Part 26 (2/2)
”No, sir.” And the man's voice dropped to a solemn whisper. ”Mr. de Mountford was murdered in a taxicab, sir--must 'ave been soon after 'e left the club.”
”Very soon, I should say. But the other?”
”I saw the other gentleman this morning, sir.”
”Where?”
”Mr. Travers from the police, sir, 'e called to see me at the club, and 'e took me in a taxicab to Grosvenor Square, and told the shoffer, sir, to pull up by the curb on the garden side. Then 'e told me to watch a partik'lar 'ouse opposite and see 'oo was goin' in or out. I didn't 'arf like it, sir, because I'm not supposed to absent myself for very long of a morning, though the committee ain't very partik'lar. But Mr. Travers 'e was of the police, sir, so I thought it was right to do as 'e told me.”
”Quite right. And what did you see?”
”Nothing much for close on an hour, sir; a carriage drew up to the door of the 'ouse and an elderly gentleman got out. Mr. Travers told me that it was the doctor. 'E rang the bell and went into the 'ouse.
Then after a bit 'oo did I see walking down the street and straight up to the front door of the partik'lar 'ouse, I'd been told to look at, but Mr. de Mountford's visitor of last night.”
”You recognized him?”
”Couldn't mistake 'im, sir.”
”Did you call Mr. Travers's attention to him?”
”Yes, sir. I told 'im that was the gentleman 'oo'd 'ad an awful quarrel with Mr. Philip de Mountford at the club last night.”
”That's all, Power. I won't trouble you further now.”
”No trouble, sir.”
”Your position at the club is a permanent one?”
”Yes, sir.”
”You are always to be found there?”
”Always, sir, whenever you want me.”
”Well, send a line to the chief superintendent at Scotland Yard in case your plans get suddenly modified and you are no longer to be found at the club.”
”Not likely, sir. Thank you, sir. Good morning.”
”Good morning.”
Sir Thomas touched the electric b.u.t.ton in the wall behind him, and a man in a dark blue uniform appeared. Frederick Power was dismissed. He saluted both gentlemen and turning on his heel in proper military fas.h.i.+on, he marched out of the room, obviously delighted with his own importance and with the adventure which varied so pleasantly the monotonous evenness of his existence.
CHAPTER XXI
HAVE ANOTHER CIGAR
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