Part 49 (1/2)

”You have my meaning exactly; although my work in Paris is now ended, there's no saying when it may not be convenient to be able to go back without establis.h.i.+ng a new ident.i.ty.”

Before Lanyard replied to this the look of wonder in his eyes had yielded to one of understanding.

”Scotland Yard, eh?” he queried curtly.

Wertheimer bowed. ”Special agent,” he added.

”I might have guessed, if I'd had the wit of a goose!” Lanyard affirmed bitterly. ”But I must admit...”

”Yes,” the Englishman a.s.sented pleasantly; ”I did pull your leg--didn't I? But not more than our other friends. Of course, it's taken some time: I had to establish myself firmly as a s.h.i.+ning light of the swell mob over here before De Morbihan would take me to his hospitable bosom.”

”I presume I'm to consider myself under arrest?”

With a laugh, the Englishman shook his head vigorously.

”No, thank you!” he declared. ”I've had too convincing proof of your distaste for interference in your affairs. You fight too sincerely, Mr.

Lanyard--and I'm a tired sleuth this very morning as ever was! I would need a week's rest to fit me for the job of taking you into custody--a week and some able-bodied a.s.sistance!... But,” he amended with graver countenance, ”I will say this: if you're in England a week hence, I'll be tempted to undertake the job on general principles. I don't in the least question the sincerity of your intention to behave yourself hereafter; but as a servant of the King, it's my duty to advise you that England would prefer you to start life anew--as they say--in another country. Several steamers sail for the States before the end of the week: further details I leave entirely to your discretion. But go you must,” he concluded firmly.

”I understand...” said Lanyard; and would have said more, but couldn't.

There was something suspiciously like a mist before his eyes.

Avoiding the faces of his sweetheart and the Englishman, he turned aside, put forth a hand blindly to a wing of the biplane to steady himself, and stood with head bowed and limbs trembling.

Moving quietly to his side, the girl took his other hand and held it tight....

Presently Lanyard shook himself impatiently and lifted his head again.

”Sorry,” he said, apologetic--”but your generosity--when I looked for nothing better than arrest--was a bit too much for my nerves!”

”Nonsense!” the Englishman commented with brusque good-humour. ”We're all upset. A drop of brandy will do us no end of good.”

Unb.u.t.toning his leather surtout, he produced a flask from an inner pocket, filled its metal cup, and offered it to the girl.

”You first, if you please, Miss Shannon. No--I insist. You positively need it.”

She allowed herself to be persuaded, drank, coughed, gasped, and returned the cup, which Wertheimer promptly refilled and pa.s.sed to Lanyard.

The raw spirits stung like fire, but proved an instant aid to the badly jangled nerves of the adventurer. In another moment he was much more himself.

Drinking in turn, Wertheimer put away the flask. ”That's better!” he commented. ”Now I'll be able to cut along with this blessed machine without fretting over the fate of Ekstrom. But till now I haven't been able to forget----”