Part 31 (2/2)
The Professor stood drawing on his gloves. The vague look of trouble still lingered in his face.
”Tell me again,” he begged, ”the name of the avenue in which this residence is situated?”
”Gayson Avenue,” the inspector replied. ”It's a bit out of the way, but it's not a bad neighbourhood.”
The Professor repeated the address to himself softly. For a moment he stood quite still. His manner showed signs of growing anxiety. He seemed to be trying to remember something.
”The name,” he admitted finally, as they moved towards the door, ”suggests to me, I must confess--We are going to see the house, Inspector?”
”We are on our way there now, sir--that is, if the young ladies are willing?” he added, glancing at Laura.
”We've been waiting here with our hats on for the last half-hour,” Laura replied promptly. ”You've stretched your ten minutes out some, Mr.
French.”
The Inspector manoeuvred to let the others pa.s.s on, and descended the stairs by Laura's side.
”Couldn't help it,” he confided, lowering his tone a little. ”Had some information come in about that house I couldn't quite size up. You're looking well this morning, Miss Laura.”
”Say, who are you guying!” she replied.
”I mean it,” the Inspector persisted. ”That hat seems to suit you.”
Laura laughed at the top of her voice.
”Say, kid,” she exclaimed to Lenora, ”the Inspector here's setting up as a judge of millinery!”
Lenora turned and looked at them both with an air of blank astonishment.
The Inspector was a little embarra.s.sed.
”No need to give me away like that,” he muttered, as they reached the hall. ”Now then, ladies and gentlemen, if you are ready.”
They took their places in the automobile and drove off. As they neared the vicinity of Gayson Avenue, the Professor began to show signs of renewed uneasiness. When they drew up at last outside the house, he gave a little exclamation. His face was grave, almost haggard.
”Mr. Quest,” he said, ”Inspector French, I deeply regret that I have a statement to make.”
They both turned quickly towards him. The Inspector smiled in a confidential manner at Laura. It was obvious that he knew what was coming.
”Some years ago,” the Professor continued, ”I bought this house and made a present of it to--”
”To whom?” Quest asked quickly.
”To my servant Craig,” the Professor admitted with a groan.
Lenora gave a little cry. She turned triumphantly towards the Inspector.
”All recollection as to its locality had escaped me,” the Professor continued sorrowfully. ”I remember that it was on the anniversary of his having been with me for some fifteen years that I decided to show him some substantial mark of my appreciation. I knew that he was looking for a domicile for his father and mother, who are since both dead, and I requested a house agent to send me in a list of suitable residences. This, alas! was the one I purchased.”
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