United States or Cuba ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
After all being thoroughly searched, Madame being examined by a prison wardress, we were ushered into the dull official room of Monsieur Rodin, the well-known examining magistrate, who for a full hour plied us with questions. Duperré and his wife preserved an outward dignity that amazed me.
We both lived expensively and enjoyed ourselves at the Casino and elsewhere, but the object of our visit was quite obscure. I knew, however, that Duperré was prospecting new ground, but in what direction I failed to discover.
The matter does not concern you as, after all, you're only a pawn in this merry little game which will do no harm to anyone " "Only to old Lloyd," I interrupted. "To his pocket, perhaps," Duperré laughed. "Frankly, you mean to rob him, as you have so many others." Duperré frowned darkly, and exchanged angry glances with Rayne.
He glanced quickly at the door, to make sure that it was shut, then, looking at me oddly, he said in a low voice: "I am Duperré, Hargreave. You must forget that my name was ever anything else I got myself into trouble in the Army, you remember and you must forget that too and that we have ever met before. So you are his new chauffeur, eh?" he went on, now talking naturally.
But I recollected that I was dealing with strange associates people whom I afterwards found to be perhaps the most ingenious crooks in Europe. "Poor Lu Chang," exclaimed my old company commander with a laugh. "If you drown him he won't feel it!" Duperré watched the expression of surprise upon my face as he packed the whole of the broken jewelry into the dog.
Duperré had been absent from Overstow ever since the day we had left for Edinburgh, but as the bright autumn days passed I found myself more and more in love with the dainty girl whose father was a master-criminal. Nevertheless, I felt that Duperré's wife kept eager watch upon both of us. Perhaps she feared that I might tell Lola some of my adventures.
When Rayne gave a house-party he always did the thing well, and the days passed in a round of well-ordered enjoyment, motoring, golf, tennis and visits to neighbors to the full delight of everyone. In the evening there were dancing and billiards, Duperré being the life and soul of the smart party.
Indeed, I wanted to talk to you. Look here," he went on, "I want you to go to Madrid after old Mr. Lloyd goes there, as no doubt he will. You'll stay at the Ritz in the Plaza de Canovas, and ask no questions. I'll send you instructions or perhaps Duperré may be with you." "When?" I asked in surprise, as it appeared that the rich old gentleman had, after all, arranged to go to Spain.
Therefore I partially undressed, turned in, and read the newspaper, anxiously waiting for the hour of three and wondering in what manner Duperré intended to rob the victim. I hoped that no violence would be used. The minutes crept on slowly as, time after time, I glanced at my watch. In the compartment next to mine the millionaire was sleeping, all unconscious of the insidious plot.
"I have again overheard something. Yesterday I was just going into the morning-room, the door of which stood ajar, when I heard father warning Duperré of something I couldn't quite catch what it was. Only he said that he didn't approve of such drastic measures, and that 'the old man might lose his life. To that Duperré replied: 'And if he did, nobody would be any wiser. What can it mean?"
Word Of The Day