surprise me if—oh, to tell the +truth, nothing would surprise me! In fact, there's only one person I'm +really sure isn't No. 7."</p> + +<p>"Who's that?"</p> + +<p>"Superintendent Battle."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I thought you were going to say George Lomax."</p> + +<p>"Ssh, here he comes."</p> + +<p>George was, indeed, bearing down upon them in an unmistakable manner. +Jimmy made an excuse and slipped away. George sat down by Bundle.</p> + +<p>"My dear Eileen, must you really leave us?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Father seems to have got the wind up rather badly. I think I'd +better go home and hold his hand."</p> + +<p>"This little hand will indeed be comforting," said George, taking it +and pressing it playfully. "My dear Eileen, I understand your reasons +and I honour you for them. In these days of changed and unsettled +conditions—"</p> + +<p>"He's off," thought Bundle desperately.</p> + +<p>"—when family life is at a premium—all the old standards falling!—it +becomes our class to set an example—to show that we, at least, are +unaffected by modern conditions. They call us the Die Hards—I am proud +of the term—I repeat I am proud of the term! There are things that +<i>should</i> die hard—dignity, beauty, modesty, the sanctity of family +life, filial respect—who dies if these shall live? As I was saying, +my dear Eileen, I envy you the privileges of your youth. Youth! What +a wonderful thing! What a wonderful word! And we do not appreciate it +until we grow to—er—maturer years. I confess, my dear child, that I +have in the past been disappointed by your levity. I see now it was but +the careless and charming levity of a child. I perceive now the serious +and earnest beauty of your mind. You will allow me, I hope, to help you +with your reading?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you," said Bundle faintly.</p> + +<p>"And you must never be afraid of me again. I was shocked when Lady +Caterham told me that you stood in awe of me. I can assure you that I +am a very humdrum sort of person."</p> + +<p>The spectacle of George being modest struck Bundle spellbound. George +continued.</p> + +<p>"Never be shy with me, dear child. And do not be afraid of boring me. +It will be a great delight to me to—if I may say so—form your budding +mind. I will be your political mentor. We have never needed young women +of talent and charm in the Party more than we need them to-day. You +may well be destined to follow in the footsteps of your aunt, Lady +Caterham."</p> + +<p>This awful prospect knocked Bundle out completely. She could only stare +helplessly at George. This did not discourage him—on the contrary. His +main objection to women was that they talked too much. It was seldom +that he found what he considered a really good listener. He smiled +benignantly at Bundle.</p> + +<p>"The butterfly emerging from the chrysalis. A wonderful picture. I have +a very interesting work on political economy. I will look it out now, +and you can take it to Chimneys with you. When you have finished it, I +will discuss it with you. Do not hesitate to write to me if any point +puzzles you. I have many public duties, but by unsparing work I can +always make time for the affairs of my friends. I will look for the +book."</p> + +<p>He strode away. Bundle gazed after him with a dazed expression. She was +roused by the unexpected advent of Bill.</p> + +<p>"Look here," said Bill, "what the hell was Codders holding your hand +for?"</p> + +<p>"It wasn't my hand," said Bundle wildly. "It was my budding mind."</p> + +<p>"Don't be an ass, Bundle."</p> + +<p>"Sorry, Bill, but I'm a little worried. Do you remember saying that +Jimmy ran a grave risk coming down here?"</p> + +<p>"So he does," said Bill. "It's frightfully hard to escape from Codders +once he's got interested in you. Jimmy will be caught in the toils +before he knows where he is."</p> + +<p>"It's not Jimmy who's got caught—it's me," said Bundle wildly. "I +shall have to meet endless Mrs. Macattas, and read political economy +and discuss it with George, and heavens knows where it will end!"</p> + +<p>Bill whistled.</p> + +<p>"Poor old Bundle. Been laying it on a bit thick, haven't you?"</p> + +<p>"I must have done. Bill, I feel horribly entangled."</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Bill consolingly. "George doesn't really believe +in women standing for Parliament, so you won't have to stand up on +platforms and talk a lot of junk, or kiss dirty babies in Bermondsey. +Come and have a cocktail. It's nearly lunch time."</p> + +<p>Bundle got up and walked by his side obediently.</p> + +<p>"And I do so hate politics," she murmured piteously.</p> + +<p>"Of course you do. So do all sensible people. It's only people like +Codders and Pongo who take them seriously and revel in them. But all +the same," said Bill, reverting suddenly to a former point, "you +oughtn't to let Codders hold your hand."</p> + +<p>"Why on earth not?" said Bundle. "He's known me all my life."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't like it."</p> + +<p>"Virtuous William—Oh, I say, look at Superintendent Battle."</p> + +<p>They were just passing in through a side door. A cupboard-like +room opened out of the little hallway. In it were kept golf clubs, +tennis racquets, bowls and other features of country house life. +Superintendent Battle was conducting a minute examination of various +golf clubs. He looked up a little sheepishly at Bundle's exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Going to take up golf, Superintendent Battle?"</p> + +<p>"I might do worse, Lady Eileen. They say it's never too late to start. +And I've got one good quality that will tell at any game."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Bill.</p> + +<p>"I don't know when I'm beaten. If everything goes wrong, I turn to and +start again!"</p> + +<p>And with a determined look on his face, Superintendent Battle came out +and joined them, shutting the door behind him.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXV"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXV</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Jimmy Lays His Plans</span></p> + + +<p>Jimmy Thesiger was feeling depressed. Avoiding George, whom he +suspected of being ready to tackle him on serious subjects, he stole +quietly away after lunch. Proficient as he was in details of the Santa +Fé boundary dispute, he had no wish to stand an examination on it this +minute.</p> + +<p>Presently what he hoped would happen came to pass. Loraine Wade, also +unaccompanied, strolled down one of the shady garden paths. In a moment +Jimmy was by her side. They walked for some minutes in silence and then +Jimmy said tentatively:</p> + +<p>"Loraine?"</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"Look here, I'm a bad chap at putting things—but what about it? What's +wrong with getting a special license and being married and living +together happy ever afterwards?"</p> + +<p>Loraine displayed no embarrassment at this surprising proposal. Instead +she threw back her head and laughed frankly.</p> + +<p>"Don't laugh at a chap," said Jimmy reproachfully.</p> + +<p>"I can't help it. You were so funny."</p> + +<p>"Loraine—you are a little devil."</p> + +<p>"I'm not. I'm what's called a thoroughly nice girl."</p> + +<p>"Only to those who don't know you—who are taken in by your delusive +appearance of meekness and decorum."</p> + +<p>"I like your long words."</p> + +<p>"All out of cross-word puzzles."</p> + +<p>"So educative."</p> + +<p>"Loraine dear, don't beat about the bush. Will you or won't you!"</p> + +<p>Loraine's face sobered. It took on its characteristic appearance of +determination. Her small mouth hardened and her little chin shot out +aggressively.</p> + +<p>"No, Jimmy. Not while things are as they are at present—all +unfinished."</p> + +<p>"I know we haven't done what we set out to do," agreed Jimmy. "But all +the same—well, it's the end of a chapter. The papers are safe at the +Air Ministry. Virtue triumphant. And—for the moment—nothing doing."</p> + +<p>"So—let's get married?" said Loraine with a slight smile.</p> + +<p>"You've said it. Precisely the idea."</p> + +<p>But again Loraine shook her head.</p> + +<p>"No, Jimmy. Until this thing's rounded up—until we're safe—"</p> + +<p>"You think we're in danger?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy's cherubic pink face clouded over.</p> + +<p>"You're right," he said at last. "If that extraordinary rigmarole of +Bundle's is true—and I suppose, incredible as it sounds, it must be +true—then we're not safe till we've settled with—No. 7!"</p> + +<p>"And the others?"</p> + +<p>"No—the others don't count. It's No. 7 with his own ways of working +that frightens me. Because I don't know who he is or where to look for +him."</p> + +<p>Loraine shivered.</p> + +<p>"I've been frightened," she said in a low voice. "Ever since Gerry's +death...."</p> + +<p>"You needn't be frightened. There's nothing for you to be frightened +about. You leave everything to me. I tell you, Loraine—<i>I'll get No. +7 yet</i>. Once we get him—well, I don't think there'll be much trouble +with the rest of the gang, whoever they are."</p> + +<p>"<i>If</i> you get him—and suppose he gets you?"</p> + +<p>"Impossible," said Jimmy cheerfully. "I'm much too clever. Always have +a good opinion of yourself—that's my motto."</p> + +<p>"When I think of the things that might have happened last night—" +Loraine shivered.</p> + +<p>"Well, they didn't," said Jimmy. "We're both here, safe and +sound—though I must admit my arm is confoundedly painful."</p> + +<p>"Poor boy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, one must expect to suffer in a good cause. And what with my wounds +and my cheerful conversation, I've made a complete conquest of Lady +Coote."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Do you think that important?"</p> + +<p>"I've an idea it may come in useful."</p> + +<p>"You've got some plan in your mind, Jimmy. What is it?"</p> + +<p>"The young hero never tells his plans," said Jimmy firmly. "They mature +in the dark."</p> + +<p>"You are an idiot, Jimmy."</p> + +<p>"I know. I know. That's what everyone says. But I can assure you, +Loraine, there's a lot of brain-work going on underneath. Now what +about your plans? Got any?"</p> + +<p>"Bundle has suggested that I should go to Chimneys with her for a bit."</p> + +<p>"Excellent," said Jimmy approvingly. "Nothing could be better. I'd like +an eye kept on Bundle anyway. You never know what mad thing she won't +be up to next. She's so frightfully unexpected. And the worst of it is, +she's so astonishingly successful. I tell you, keeping Bundle out of +mischief is a whole-time job."</p> + +<p>"Bill ought to look after her," suggested Loraine.</p> + +<p>"Bill's pretty busy elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe it," said Loraine.</p> + +<p>"What? Not the Countess? But the lad's potty about her."</p> + +<p>Loraine continued to shake her head.</p> + +<p>"There's something there I don't quite understand. But it's not the +Countess with Bill—it's Bundle. Why, this morning Bill was talking to +me when Mr. Lomax came out and sat down by Bundle. He took her hand or +something, and Bill was off like—like a rocket."</p> + +<p>"What a curious taste some people have," observed Mr. Thesiger. "Fancy +anyone who was talking to you wanting to do anything else. But you +surprise me very much, Loraine. I thought our simple Bill was enmeshed +in the toils of the beautiful foreign adventuress. Bundle thinks so, I +know."</p> + +<p>"Bundle may," said Loraine, "but I tell you, Jimmy, it isn't so."</p> + +<p>"Then what's the big idea?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you think it possible that Bill is doing a bit of sleuthing on +his own?"</p> + +<p>"Bill? He hasn't got the brains."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure. When a simple, muscular person like Bill does set out +to be subtle, no one ever gives him credit for it."</p> + +<p>"And in consequence he can put in some good work. Yes, there's +something in that. But all the same I'd never have thought it of Bill. +He's doing the Countess's little woolly lamb to perfection. I think +you're wrong, you know, Loraine. The Countess is an extraordinarily +beautiful woman—not my type, of course," put in Mr. Thesiger +hastily—"and old Bill has always had a heart like an hotel."</p> + +<p>Loraine shook her head, unconvinced.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jimmy, "have it your own way. We seem to have more or less +settled things. You go back with Bundle to Chimneys, and for Heavens' +sake keep her from poking about in that Seven Dials place again. +Heavens knows what will happen if she does."</p> + +<p>Loraine nodded.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Jimmy, "I think a few words with Lady Coote would be +advisable."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote was sitting on a garden seat doing wool-work. The subject +was a disconsolate and somewhat misshapen young woman weeping over an +urn.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote made room for Jimmy by her side, and he promptly, being a +tactful young man, admired her work.</p> + +<p>"Do you like it?" said Lady Coote, pleased. "It was begun by my Aunt +Selina the week before she died. Cancer of the liver, poor thing."</p> + +<p>"How beastly," said Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"And how is the arm?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's feeling quite all right. Bit of a nuisance and all that, you +know."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to be careful," said Lady Coote in a warning voice. "I've +known blood-poisoning set in—and in that case you might lose your arm +altogether."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I say, I hope not."</p> + +<p>"I'm only warning you," said Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>"Where are you hanging out now?" inquired Mr. Thesiger. "Town—or +where?"</p> + +<p>Considering that he knew the answer to his query perfectly well, he put +the question with a praiseworthy amount of ingenuousness.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote sighed heavily.</p> + +<p>"Sir Oswald has taken the Duke of Alton's place. Letherbury. You know +it, perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, rather. Topping place, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," said Lady Coote. "It's a very large place, and +gloomy, you know. Rows of picture galleries with such forbidding +looking people. What they call Old Masters are very depressing, I +think. You should have seen a little house we had in Yorkshire, Mr. +Thesiger. When Sir Oswald was plain Mr. Coote. Such a nice lounge hall +and a cheerful drawing-room with an ingle-nook—a white striped paper +with a frieze of wisteria I chose for it, I remember. Satin stripe, you +know, not moiré. Much better taste, I always think. The dining-room +faced northeast, so we didn't get much sun in it, but with a good +bright scarlet paper and a set of those comic hunting prints—why, it +was as cheerful as Christmas."</p> + +<p>In the excitement of these reminiscences, Lady Coote dropped several +little balls of wool, which Jimmy dutifully retrieved.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my dear," said Lady Coote. "Now, what was I saying? +Oh!—about houses—yes, I do like a cheerful house. And choosing things +for it gives you an interest."</p> + +<p>"I suppose Sir Oswald will be buying a place of his own one of these +days," suggested Jimmy. "And then you can have it just as you like."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote shook her head sadly.</p> + +<p>"Sir Oswald talks of a firm doing it—and you know what that means."</p> + +<p>"Oh! But they'd consult you!"</p> + +<p>"It would be one of those grand places—all for the antique. They'd +look down on the things I call comfortable and homey. Not but that Sir +Oswald wasn't very comfortable and satisfied in his home always, and I +daresay his tastes are just the same underneath. But nothing will suit +him now but the best! He's got on wonderfully, and naturally he wants +something to show for it, but many's the time I wonder where it will +end."</p> + +<p>Jimmy looked sympathetic.</p> + +<p>"It's like a runaway horse," said Lady Coote. "Got the bit between its +teeth and away it goes. It's the same with Sir Oswald. He's got on, and +he's got on, till he can't stop getting on. He's one of the richest men +in England now—but does that satisfy him? No, he wants still more. +He wants to be—I don't know what he wants to be! I can tell you, it +frightens me sometimes!"</p> + +<p>"Like the Persian Johnny," said Jimmy, "who went about wailing for +fresh worlds to conquer."</p> + +<p>Lady Coote nodded acquiescence without much knowing what Jimmy was +talking about.</p> + +<p>"What I wonder is—will his stomach stand it?" she went on tearfully. +"To have him an invalid—with his ideas—oh, it won't bear thinking of."</p> + +<p>"He looks very hearty," said Jimmy, consolingly.</p> + +<p>"He's got something on his mind," said Lady Coote. "Worried, that's +what he is. <i>I</i> know."</p> + +<p>"What's he worried about?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Perhaps something at the works. It's a great comfort +for him having Mr. Bateman. Such an earnest young man—and so +conscientious."</p> + +<p>"Marvellously conscientious," agreed Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"Oswald thinks a lot of Mr. Bateman's judgment. He says that Mr. +Bateman is always right."</p> + +<p>"That was one of his worst characteristics years ago," said Jimmy +feelingly.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote looked slightly puzzled.</p> + +<p>"That was an awfully jolly week-end I had with you at Chimneys," said +Jimmy. "I mean it would have been awfully jolly if it hadn't been for +poor old Gerry kicking the bucket. Jolly nice girls."</p> + +<p>"I find girls very perplexing," said Lady Coote. "Not romantic, you +know. Why, I embroidered some handkerchiefs for Sir Oswald with my own +hair when we were engaged."</p> + +<p>"Did you?" said Jimmy. "How marvellous. But I suppose girls haven't got +long enough hair to do that nowadays."</p> + +<p>"That's true," admitted Lady Coote. "But, oh, it shows in lots of +other ways. I remember when I was a girl, one of my—well, my young +men—picked up a handful of gravel, and a girl who was with me said at +once that he was treasuring it because my feet had trodden on it. Such +a pretty idea, I thought. Though it turned out afterwards that he was +taking a course of mineralogy—or do I mean geology?—at a technical +school. But I liked the idea—and stealing a girl's handkerchief and +treasuring it—all those sort of things."</p> + +<p>"Awkward if the girl wanted to blow her nose," said the practical Mr. +Thesiger.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote laid down her wool-work and looked searchingly but kindly at +him.</p> + +<p>"Come now," she said, "isn't there some nice girl that you fancy? That +you'd like to work and make a little home for?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy blushed and mumbled.</p> + +<p>"I thought you got on very well with one of those girls at Chimneys +that time—Vera Daventry."</p> + +<p>"Socks?"</p> + +<p>"They do call her that," admitted Lady Coote. "I can't think why. It +isn't pretty."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she's a topper," said Jimmy. "I'd like to meet her again."</p> + +<p>"She's coming down to stay with us next week-end."</p> + +<p>"Is she?" said Jimmy, trying to infuse a large amount of wistful +longing into the two words.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Would—would you like to come?"'</p> + +<p>"I <i>would</i>," said Jimmy heartily. "Thanks ever so much, Lady Coote."</p> + +<p>And reiterating fervent thanks, he left her.</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald presently joined his wife.</p> + +<p>"What has that young jackanapes been boring you about?" he demanded. "I +can't stand that young fellow."</p> + +<p>"He's a dear boy," said Lady Coote. "And so brave. Look how he got +wounded last night."</p> + +<p>"Yes, messing around where he'd no business to be."</p> + +<p>"I think you're very unfair, Oswald."</p> + +<p>"Never done an honest day's work in his life. A real waster if there +ever was one. He'd never get on if he had his way to make in the world."</p> + +<p>"You must have got your feet damp last night," said Lady Coote. "I hope +you won't get pneumonia. Freddie Richards died of it the other day. +Dear me, Oswald, it makes my blood run cold to think of you wandering +about with a dangerous burglar loose in the grounds. He might have shot +you. I've asked Mr. Thesiger down for next week-end, by the way."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said Sir Oswald. "I won't have that young man in my house, +do you hear, Maria?"</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"That's my business."</p> + +<p>"I'm so sorry, dear," said Lady Coote placidly. "I've asked him now, so +it can't be helped. Pick up that ball of pink wool, will you, Oswald?"</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald complied, his face black as thunder. He looked at his wife +and hesitated. Lady Coote was placidly threading her wool needle.</p> + +<p>"I particularly don't want Thesiger down next week-end," he said at +last. "I've heard a good deal about him from Bateman. He was at school +with him."</p> + +<p>"What did Mr. Bateman say?"</p> + +<p>"He'd no good to say of him. In fact, he warned me very seriously +against him."</p> + +<p>"He did, did he?" said Lady Coote thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"And I have the highest respect for Bateman's judgment. I've never +known him wrong."</p> + +<p>"Dear me," said Lady Coote. "What a mess I seem to have made of things. +Of course, I should never have asked him if I had known. You should +have told me all this before, Oswald. It's too late now."</p> + +<p>She began to roll up her work very carefully. Sir Oswald looked at her, +made as if to speak, then shrugged his shoulders. He followed her into +the house. Lady Coote, walking ahead, wore a very faint smile on her +face. She was fond of her husband, but she was also fond—in a quiet, +unobtrusive, wholly womanly manner—of getting her own way.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXVI"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXVI</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Mainly About Golf</span></p> + + +<p>"That friend of yours is a nice girl, Bundle," said Lord Caterham.</p> + +<p>Loraine had been at Chimneys for nearly a week, and had earned the high +opinion of her host—mainly because of the charming readiness she had +shown to be instructed in the science of the mashie shot.</p> + +<p>Bored by his winter abroad, Lord Caterham had taken up golf. He was +an execrable player and in consequence was profoundly enthusiastic +over the game. He spent most of his mornings lofting mashie shots over +various shrubs and bushes—or, rather, essaying to loft them, hacking +large bits out of the velvety turf and generally reducing MacDonald to +despair.</p> + +<p>"We must lay out a little course," said Lord Caterham, addressing +a daisy. "A sporting little course. Now then, just watch this one, +Bundle. Off the right knee, slow back, keep the head still and use the +wrists."</p> + +<p>The ball, heavily topped, scudded across the lawn and disappeared into +the unfathomed depths of a great bank of rhododendrons.</p> + +<p>"Curious," said Lord Caterham. "What did I do then, I wonder? As I was +saying, Bundle, that friend of yours is a very nice girl. I really +think I am inducing her to take quite an interest in the game. She hit +some excellent shots this morning—really quite as good as I could do +myself."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham took another careless swing and removed an immense chunk +of turf. MacDonald, who was passing, retrieved it and stamped it firmly +back. The look he gave Lord Caterham would have caused anyone but an +ardent golfer to sink through the earth.</p> + +<p>"If MacDonald has been guilty of cruelty to Cootes, which I strongly +suspect," said Bundle, "he's being punished now."</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't I do as I like in my own garden?" demanded her father. +"MacDonald ought to be interested in the way my game is coming on—the +Scotch are a great golfing nation."</p> + +<p>"You poor old man," said Bundle. "You'll never be a golfer—but at any +rate it keeps you out of mischief."</p> + +<p>"Not at all," said Lord Caterham. "I did the long sixth in five the +other day. The pro was very surprised when I told him about it."</p> + +<p>"He would be," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Talking of Cootes, Sir Oswald plays a fair game—a very fair game. Not +a pretty style—too stiff. But straight down the middle every time. +But curious how the cloven hoof shows—won't give you a six-inch putt! +Makes you put it in every time. Now I don't like that."</p> + +<p>"I suppose he's a man who likes to be sure," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"It's contrary to the spirit of the game," said her father. "And he's +not interested in the theory of the thing either. Says he just plays +for exercise and doesn't bother about style. Now, that secretary chap, +Bateman, is quite different. It's the theory interests him. I was +slicing badly with my spoon; and he said it all came from too much +right arm; and he evolved a very interesting theory. It's all left arm +in golf—the left arm is the arm that counts. He says he plays tennis +left handed but golf with ordinary clubs because there his superiority +with the left arm tells."</p> + +<p>"And did he play very marvellously?" inquired Bundle.</p> + +<p>"No, he didn't," confessed Lord Caterham. "But then he may have been +off his game. I see the theory all right and I think there's a lot in +it. Ah! Did you see that one, Bundle? Right over the rhododendrons. A +perfect shot. Ah! If one could be sure of doing that every time—Yes, +Tredwell, what is it?"</p> + +<p>Tredwell addressed Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Thesiger would like to speak to you on the telephone, my lady."</p> + +<p>Bundle set off at full speed for the house, yelling "Loraine, Loraine," +as she did so. Loraine joined her just as she was lifting the receiver.</p> + +<p>"Hallo, is that you, Jimmy?"</p> + +<p>"Hallo. How are you?"</p> + +<p>"Very fit, but a bit bored."</p> + +<p>"How's Loraine?"</p> + +<p>"She's all right. She's here. Do you want to speak to her?"</p> + +<p>"In a minute. I've got a lot to say. To begin with, I'm going down to +the Cootes' for the week-end," he said significantly. "Now, look here, +Bundle, you don't know how one gets hold of skeleton keys, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Haven't the foggiest. Is it really necessary to take skeleton keys to +the Cootes'?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I had a sort of idea they'd come in handy. You don't know the +sort of shop one gets them at?"</p> + +<p>"What you want is a kindly burglar friend to show you the ropes."</p> + +<p>"I do, Bundle, I do. And unfortunately, I haven't got one. I thought +perhaps your bright brain might grapple successfully with the problem. +But I suppose I shall have to fall back upon Stevens as usual. He'll be +getting some funny ideas in his head soon about me—first a blue-nosed +automatic—and now skeleton keys. He'll think I've joined the criminal +classes."</p> + +<p>"Jimmy?" said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"Look here—be careful, won't you? I mean if Sir Oswald finds you +nosing around with skeleton keys—well, I should think he could be very +unpleasant when he likes."</p> + +<p>"Young man of pleasing appearance in the dock! All right, I'll be +careful. Pongo's the fellow I'm really frightened of. He sneaks around +so on those flat feet of his. You never hear him coming. And he always +did have a genius for poking his nose in where he wasn't wanted. But +trust to the boy hero."</p> + +<p>"Well, I wish Loraine and I were going to be there to look after you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, nurse. As a matter of fact, though, I have a scheme—"</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"Do you think you and Loraine might have a convenient car breakdown +near Letherbury to-morrow morning? It's not so very far from you, is +it?"</p> + +<p>"Forty miles. That's nothing."</p> + +<p>"I thought it wouldn't be—to you! Don't kill Loraine though. I'm +rather fond of Loraine. All right, then—somewhere round about quarter +to half-past twelve."</p> + +<p>"So that they invite us to lunch?"</p> + +<p>"That's the idea. I say, Bundle, I ran into that girl Socks yesterday +and what do you think—Terence O'Rourke is going to be down there this +week-end!"</p> + +<p>"Jimmy, do you think he—"</p> + +<p>"Well—suspect everyone, you know. That's what they say. He's a wild +lad, and daring as they make them. I wouldn't put it past him to run a +secret society. He and the Countess might be in this together. He was +out in Hungary last year."</p> + +<p>"But he could pinch the formula any time."</p> + +<p>"That's just what he couldn't. He'd have to do it under circumstances +where he couldn't be suspected. But the retreat up the ivy and into his +own bed—well, that would be rather neat. Now for instructions. After +a few polite nothings to Lady Coote, you and Loraine are to get hold +of Pongo and O'Rourke by hook or by crook and keep them occupied till +lunch time. See? It oughtn't to be difficult for a couple of beautiful +girls like you."</p> + +<p>"You're using the best butter, I see."</p> + +<p>"A plain statement of fact."</p> + +<p>"Well, at any rate, your instructions are duly noted. Do you want to +talk to Loraine now?"</p> + +<p>Bundle passed over the receiver and tactfully left the room.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXVII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXVII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Nocturnal Adventure</span></p> + + +<p>Jimmy Thesiger arrived at Letherbury on a sunny autumn afternoon and +was greeted affectionately by Lady Coote and with cold dislike by Sir +Oswald. Aware of the keen match-making eye of Lady Coote upon him, +Jimmy took pains to make himself extremely agreeable to Socks Daventry.</p> + +<p>O'Rourke was there in excellent spirits. He was inclined to be +official and secretive about the mysterious events at the Abbey, about +which Socks catechized him freely, but his official reticence took a +novel form—namely that of embroidering the tale of events in such a +fantastic manner that nobody could possibly guess what the truth might +have been.</p> + +<p>"Four masked men with revolvers? Is that really so?" demanded Socks +severely.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I'm remembering now that there was the round half dozen of them to +hold me down and force the stuff down my throat. Sure, and I thought it +was poison, and I done for entirely."</p> + +<p>"And what was stolen, or what did they try and steal?"</p> + +<p>"What else but the crown jewels of Russia that were brought to Mr. +Lomax secretly to deposit in the Bank of England."</p> + +<p>"What a bloody liar you are," said Socks without emotion.</p> + +<p>"A liar? I? And the jewels brought over by aeroplane with my best +friend as pilot. This is secret history I'm telling you, Socks. Will +you ask Jimmy Thesiger there if you don't believe me. Not that I'd be +putting any trust in what he'd say."</p> + +<p>"Is it true," said Socks, "that George Lomax came down without his +false teeth? That's what I want to know."</p> + +<p>"There were two revolvers," said Lady Coote. "Nasty things. I saw them +myself. It's a wonder this poor boy wasn't killed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I was born to be hanged," said Jimmy.</p> + +<p>"I hear that there was a Russian countess there of subtle beauty," said +Socks. "And that she vamped Bill."</p> + +<p>"Some of the things she said about Buda Pesth were too dreadful," +said Lady Coote. "I shall never forget them. Oswald, we must send a +subscription."</p> + +<p>Sir Oswald grunted.</p> + +<p>"I'll make a note of it, Lady Coote," said Rupert Bateman.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Bateman. I feel one ought to do something as a thank +offering. I can't imagine how Sir Oswald escaped being shot—letting +alone die of pneumonia."</p> + +<p>"Don't be foolish, Maria," said Sir Oswald.</p> + +<p>"I've always had a horror of cat burglars," said Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>"Think of having the luck to meet one face to face. How thrilling!" +murmured Socks.</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe it," said Jimmy. "It's damned painful." And he +patted his right arm gingerly.</p> + +<p>"How is the poor arm?" inquired Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>"Oh, pretty well all right now. But it's been the most confounded +nuisance having to do everything with the left hand. I'm no good +whatever with it."</p> + +<p>"Every child should be brought up to be ambidextrous," said Sir Oswald.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Socks, somewhat out of her depth. "Is that like seals?"</p> + +<p>"Not amphibious," said Mr. Bateman. "Ambidextrous means using either +hand equally well."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Socks, looking at Sir Oswald with respect. "Can you?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly; I can write with either hand."</p> + +<p>"But not with both at once?"</p> + +<p>"That would not be practical," said Sir Oswald shortly.</p> + +<p>"No," said Socks thoughtfully. "I suppose that would be a bit too +subtle."</p> + +<p>"It would be a grand thing now in a Government department," observed +Mr. O'Rourke, "if one could keep the right hand from knowing what the +left hand was doing."</p> + +<p>"Can you use both hands?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed. I'm the most right-handed person that ever was."</p> + +<p>"But you deal cards with your left hand," said the observant Bateman. +"I noticed the other night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but that's different entirely," said Mr. O'Rourke easily.</p> + +<p>A gong with a sombre note pealed out and everyone went upstairs to +dress for dinner.</p> + +<p>After dinner Sir Oswald and Lady Coote, Mr. Bateman and Mr. O'Rourke +played bridge and Jimmy passed a flirtatious evening with Socks. The +last words Jimmy heard as he retreated up the staircase that night were +Sir Oswald saying to his wife:</p> + +<p>"You'll never make a bridge player, Maria."</p> + +<p>And her reply:</p> + +<p>"I know, dear. So you always say. You owe Mr. O'Rourke another pound, +Oswald. That's right."</p> + +<p>It was some two hours later that Jimmy crept noiselessly (or so he +hoped) down the stairs. He made one brief visit to the dining-room +and then found his way to Sir Oswald's study. There, after listening +intently for a minute or two, he set to work. Most of the drawers +of the desk were locked, but a curiously shaped bit of wire in +Jimmy's hand soon saw to that. One by one the drawers yielded to his +manipulations.</p> + +<p>Drawer by drawer he sorted through methodically, being careful to +replace everything in the same order. Once or twice he stopped +to listen, fancying he heard some distant sound. But he remained +undisturbed.</p> + +<p>The last drawer was looked through. Jimmy now knew—or could have +known had he been paying attention—many interesting details relating +to steel; but he had found nothing of what he wanted—a reference to +Herr Eberhard's invention or anything that could give him a clue to +the identity of the mysterious No. 7. He had, perhaps, hardly hoped +that he would. It was an off-chance and he had taken it—but he had not +expected much result—except by sheer luck.</p> + +<p>He tested the drawers to make sure that he had relocked them securely. +He knew Rupert Bateman's powers of minute observation and glanced round +the room to make sure that he had left no incriminating trace of his +presence.</p> + +<p>"That's that," he muttered to himself softly. "Nothing there. Well, +perhaps I'll have better luck to-morrow morning—if the girls only play +up."</p> + +<p>He came out of the study, closing the door behind him and locking it. +For a moment he thought he heard a sound quite near him, but decided he +had been mistaken. He felt his way noiselessly along the great hall. +Just enough light came from the high vaulted windows to enable him to +pick his way without stumbling into anything.</p> + +<p>Again he heard a soft sound—he heard it quite certainly this time and +without the possibility of making a mistake. He was not alone in the +hall. Somebody else was there, moving as stealthily as he was. His +heart beat suddenly very fast.</p> + +<p>With a sudden spring he jumped to the electric switch and turned on the +lights. The sudden glare made him blink—but he saw plainly enough. Not +four feet away stood Rupert Bateman.</p> + +<p>"My goodness, Pongo," cried Jimmy, "you did give me a start. Slinking +about like that in the dark."</p> + +<p>"I heard a noise," explained Mr. Bateman severely. "I thought burglars +had got in and I came down to see."</p> + +<p>Jimmy looked thoughtfully at Mr. Bateman's rubber-soled feet.</p> + +<p>"You think of everything, Pongo," he said genially. "Even a lethal +weapon."</p> + +<p>His eye rested on the bulge in the other's pocket.</p> + +<p>"It's as well to be armed. One never knows whom one may meet."</p> + +<p>"I am glad you didn't shoot," said Jimmy. "I'm a bit tired of being +shot at."</p> + +<p>"I might easily have done so," said Mr. Bateman.</p> + +<p>"It would be dead against the law if you did," said Jimmy. "You've got +to make quite sure the beggar's house-breaking, you know, before you +pot at him. You mustn't jump to conclusions. Otherwise you'd have to +explain why you shot a guest on a perfectly innocent errand like mine."</p> + +<p>"By the way, what did you come down for?"</p> + +<p>"I was hungry," said Jimmy. "I rather fancied a dry biscuit."</p> + +<p>"There are some biscuits in a tin by your bed," said Rupert Bateman.</p> + +<p>He was staring at Jimmy very intently through his horn-rimmed +spectacles.</p> + +<p>"Ah! That's where the staff work has gone wrong, old boy. There's a +tin there with 'Biscuits for Starving Visitors' on it. But when the +starving visitor opened it—nothing inside. So I just toddled down to +the dining-room."</p> + +<p>And with a sweet, ingenuous smile, Jimmy produced from his +dressing-gown pocket a handful of biscuits.</p> + +<p>There was a moment's pause.</p> + +<p>"And now I think I'll toddle back to bed," said Jimmy. "Night-night, +Pongo."</p> + +<p>With an affectation of nonchalance, he mounted the staircase. Rupert +Bateman followed him. At the doorway of his room, Jimmy paused as if to +say good-night once more.</p> + +<p>"It's an extraordinary thing about these biscuits," said Mr. Bateman. +"Do you mind if I just—"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, laddie, look for yourself."</p> + +<p>Mr. Bateman strode across the room, opened the biscuit box and stared +at its emptiness.</p> + +<p>"Very remiss," he murmured. "Well, good-night."</p> + +<p>He withdrew. Jimmy sat on the edge of his bed listening for a minute.</p> + +<p>"That was a narrow shave," he murmured to himself. "Suspicious sort of +chap, Pongo. Never seems to sleep. Nasty habit of his prowling around +with a revolver."</p> + +<p>He got up and opened one of the drawers of the dressing-table. Beneath +an assortment of ties lay a pile of biscuits.</p> + +<p>"There's nothing for it," said Jimmy. "I shall have to eat all the +damned things. Ten to one, Pongo will come prowling round in the +morning."</p> + +<p>With a sigh, he settled down to a meal of biscuits for which he had no +inclination whatever.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXVIII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXVIII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Suspicions</span></p> + + +<p>It was just on the appointed hour of twelve o'clock that Bundle and +Loraine entered the park gates, having left the Hispano at an adjacent +garage.</p> + +<p>Lady Coote greeted the two girls with surprise, but distinct pleasure, +and immediately pressed them to stay to lunch.</p> + +<p>O'Rourke, who had been reclining in an immense arm-chair, began at once +to talk with great animation to Loraine, who was listening with half an +ear to Bundle's highly technical explanation of the mechanical troubles +which had affected the Hispano.</p> + +<p>"And we said," ended Bundle, "how marvellous that the brute should have +broken down just here! Last time it happened was on a Sunday at a place +called Little Spedlington under the Hill. And it lived up to its name, +I can tell you."</p> + +<p>"That would be a grand name on the films," remarked O'Rourke.</p> + +<p>"Birthplace of the simple country maiden," suggested Socks.</p> + +<p>"I wonder now," said Lady Coote, "where Mr. Thesiger is?"</p> + +<p>"He's in the billiard-room, I think," said Socks. "I'll fetch him."</p> + +<p>She went off, but had hardly gone a minute when Rupert Bateman appeared +on the scene, with the harassed and serious air usual with him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Lady Coote? Thesiger said you were asking for me. How do you do, +Lady Eileen—"</p> + +<p>He broke off to greet the two girls, and Loraine immediately took the +field.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Bateman! I've been wanting to see you. Wasn't it you who was +telling me what to do for a dog when he is continually getting sore +paws?"</p> + +<p>The secretary shook his head.</p> + +<p>"It must have been someone else, Miss Wade. Though, as a matter of +fact, I do happen to know—"</p> + +<p>"What a wonderful young man you are," interrupted Loraine. "You know +about everything."</p> + +<p>"One should keep abreast of modern knowledge," said Mr. Bateman +seriously. "Now about your dog's paws—"</p> + +<p>Terence O'Rourke murmured <i>sotto voce</i> to Bundle:</p> + +<p>"'Tis a man like that that writes all those little paragraphs in +the weekly papers. 'It is not generally known that to keep a brass +fender uniformly bright,' etc.; 'The dorper beetle is one of the most +interesting characters in the insect world'; 'The marriage customs of +the Fingalese Indians,' and so on."</p> + +<p>"General information, in fact."</p> + +<p>"And what more horrible two words could you have?" said Mr. O'Rourke, +and added piously: "Thank the Heavens above I'm an educated man and +know nothing whatever upon any subject at all."</p> + +<p>"I see you've got clock golf here," said Bundle to Lady Coote.</p> + +<p>"I'll take you on at it, Lady Eileen," said O'Rourke.</p> + +<p>"Let's challenge those two," said Bundle. "Loraine, Mr. O'Rourke and I +want to take you and Mr. Bateman on at clock golf."</p> + +<p>"Do play, Mr. Bateman," said Lady Coote, as the secretary showed a +momentary hesitation. "I'm sure Sir Oswald doesn't want you."</p> + +<p>The four went out on the lawn.</p> + +<p>"Very cleverly managed, what?" whispered Bundle to Loraine. +"Congratulations on our girlish tact."</p> + +<p>The round ended just before one o'clock, victory going to Bateman and +Loraine.</p> + +<p>"But I think you'll agree with me, partner," said Mr. O'Rourke, "that +we played a more sporting game."</p> + +<p>He lagged a little behind with Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Old Pongo's a cautious player—he takes no risks. Now, with me it's +neck or nothing. And a fine motto through life, don't you agree, Lady +Eileen?"</p> + +<p>"Hasn't it ever landed you in trouble?" asked Bundle, laughing.</p> + +<p>"To be sure it has. Millions of times. But I'm still going strong. +Sure, it'll take the hangman's noose to defeat Terence O'Rourke."</p> + +<p>Just then Jimmy Thesiger strolled round the corner of the house.</p> + +<p>"Bundle, by all that's wonderful!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"You've missed competing in the Autumn Meeting," said O'Rourke.</p> + +<p>"I'd gone for a stroll," said Jimmy. "Where did these girls drop from?"</p> + +<p>"We came on our flat feet," said Bundle. "The Hispano let us down."</p> + +<p>And she narrated the circumstances of the breakdown.</p> + +<p>Jimmy listened with sympathetic attention.</p> + +<p>"Hard luck," he vouchsafed. "If it's going to take some time, I'll run +you back in my car after lunch."</p> + +<p>A gong sounded at that moment and they all went in. Bundle observed +Jimmy covertly. She thought she had noticed an unusual note of +exultance in his voice. She had the feeling that things had gone well.</p> + +<p>After lunch they took a polite leave of Lady Coote, and Jimmy +volunteered to run them down to the garage in his car. As soon as they +had started the same word burst simultaneously from both girls' lips:</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy chose to be provoking.</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, pretty hearty, thanks. Slight indigestion owing to over indulgence +in dry biscuits."</p> + +<p>"But what has happened?"</p> + +<p>"I tell you. Devotion to the cause made me eat too many dry biscuits. +But did our hero flinch? No, he did not."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jimmy," said Loraine reproachfully, and he softened.</p> + +<p>"What do you really want to know?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, everything. Didn't we do it well? I mean, the way we kept Pongo +and Terence O'Rourke in play."</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you on the handling of Pongo. O'Rourke was probably a +sitter—but Pongo is made of other stuff. There's only one word for +that lad—it was in the <i>Sunday Newsbag</i> cross-word last week. Word +of ten letters meaning everywhere at once. Ubiquitous. That describes +Pongo down to the ground. You can't go anywhere without running into +him—and the worst of it is you never hear him coming."</p> + +<p>"You think he's dangerous?"</p> + +<p>"Dangerous? Of course he's not dangerous. Fancy Pongo being dangerous. +He's an ass. But, as I said just now, he's an ubiquitous ass. He +doesn't even seem to need sleep like ordinary mortals. In fact, to put +it bluntly, the fellow's a damned nuisance."</p> + +<p>And, in a somewhat aggrieved manner, Jimmy described the events of the +previous evening.</p> + +<p>Bundle was not very sympathetic.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you think you're doing anyway, mouching round here."</p> + +<p>"No. 7," said Jimmy crisply. "That's what I'm after. No. 7."</p> + +<p>"And you think you'll find him in this house?"</p> + +<p>"I thought I might find a clue."</p> + +<p>"And you didn't?"</p> + +<p>"Not last night—no."</p> + +<p>"But this morning," said Loraine, breaking in suddenly. "Jimmy, you did +find something this morning. I can see it by your face."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know if it is anything. But during the course of my +stroll—"</p> + +<p>"Which stroll didn't take you far from the house, I imagine."</p> + +<p>"Strangely enough, it didn't. Round trip in the interior, we might +call it. Well, as I say, I don't know whether there's anything in it or +not. But I found this."</p> + +<p>With the celerity of a conjuror he produced a small bottle and tossed +it over to the girls. It was half full of a white powder.</p> + +<p>"What do you think it is?" asked Bundle.</p> + +<p>"A white crystalline powder, that's what it is," said Jimmy. "And to +any reader of detective fiction those words are both familiar and +suggestive. Of course, if it turns out to be a new kind of patent +tooth-powder, I shall be chagrined and annoyed."</p> + +<p>"Where did you find it?" asked Bundle sharply.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Jimmy, "that's my secret."</p> + +<p>And from that point he would not budge in spite of cajolery and insult.</p> + +<p>"Here we are at the garage," he said. "Let's hope the high-mettled +Hispano has not been subjected to any indignities."</p> + +<p>The gentleman at the garage presented a bill for five shillings and +made a few vague remarks about loose nuts. Bundle paid him with a sweet +smile.</p> + +<p>"It's nice to know we all get money for nothing sometimes," she +murmured to Jimmy.</p> + +<p>The three stood together in the road, silent for the moment as they +each pondered the situation.</p> + +<p>"I know," said Bundle suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Know what?"</p> + +<p>"Something I meant to ask you—and nearly forgot. Do you remember that +glove that Superintendent Battle found—the half-burnt one?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you say that he tried it on your hand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—it was a shade big. That fits in with the idea of its being a +big, hefty man who wore it."</p> + +<p>"That's not at all what I'm bothering about. Never mind the size of it. +George and Sir Oswald were both there too, weren't they?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"He could have given it to either of them to fit on?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course—"</p> + +<p>"But he didn't. He chose you. Jimmy, don't you see what that means?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Thesiger stared at her.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, Bundle. Possibly the jolly old brain isn't functioning as +well as usual, but I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking +about."</p> + +<p>"Don't you see, Loraine?"</p> + +<p>Loraine looked at her curiously, but shook her head. "Does it mean +anything in particular?"</p> + +<p>"Of course it does. Don't you see—Jimmy had his right hand in a sling."</p> + +<p>"By Jove, Bundle," said Jimmy slowly. "It was rather odd now I come to +think of it; it's being a left hand glove, I mean. Battle never said +anything."</p> + +<p>"He wasn't going to draw attention to it. By trying it on you it might +pass without notice being drawn to it, and he talked about the size +just to put everybody off. But surely it must mean that the man who +shot at you held the pistol in his <i>left</i> hand."</p> + +<p>"So we've got to look for a left-handed man," said Loraine thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'll tell you another thing. That was what Battle was doing +looking through the golf clubs. He was looking for a left-handed man's."</p> + +<p>"By Jove," said Jimmy suddenly.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't suppose there's anything in it, but it's rather curious."</p> + +<p>He retailed the conversation at tea the day before.</p> + +<p>"So Sir Oswald Coote is ambidextrous?" said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Yes. And I remember now on that night at Chimneys—you know, the +night Gerry Wade died—I was watching the bridge and thinking idly how +awkwardly someone was dealing—and then realizing that it was because +they were dealing with the left hand. Of course, it must have been Sir +Oswald."</p> + +<p>They all three looked at each other. Loraine shook her head.</p> + +<p>"A man like Sir Oswald Coote! It's impossible. What could he have to +gain by it?"</p> + +<p>"It seems absurd," said Jimmy. "And yet—"</p> + +<p>"No. 7 has his own ways of working," quoted Bundle softly. "Supposing +this is the way Sir Oswald has really made his fortune?"</p> + +<p>"But why stage all that comedy at the Abbey when he'd had the formula +at his own works."</p> + +<p>"There might be ways of explaining that," said Loraine. "The same line +of argument you used about Mr. O'Rourke. Suspicion had to be diverted +from him and placed in another quarter."</p> + +<p>Bundle nodded eagerly.</p> + +<p>"It all fits in. Suspicion is to fall on Bauer and the Countess. Who on +earth would ever dream of suspecting Sir Oswald Coote?"</p> + +<p>"I wonder if Battle does," said Jimmy slowly.</p> + +<p>Some chord of memory vibrated in Bundle's mind. <i>Superintendent Battle +plucking an ivy leaf off the millionaire's coat.</i></p> + +<p>Had Battle suspected all the time?</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXIX"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXIX</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Singular Behaviour Of George Lomax</span></p> + + +<p>"Mr. Lomax is here, my lord."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham started violently, for, absorbed in the intricacies +of what not to do with the left wrist, he had not heard the butler +approach over the soft turf. He looked at Tredwell more in sorrow than +in anger.</p> + +<p>"I told you at breakfast, Tredwell, that I should be particularly +engaged this morning."</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lord, but—"</p> + +<p>"Go and tell Mr. Lomax that you have made a mistake, that I am out in +the village, that I am laid up with the gout, or, if all else fails, +that I am dead."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Lomax, my lord, has already caught sight of your lordship when +driving up the drive."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham sighed deeply.</p> + +<p>"He would. Very well, Tredwell, I am coming." In a manner highly +characteristic, Lord Caterham was always most genial when his feelings +were in reality the reverse. He greeted George now with a heartiness +quite unparalleled.</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow, my dear fellow. Delighted to see you. Absolutely +delighted. Sit down. Have a drink. Well, well, this is splendid!"</p> + +<p>And having pushed George into a large arm-chair, he sat down opposite +him and blinked nervously.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to see you very particularly," said George.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Lord Caterham faintly, and his heart sank, whilst his mind +raced actively over all the dread possibilities that might lie behind +that simple phrase.</p> + +<p>"<i>Very</i> particularly," said George with heavy emphasis.</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham's heart sank lower than ever. He felt that something was +coming worse than anything he had yet thought of.</p> + +<p>"Yes?" he said, with a courageous attempt at nonchalance.</p> + +<p>"Is Eileen at home?"</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham felt reprieved, but slightly surprised.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," he said. "Bundle's here. Got that friend of hers with +her—the little Wade girl. Very nice girl—<i>very</i> nice girl. Going to +be quite a good golfer one day. Nice easy swing—"</p> + +<p>He was chatting garrulously on when George interrupted with +ruthlessness:</p> + +<p>"I am glad Eileen is at home. Perhaps I might have an interview with +her presently?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my dear fellow, certainly." Lord Caterham still felt very +surprised, but was still enjoying the sensation of reprieve. "If it +doesn't bore you."</p> + +<p>"Nothing could bore me less," said George. "I think, Caterham, if I may +say so, that you hardly appreciate the fact that Eileen is grown up. +She is no longer a child. She is a woman, and if I may say so, a very +charming and talented woman. The man who succeeds in winning her love +will be extremely lucky. I repeat it—extremely lucky."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I daresay," said Lord Caterham. "But she's very restless, you +know. Never content to be in one place for more than two minutes +together. However, I daresay young fellows don't mind that nowadays."</p> + +<p>"You mean that she is not content to stagnate. Eileen has brains, +Caterham; she is ambitious. She interests herself in the questions of +the day, and brings her fresh and vivid young intellect to bear upon +them."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham stared at him. It occurred to him that what was so often +referred to as "the strain of modern life," had begun to tell upon +George. Certainly his description of Bundle seemed to Lord Caterham +ludicrously unlike.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure you are feeling quite well?" he asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>George waved the inquiry aside impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, Caterham, you begin to have some inkling of my purpose +in visiting you this morning. I am not a man to undertake fresh +responsibilities lightly. I have a proper sense, I hope, of what is due +to the position I hold. I have given this matter my deep and earnest +consideration. Marriage, especially at my age, is not to be undertaken +without full—er—consideration. Equality of birth, similarity of +tastes, general suitability, and the same religious creed—all these +things are necessary and the pros and cons have to be weighed and +considered. I can, I think, offer my wife a position in society that +is not to be despised. Eileen will grace that position admirably. By +birth and breeding she is fitted for it, and her brains and her acute +political sense cannot but further my career to our mutual advantage. +I am aware, Caterham, that there is—er—some disparity in years. But +I can assure you that I feel full of vigour—in my prime. The balance +of years should be on the husband's side. And Eileen has serious +tastes—an older man will suit her better than some young jackanapes +without either experience or <i>savoir-faire</i>. I can assure you, my dear +Caterham, that I will cherish her—er—exquisite youth; I will cherish +it—er—it will be appreciated. To watch the exquisite flower of her +mind unfolding—what a privilege! And to think that I never realized—"</p> + +<p>He shook his head deprecatingly and Lord Caterham, finding his voice +with difficulty, said blankly:</p> + +<p>"Do I understand you to mean—ah, my dear fellow, you can't want to +marry Bundle?"</p> + +<p>"You are surprised. I suppose to you it seems sudden. I have your +permission, then, to speak to her?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said Lord Caterham. "If it's permission you want—of course +you can. But you know, Lomax, I really shouldn't if I were you. Just go +home and think it over like a good fellow. Count twenty. All that sort +of thing. Always a pity to propose and make a fool of yourself."</p> + +<p>"I daresay you mean your advice kindly, Caterham, though I must confess +that you put it somewhat strangely. But I have made up my mind to put +my fortune to the test. I may see Eileen?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's nothing to do with me," said Lord Caterham hastily; "Eileen +settles her own affairs. If she came to me to-morrow and said she was +going to marry the chauffeur, I shouldn't make any objections. It's the +only way nowadays. Your children can make life damned unpleasant if you +don't give in to them in every way. I say to Bundle, 'Do as you like, +but don't worry me,' and really, on the whole, she is amazingly good +about it."</p> + +<p>George stood up, intent upon his purpose.</p> + +<p>"Where shall I find her?"</p> + +<p>"Well, really, I don't know," said Lord Caterham vaguely. "She might be +anywhere. As I told you just now, she's never in the same place for two +minutes together. No repose."</p> + +<p>"And I suppose Miss Wade will be with her? It seems to me, Caterham, +that the best plan would be for you to ring the bell and ask your +butler to find her, saying that I wish to speak to her for a few +minutes."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham pressed the bell obediently.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tredwell," he said, when the bell was answered, "just find her +ladyship, will you? Tell her Mr. Lomax is anxious to speak to her in +the drawing-room."</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lord."</p> + +<p>Tredwell withdrew. George seized Lord Caterham's hand and wrung it +warmly, much to the latter's discomfort.</p> + +<p>"A thousand thanks," he said. "I hope soon to bring you good news."</p> + +<p>He hastened from the room.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Lord Caterham. "Well!"</p> + +<p>And after a long pause:</p> + +<p>"What <i>has</i> Bundle been up to?"</p> + +<p>The door opened again.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Eversleigh, my lord."</p> + +<p>As Bill hastened in, Lord Caterham caught his hand and spoke earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Bill. You're looking for Lomax, I suppose? Look here, if you +want to do a good turn, hurry into the drawing-room and tell him the +Cabinet have called an immediate meeting, or get him away somehow. It's +really not fair to let the poor devil make an ass of himself all for +some silly girl's prank."</p> + +<p>"I've not come for Codders," said Bill. "Didn't know he was here. It's +Bundle I want to see. Is she anywhere about?"</p> + +<p>"You can't see her," said Lord Caterham. "Not just now, at any rate. +George is with her."</p> + +<p>"Well—what does it matter?"</p> + +<p>"I think it does rather," said Lord Caterham. "He's probably +spluttering horribly at this minute, and we mustn't do anything to make +it worse for him."</p> + +<p>"But what is he saying?"</p> + +<p>"Heavens knows," said Lord Caterham. "A lot of damned nonsense, +anyway. Never say too much, that was always my motto. Grab the girl's +hand and let events take their course."</p> + +<p>Bill stared at him.</p> + +<p>"But look here, sir, I'm in a hurry. I must talk to Bundle—"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't suppose you'll have to wait long. I must confess I'm +rather glad to have you here with me—I suppose Lomax will insist on +coming back and talking to me when it's all over."</p> + +<p>"When what's all over? What is Lomax supposed to be doing?"</p> + +<p>"Hush," said Lord Caterham. "He's proposing."</p> + +<p>"Proposing? Proposing what?"</p> + +<p>"Marriage. To Bundle. Don't ask me why. I suppose he's come to what +they call the dangerous age. I can't explain it any other way."</p> + +<p>"Proposing to Bundle? The dirty swine. At his age."</p> + +<p>Bill's face grew crimson.</p> + +<p>"He says he's in the prime of life," said Lord Caterham cautiously.</p> + +<p>"He? Why, he's decrepit—senile! I—" Bill positively choked.</p> + +<p>"Not at all," said Lord Caterham coldly. "He's five years younger than +I am."</p> + +<p>"Of all the damned cheek! Codders and Bundle! A girl like Bundle! You +oughtn't to have allowed it."</p> + +<p>"I never interfere," said Lord Caterham.</p> + +<p>"You ought to have told him what you thought of him."</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately modern civilization rules that out," said Lord Caterham +regretfully. "In the Stone Age now—but, dear me, I suppose even then I +shouldn't be able to do it—being a small man."</p> + +<p>"Bundle! Bundle! Why, I've never dared to ask Bundle to marry me +because I knew she'd only laugh. And George—a disgusting wind-bag, an +unscrupulous, hypocritical old hot-air merchant—a foul, poisonous self +advertiser—"</p> + +<p>"Go on," said Lord Caterham. "I'm enjoying this."</p> + +<p>"My God!" said Bill simply and with feeling. "Look here, I must be off."</p> + +<p>"No, no, don't go. I'd much rather you stayed. Besides, you want to see +Bundle."</p> + +<p>"Not now. This has driven everything else out of my head. You don't +know where Jimmy Thesiger is by any chance? I believe he was staying +with the Cootes. Is he there still?"</p> + +<p>"I think he went back to town yesterday. Bundle and Loraine were over +there on Saturday. If you'll only wait—"</p> + +<p>But Bill shook his head energetically and rushed from the room. Lord +Caterham tiptoed out into the hall, seized a hat and made a hurried +exit by the side door. In the distance he observed Bill streaking down +the drive in his car.</p> + +<p>"That young man will have an accident," he thought.</p> + +<p>Bill, however, reached London without any mischance, and proceeded to +park his car in St. James's Square. Then he sought out Jimmy Thesiger's +rooms. Jimmy was at home.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Bill. I say, what's the matter? You don't look your usual +bright little self."</p> + +<p>"I'm worried," said Bill. "I was worried anyway, and then something +else turned up and gave me a jolt."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Jimmy. "How lucid. What's it all about? Can I do anything?"</p> + +<p>Bill did not reply. He sat staring at the carpet and looking so puzzled +and uncomfortable that Jimmy felt his curiosity aroused.</p> + +<p>"Has anything very extraordinary occurred, William?" he asked gently.</p> + +<p>"Something damned odd. I can't make head or tail of it."</p> + +<p>"The Seven Dials business?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—the Seven Dials business. I got a letter this morning."</p> + +<p>"A letter? What sort of a letter?"</p> + +<p>"A letter from Ronny Devereux's executors."</p> + +<p>"Good Lord! After all this time!"</p> + +<p>"It seems he left instructions. If he was to die suddenly, a certain +sealed envelope was to be sent to me exactly a fortnight after his +death."</p> + +<p>"And they've sent it to you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"You've opened it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well—what did it say?"</p> + +<p>Bill turned a glance upon him, such a strange and uncertain one that +Jimmy was startled.</p> + +<p>"Look here," he said. "Pull yourself together, old man. It seems to +have knocked the wind out of you, whatever it is. Have a drink."</p> + +<p>He poured out a stiff whisky and soda and brought it over to Bill, who +took it obediently. His face still bore the same dazed expression.</p> + +<p>"It's what's in the letter," he said. "I simply can't believe it, +that's all."</p> + +<p>"Oh, nonsense," said Jimmy. "You must get into the habit of believing +six impossible things before breakfast. I do it regularly. Now then, +let's hear all about it. Wait a minute."</p> + +<p>He went outside.</p> + +<p>"Stevens?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Just go out and get me some cigarettes, will you? I've run out."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>Jimmy waited till he heard the front door close. Then he came back into +the sitting-room. Bill was just in the act of setting down his empty +glass. He looked better, more purposeful and more master of himself.</p> + +<p>"Now then," said Jimmy. "I've sent Stevens out so that we can't be +overheard. Are you going to tell me all about it?"</p> + +<p>"It's so incredible."</p> + +<p>"Then it's sure to be true. Come on, out with it."</p> + +<p>Bill drew a deep breath.</p> + +<p>"I will. I'll tell you everything."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXX"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXX</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">An Urgent Summons</span></p> + + +<p>Loraine, playing with a small and delectable puppy, was somewhat +surprised when Bundle rejoined her after an absence of twenty minutes, +in a breathless state and with an indescribable expression on her face.</p> + +<p>"Whoof," said Bundle, sinking on to a garden seat. "Whoof."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Loraine, looking at her curiously.</p> + +<p>"George is the matter—George Lomax."</p> + +<p>"What's he been doing?"</p> + +<p>"Proposing to me. It was awful. He spluttered and he stuttered, but +he would go through with it—he must have learnt it out of a book, I +think. There was no stopping him. Oh, how I hate men who splutter! And, +unfortunately, I didn't know the reply."</p> + +<p>"You must have known what you wanted to do."</p> + +<p>"Naturally I'm not going to marry an apoplectic idiot like George. What +I mean is, I didn't know the correct reply from the book of etiquette. +I could only just say flatly: 'No, I won't.' What I ought to have said +was something about being very sensible of the honour he had done me +and so on and so on. But I got so rattled that in the end I jumped out +of the window and bolted."</p> + +<p>"Really, Bundle, that's not like you."</p> + +<p>"Well, I never dreamt of such a thing happening. George—who I always +thought hated me—and he did too. What a fatal thing it is to pretend +to take an interest in a man's pet subject. You should have heard the +drivel George talked about my girlish mind and the pleasure it would be +to form it. My mind! If George knew one quarter of what was going on in +my mind, he'd faint with horror!"</p> + +<p>Loraine laughed. She couldn't help it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know it's my own fault. I let myself in for this. There's Father +dodging round that rhododendron. Hallo Father."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham approached with a hangdog expression.</p> + +<p>"Lomax gone, eh?" he remarked with somewhat forced geniality.</p> + +<p>"A nice business you let me in for," said Bundle. "George told me he +had your full approval and sanction."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Lord Caterham, "what did you expect me to say? As a matter +of fact, I didn't say that at all, or anything like it."</p> + +<p>"I didn't really think so," said Bundle. "I assumed that George had +talked you into a corner and reduced you to such a state that you could +only nod your head feebly."</p> + +<p>"That's very much what happened. How did he take it? Badly?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't wait to see," said Bundle. "I'm afraid I was rather abrupt."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well," said Lord Caterham, "perhaps that was the best way. Thank +goodness in the future Lomax won't always be running over as he has +been in the habit of doing, worrying me about things. Everything is for +the best they say. Have you seen my jigger anywhere?"</p> + +<p>"A mashie shot or two would steady my nerves, I think," said Bundle. +"I'll take you on for sixpence, Loraine."</p> + +<p>An hour passed very peacefully. The three returned to the house in a +harmonious spirit. A note lay on the hall table.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Lomax left that for you, my lord," explained Tredwell. "He was +much disappointed to find that you had gone out."</p> + +<p>Lord Caterham tore it open. He uttered a pained ejaculation and turned +upon his daughter. Tredwell had retired.</p> + +<p>"Really, Bundle, you might have made yourself clear, I think."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Well, read this."</p> + +<p>Bundle took it and read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">My Dear Caterham</span>—</p> + +<p>"I am sorry not to have had a word with you. I thought I made it clear +that I wanted to see you again after my interview with Eileen. She, +dear child, was evidently quite unaware of the feelings I entertained +towards her. She was, I am afraid, much startled. I have no wish to +hurry her in any way. Her girlish confusion was very charming, and +I entertain an even higher regard for her, as I much appreciate her +maidenly reserve. I must give her time to become accustomed to the +idea. Her very confusion shows that she is not wholly indifferent to +me and I have no doubts of my ultimate success.</p> + +<p class="ph3">"Believe me, dear Caterham,<br> +"Your sincere friend,<br> +"<span class="smcap">George Lomax</span>."</p> +</div> + +<p>"Well," said Bundle. "Well, I'm damned!"</p> + +<p>Words failed her.</p> + +<p>"The man must be mad," said Lord Caterham. "No one could write those +things about you, Bundle, unless they were slightly touched in the +head. Poor chap, poor chap. But what persistence! I don't wonder he +got into the Cabinet. It would serve him right if you did marry him, +Bundle."</p> + +<p>The telephone rang and Bundle moved forward to answer it. In another +minute George and his proposal were forgotten, and she was beckoning +eagerly to Loraine. Lord Caterham went off to his own sanctum.</p> + +<p>"It's Jimmy," said Bundle. "And he's tremendously excited about +something."</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness I've caught you," said Jimmy's voice. "There's no time +to be lost. Loraine's there, too?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, she's here."</p> + +<p>"Well, look here, I haven't got time to explain everything—in fact, I +can't through the telephone. But Bill has been round to see me with the +most amazing story you ever heard. If it's true—well, if it's true, +it's the biggest scoop of the century. Now, look here, this is what +you've got to do. Come up to town at once, both of you. Garage the car +somewhere and go straight to the Seven Dials Club. Do you think that +when you get there you can get rid of that footman fellow?"</p> + +<p>"Alfred? Rather. You leave that to me."</p> + +<p>"Good. Get rid of him and watch out for me and Bill. Don't show +yourselves at the windows, but when we drive up, let us in at once. +See?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"That's all right then. Oh, Bundle, don't let on that you're going up +to town. Make some other excuse. Say you're taking Loraine home. How +would that do?"</p> + +<p>"Splendidly. I say, Jimmy, I'm thrilled to the core."</p> + +<p>"And you might as well make your will before starting."</p> + +<p>"Better and better. But I wish I knew what it was all about."</p> + +<p>"You will as soon as we meet. I'll tell you this much. We're going to +get ready the hell of a surprise for No. 7!"</p> + +<p>Bundle hung up the receiver and turned to Loraine, giving her a rapid +résumé of the conversation. Loraine rushed upstairs and hurriedly +packed her suitcase, and Bundle put her head round her father's door.</p> + +<p>"I'm taking Loraine home, Father."</p> + +<p>"Why? I had no idea she was going to-day."</p> + +<p>"They want her back," said Bundle vaguely. "Just telephoned. Bye-bye."</p> + +<p>"Here, Bundle, wait a minute. When will you be home?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know. Expect me when you see me."</p> + +<p>With this unceremonious exit Bundle rushed upstairs, put a hat on, +slipped into her fur coat and was ready to start. She had already +ordered the Hispano to be brought round.</p> + +<p>The journey to London was without adventure, except such as was +habitually provided by Bundle's driving. They left the car at a garage +and proceeded direct to the Seven Dials Club.</p> + +<p>The door was opened to them by Alfred. Bundle pushed her way past him +without ceremony and Loraine followed.</p> + +<p>"Shut the door, Alfred," said Bundle. "Now, I've come here especially +to do you a good turn. The police are after you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my lady!"</p> + +<p>Alfred turned chalk white.</p> + +<p>"I've come to warn you because you did me a good turn the other night," +went on Bundle rapidly. "There's a warrant out for Mr. Mosgorovsky, +and the best thing you can do is to clear out of here as quick as you +can. If you're not found here, they won't bother about you. Here's ten +pounds to help you get away somewhere."</p> + +<p>In three minutes' time an incoherent and badly scared Alfred had left +14 Hunstanton Street with only one idea in his head—never to return.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've managed that all right," said Bundle with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Was it necessary to be so—well, drastic?" Loraine demurred.</p> + +<p>"It's safer," said Bundle. "I don't know what Jimmy and Bill are up to, +but we don't want Alfred coming back in the middle of it and wrecking +everything. Hallo, here they are. Well, they haven't wasted much time. +Probably watching round the corner to see Alfred leave. Go down and +open the door to them, Loraine."</p> + +<p>Loraine obeyed. Jimmy Thesiger alighted from the driving seat.</p> + +<p>"You stop there for a moment, Bill," he said. "Blow the horn if you +think anyone's watching the place."</p> + +<p>He ran up the steps and banged the door behind him. He looked pink and +elated.</p> + +<p>"Hallo, Bundle, there you are. Now then, we've got to get down to it. +Where's the key of the room you got into last time?"</p> + +<p>"It was one of the downstairs keys. We'd better bring the lot up."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, but be quick. Time's short."</p> + +<p>The key was easily found, the baize-lined door swung back and the three +entered. The room was exactly as Bundle had seen it before, with the +seven chairs grouped round the table. Jimmy surveyed it for a minute or +two in silence. Then his eye went to the two cupboards.</p> + +<p>"Which is the cupboard you hid in, Bundle?"</p> + +<p>"This one."</p> + +<p>Jimmy went to it and flung the door open. The same collection of +miscellaneous glassware covered the shelves.</p> + +<p>"We shall have to shift all this stuff," he murmured. "Run down and +get Bill, Loraine. There's no need for him to keep watch outside any +longer."</p> + +<p>Loraine ran off.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" inquired Bundle impatiently.</p> + +<p>Jimmy was down on his knees, trying to peer through the crack of the +other cupboard door.</p> + +<p>"Wait till Bill comes and you shall hear the whole story. This is his +staff work—and a jolly creditable bit of work it is. Hallo—what's +Loraine flying up the stairs for as though she'd got a mad bull after +her?"</p> + +<p>Loraine was indeed racing up the stairs as fast as she could. She burst +in upon them with an ashen face and terror in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Bill—Bill—oh, Bundle—Bill!"</p> + +<p>"What about Bill?"</p> + +<p>Jimmy caught her by the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, Loraine, what's happened?"</p> + +<p>Loraine was still gasping.</p> + +<p>"Bill—I think he's dead—he's in the car still—but he doesn't move or +speak. I'm sure he's dead."</p> + +<p>Jimmy muttered an oath and sprang for the stairs, Bundle behind +him, her heart pounding unevenly and an awful feeling of desolation +spreading over her.</p> + +<p>Bill—dead? Oh, no! Oh, no! Not that. Please God—not that.</p> + +<p>Together she and Jimmy reached the car, Loraine behind them.</p> + +<p>Jimmy peered under the hood. Bill was sitting as he had left him, +leaning back. But his eyes were closed and Jimmy's pull at his arm +brought no response.</p> + +<p>"I can't understand it," muttered Jimmy. "But he's not dead. Cheer up, +Bundle. Look here, we've got to get him into the house. Let's pray to +goodness no policeman comes along. If anybody says anything, he's our +sick friend we're helping into the house."</p> + +<p>Between the three of them they got Bill into the house without much +difficulty, and without attracting much attention, save for an unshaven +gentleman, who said sympathetically:</p> + +<p>"Genneman's 'ad a couple, I shee," and nodded his head sapiently.</p> + +<p>"Into the little back room downstairs," said Jimmy. "There's a sofa +there."</p> + +<p>They got him safely on to the sofa and Bundle knelt down beside him and +took his limp wrist in her hand.</p> + +<p>"His pulse is beating," she said. "What <i>is</i> the matter with him?"</p> + +<p>"He was all right when I left him just now," said Jimmy. "I wonder if +someone's managed to inject some stuff into him. It would be easily +done—just a prick. The man might have been asking him the time. +There's only one thing for it. I must get a doctor at once. You stay +here and look after him."</p> + +<p>He hurried to the door, then paused.</p> + +<p>"Look here—don't be scared, either of you. But I'd better leave you my +revolver. I mean—just in case. I'll be back just as soon as I possibly +can."</p> + +<p>He laid the revolver down on the little table by the sofa, then hurried +off. They heard the front door bang behind him.</p> + +<p>The house seemed very still now. The two girls stayed motionless by +Bill. Bundle still kept her finger on his pulse. It seemed to be +beating very fast and irregularly.</p> + +<p>"I wish we could do something," she whispered to Loraine. "This is +awful."</p> + +<p>Loraine nodded.</p> + +<p>"I know. It seems ages since Jimmy went and yet it's only a minute and +a half."</p> + +<p>"I keep hearing things," said Bundle. "Footsteps and boards creaking +upstairs—and yet I know it's only imagination."</p> + +<p>"I wonder why Jimmy left us the revolver," said Loraine. "There can't +really be danger."</p> + +<p>"If they could get Bill—" said Bundle and stopped. Loraine shivered.</p> + +<p>"I know—but we're in the house. Nobody can get in without our hearing +them. And anyway we've got the revolver."</p> + +<p>Bundle turned her attention back again to Bill.</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew what to do. Hot coffee. You give them that sometimes."</p> + +<p>"I've got some smelling-salts in my bag," said Loraine. "And some +brandy. Where is it? Oh, I must have left it in the room upstairs."</p> + +<p>"I'll get it," said Bundle. "They might do some good."</p> + +<p>She sped quickly up the stairs, across the gaming room and through the +open door into the meeting place. Loraine's bag was lying on the table.</p> + +<p>As Bundle stretched out her hand to take it, she heard a noise from +behind her. Hidden behind the door a man stood ready with a sand-bag in +his hand. Before Bundle could turn her head, he had struck.</p> + +<p>With a faint moan, Bundle slipped down, an unconscious heap, upon the +floor.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXXI"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXXI</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">The Seven Dials</span></p> + + +<p>Very slowly Bundle returned to consciousness. She was aware of a dark, +spinning blackness, the centre of which was a violent, throbbing ache. +Punctuating this were sounds. A voice that she knew very well saying +the same thing over and over again.</p> + +<p>The blackness spun less violently. The ache was now definitely located +as being in Bundle's own head. And she was sufficiently herself to take +an interest in what the voice was saying.</p> + +<p>"Darling, darling Bundle. Oh, darling Bundle. She's dead; I know she's +dead. Oh, my darling. Bundle, darling, darling Bundle. I do love you +so. Bundle—darling—darling—"</p> + +<p>Bundle lay quite still with her eyes shut. But she was now fully +conscious. Bill's arms held her closely.</p> + +<p>"Bundle, darling—Oh, dearest, darling Bundle. Oh, my dear love. Oh, +Bundle—Bundle. What shall I do? Oh, darling one—my Bundle—my own +dearest, sweetest Bundle. Oh, God, what shall I do? I've killed her. +I've killed her."</p> + +<p>Reluctantly—very reluctantly—Bundle spoke.</p> + +<p>"No, you haven't, you silly idiot," she said.</p> + +<p>Bill gave a gasp of utter amazement.</p> + +<p>"Bundle—you're alive?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I'm alive."</p> + +<p>"How long have you been—I mean when did you come to?"</p> + +<p>"About five minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you open your eyes—or say something?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't want to. I was enjoying myself."</p> + +<p>"Enjoying yourself?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Listening to all the things you were saying. You'll never say +them so well again. You'll be too beastly self-conscious."</p> + +<p>Bill had turned a dark brick-red.</p> + +<p>"Bundle—you really didn't mind? You know, I <i>do</i> love you so. I have +for ages. But I never have dared tell you so."</p> + +<p>"You silly juggins," said Bundle. "Why?"</p> + +<p>"I thought you'd only laugh at me. I mean—you've got brains and all +that—you'll marry some bigwig."</p> + +<p>"Like George Lomax?" suggested Bundle.</p> + +<p>"I don't mean a fatuous ass like Codders. But some really fine chap +who'll be worthy of you—though I don't think anyone could be that," +ended Bill.</p> + +<p>"You're rather a dear, Bill."</p> + +<p>"But, Bundle, seriously, could you ever? I mean, could you ever bring +yourself to?"</p> + +<p>"Could I ever bring myself to do what?"</p> + +<p>"Marry me. I know I'm awfully thick-headed—but I do love you, Bundle. +I'd be your dog or your slave or your anything."</p> + +<p>"You're very like a dog," said Bundle. "I like dogs. They're so +friendly and faithful and warmhearted. I think that perhaps I could +just bring myself to marry you, Bill—with a great effort, you know."</p> + +<p>Bill's response to this was to relinquish his grasp of her and recoil +violently. He looked at her with amazement in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Bundle—you don't mean it?"</p> + +<p>"There's nothing for it," said Bundle. "I see I shall have to relapse +into unconsciousness again."</p> + +<p>"Bundle—darling—" Bill caught her to him. He was trembling violently. +"Bundle—do you really mean it—do you?—you don't know how much I love +you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bill," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>There is no need to describe in detail the conversation of the next ten +minutes. It consisted mostly of repetitions.</p> + +<p>"And do you really love me," said Bill, incredulously, for the +twentieth time as he at last released her.</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes—yes. Now do let's be sensible. I've got a racking head +still, and I've been nearly squeezed to death by you. I want to get the +hang of things. Where are we and what's happened?"</p> + +<p>For the first time, Bundle began to take stock of her surroundings. +They were in the secret room, she noted, and the baize door was closed +and presumably locked. They were prisoners, then!</p> + +<p>Bundle's eyes came back to Bill. Quite oblivious of her question he was +watching her with adoring eyes.</p> + +<p>"Bill, darling," said Bundle, "pull yourself together. We've got to get +out of here."</p> + +<p>"Eh?" said Bill. "What? Oh, yes. That'll be all right. No difficulty +about that."</p> + +<p>"It's being in love makes you feel like that," said Bundle. "I feel +rather the same myself. As though everything's easy and possible."</p> + +<p>"So it is," said Bill. "Now that I know you care for me—"</p> + +<p>"Stop it," said Bundle. "Once we begin again any serious conversation +will be hopeless. Unless you pull yourself together and become +sensible, I shall very likely change my mind."</p> + +<p>"I shan't let you," said Bill. "You don't think that once having got +you I'd be such a fool as to let you go, do you?"</p> + +<p>"You would not coerce me against my will, I hope," said Bundle +grandiloquently.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't I?" said Bill. "You just watch me do it, that's all."</p> + +<p>"You really are rather a darling, Bill. I was afraid you might be too +meek, but I see there's going to be no danger of that. In another half +hour you'd be ordering me about. Oh, dear, we're getting silly again. +Now, look here, Bill, we've got to get out of here."</p> + +<p>"I tell you that'll be quite all right. I shall—"</p> + +<p>He broke off, obedient to a pressure from Bundle's hand. She was +leaning forward, listening intently. Yes, she had not been mistaken. A +step was crossing the outer room. The key was thrust into the lock and +turned. Bundle held her breath. Was it Jimmy coming to rescue them—or +was it someone else?</p> + +<p>The door opened and the black-bearded Mr. Mosgorovsky stood on the +threshold.</p> + +<p>Immediately Bill took a step forward, standing in front of Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Look here," he said, "I want a word with you privately."</p> + +<p>The Russian did not reply for a minute or two. He stood stroking his +long, silky, black beard and smiling quietly to himself.</p> + +<p>"So," he said at last, "it is like that. Very well. The lady will be +pleased to come with me."</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Bundle," said Bill. "Leave it to me. You go with this +chap. Nobody's going to hurt you. I know what I'm doing."</p> + +<p>Bundle rose obediently. That note of authority in Bill's voice was new +to her. He seemed absolutely sure of himself and confident of being +able to deal with the situation. Bundle wondered vaguely what it was +that Bill had—or thought he had—up his sleeve.</p> + +<p>She passed out of the room in front of the Russian. He followed her, +closing the door behind him and locking it.</p> + +<p>"This way, please," he said.</p> + +<p>He indicated the staircase and she mounted obediently to the floor +above. Here she was directed to pass into a small, frowsy room, which +she took to be Alfred's bedroom.</p> + +<p>Mosgorovsky said: "You will wait here quietly, please. There must be no +noise."</p> + +<p>Then he went out, closing the door behind him and locking her in.</p> + +<p>Bundle sat down on a chair. Her head was aching badly still and she +felt incapable of sustained thought. Bill seemed to have the situation +well in hand. Sooner or later, she supposed, someone would come and let +her out.</p> + +<p>The minutes passed. Bundle's watch had stopped, but she judged that +over an hour had passed since the Russian had brought her here. What +was happening? What, indeed, <i>had</i> happened?</p> + +<p>At last she heard footsteps on the stairs. It was Mosgorovsky once +more. He spoke very formally to her.</p> + +<p>"Lady Eileen Brent, you are wanted at an emergency meeting of the Seven +Dials Society. Please follow me."</p> + +<p>He led the way down the stairs and Bundle followed him. He opened the +door of the secret chamber and Bundle passed in, catching her breath in +surprise as she did so.</p> + +<p>She was seeing for the second time what she had only had a glimpse of +the first time through her peephole. The masked figures were sitting +round the table. As she stood there, taken aback by the suddenness of +it, Mosgorovsky slipped into his place, adjusting his clock mask as he +did so.</p> + +<p>But this time the chair at the head of the table was occupied. No. 7 +was in his place.</p> + +<p>Bundle's heart beat violently. She was standing at the foot of the +table directly facing him and she stared and stared at the mocking +piece of hanging stuff, with the clock dial on it, that hid his +features.</p> + +<p>He sat quite immovable and Bundle got an odd sensation of power +radiating from him. His inactivity was not the inactivity of +weakness—and she wished violently, almost hysterically, that he would +speak—that he would make some sign, some gesture—not just sit there +like a gigantic spider in the middle of its web waiting remorselessly +for its prey.</p> + +<p>She shivered and as she did so Mosgorovsky rose. His voice, smooth, +silky, persuasive, seemed curiously far away.</p> + +<p>"Lady Eileen, you have been present unasked at the secret councils +of this society. It is therefore necessary that you should identify +yourself with our aims and ambitions. The place 2 o'clock, you may +notice, is vacant. It is that place that is offered to you."</p> + +<p>Bundle gasped. The thing was like a fantastic nightmare. Was it +possible that she, Bundle Brent, was being asked to join a murderous +secret society? Had the same proposition been made to Bill, and had he +refused indignantly?</p> + +<p>"I can't do that," she said bluntly.</p> + +<p>"Do not answer precipitately."</p> + +<p>She fancied that Mosgorovsky, beneath his clock mask, was smiling +significantly into his beard.</p> + +<p>"You do not as yet know, Lady Eileen, what it is you are refusing."</p> + +<p>"I can make a pretty good guess," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Can you?"</p> + +<p>It was the voice of 7 o'clock. It awoke some vague chord of memory in +Bundle's brain. Surely she knew that voice?</p> + +<p>Very slowly No. 7 raised a hand to his head and fumbled with the +fastening of the mask.</p> + +<p>Bundle held her breath. At last—she was going to <i>know</i>.</p> + +<p>The mask fell.</p> + +<p><i>Bundle found herself looking into the expressionless, wooden face of +Superintendent Battle.</i></p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXXII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXXII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Bundle is Dumfounded</span></p> + + +<p>"That's right," said Battle, as Mosgorovsky leapt up and came round to +Bundle. "Get a chair for her. It's been a bit of a shock, I can see."</p> + +<p>Bundle sank down on a chair. She felt limp and faint with surprise. +Battle went on talking in a quiet, comfortable way wholly +characteristic of him.</p> + +<p>"You didn't expect to see me, Lady Eileen. No, and no more did some +of the others sitting round this table. Mr. Mosgorovsky's been my +lieutenant in a manner of speaking. He's been in the know all along. +But most of the others have taken their orders blindly from him."</p> + +<p>Still Bundle said no word. She was—a most unusual state of affairs for +her—simply incapable of speech.</p> + +<p>Battle nodded at her comprehendingly, seeming to understand the state +of her feelings.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to get rid of one or two preconceived ideas of yours, +I'm afraid, Lady Eileen. About this society, for instance—I know +it's common enough in books—a secret organization of criminals with +a mysterious super-criminal at the head of it whom no one ever sees. +That sort of thing may exist in real life, but I can only say that I've +never come across anything of the sort, and I've had a good deal of +experience one way or another.</p> + +<p>"But there's a lot of romance in the world, Lady Eileen. People, +especially young people, like reading about such things, and they like +still better really <i>doing</i> them. I'm going to introduce you now to a +very creditable band of amateurs that has done remarkably fine work for +my Department, work that nobody else could have done. If they've chosen +rather melodramatic trappings, well, why shouldn't they? They've been +willing to face real danger—danger of the very worst kind—and they've +done it for these reasons: love of danger for its own sake—which to my +mind is a very healthy sign in these Safety First days—and an honest +wish to serve their country.</p> + +<p>"And now, Lady Eileen, I'm going to introduce you. First of all, +there's Mr. Mosgorovsky, whom you already know in a manner of speaking. +As you're aware, he runs the club and he runs a host of other things +too. He's our most valuable Secret Anti-Bolshevist Agent in England. +No. 5 is Count Andras of the Hungarian Embassy, a very near and dear +friend of the late Mr. Gerald Wade. No. 4 is Mr. Hayward Phelps, an +American journalist, whose British sympathies are very keen and whose +aptitude for scenting 'news' is remarkable. No. 3—"</p> + +<p>He stopped, smiling, and Bundle stared dumfounded into the sheepish, +grinning face of Bill Eversleigh.</p> + +<p>"No. 2," went on Battle in a graver voice, "can only show an empty +place. It is the place belonging to Mr. Ronald Devereux, a very gallant +young gentleman who died for his country if any man ever did. No. +1—well, No. 1 was Mr. Gerald Wade, another very gallant gentleman +who died in the same way. His place was taken—not without some grave +misgivings on my part—by a lady—a lady who has proved her fitness to +have it and who has been a great help to us."</p> + +<p>The last to do so, No. 1, removed her mask, and Bundle looked without +surprise into the beautiful, dark face of Countess Radzky.</p> + +<p>"I might have known," said Bundle resentfully, "that you were too +completely the beautiful foreign adventuress to be anything of the kind +really."</p> + +<p>"But you don't know the real joke," said Bill. "<i>Bundle, this is Babe +St. Maur</i>—you remember my telling you about her and what a ripping +actress she was—and she's about proved it."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Miss St. Maur in pure transatlantic nasal. "But it's +not a terrible lot of credit to me, because Poppa and Momma came from +that part of Yurrup—so I got the patter fairly easy. Gee, but I nearly +gave myself away once at the Abbey, talking about gardens."</p> + +<p>She paused and then said abruptly:</p> + +<p>"It's—it's not been just fun. You see, I was kinder engaged to Ronny, +and when he handed in his checks—well, I had to do something to track +down the skunk who murdered him. That's all."</p> + +<p>"I'm completely bewildered," said Bundle. "Nothing is what it seems."</p> + +<p>"It's very simple, Lady Eileen," said Superintendent Battle. "It began +with some of the young people wanting a bit of excitement. It was Mr. +Wade who first got on to me. He suggested the formation of a band of +what you might call amateur workers to do a bit of secret service work. +I warned him that it might be dangerous—but he wasn't the kind to +weigh that in the balance. I made it plain to him that any one who came +in must do so on that understanding. But, bless you, that wasn't going +to stop any of Mr. Wade's friends. And so the thing began."</p> + +<p>"But what was the object of it all?" asked Bundle.</p> + +<p>"We wanted a certain man—wanted him badly. He wasn't an ordinary +crook. He worked in Mr. Wade's world, a kind of Raffles, but much +more dangerous than any Raffles ever was or could be. He was out +for big stuff, international stuff. Twice already valuable secret +inventions had been stolen, and clearly stolen by someone who had +inside knowledge. The professionals had had a try—and failed. Then the +amateurs took on—and succeeded."</p> + +<p>"Succeeded?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—but they didn't come out of it unscathed. The man was dangerous. +Two lives fell victim to him and he got away with it. But the Seven +Dials stuck to it. And as I say, they succeeded. Thanks to Mr. +Eversleigh, the man was caught at last red-handed."</p> + +<p>"Who was he?" asked Bundle. "Do I know him?"</p> + +<p>"You know him very well, Lady Eileen. His name is Mr. Jimmy Thesiger, +and he was arrested this afternoon."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXXIII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXXIII</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Battle Explains</span></p> + + +<p>Superintendent Battle settled to explain. He spoke comfortably and +cozily.</p> + +<p>"I didn't suspect him myself for a long time. The first hint of it +I had was when I heard what Mr. Devereux's last words had been. +Naturally, you took them to mean that Mr. Devereux was trying to send +word to Mr. Thesiger that the Seven Dials had killed him. That's what +the words seemed to mean on their face value. But of course I knew +that that couldn't be so. It was the Seven Dials that Mr. Devereux +wanted told—and what he wanted them told was something about Mr. Jimmy +Thesiger.</p> + +<p>"The thing seemed incredible, because Mr. Devereux and Mr. Thesiger +were close friends. But I remembered something else—that these thefts +must have been committed by someone who was absolutely in the know. +Someone who, if not in the Foreign Office himself, was in the way of +hearing all its chit-chat. And I found it very hard to find out where +Mr. Thesiger got his money. The income his father left him was a small +one, yet he was able to live at a most expensive rate. Where did the +money come from?</p> + +<p>"I knew that Mr. Wade had been very excited by something that he had +found out. He was quite sure that he was on the right track. He didn't +confide in anyone about what he thought that track was, but he did say +something to Mr. Devereux about being on the point of making sure. That +was just before they both went down to Chimneys for that week-end. +As you know, Mr. Wade died there—apparently from an overdose of a +sleeping draught. It seemed straightforward enough, but Mr. Devereux +did not accept that explanation for a minute. He was convinced that +Mr. Wade had been very cleverly put out of the way and that someone in +the house must actually be the criminal we were all after. He came, I +think, very near confiding in Mr. Thesiger, for he certainly had no +suspicions of him at that moment. But something held him back.</p> + +<p>"Then he did rather a curious thing. He arranged seven clocks upon the +mantelpiece, throwing away the eighth. It was meant as a symbol that +the Seven Dials would revenge the death of one of their members—and he +watched eagerly to see if anyone betrayed themselves or showed signs of +perturbation."</p> + +<p>"And it was Jimmy Thesiger who poisoned Gerry Wade?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he slipped the stuff into a whisky and soda which Mr. Wade had +downstairs before retiring to bed. That's why he was already feeling +sleepy when he wrote that letter to Miss Wade."</p> + +<p>"Then the footman, Bauer, hadn't anything to do with it?" asked Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Bauer was one of our people, Lady Eileen. It was thought likely that +our crook would go for Herr Eberhard's invention and Bauer was got +into the house to watch events on our behalf. But he wasn't able to do +much. As I say, Mr. Thesiger administered the fatal dose easily enough. +Later, when everyone was asleep, a bottle, glass and empty chloral +bottle were placed by Mr. Wade's bedside by Mr. Thesiger. Mr. Wade was +unconscious then, and his fingers were probably pressed round the glass +and the bottle so that they should be found there if any questions +should arise. I don't know what effect the seven clocks on the +mantelpiece made on Mr. Thesiger. He certainly didn't let on anything +to Mr. Devereux. All the same, I think he had a bad five minutes now +and again thinking of them. And I think he kept a pretty wary eye on +Mr. Devereux after that.</p> + +<p>"We don't know exactly what happened next. No one saw much of Mr. +Devereux after Mr. Wade's death. But it is clear that he worked along +the same lines that he knew Mr. Wade had been working on and reached +the same result—namely, that Mr. Thesiger was the man. I fancy, too, +that he was betrayed in the same way."</p> + +<p>"You mean?"</p> + +<p>"Through Miss Loraine Wade. Mr. Wade was devoted to her—I believe he +hoped to marry her—she wasn't really his sister, of course—and there +is no doubt that he told her more than he should have done. But Miss +Loraine Wade was devoted body and soul to Mr. Thesiger. She would do +anything he told her. She passed on the information to him. In the same +way, later, Mr. Devereux was attracted to her, and probably warned +her against Mr. Thesiger. So Mr. Devereux in turn was silenced—and +died trying to send word to the Seven Dials that his murderer was Mr. +Thesiger."</p> + +<p>"How ghastly," cried Bundle. "If I had only known."</p> + +<p>"Well, it didn't seem likely. In fact, I could hardly credit it myself. +But then we came to the affair at the Abbey. You will remember how +awkward it was—specially awkward for Mr. Eversleigh here. You and +Mr. Thesiger were hand in glove. Mr. Eversleigh had already been +embarrassed by your insisting on being brought to this place, and when +he found that you had actually overheard what went on at a meeting, he +was dumfounded."</p> + +<p>The Superintendent paused and a twinkle came into his eye.</p> + +<p>"So was I, Lady Eileen. I never dreamt of such a thing being possible. +You put one over on me there all right.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. Eversleigh was in a dilemma. He couldn't let you into the +secret of the Seven Dials without letting Mr. Thesiger in also—and +that would never do. It all suited Mr. Thesiger very well, of course, +for it gave him a bona fide reason for getting himself asked to the +Abbey, which made things much easier for him.</p> + +<p>"I may say that the Seven Dials had already sent a warning letter to +Mr. Lomax. That was to ensure his applying to me for assistance, so +that I should be able to be on the spot in a perfectly natural manner. +I made no secret of my presence, as you know."</p> + +<p>And again the Superintendent's eyes twinkled.</p> + +<p>"Well, ostensibly, Mr. Eversleigh and Mr. Thesiger were to divide the +night into two watches. Really, Mr. Eversleigh and Miss St. Maur did +so. She was on guard at the library window when she heard Mr. Thesiger +coming and had to dart behind the screen.</p> + +<p>"And now comes the cleverness of Mr. Thesiger. Up to a point he told +a perfectly true story, and I must admit that with the fight and +everything, I was distinctly shaken—and began to wonder whether he had +had anything to do with the theft at all, or whether we were completely +on the wrong track. There were one or two suspicious circumstances that +pointed in an entirely different direction, and I can tell you I didn't +know what to make of things, when something turned up to clinch matters.</p> + +<p>"I found the burnt glove in the fireplace with the teeth marks on +it—and then—well—I knew that I'd been right after all. But, upon my +word, he was a clever one."</p> + +<p>"What actually happened?" said Bundle. "Who was the other man?"</p> + +<p>"There wasn't any other man. Listen, and I'll show you how in the end +I reconstructed the whole story. To begin with, Mr. Thesiger and Miss +Wade are in this together. And they have a rendezvous for an exact +time. Miss Wade comes over in her car, climbs through the fence and +comes up to the house. She's got a perfectly good story if any one +stops her—the one she told eventually. But she arrived unmolested on +the terrace just after the clock had struck two.</p> + +<p>"Now, I may say to begin with that she was seen coming in. My men saw +her, but they had orders to stop nobody coming in—only going out. I +wanted, you see, to find out as much as possible. Miss Wade arrives +on the terrace, and at that minute a parcel falls at her feet and she +picks it up. A man comes down the ivy and she starts to run. What +happens next? The struggle—and presently the revolver shots. What will +everyone do? Rush to the scene of the fight. And Miss Loraine Wade +could have left the grounds and driven off with the formula safely in +her possession.</p> + +<p>"But things don't happen quite like that. Miss Wade runs straight into +my arms. And at that moment the game changes. It's no longer attack but +defence. Miss Wade tells her story. It is perfectly true and perfectly +sensible.</p> + +<p>"And now we come to Mr. Thesiger. One thing struck me at once. The +bullet wound alone couldn't have caused him to faint. Either he +had fallen and hit his head—or—well, he hadn't fainted at all. +Later we had Miss St. Maur's story. It agreed perfectly with Mr. +Thesiger's—there was only one suggestive point. Miss St. Maur said +that after the lights were turned out and Mr. Thesiger went over to +the window, he was so still that she thought he must have left the +room and gone outside. Now, if any one is in the room, you can hardly +help hearing their breathing if you are listening for it. Supposing, +then, that Mr. Thesiger <i>had</i> gone outside. Where next? Up the ivy to +Mr. O'Rourke's room—Mr. O'Rourke's whisky and soda having been doped +the night before. He gets the papers, throws them down to the girl, +climbs down the ivy again, and—starts the fight. That's easy enough +when you come to think of it. Knock the tables down, stagger about, +speak in your own voice and then in a hoarse half-whisper. And then, +the final touch, the two revolver shots. His own Colt automatic, bought +openly the day before, is fired at an imaginary assailant. Then, with +his left gloved hand, he takes from his pocket the small Mauser pistol +and shoots himself through the fleshy part of the right arm. He flings +the pistol through the window, tears off the glove with his teeth, and +throws it into the fire. When I arrive he is lying on the floor in a +faint."</p> + +<p>Bundle drew a deep breath.</p> + +<p>"You didn't realize all this at the time, Superintendent Battle?"</p> + +<p>"No, that I didn't. I was taken in as much as anyone could be. It +wasn't till long afterwards that I pieced it all together. Finding +the glove was the beginning of it. Then I made Sir Oswald throw the +pistol through the window. It fell a good way farther on than it should +have done. But a man who is right-handed doesn't throw nearly as far +with the left hand. Even then it was only suspicion—and a very faint +suspicion at that.</p> + +<p>"But there was one point struck me. The papers were obviously thrown +down for someone to pick up. If Miss Wade was there by accident, who +was the real person? Of course, for those who weren't in the know, that +question was answered easily enough—the Countess. But there I had the +pull over you. <i>I knew the Countess was all right.</i> So what follows? +Why, the idea that the papers had actually been picked up by the person +they were meant for. And the more I thought of it, the more it seemed +to me a very remarkable coincidence that Miss Wade should have arrived +at the exact moment she did."</p> + +<p>"It must have been very difficult for you when I came to you full of +suspicion about the Countess."</p> + +<p>"It was, Lady Eileen. I had to say something to put you off the scent. +And it was very difficult for Mr. Eversleigh here, with the lady coming +out of a dead faint and no knowing what she might say."</p> + +<p>"I understand Bill's anxiety now," said Bundle. "And the way he kept +urging her to take time and not talk till she felt quite all right."</p> + +<p>"Poor old Bill," said Miss St. Maur. "That poor baby had to be vamped +against his will—getting madder'n a hornet every minute."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Superintendent Battle, "there it was. I suspected Mr. +Thesiger—but I couldn't get definite proof. On the other hand, Mr. +Thesiger himself was rattled. He realized more or less what he was up +against in the Seven Dials—but he wanted badly to know who No. 7 was. +He got himself asked to the Cootes under the impression that Sir Oswald +Coote was No. 7."</p> + +<p>"I suspected Sir Oswald," said Bundle, "especially when he came in from +the garden that night."</p> + +<p>"I never suspected him," said Battle. "But I don't mind telling you +that I <i>did</i> have my suspicions of that young chap, his secretary."</p> + +<p>"Pongo?" said Bill. "Not old Pongo?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mr. Eversleigh, old Pongo as you call him. A very efficient +gentleman and one that could have put anything through if he'd a mind +to. I suspected him partly because he'd been the one to take the +clocks into Mr. Wade's room that night. It would have been easy for him +to put the bottle and glass by the bedside then. And then, for another +thing, he was left-handed. That glove pointed straight to him—if it +hadn't been for one thing—"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"The teeth marks—only a man whose right hand was incapacitated would +have needed to tear off that glove with his teeth."</p> + +<p>"So Pongo was cleared."</p> + +<p>"So Pongo was cleared, as you say. I'm sure it would be a great +surprise to Mr. Bateman to know he was ever suspected."</p> + +<p>"It would," agreed Bill. "A solemn card—a silly ass like Pongo. How +you could ever think—"</p> + +<p>"Well, as far as that goes, Mr. Thesiger was what you might describe as +an empty-headed young ass of the most brainless description. One of the +two was playing a part. When I decided that it was Mr. Thesiger, I was +interested to get Mr. Bateman's opinion of him. All along, Mr. Bateman +had the gravest suspicions of Mr. Thesiger and frequently said as much +to Sir Oswald."</p> + +<p>"It's curious," said Bill, "but Pongo always is right. It's maddening."</p> + +<p>"Well, as I say," went on Superintendent Battle, "we got Mr. Thesiger +fairly on the run, badly rattled over this Seven Dials business and +uncertain just where the danger lay. That we got him in the end was +solely through Mr. Eversleigh. He knew what he was up against, and +he risked his life cheerfully. But he never dreamt that you would be +dragged into it, Lady Eileen."</p> + +<p>"My God, no," said Bill with feeling.</p> + +<p>"He went round to Mr. Thesiger's rooms with a cooked-up tale," +continued Battle. "He was to pretend that certain papers of Mr. +Devereux's had come into his hands. Those papers were to suggest +a suspicion of Mr. Thesiger. Naturally, as the honest friend, Mr. +Eversleigh rushed round, sure that Mr. Thesiger would have an +explanation. We calculated that if we were right, Mr. Thesiger would +try and put Mr. Eversleigh out of the way, and we were fairly certain +as to the way he'd do it. Sure enough, Mr. Thesiger gave his guest a +whisky and soda. During the minute or two that his host was out of the +room, Mr. Eversleigh poured that into a jar on the mantelpiece, but he +had to pretend, of course, that the drug was taking effect. It would +be slow, he knew, not sudden. He began his story, and Mr. Thesiger at +first denied it all indignantly, but as soon as he saw (or thought he +saw) that the drug was taking effect, he admitted everything and told +Mr. Eversleigh that he was the third victim.</p> + +<p>"When Mr. Eversleigh was nearly unconscious, Mr. Thesiger took him +down to the car and helped him in. The hood was up. He must already +have telephoned to you unknown to Mr. Eversleigh. He made a clever +suggestion to you. You were to say that you were taking Miss Wade home.</p> + +<p>"You made no mention of a message from him. Later, when your body was +found here, Miss Wade would swear that you had driven her home and gone +up to London with the idea of penetrating into this house by yourself.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Eversleigh continued to play his part, that of the unconscious +man. I may say that as soon as the two young men had left Jermyn +Street, one of my men gained admission and found the doctored whisky, +which contained enough hydrochloride of morphia to kill two men. Also +the car they were in was followed. Mr. Thesiger drove out of town to +a well-known golf course, where he showed himself for a few minutes, +speaking of playing a round. That, of course, was for an alibi, should +one be needed. He left the car with Mr. Eversleigh in it a little way +down the road. Then he drove back to town and to the Seven Dials Club. +As soon as he saw Alfred leave, he drove up to the door, spoke to Mr. +Eversleigh as he got out in case you might be listening and came into +the house and played his little comedy.</p> + +<p>"When he pretended to go for a doctor, he really only slammed the +door and then crept quietly upstairs and hid behind the door of this +room, where Miss Wade would presently send you up on some excuse. +Mr. Eversleigh, of course, was horror struck when he saw you, but he +thought it best to keep up the part he was playing. He knew our people +were watching the house, and he imagined that there was no immediate +danger intended to you. He could always 'come to life' at any moment. +When Mr. Thesiger threw his revolver on the table and apparently left +the house it seemed safer than ever. As for the next bit—" He paused, +looking at Bill. "Perhaps you'd like to tell that, sir."</p> + +<p>"I was still lying on that bally sofa," said Bill, "trying to look +done in and getting the fidgets worse and worse. Then I heard someone +run down the stairs, and Loraine got up and went to the door. I heard +Thesiger's voice, but not what he said. I heard Loraine say: 'That's +all right—it's gone splendidly.' Then he said: 'Help me carry him +up. It will be a bit of a job, but I want them both together there—a +nice little surprise for No. 7.' I didn't quite understand what they +were jawing about, but they hauled me up the stairs somehow or other. +It <i>was</i> a bit of a job for them. I made myself a dead weight all +right. They heaved me in here, and then I heard Loraine say: 'You're +sure it's all right. She won't come round?' And Jimmy said—the damned +blackguard: 'No fear. I hit with all my might.'</p> + +<p>"They went away and locked the door, and then I opened my eyes and saw +you. My God, Bundle, I shall never feel so perfectly awful again. I +thought you were dead."</p> + +<p>"I suppose my hat saved me," said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Partly," said Superintendent Battle. "But partly it was Mr. Thesiger's +wounded arm. He didn't realize it himself—but it had only half its +usual strength. Still, that's all no credit to the Department. We +didn't take the care of you we ought to have done, Lady Eileen—and +it's a black blot on the whole business."</p> + +<p>"I'm very tough," said Bundle. "And also rather lucky. What I can't get +over is Loraine being in it. She was such a gentle little thing."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the Superintendent. "So was the Pentonville murderess that +killed five children. You can't go by that. She's got bad blood in +her—her father ought to have seen the inside of a prison more than +once."</p> + +<p>"You've got her too?"</p> + +<p>Superintendent Battle nodded.</p> + +<p>"I daresay they won't hang her—juries are soft-hearted. But young +Thesiger will swing all right—and a good thing too—a more utterly +depraved and callous criminal I never met.</p> + +<p>"And now," he added. "If your head isn't aching too badly, Lady Eileen. +What about a little celebration? There's a nice little restaurant round +the corner."</p> + +<p>Bundle heartily agreed.</p> + +<p>"I'm starving, Superintendent Battle. Besides," she looked round, "I've +got to get to know all my colleagues."</p> + +<p>"The Seven Dials," said Bill. "Hurrah! Some fizz is what we need. Do +they run to fizz at this place, Battle?"</p> + +<p>"You won't have anything to complain of, sir. You leave it to me."</p> + +<p>"Superintendent Battle," said Bundle, "you are a wonderful man. I'm +sorry you're married already. As it is, I shall have to put up with +Bill."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XXXIV"><span class="smcap">Chapter XXXIV</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2"><span class="smcap">Lord Caterham Approves</span></p> + + +<p>"Father," said Bundle, "I've got to break a piece of news to you. +You're going to lose me."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said Lord Caterham. "Don't tell me that you're suffering +from galloping consumption or a weak heart or anything like that, +because I simply don't believe it."</p> + +<p>"It's not death," said Bundle. "It's marriage."</p> + +<p>"Very nearly as bad," said Lord Caterham. "I suppose I shall have to +come to the wedding, all dressed up in tight, uncomfortable clothes, +and give you away. And Lomax may think it necessary to kiss me in the +vestry."</p> + +<p>"Good heavens! You don't think I'm going to marry George, do you?" +cried Bundle.</p> + +<p>"Well, something like that seemed to be in the wind last time I saw +you," said her father. "Yesterday morning, you know."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to be married to someone a hundred times nicer than George," +said Bundle.</p> + +<p>"I hope so, I'm sure," said Lord Caterham. "But one never knows. I +don't feel you're really a good judge of character, Bundle. You told me +that young Thesiger was a cheerful inefficient, and from all I hear now +it seems that he was one of the most efficient criminals of the day. +The sad thing is that I never met him. I was thinking of writing my +reminiscences soon—with a special chapter on murderers I have met—and +by a purely technical oversight, I never met this young man."</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly," said Bundle. "You know you haven't got the energy to +write reminiscences or anything else."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't actually going to write them myself," said Lord Caterham. "I +believe that's never done. But I met a very charming girl the other day +and that's her special job. She collects the material and does all the +actual writing."</p> + +<p>"And what do you do?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, just give her a few facts for half an hour every day. Nothing +more than that." After a slight pause, Lord Caterham said: "She was a +nice-looking girl—very restful and sympathetic."</p> + +<p>"Father," said Bundle, "I have a feeling that without me you will run +into deadly danger."</p> + +<p>"Different kinds of danger suit different kinds of people," said Lord +Caterham.</p> + +<p>He was moving away, when he turned back and said over his shoulder:</p> + +<p>"By the way, Bundle, who <i>are</i> you marrying?"</p> + +<p>"I was wondering," said Bundle, "when you were going to ask me that. +I'm going to marry Bill Eversleigh."</p> + +<p>The egoist thought it over for a minute. Then he nodded in complete +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Excellent," he said. "He's scratch, isn't he? He and I can play +together in the foursomes in the Autumn Meeting." +</p> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75288 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/75288-h/images/cover.jpg b/75288-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ad92933 --- /dev/null +++ b/75288-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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