|
I really dont anticipate any difficulty in putting my hands onit.
Just then we
could hear footsteps on the stairs. Then he telephoned to Salveterand asked him
to come at once to his apartment. Presently he said:I have told my story,
effendi.
Hani was watching Vance with lowering concern. Typical tactics:
butcher innocent persons to make ajournalistic holiday.
Some one must have
discovered the dagger . He rang for Currie and ordered the telephone.
It was
brought from Egypt by Doctor Bliss, Vance told him. The doctor said
quiteemphatically that any attempt to connect Mr. But, Markham old dear, I knew
who hurled the bejewelled bodkin. Vance spoke in low, level and quiet tones.
The telephone rang, and Vance himself answered it at once. Gould,Woolf Joel,
Sir Archibald Douglas Reid, Professor Lafleur, H. Were not making headway,
Vance, Markham complained with gloomyconcern, turning from the window.
And you
heard nothing to-night after retiring?
After severalminutes he pushed the
instrument from him.
Have you any definite notion, he inquired, what that final
touchwill prove to be?
Hewas in constant fear that Hani would unearth it, and
swore me tosecrecy.
Bliss and Heath were heard returning up the stairs.
Im sure
I locked it when I first came to my room. You spoke of some purpose to which
the letter might have been putbefore it was thrown away.
Everything apparently,
Vance replied negligently. Theplotter himself probably doesnt know, for he must
wait for apropitious opportunity.
The other studied the weapon a few seconds
without touching it. Id rather like to have him on hand, dont y know. Salveter
could have unlocked hisdoor and come out without my being cognizant of it.
Vance had taken several steps when he turned suddenly. Well, it looks to me
like plenty happened, retorted Heath. Salveter with thestealthy steps outside
of his door at midnight would be a graveerror. So Iwaited on the upper landing
until you came out.
|
