Part 124 (1/2)
”I quite understand that. I've just been with the fellow.”
Miss Van Tuyn started up.
”You've seen him?”
”Yes.”
”Where? Here?”
”I went to Mr. Garstin's studio to have a look at the portrait and say a word to him. While I was there Arabian called. I stayed on and sat with him for some time. Afterwards I walked with him to the building where he is living temporarily and went in.”
”Went in? _You_ went into his flat!”
”As I say.”
Miss Van Tuyn looked at him without speaking. Her expression showed intense astonishment, amounting almost to incredulity.
”I had it out with him,” said Sir Seymour grimly, after a pause. ”And in the heat of the moment I told him something which I had not intended to tell him, which I had not meant to speak of at all.”
”What? What?”
”I told him I knew about the theft of ten years ago.”
”Oh!”
”And I told him also that you knew about it.”
”That I--oh! How did he take it? What did he say?”
”I didn't wait to hear. The flat was--well--scented, and I wanted to get out of it.”
His face expressed such a stern and acute disgust that Miss Van Tuyn's eyes dropped beneath his.
”You may think--it would be natural to think that the fact of my having told the man about your knowledge of his crime would prevent him from ever attempting to see you again,” Sir Seymour continued, ”but I don't feel sure of that.”
”You think that even after that he might--”
”I'll be frank with you. I can't tell what he might or might not do. He may follow my suggestion--”
”What did you--”
”I suggested to him that he had better clear out of the country at once.
It's quite possible that he may take my view and go, but in case he doesn't, and tries to bother you any more--”
”He's been! He's written! He says he _will_ see me. He has guessed that something has turned me against him.”
”He knows now what it is. Now I want you to write a note to him which I will leave at the bureau in case he calls to-night or to-morrow morning.”
”Yes.”