"Of course, that's just the puzzle, my
lord. I'm afraid we shall have to leave that to the Scotland Yard man."
As he spoke, he took out his whistle and blew sharply on it. A constable
came to the door and saluted.
"Got your men placed, Brown?" asked the Inspector. "Just put another man
on the drive, and give him orders that no man is to enter the lodge
gates excepting the detective, when he comes."
"What's that for?" asked Heyton, as if the question were inspired by his
desire to understand everything that was being done.
"I don't want a lot of people tramping over the place," said the
Inspector, rather evasively.
"Oh, ah, yes," said Heyton. "Well, I'll go upstairs again. Send for me,
if you want me, Inspector."
He went upstairs, paused a moment outside the Marquess's door, then went
on to his own dressing-room. He listened at the door leading to the
bedroom; but there was no sound. He touched the handle of the door; but
he could not open it, though he knew that Miriam was in the room, and
that he ought to go to her. He could not. He rang the bell, and when the
valet came, Heyton told him to bring some whisky and soda. But even the
draught of almost undiluted spirit could not give him sufficient courage
to face his wife.
For he knew that she would remember that she had told him the diamonds
were in the safe.
Pages:
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301