"Yes," replied the man in his faint hesitating voice, and, as they
moved out of the crowd, Halliday smelt the weird perfume more strongly
than ever shaken from Penn's clothes by his movements. "I stopped to
look at the accident."
"A very ordinary one," rejoined Mr. Halliday, with a shrug. "By the
way, I have not seen you since the funeral of Sir Charles. What are
you doing now, if I may ask?"
"I am secretary to Lord Curberry."
"Oh!" The reply gave Dan something of a shock, for he did not expect
at the moment to hear his rival's name. But then the whole incident of
meeting Penn and smelling the incriminating perfume was strange.
Monsieur Chance had proved himself to be an actuality instead of the
mythical personage Dan had believed him to be. It was certainly odd
that the meeting had taken place, and odder still that Penn should
prove to be the servant of Curberry.
As Halliday said nothing more than "Oh!" the other man stroked his
moustache and explained. "Sir John got me the post, Mr. Halliday," he
said, with his shifty eyes anywhere but on Dan's inquiring face. "I
was quite stranded after Sir Charles's unexpected death, and did not
know where to turn for employment. As I support a widowed mother, the
situation was rather serious, so I took my courage in my hands and
went to Sir John. He was good enough to recommend me to Lord Curberry,
and I have been with his lordship for a month, more or less."
"I congratulate you, Mr. Penn, and Lord Curberry, also. Sir Charles
always said you were an excellent secretary," Dan stopped as Penn
bowed his acknowledgments to the compliment, and cast a keen side
glance at the man. They were walking through Trafalgar Square by this
time, passing under the shadow of Nelson's Column. "Do you know what I
was thinking of when behind you in the crowd yonder, Mr. Penn?" he
asked abruptly, and it must be confessed rather undiplomatically, if
he wished to get at the truth.
"No," said the secretary, with simplicity and manifest surprise. "No,
Mr. Halliday, how can I guess your thoughts?"
"I was thinking of the murder of your late employer," said Dan
straightly.
Penn blinked and shivered. "It's a horrible subject to think about,"
he remarked in a low voice. "I can scarcely get it out of my own
thoughts. I suppose the sight of me reminded you of the crime, Mr.
Halliday?"
"Scarcely, since I was behind you, and did not recognize you until you
turned," replied Dan, calmly, and the other appeared to be surprised.
"Then how----" he began, only to be cut short.
"It's that scent."
"Scent!" echoed Penn nervously, but manifestly still surprised. "I
don't understand exactly what you mean, Mr. Halliday. I like scent,
and use much of it."
Dan's lip curled. "So I perceive. But where did you get the particular
scent you are using now, may I ask?"
Something in his tone annoyed the secretary, for he drew himself up
and halted. "I don't know why you should criticize my tastes, Mr.
Halliday."