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Updated: May 13, 2025
"It never occurred to me that 'Hargreave, the new chauffeur, would turn out to be the Hargreave who served under me for two years!" and he laughed dryly. Then, without a word, he went over to the suit-case and picked it up. "Come along to my room," he said. I accompanied him along the corridor to a private sitting-room at the end, numbered 88, and adjoining which was a bedroom.
Hargreave, father is sending you upon a very strange mission," Lola told me in confidence one dull morning, after we had had breakfast at the Midland Hotel, in Manchester, where we three were staying about a fortnight after Rayne's generosity in returning the famous jewels of the dead Sultan. "What kind of mission?"
I therefore cabled to my friend, Wilson Hargreave, of the New York Police Bureau, who has more than once made use of my knowledge of London crime. I asked him whether the name of Abe Slaney was known to him. Here is his reply: 'The most dangerous crook in Chicago. On the very evening upon which I had his answer, Hilton Cubitt sent me the last message from Slaney.
Hargreave," he said. "You are one of us, I know. Therefore 'The Golden Face' sends you a message." "Have you seen him?" I asked. "No," was his reply. "Though we have been in association for several years, I always receive messages through Vincent Duperré." I knew that only too well.
I tried to obtain from him some further details, but his replies were sharp and firm. "Act just as I've told you, Hargreave. And please don't be so infernally inquisitive." Then, wishing me good night, he turned and left my room. I longed there and then to defy him and refuse to obey, yet I dared not, knowing full well the fate that would await me if I resisted.
Rayne was alone, standing on the hearthrug with his back to the big, open firegrate. "Did you send for me, sir?" I inquired. "I did, Hargreave," he replied in a friendly tone. "I sent for you because I want you to go to Paris to-night. You will take with you the suit-case you still have in your possession, and as you will go by a trading steamer from Newcastle, the voyage will take you some days.
What actually occurred during the interview I do not know. Across the table at luncheon, Rayne suddenly asked me: "You know Italy well don't you, Hargreave?" "I lived in the Val d'Arno for several years before the war," I replied. "My people rented a villa there." Then, turning to Lola, he asked: "Would you like to go for a trip to Italy with Madame and Hargreave?" "Oh!
Suddenly he focused his gaze upon me, and his keen, penetrating gray eyes seemed to pierce into my soul and read my inmost thoughts. For perhaps half a minute he remained looking at me like that, then suddenly he said shortly: "You are engaged, Mr. Hargreave. Your salary will be six hundred pounds a year, paid monthly in advance, in addition to your living and incidental expenses.
He laughed at my astonishment, but with a gesture indicative of silence, he merely said: "Hallo, Hargreave! Back all right, eh?" Then he admitted the Dutchman and closed the door. Tracy was evidently there to hold consultation with the stranger whose entrance into England was unknown.
"I bought it over in Princes Street this morning." And he continued with his scissors to make the box to fit it. "I shall not want you any more to-day Hargreave," he went on. "We'll get back home to-morrow, starting at ten." And, as was his habit, he dismissed me abruptly. Four days later I was summoned to the library, where in breeches and gaiters he was standing astride upon the hearthrug.
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