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"Chestermarke, of course!" he suggested. "Well what!" "I happened to catch sight of him this evening," replied Gandam. "Sheer accident it was but there's no mistaking him. Half-past six I was coming along Piccadilly, and I saw him leaving the Camellia Club. He " "What sort of a club's that, now?" asked Starmidge.
"Who is he? Will he do what I want?" "He's all right fellow who's just been promoted, and, of course, he's naturally keen," replied Starmidge's companion. "Name of Gandam. That was a pretty good and full description of the man you want followed, Starmidge," he went on, with a smile. "You don't leave much out!"
Starmidge saw that the man was full of news, and he motioned him to enter and led him to his sitting-room. "You've heard something, then?" he asked. "Seen something, Mr. Starmidge," answered Gandam, taking the chair which Starmidge pointed to. "I'm afraid I didn't hear anything I wish I had!" Starmidge gave his visitor a drink and dropped into his own easy-chair again.
If he should meet the woman, and they part after meeting, one of you follow her. And listen I shall be at headquarters at twelve o'clock tomorrow. Contrive to telephone me there as to what you're doing. But don't lose him or her, if you see her again." "One thing more," said Gandam, as he rose to go. "Supposing he goes off by train? Do I follow?"
"There's no doubt that Gandam traced your Gabriel Chestermarke to the stage-door of the Adalbert Theatre and lost him there. But, you know, for anything you know, Mr. Gabriel Chestermarke, banker, of Scarnham, may have had legitimate and proper business at that theatre. For aught you know, Mr. Gabriel Chestermarke may be owner of that theatre ground-landlord part-proprietor financier.
"Tell you more tomorrow," answered Starmidge. "When and if I know more. Nine-thirty, mind!" But when Starmidge met his companion of the night before at nine-thirty next morning, it was to find him in conversation with the other man, and to see dissatisfaction on the countenances of both. And Starmidge, a naturally keen observer, knew what had happened. He frowned as he looked at Gandam.
"Any news?" he asked sharply. "He's off, Mr. Starmidge!" replied Gandam. "I've just come straight from watching him away. He left his house about nine-twenty, walked to the St. John's Wood Station, went down to Baker Street, and on to King's Cross Metropolitan. We followed him, of course. He walked across to St. Pancras, and left by the ten-thirty express."
We ought to keep in touch with him from now." "I'm expecting word from Gandam at noon at headquarters," answered Starmidge, who had already told Easleby of the visit of the previous night. "Let's ride down there and hear if any message has come in." But as their taxi-cab turned out of Whitehall into New Scotland Yard they overtook Gandam, hurrying along. Starmidge stopped the cab and jumped out.
"Social club men about town, sporting men, actors, journalists, so on," replied Gandam. "I know a bit about it had a case relating to it not so long ago. Well he went along Piccadilly, and, of course, I followed him I wasn't going to lose sight of him after that set-back of last night, Mr. Starmidge! He crossed the Circus, and went into the Café Monico. I followed him in there.
"Easily!" replied Gandam. "Easiest thing in the world. Do you know where a little lodge stands, as you go into Primrose Hill, the St. John's Wood side? Well, his house is close by that. On the other side of the road there's a little path leading over a bridge into the Park close by the corner of the Zoo I can watch from that path. You can rely on me, Mr. Starmidge.
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