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"The doctor has known me almost from boyhood, but er " turning to the politician "don't you know, Exel no offense, no offense"... "My dear Leroux," responded Exel hastily, "I am the offender! Permit me to wish you all good night." He crossed the study, and, at the door, paused and turned. "Rely upon me, Leroux," he said, "to help in any way within my power."
"Ah!" said Dunbar again, and made further entries in his book. "I need not trouble you further, sir. Good night!" Exel, despite his earlier attitude of boredom, now ignored this official dismissal, and, tossing the stump of his cigar into the grate, lighted a cigarette, and with both hands thrust deep in his pockets, stood leaning back against the mantelpiece. The detective turned to Leroux.
"At this time, then," pursued Dunbar, "you had actually passed the other cab, and the gentleman on the pavement had not come up with it?" "'E couldn't see it, guv'nor! I'm tellin' you 'e 'adn't got to the Johnny 'Orner!" "I see," muttered Sowerby. "It's possible that Mr. Exel took no notice of the first cab especially as it did not come out of the Square."
"No living thing," said Leroux, monotonously, "left this flat from the time that the three of us, Exel, Cumberly, and I, entered, up to the time that Miss Cumberly came, and, with the doctor, went out again." "H'm!" said the inspector, making notes; "it appears so, certainly. I will ask you then, for your own account, Mr. Leroux, of the arrival of the woman in the civet furs.
"As I turned the corner," replied Exel, "I heard the man starting his engine, although when I actually saw the cab, it was in motion; but judging by the sound to which I refer, the cab had been stationary, if not at the door of Palace Mansions, certainly at that of the next block St. Andrew's Mansions." "Did you hear, or see anything else?" "I saw nothing whatever.
"What it seemed," interrupted Dunbar, "does not interest Scotland Yard, Mr. Exel, and won't interest the jury." Leroux glanced up for a moment, then set his teeth hard, so that his jaw muscles stood out prominently under the pallid skin. "What do you want to know, then?" asked Exel. "I will be wanting to know," said Dunbar, "where you were coming from, to-night?" "From the House of Commons."
Of course, he must retire somewhere from the ken of society to indulge in these opium orgies"... "Quite so. I have hopes. Since it would never do for Sir Brian Malpas to know who I am and what I seek, a roundabout introduction is provided by kindly Providence Ah! that good little angel of mine! in the person of Mr. John Exel, M. P." "I will introduce you to Mr. Exel with pleasure." "Eh bien!
"Ah!" said Dunbar, and reached out the long arm for his notebook. "Can I be of any further assistance?" said Exel, glancing at his watch. "You had entered the hall-way and were about to enter your own flat when the voices of Dr. Cumberly and Mr. Leroux attracted your attention?" "I actually had the key in my hand," replied Exel. "Did you actually have the key in the lock?"
"For Heaven's sake, Exel!" he said, evenly, "give me your advice give me your help; I am going to 'phone for the police." Exel looked up with an odd expression. "I am entirely at your service, Leroux," he said. "I can quite understand how this ghastly affair has shaken you up." "It was so sudden," said the other, plaintively.
She swayed, dizzily, raising one hand to her brow, but had recovered herself even as Leroux sprang forward to support her. "All right, Leroux!" cried Cumberly; "I will take her upstairs again. Wait for me, Exel." Exel nodded, lighted his cigar, and sat down in a chair, remote from the writing-table. "Mira my wife!" muttered Leroux, standing, looking after Dr.
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