"Pray, proceed. I'm all attention."
"Then we'll go straight to the point. You found certain articles in the
cab, Mr. Harleston--we have come for those articles."
"I am quite at a loss to understand," Harleston replied. "Cab--articles!
Have they to do with your little matter of Eighteenth and Massachusetts
Avenue several hours ago?"
"They are the crux of the matter," Marston said shortly. "And you will
confer a great favour upon persons high in authority of a friendly power
if you will return the articles in question."
"My dear sir," Harleston exclaimed, "I haven't the articles, whatever
they may be; and pardon me, even if I had, I should not deliver them to
you; I've never, to the best of my recollection, seen either of you
gentlemen before this pleasant occasion."
"My dear Mr. Harleston," remarked Sparrow, "all your actions at the cab
of the sleeping horse were observed and noted, so why protest?"
"I'm not protesting; I'm simply stating two pertinent facts!" Harleston
laughed.
"We will grant the fact that you've never seen us," said Marston, "but
that you have not got the articles in question, we," with apologizing
gesture, "beg leave to doubt."
"You're at full liberty to search my apartment," Harleston answered.
Pages:
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40