Part 26 (2/2)

For reasons best understood at Was.h.i.+ngton, the cause of the five launch deaths was withheld from the public. Quest's punishment for his part in the crime consisted of a promotion and a warm personal letter from the President of the United States.

Compensation

By C. V. Tench

Good G.o.d! Was I going mad? Surely this was some awful nightmare!

Professor Wroxton had disappeared-but in the bottom of the mysterious crystal cage lay the diamond from his ring.

”Why, John!” Involuntarily I halted at the entrance to my snug bachelor quarters as the flood of light my turning of the switch produced revealed a huddled figure slumped in an easy chair.

”Aye, sir, 'tis me.” The man got to his feet, gnarled hands rubbing at his eyes. ”An' 'tis all day that I've been waiting for you, sir. The caretaker said you'd be back soon so let me in. I must have fell asleep, an' no wonder, what with the strain an' no sleep or rest all last night.”

”Strain? No rest?” I stared my bewilderment, trying at the same time to conceal the vague apprehensions occasioned by the fact that the trusted servitor of my friend, Professor Wroxton, should wait all day for me.

Hastily shedding my outer things, I bade him again be seated, sat down facing him, and asked him to explain.

”'Tis the professor, sir.” The old chap peered at me with anxious, wrinkled eyes. ”'Tis common enough for him to send me here on messages, sir, but to-day I've come on my own, because, sir,” answering the question in my eyes, ”I haven't seen sight of him since last night.”

”Why-” I began.

”That's just it, sir.” John took the words out of my mouth. ”For twenty years my wife an' me have looked after the professor at The Grange. In all that time he's never been away at night. Whenever he had to come to town he'd tell us. Most times I'd drive him myself in the old car. But that was very seldom, sir, for Professor Wroxton had few interests outside.”

”But, John,” I protested ”is there no other reason for your agitation? He might have had an urgent call, or gone out for a walk or drive by himself.”

”No, sir. If you'll pardon me, sir, you're wrong. The professor was fixed in his habits. He would not go away without tellin' me. Think back, sir, you know the professor as well as me. Better, because you are his friend and I am only a servant. Although, sir,” this proudly, ”he always treated me as a friend.”

”Go on,” I urged, seeing he was not finished.

”Well, sir, a few minutes back you asked me if there was no other reason for my being upset like. There is, sir. You know, sir, that for more'n twenty years the professor has led a retired sort of life; the life of a-a-”

”Recluse,” I suggested.

”That's it, sir. He only left The Grange when he had to. He was all wrapped up in some weird-like thing he was inventing. In all those years, sir, you were the only visitor who ever went into his laboratory, or stayed at The Grange for a night or more. That is, sir, until three days ago.”

”Go on,” I again urged, some of his perturbation communicating itself to me.

”The Grange, sir, lying as it does, fifteen miles from town an' back in its own grounds away from the road, isn't noted by many. When strangers do get into the grounds I usually gets 'em out again in short order. Three days ago, sir, a stranger drove up to the door in a fine car. He told me he was wantin' to purchase a country home. I told him The Grange was not for sale an' turned 'im away. He was turning his car to leave when my master came out. To my surprise, sir, he invited the stranger in. An' I'm sure, sir, because he looked so taken aback like, that the stranger had never seen the professor before.”

”And after that?” I asked, now feeling decidedly uneasy.

”The stranger, sir-a Mr. Lathom he called himself-stayed on. He was in the study with the master last night. This morning there was no trace of either of them.”

”But-good G.o.d, John!” I jerked to my feet, a fresh dread clutching at my heart. ”What are you trying to get at? The professor and Mr. Lathom might possibly have driven away somewhere last night.”

”Both cars, sir,” the servant answered, ”are in the garage. I bolt all the doors in the house myself every night. They were still fastened this morning. My wife an' me searched the house from cellar to garret an' hunted all over the grounds. We couldn't find a trace of the master or his guest.”

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