Part 48 (1/2)
”Then look here,” cried Pradelle, pointing to his injured head.
”I know nothing about that. You have the money, and I'll have it before I leave this room.”
”You'll be clever, then,” sneered Pradelle.
”Will you give it me?”
”No. How can I?”
”Don't make me wild, Pradelle, for I'm desperate enough without that.
Give me those notes, or, by all that's holy, I'll go straight to the police and charge you with the theft.”
”Do,” said Pradelle, ”if you dare.”
The man's coolness staggered Harry for the moment.
”If I'd got the money do you think I should be fool enough to make all this fuss? What do you mean? What game are you playing? Come, honour among--I mean, be square with me. You've got the notes.”
”Ah!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Harry, with a look of disgust. ”I tell you I have not.”
”Harry! Harry!”
It was his sister's voice, and he heard her knocking sharply at his door.
”Look here, Pradelle, you've got those notes, and I tell you once more, you have to give them up or it's a case of police.”
He had been moving towards the door, which he unfastened and threw open.
”I'm here, Louie,” he said.
”Quick, dear! A message from papa. We are to go to Mr Van Heldre's at once.”
”Van Heldre's?” faltered Harry, whose legs seemed to give way beneath him.
”Yes, dear; a policeman brought the message.”
”A policeman?”
”Something is wrong. No, no, don't turn like that. It is not father, but Mr Van Heldre, so the man said. I think it is a fall.”
Harry Vine's breath came thick and short. What should he do? Fly at once? No; that meant being taken and brought ignominiously back.
”Don't hesitate, dear,” said Louise; ”pray come quickly.”
”Yes,” said Harry huskily. ”Of course, I'll come on. Will you--you go first?”
”Harry, what are you thinking, dear? Why do you look so shocked?
Indeed I am not deceiving you.”
”Deceiving me?”