Part 33 (1/2)
Two minutes later he stood in the library bowing before Jasper Lamotte and his son Frank.
”Ah, it's you, Belknap,” said the elder Lamotte. ”And what news?”
”Very little, sir.”
”But,” interrupted Frank, ”surely you have fired your train?”
”Yes, and I have run against the worst impediment that ever comes in a detective's way.”
”And what is that?”
”A woman.”
CHAPTER XXI.
APPOINTING A WATCH DOG.
Doctor Heath stood at his office window looking out upon the street, and whistling softly. Below and directly under his gaze, stood a fine bay horse, harnessed to a new light road wagon; and horse and owner were somewhat impatiently waiting the arrival of Ray Vandyck, who was under engagement to drive with Doctor Heath, and pa.s.s his opinion on the ”points” of the handsome bay, a recent purchase of the doctor's, who was a lover of a good horse and a fine dog, and was never without one or more specimens of each.
A quick step behind him caused him to bring his tune to an abrupt close, and he turned to see Ray, who had entered hurriedly, leaving the door ajar, and was busy breaking the seal of a small cream tinted envelope.
Clifford Heath favored him with a quizzical glance, and came away from the window.
”That's a dangerous looking doc.u.ment, Ray,” laughed the doctor, throwing himself down in his own favorite chair with the air of a man resigned to any thing.
”I've a shuddering horror of any thing so small and delicately tinted.
But read it, my boy; it's your fate to be persecuted, you are so amiable.”
Ray lost no time in opening and scanning the dainty note, and he now turned a perplexed face toward his friend.
”I'll be hanged if I can understand it,” he said, filiping the note between his thumb and fingers.
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”I'll be hanged if I can understand it.”]
”Of course you can't, 'it' having emanated from the brain of a woman. I only hope your inability to comprehend the incomprehensible is the worst feature in the case.”
”But it isn't,” protested Ray. ”I must renounce my drive, and your charming society.”
”Really! is she so imperative, and are you so much her bond slave?”
Ray laughed. ”Imperative,” he cried. ”You need not have asked, had you known the name affixed to this missive, and you would obey it with as much alacrity as I shall. Listen, Heath: I can trust you with a secret, if this be one.” And, unfolding the note, he read:
RAYMOND VANDYCK, ETC.
_My Friend_: By coming to me, _at once_, on receipt of this note, you will do me a great favor, and perhaps do one who is your friend, an essential service. Come at once, to