Detective and mystery stories; Fiction; Love stories
"I think we had better stick to Thompkins. She is accustomed to that.
Only we will spell it Tomkyns and change the Christian name to John."
"But won't she confide what she believes to be her real name to Miss
Trevor?" asked Guy anxiously.
"I think not--not if I tell her I don't wish her to do so. She has a
great idea of wifely obedience, I assure you."
"Well," laughed Guy, "that is a virtue which so few real wives possess
that it seems a pity it should be wasted on a temporary one. And now,
Cyril, we must decide on the best way and the best time for transferring
Miss Prentice to the hotel."
"Unless something unexpected occurs to change our plans, I think she had
better be moved the day after to-morrow. I advise your starting as early
as possible before the world is well awake. But I leave all details to
you. You are quite capable of managing the situation. Only be sure you
are not followed, that is all I ask."
"I don't expect we shall be, but if we are, I think I can promise to
outwit them," Campbell assured him.
"I shall never forget what you are doing for me, Guy."
"You had better not. I expect you to erect a monument commemorating my
virtues and my folly. Now I must be off. Where are those stolen goods of
which I am to become the custodian?"
"Here they are. I have done them up in several parcels, so that they are
not too bulky to carry. As I don't want the police to know how intimate
we are, it is better that we should not be seen together in public for
the present."
"I think you are over-cautious. But perhaps," agreed Campbell, "we might
as well meet here till all danger is over."
A few minutes later Cyril also left the club. His talk with Campbell had
been a great relief to him. As he walked briskly along, he felt
calm--almost cheerful.
"Isn't this Lord Wilmersley?" inquired a deep voice at his elbow.
Turning quickly Cyril recognised Inspector Griggs.
For a moment Cyril was too startled to speak. Then, pulling himself
together, he exclaimed with an attempt at heartiness:
"Why, Inspector! I thought you were in Newhaven. What has brought you to
town?"
"I only left Newhaven this afternoon, but I think my work there is
finished--for the present at least."
"Really? Have you already solved the mystery?"
"No indeed, but the clue now leads away from Geralton."
"Clue? What clue?" Cyril found it difficult to control the tremor in his
voice.
"If you'll excuse me, my lord, I had better keep my suppositions to
myself till I am able to verify them."
The man suspected him! But why? What had he discovered? Cyril felt he
could not let him go before he had ascertained exactly what he had to
fear. It was so awful, this fighting in the dark.
"If you have half an hour to spare, come to my rooms. They are only a
few doors away." Cyril was convinced that the Inspector knew where he
was staying and had been lying in wait for him. He thought it best to
pretend that he felt above suspicion.
"Thank you, my lord."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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