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"Yesterday I found that anaerobe cultures were being received by some one in the Belleclaire, and " "They were stolen from me. Some one must have got into my office, where I was studying them." Doctor Gavira had pressed forward earnestly, but Craig did not pause again. "Who were these agents sent over to wage this secret war at any cost?" he repeated.
In my horror at the discovery, I had forgotten the broken package that had come to the hotel desk while we stood there. "Then it was Gavira who was receiving spores and cultures of the anaerobes!" I exclaimed, excitedly. "But that doesn't prove that it was he who used them," cautioned Craig, adding, "not yet, at least."
However, I decided to postpone calling another moment and take advantage of the chance to talk to the house physician. "Yes," I agreed, as long as he had opened the subject. "I fancy the captain likes young people. He seems to enjoy being with them Miss Hillman, for instance." Gavira shot a sidelong glance at me. "The Belleclaire's a dangerous place for a wealthy widower," he returned.
Kennedy had finished with the manicure some time before and was waiting for me impatiently. "I haven't been able to get Marlowe," I hastened, "but I've had an earful." He listened keenly as I told him what I had heard, adding also the account of my encounter with Gavira.
As the conversation ran gaily on to the launching and the gathering party of notables who were expected that night and the next day, I noticed that a dark-eyed, dark-haired, olive- complexioned young man approached and joined us. "Doctor Gavira," said Marlowe, turning to us, his tone indicating that he was well acquainted about the hotel. "He is our house physician."
Whom he meant other than Gavira I had no idea, but I felt sure that with the launching now only a matter of hours something was bound to happen soon. Marlowe was out when we arrived; in fact, had not yet returned from the yard. Nor had many of the guests remained at the hotel during the day.
As for Alma, she seemed to treat all men impartially, except that just now it pleased her to bestow the favor of her attention on the captain. Just then a young lady, all in white, passed. Plainly she did not belong to the group, though she was much interested in it. As his eye roved over the parlor, Gavira caught her glance and bowed. She returned it, but her look did not linger.
Most of them had been out sightseeing, though now they were returning, and as they began to gather in the hotel parlor Marjorie was again called on to put them at their ease. Fitzhugh had returned and had wasted no time dressing and getting down-stairs again to be near Marjorie. Gavira also appeared, having been out on a case.
I could imagine her saying, as she hunted for them in pretty confusion, aided by Kennedy who, when he wanted to, could act the Fitzhugh and Gavira as well as they. The implements were not to be found and from a drawer she took another set. Just then Gavira passed on his way to his office in the front of the building, saw me, and smiled.
"I had some hopes in that direction myself in spite of Fitzhugh but the captain seems to leave us all at the post. Still, I suppose I may still be a brother to her and physician. So, I should worry." The impression I got of Gavira was that he enjoyed his freedom too much ever to fall in love, though an intimacy now and then with a clever girl like Alma Hillman was a welcome diversion.
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