Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 31, 2025
I could see that he had made no fresh discovery. "Ducaine," he said, "what time did you say that you left here last night?" "At midnight, sir." "And you were back?" "Before one." "That corresponds exactly with Grooton's statement," Lord Chelsford said.
He led me into a small, barely-furnished room, with high windows and only one door. It was empty when we entered it. Ray looked at me as he closed the door, and I fancied that for him his expression was not unfriendly. "Ducaine," he said, "there has been some more of this damned leakage. Chelsford will ask you questions. Answer him simply, but tell him everything everything, you understand."
"I thank your Grace," I answered. "I will take the liberty of declining your gift. My salary has been fully paid." For a moment I fancied I caught a softer gleam in Ray's eyes. He seemed about to speak, but checked himself. Lord Chelsford hurried me from the room, and into his little brougham, which was waiting. "Do you really mean me to go to China, sir?" I asked him, anxiously.
Lady Chelsford entered, gorgeous in white satin and a flaming tiara. She looked at me, I thought, a little gravely. "Morton," she said, "I want you to spare me a minute. Mr. Ducaine will excuse you, I am sure." Lord Cheisford and she left the room together. I, feeling the heat of the apartment, walked to the window, and raising the sash looked out into the cool dark evening.
Angela passed on the arm of the Ambassador. She waved her hand gaily to us, but her companion drew her firmly away. We both looked after her admiringly. "Guy," Lord Chelsford said, "we have both of us done some good work in our time, but never anything better than the way we managed to hoodwink everybody even herself, about her father.
"I am going for a little time out of your life, Lady Angela," I answered. "It is necessary: Lord Chelsford knows that. But I am not going in disgrace. I am very thankful to be able to tell you that." "It was not necessary to tell me," she answered. "Am I not here?" I bent low over her hand, which rested still in mine. "Mine is not a purposeless exile nor altogether an unhappy one now," I said.
I will see that you do not suffer later on. But what in Heaven's name is the meaning of this last abstraction' from the safe?" I shook my head. "The woman could never have guessed the word!" I said. "Impossible!" he agreed. "Ducaine, do you know why Lord Blenavon left England so suddenly?" "Colonel Ray knows, sir," I answered. "Ask him!" Lord Chelsford became very thoughtful.
He was in the library for an hour. When he left he walked straight out of the house and drove away again. I went into the library, and you know how strong father is he was crouching forward across the table, muttering to himself. It was like some sort of a fit. He did not know me when I spoke to him. Lord Chelsford, what does it all mean?" "Go on!" he answered. "Tell me the rest."
"The particular documents of which we have news from Paris," Lord Chelsford continued, "are those having reference to the proposed camp at Winchester and the subway at Portsmouth. I understand, Mr. Ducaine, that these were drafted by you, and placed in a safe in the library of Rowchester on the evening of the eighteenth of this month." "That is so, sir," I answered.
The Marquis smiled. "You analytical novelists would destroy for us the whole romance of life," he declared. "I will not listen to you any longer. I fear ignorance less than disillusion!" He passed on, and the little group at once dispersed. The novelist was left alone. He went off in a huff. Lord Chelsford plucked me by the arm. "Let us sit down, Ducaine," he said.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking