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Having elucidated this little side-line of mystery, the matter passed from the young Commissioner's mind. It happened that morning that his work consisted of dealing with John Lexman's estate. With the disappearance of the couple he had taken over control of their belongings.
He was gone less than a minute and returned with a book under his arm. "I have not asked Lexman's permission to take it," he said, "but I am rather interested in the author. Oh, here you are," he turned to John who came in at that moment. "Might I take this book on Mexico?" he asked. "I will return it in the morning."
Lexman going to give this famous lecture of his?" was the question with which she greeted him, "and, please, what is the subject?" "It is on a subject which is of supreme interest to me;" he said gravely; "he has called his lecture 'The Clue of the Twisted Candle. There is no clearer brain being employed in the business of criminal detection than John Lexman's.
"Nothing very much. You've heard me speak of John Lexman?" She bent her head. "Lexman's the writer of a great many mystery stories, but you've probably read his books." She nodded again, and again T. X. noticed the suppressed eagerness in her eyes. "You're not ill or sickening for anything, are you?" he asked anxiously; "measles, or mumps or something?"
He favoured the newcomer with a little bow and taking upon himself the honours of the establishment, pushed a chair to his visitor. "I think you know my name," said Kara easily, "I am a friend of poor Lexman's." "So I am told," said T. X., "but don't let your friendship for Lexman prevent your sitting down."
His voice was shaking with excitement. "I am going upstairs. When that car comes abreast of the gate, ask no questions and jump into it. Get down into the bottom and pull a sack over you, and do not get up until the car stops." The blood rushed to John Lexman's head, and he staggered. "My God!" he whispered. "Do as I tell you," hissed the warder.
One side of me wants to hear this lecture of John Lexman's very much, the other shrinks from the ordeal." "Let us talk it over at lunch," she said practically, and carried him off. One would not readily associate the party of top-booted sewermen who descend nightly to the subterranean passages of London with the stout viceconsul at Durazzo.
In a few minutes they were deep in a discussion of books and places, and Grace seized the opportunity to make her escape. From books in general to Lexman's books in particular the conversation flowed. "I've read every one of them, you know," said Kara. John made a little face. "Poor devil," he said sardonically. "On the contrary," said Kara, "I am not to be pitied.
"At the end of that time I shall go to the court for relief." "Do you think they will ever turn up?" asked the solicitor, an elderly and unimaginative man. "Of course, they'll turn up!" said T. X. impatiently; "all the heroes of Lexman's books turn up sooner or later. He will discover himself to us at a suitable moment, and we shall be properly thrilled." That Lexman would return he was sure.
"But my dear good fellow," said Kara, pulling on his gloves, "you have already asked me whether I didn't burn the letter." "I said envelope," said T. X., with a little laugh. "And you were going to say something about the other clue?" "The other is the revolver," said T. X. "Mr. Lexman's revolver!" drawled the Greek. "That we have," said T. X. shortly.
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