Ambrose Lavendale, DiplomatOppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)
History
Ambrose Lavendale, Diplomat
Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)
English fiction -- 20th century; Short stories, English; Spy stories, English
'I must find General Matravers,' she declared. 'Drive up towards
London. I must think as we go.'
They glided down the drive, over Hammersmith Bridge and up to the Park.
'Don't you belong to a club somewhere?' she asked. 'We must get a
Who's Who.'
'Why, of course,' he answered. 'We can manage that easily enough.'
He pulled up presently outside the door of the Bath Club in Dover
Street.
'If you'll wait here for half a moment,' he suggested.
She nodded and he sprang down and ran lightly up the steps. He was
back again almost at once.
'The first name I came across,' he announced,--'17 Belgrave Square is
the town address. Shall I drive there? It's quite close.'
She assented. In a few moments they arrived at their destination.
Suzanne stood under the stone portico and rang the bell. In due course
a butler appeared.
'General Matravers is not seeing anybody, madam,' was his prompt reply
to Suzanne's inquiry. 'The doctor has ordered him complete rest.'
'My business,' Suzanne explained, 'is very urgent.'
'So every reporter who has been here to-day has told me,' the man
replied a little wearily. 'No one has been allowed to see him.'
'Is Lady Matravers in?' Suzanne persisted.
'Lady Matravers is not receiving. Perhaps you would like to leave your
name and a message, madam?' the man suggested.
A tall, dark-haired woman, who had been crossing the hall, paused. She
came a few steps towards Suzanne.
'I am Lady Matravers,' she announced, 'Can I do anything for you?'
Suzanne pressed forward and the butler stood on one side.
'Lady Matravers,' the former said earnestly, I have the most important
business with your husband. I know he is ill--I came up from
Folkestone with him yesterday--and yet I must see him.'
'You were his companion in the special train?' Lady Matravers asked.
'He spoke of a young lady who travelled up with him.'
'I am the young lady,' Suzanne assented. 'I am in the Secret Service
of France,' she went on, dropping her voice a little. 'Your husband
told me some curious things last night. It is in connection with one
of them that I wish to see him. It isn't for my own sake, Lady
Matravers. It is for the sake of the country.'
The door was thrown open. General Matravers, leaning upon his stick,
came into the hall. He was looking very white and shaken, but he
seemed to recognize Suzanne. He looked at her doubtfully.
'It is the young lady whom I found last night in the carriage attached
to my saloon,' he remarked, 'the young lady, my dear,' he added,
turning to his wife, 'who threw my revolver out of the window.'
Lady Matravers glanced towards the servant who was lingering in the
background and led Suzanne back into the room from which she herself
had issued. The General followed her. A quiet-faced woman in nurse's
uniform rose from a chair as they entered.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account