Detective and mystery stories; London (England) -- Fiction; Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction
"If anywhere," said Torry, putting his hand into the breast-pocket of
the fur coat, "it will be here. Hullo!"
The exclamation was drawn from him in sheer astonishment. He had found
not one ticket, but two; and both were made out by Cook, from London
to Genoa.
"Two tickets!" cried Torry in amazement. "Then he intended to take
someone with him."
Leighbourne jumped up and looked at the two tickets over Torry's
shoulder. "It is very strange," said he at length. "You are right, Mr.
Torry; Mr. Grent intended to go away. But why to Genoa?"
"To catch the boat to Lima, of course."
"There is no line to Lima from Italy."
"There is a line of steamers to Buenos Ayres, however," said Torry
briskly. "I know that for a fact. I wonder who the woman is?"
"The woman?"
"Yes. You needn't tell me Mr. Grent intended to take a male companion.
I have it!" cried Torry suddenly. "He intended to bolt with the woman
he met."
"With the woman who killed him? Impossible."
"Bah! the woman did not kill him. It was the man who struck the blow.
Yes, yes," murmured the detective, his eyes lighting up with joy. "I
see it all. Grent met this woman in order to bring her back here and
fly with her. While they were talking in Mortality-lane they were
interrupted by the man--probably the lover or the husband of the
woman--and out of jealousy he killed Grent. It is as plain as day."
"But it is impossible, I tell you!" cried Leighbourne furiously. "Mr.
Grent was devotedly attached to his wife; he would not leave her for
another woman."
"Then he must have contemplated bolting because of money troubles,"
said the detective promptly. "Own the truth, Mr. Leighbourne. Was
Grent in difficulties?"
Before the banker could reply, there came a furious knocking at the
outer door, and the two men looked at one another in a startled
manner. Torry recovered himself at once, and without a word and ran to
the door and threw it open. To his surprise, Vass, the secretary,
looking much agitated, ran past him into the room. He was followed at
a more leisurely pace by a tall, dark man, who looked like a
foreigner; and who was also agitated; but in a lesser degree than
Vass.
"Captain Manuel!" cried Leighbourne quickly. "Mr. Vass, what is the
matter?"
"Robbery!" gasped the secretary. "Robbery!"
"What are you saying?" said the banker, while Torry listened
attentively.
"Mr. Grent's private safe has been robbed!" cried Vass--"robbed of
ten thousand pounds in notes!"
"Yes," said Captain Manuel in very good English, "and that money
belongs to me."
CHAPTER IX.
CAPTAIN MANUEL
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