He seated himself on the edge of my bed, and:
"I have been guilty of a breach of hospitality, Knox," he began. "Not
only have I secretly had my own car sent down here, but I have had
something else sent, as well. I brought it in under my coat this
evening."
"To what do you refer, Harley?"
"You remember the silken rope-ladder with bamboo rungs which I brought
from Hongkong on one occasion?"
"Yes--"
"Well, I have it in my bag now."
"But, my dear fellow, what possible use can it be to you at Cray's
Folly?"
"It has been of great use," he returned, shortly.
"It enabled me to descend from my window a couple of hours ago and to
return again quite recently without disturbing the household. Don't
reproach me, Knox. I know it is a breach of confidence, but so is the
behaviour of Colonel Menendez."
"You refer to his reticence on certain points?"
"I do. I have a reputation to lose, Knox, and if an ingenious piece of
Chinese workmanship can save it, it shall be saved."
"But, my dear Harley, why should you want to leave the house secretly
at night?"
Paul Harley's cigarette glowed in the dark, then:
"My original object," he replied, "was to endeavour to learn if any one
were really watching the place.
Pages:
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150