The full light streamed in through the open window; the keen
spring air blew freshly across the house-tops; and on the
window-sill a band of grimy, joyous sparrows twittered and
preened themselves. In the middle of the room stood Loder.
His coat was off, and round him on chairs and floor lay an
array of waistcoats, gloves, and ties.
For a space Chilcote stood in the doorway staring at him; then
his lips parted and he took a step forward. "Loder--" he
said, anxiously. "Loder, what are you going to do?"
Loder turned. His shoulders were stiff, his face alight with
energy. "I'm going back," he said, "to unravel the tangle you
have made."
XXVIII
Loder's plan of action was arrived at before he reached
Trafalgar Square. The facts of the case were simple.
Chilcote had left an incriminating telegram on the bureau in
the morning-room at Grosvenor Square; by an unlucky chance
Lillian Astrupp had been shown up into that room, where she
had remained alone until the moment that Eve, either by
request or by accident, had found her there.
Pages:
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386