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He cautiously opened the door, finding it, somewhat to hissurprise, unlocked.
I
believe that somehow or other wellsoon get in touch with her again.
He found he
was in a big motor-car,with his overcoat on, and his hat on the seat beside
him. Very soonthe truth smote him in the face. He told me the same story that I
had heard from Mary, but muchgarlanded with objurgations. The women were
hustledout, and I had to go with the rest.
He backed up Odell, andthen Archie
did a very silly thing.
You will be safe, said the voice, so long as
yousleep.
Properly turned out, she said, Mary would be themost ravishing thing
in London. Had Sandydealings with someone inside the enemys citadel?
It would
be most infernally awkward, for I should have no freedomof movement.
Hetried to
move, to get away from it, and before he knew he foundhimself on his knees. Ill
tell you my reasons some day, but you can take it thattheyre good ones.
We
might have a measure of success, but there would beno victory. You come out in
the yard of theApollo Garage. Bit by bit the past pieced itself together.
But
it was aTurpin with a profoundly mystified mind.
Wethought we had found two,
and now we have lost Miss Victor again. But soon he saw that he had stepped out
of onekind of danger into what was probably a worse.
Properly turned out, she
said, Mary would be themost ravishing thing in London. As he realised this
tremendous factTurpin swelled with pride.
I started inquiringin March, and
heres my first news. I can see that, like a god too, itis souls that he
covets.
My best at that time of night was pretty feeble.
Im not, I said
stoutly, and I see him at closer quarters thanmost people.
Quick, monsieur, or
les flics will be here. He came to thatdancing-place to-night, and Adela Victor
was there, and Odell withher.
Weve got to go on to the finish anyhow,trusting
that luck will turn in the last ten minutes. Her hands were tightly clasped,
and her eyeshad a strained far-away look.
All I cansay is that I hope he wont
come my way.
Without suspecting me, he kept me perpetually under his eye.
I
arrived in Hill Street after tea and found Medina in the backsmoking-room,
writing letters.
Medina made an atmosphere which was like a cold brightair in
which nothing can live.
If she was right, this fellow might be afriend, and I
wondered if I could get in touch with him. You remember what I said about the
pug with the diamond studs, hewhistled through damaged teeth. Hewill remain
prisoner in charge of ally of mine till I give the wordto release. When he came
to he was no longer inthe cupboard. The light broadened till it was like the
circle which a magic-lantern makes on a screen.
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