"Look here," I said, leaning across towards him, and
assuming a confidential tone: "I am a private detective"--which was
perfectly true in essence--"and I'm dogging the Professor, who, for all
his eminence, is gravely suspected of a great crime. If you will help
me, I will make it worth your while. Let us understand one another. I
offer you a five-pound note to say nothing of all this to him."
The sallow clerk's fishy eye glistened. "You can depend upon me," he
answered, with an acquiescent nod. I judged that he did not often get
the chance of earning some eighty rupees so easily.
I scribbled a hasty note and sent it round to Hilda: "Pack your boxes
at once, and hold yourself in readiness to embark on the Vindhya at six
o'clock precisely." Then I put my own things straight; and waited at
the club till a quarter to six. At that time I strolled on unconcernedly
into the office. A cab outside held Hilda and our luggage. I had
arranged it all meanwhile by letter.
"Professor Sebastian been here again?" I asked.
"Yes, sir; he's been here; and he looked over the list again; and he's
taken his passage. But he muttered something about eavesdroppers, and
said that if he wasn't satisfied when he got on board, he would return
at once and ask for a cabin in exchange by the next steamer.
Pages:
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383