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"That is all," said Lieutenant Fraser-Freer. "I take it," said Hughes kindly, "that we have finished with the lieutenant. Eh, Inspector?" "Yes," said Bray shortly. "You may go." "Thank you," the boy answered. As he went out he said brokenly to Hughes: "I must find him my father." Bray sat in his chair, staring hard ahead, his jaw thrust out angrily. Suddenly he turned on Hughes.
"Inspector Bray," he said, "or Von der Herts, as you choose, I arrest you on two counts: First, as the head of the Wilhelmstrasse spy system in England; second, as the murderer of Captain Fraser-Freer. And, if you will allow me, I wish to compliment you on your efficiency." Bray did not reply for a moment. I sat numb in my chair. Finally the inspector looked up. He actually tried to smile.
He would no doubt testify that I had been most anxious to obtain lodgings in the same house with Fraser-Freer. Then there was the matter of my letter from Archie. I must keep that secret, I felt sure. Lastly, there was not a living soul to back me up in my story of the quarrel that preceded the captain's death, of the man who escaped by way of the garden.
The constable addressed turned and left the room, coming back a moment later with Lieutenant Norman Fraser-Freer. The boy was pale; I could see at a glance that he had not slept for several nights. "Lieutenant," said Bray very sharply, "will you tell me is it true that your brother, the late captain, had loaned you a large sum of money a year or so ago?"
As head of the department at Scotland Yard given over to the hunt for spies, precaution doubtless struck you as unnecessary. How unlucky for poor Fraser-Freer that it was to you he went to arrange for your own arrest! I got that information from a clerk at the Cecil. You were quite right, from your point of view, to kill him. And, as I say, you could afford to be rather reckless.
"It makes little difference what you do," he said. "Norman Fraser-Freer did not kill his brother, and that will be proved in due time." He considered for a moment. "Bray no doubt would be glad to have you alter your testimony, since he is trying to fasten the crime on the young lieutenant. On the whole, if I were you, I think that when the opportunity comes to-morrow I should humor the inspector."
But, believe me, I shall be anxiously waiting to know; and if you decide to give me a chance to explain to denounce myself to you in person then a happy man will say good-by to this garden and these dim dusty rooms and follow you to the ends of the earth aye, to Texas itself! Captain Fraser-Freer is coming down the stairs. Is this good-by forever, my lady? With all my soul, I hope not.
"Do you know, Inspector," he went on, "that this American came to London with a letter of introduction to the captain a letter from the captain's cousin, one Archibald Enwright? And do you know that Fraser-Freer had no cousin of that name?" "No!" said Bray. "It happens to be the truth," said Hughes. "The American has confessed as much to me."
"A bit beyond me, too," the colonel answered. "Here are two people who wish us to believe that on the evening of Thursday last, at half after six of the clock, each sought out Captain Fraser-Freer in his rooms and murdered him." He walked to the window and then wheeled dramatically.
"Never mind. I'll attend to it " There was a knock at the door. Bray called "Come!" and a slender boy, frail but with a military bearing, entered. "Hello, Walters!" he said, smiling. "What's up? He stopped suddenly as his eyes fell upon the divan where Fraser-Freer lay. In an instant he was at the dead man's side. "Stephen!" he cried in anguish.
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