Part 29 (1/2)
”Ryder,” he began quite abruptly at last, ”had the hall porter of that confounded club up to his room while I was there, and questioned him before me.”
”He could,” suggested Luke, ”only repeat the story which we all know already. I never denied seeing Philip at the club or quarrelling with him for a matter of that. Hang it all! I have often quarrelled with him before.”
”Yes,” rejoined the colonel, ”they've ferreted out the old servants of your uncle's household, and heard innumerable stories of quarrels.”
”Exaggerated, I expect. But what of it?”
”And that hall porter didn't mince matters either. d.a.m.n him.”
”Philip,” remarked Luke dryly, ”shouted pretty loudly. I did not.”
”The porter said that when you left the club you had 'murder in your eye.'”
”Possibly.”
”You had overheard Philip's last remark to the porter?”
”Yes--something about pestering beggars. I was ready to make him swallow his words, but I loathe a scene, before people like those who frequent the Veterans' Club.”
”I wish to goodness you had gone for him then and there.”
”Why?”
”This accursed business would not have occurred.”
”Oh, yes it would--sooner or later.”
”What makes you say that?”
”Philip must have had an enemy.”
”Who murdered him last night, you think?”
”An enemy,” a.s.sented Luke, ”who evidently laid in wait for him, and murdered him last night. It is bound to come out at the inquest.”
”About this enemy?” queried Colonel Harris vaguely.
”Why, yes,” rejoined Luke a little impatiently, ”surely the police have made other investigations. They are not just fastening on me and on no one else.”
”Could you,” asked Louisa, ”help the police in that, Luke?”
”No;” he replied, ”I know absolutely nothing about Philip or about his past life.”
”Did Lord Radclyffe?”
”I don't know.”
”He has been questioned, has he not?”
”He is too ill to see any one. Doctor Newington declares that he must not attempt to see any one. His condition is critical. Moreover, he is only partly conscious.”