"Don't forget that I put you on to this."
"Quite right, sir," the detective acquiesced, "and I am grateful
to you. The fact of it is that in making my preliminary
investigations with regard to the disappearance of Mr. Wilmore, I
have stumbled upon a bigger thing. Before many weeks are past, I
hope to be able to unearth one of the greatest scandals of modern
times."
"The devil!" Francis muttered.
He looked thoughtfully, almost anxiously at his companion.
Shopland's face reflected to the full his usual confidence.
He had the air of a man buoyant with hope and with stifled
self-satisfaction.
"I am engaged," he continued, "upon a study of the methods and
habits of one whom I believe to be a great criminal. I think
that when I place my prisoner in the bar, Wainwright and these
other great artists in crime will fade from the memory."
"Is Sir Timothy Brast your man?" Francis asked quietly.
His companion frowned portentously.
"No names," he begged.
"Considering that it was I who first put you on to him," Francis
expostulated, "I don't think you need be so sparing of your
confidence."
"Mr. Ledsam," the detective assured him, "I shall tell you
everything that is possible. At the same time, I will be frank
with you. You are right when you say that it was you who first
directed my attention towards Sir Timothy Brast.
Pages:
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193