Part 10 (1/2)

CHAPTER XI

Richard Duvall, alone in Dr. Hartmann's outer office, had not long to wait. He had hardly succeeded in throwing off the agitation which the unexpected sight of Grace had caused him, when the door from the hall was opened, and Grace admitted Seltz to the room.

The latter glanced at Duvall with a curious look, but said nothing.

Grace withdrew, closing the door quietly after her. The detective went up to the newcomer and addressed him in a low tone.

”You are Oscar Seltz, from London?” he asked, bluntly.

The man appeared greatly taken back. ”Yes,” he said, haltingly. ”I wish to see Dr. Hartmann.”

”About the snuff box, of course?”

Again the man started. ”Who are you?” he asked, suddenly suspicious.

”I am Dr. Hartmann's a.s.sistant. He has been waiting for you. You have the box with you, of course?”

The man felt carefully in his pocket, and presently drew out a small object done up in paper. ”Yes, I have it. The price was to be twenty-five hundred francs.”

”That is correct,” remarked the detective. ”Give it to me.”

Seltz drew back his hand. ”I want the money first, and I cannot deliver it to any one but Dr. Hartmann.”

”Dr. Hartmann is in the next room,” said Duvall, with a pleasant smile.

”He has the money all ready for you. I will call him. But first, let me see if you have really secured what we want.” He held out his hand.

”Don't be afraid,” he said. ”I shall not leave the room. The box will not be out of your sight.”

Seltz appeared to consider the matter for a brief moment, but the detective's manner rea.s.sured him. He extended the package toward Duvall.

”It is there, all right,” he laughed, softly. ”And a hard time I had getting it.”

Without making any comment, Duvall took the package, quickly tore off the coa.r.s.e paper wrappings, and saw inside a small round ivory box, its top ornamented with a number of small pearls, arranged in a circular design about its circ.u.mference. He glanced swiftly at it, crushed the paper into his pocket, then started toward the door at the rear.

”Where are you going?” demanded Seltz, harshly, his hand going toward his pocket, as though for a weapon.

”To call the doctor, my man,” Duvall replied. ”Don't excite yourself. He will be here in a moment, with your money.” Without a moment's hesitation he crossed to the study door and tapped lightly upon it. As he did so, his back was toward Seltz, hence the latter did not see the swift movement, by which he conveyed the snuff box to the pocket of his waistcoat. When, after a few moments' delay, Dr. Hartmann appeared on the threshold, Duvall's hands were both quite empty.

As the doctor entered the room, the detective gave a quick nod toward Seltz. ”My man,” he remarked, in a low tone. ”He seems to be rather bad, this morning;” then aloud, ”Oscar, this is Doctor Hartmann.”

Seltz bowed, then stood uncomfortably, s.h.i.+fting his weight from one foot to the other as the doctor bent upon him a searching glance. ”Sit down, my good fellow,” the latter presently remarked, as he took a chair.

”I--I don't think I had better, sir,” he stammered. ”I am in somewhat of a hurry--”

The doctor interrupted him, in a soothing voice. ”There, there. Sit down. I want to talk to you.”

Seltz glanced helplessly toward Duvall, apparently somewhat confused by the reception which Dr. Hartmann had accorded him. It was not entirely what he had expected.

”I have explained everything to the doctor,” remarked Duvall hastily.

”He understands about the money you requested.” He looked significantly at Dr. Hartmann.