Part 34 (1/2)

Clubfoot was getting a little restless. With his eye on the clock but in a placid voice he again protested that his word was the sole guarantee he could offer.

We discussed this too. My manner was earnest and nervous, I know, and I think he enjoyed playing with me. I told him frankly that his reputation belied his protestations of good faith. At this he laughed and cynically admitted that this was quite possibly the case.

”Nevertheless, it is I who give the guarantee,” he said in a tone that brooked no contradiction.

The clock struck eleven.

One hour to go!

”Come, Okewood,” he added good-naturedly, ”we waste time. Up to this you've had all the sport, you know. You wouldn't have me miss the first day's shooting I've had this year. Where have you got this letter of ours?”

He was an extraordinary man. To hear him address me, you would never have supposed that he was sending me to my death. He appeared to have forgotten this detail. It meant so little to him that he probably had.

I turned to my third point. He made things very hard for me, I said, but I was the vanquished and must give way. The trouble was that the doc.u.ment was still in two portions and neither half was here.

”You indicate where the halves are hidden,” said Clubfoot promptly. ”I will accompany you to the hiding-places and you will hand them to me.”

”But they are nowhere near here,” I replied.

”Then where are they?” answered Clubfoot impatiently. ”Come, I am waiting and it's getting late!”

”It will take several days to recover both portions,” I muttered unwillingly.

”That does not matter,” retorted the other; ”there is no particular hurry ... now!”

And he smiled grimly.

I dared not raise my eyes to the clock, for I felt the German's gaze on me. An intuitive instinct told me that his suspicions had been awakened by my reluctance. I was very nearly at the end of my resources.

Would the clock never strike?

”I tell you frankly, Herr Doktor,” I said in a voice that trembled with anxiety, ”I cannot leave the Countess unprotected whilst we travel together to the hiding-places of the doc.u.ment. I only feel sure of her safety whilst she is near me....”

Clubfoot bent his brows at me.

”What do you suggest then?” he said very sternly.

”You go and recover the two halves at the places I indicate,” I stammered out, ”and ... and ...”

A faint whirr and the silver chime rang out twice.

Half an hour more!

How still the house was! I could hear the clock ticking--no, that thudding must be my heart. My wits failed me, my mind had become a blank, my throat was dry with fear.

”I've wasted an hour and a half over you, young man,” said Clubfoot suddenly, ”and it's time that this conversation was brought to a close.

I warn you again that I am not to be trifled with. The situation is perfectly clear: it rests with you whether the Countess Rachwitz goes free or is court-martialled this afternoon at Cleves and shot this evening. Your suggestion is absurd. I'll be reasonable with you. We will both stay here. I will wire for the two portions of the letter to be fetched at the places you indicate, and as soon as I hold the entire letter in my hands the Countess will be driven to the frontier. I will allow her butler here to accompany her and he can return and a.s.sure you that she is in safety.”

He stretched out his hand and pulled a block of telegraph forms towards him.