Part 32 (1/2)

”Because,” drawled Oppner, stumbling along in the darkness, ”this is not in my line.”

”_Sss!_” came from close at hand.

Mr. Oppner started.

”That you, Martin?” from Alden.

”Yes; no one has gone in yet. But a ground floor room is lighted up, and also the conservatory.”

”Right.”

There was a momentary faint gleam of light. Mr. Alden was consulting his electrically-lighted watch.

”Time they were all posted,” he said. ”Martin, do the rounds. Hustle!”

Martin was heard slipping away through the bushes. Then came silence.

Oppner and Alden were now at a point directly opposite a gate, and in full view of the house. Many of the windows were illuminated.

”Does the lawn slope down to the towpath?” came Oppner's voice.

”Sure. There are men on the towpath.”

Silence fell once more. From somewhere down the road, in the direction of Richmond, was wafted a faint tinkling sound. Oppner heard Alden moving.

”I'll have to leave you for a minute,” said the detective. ”Don't be scared if Martin comes back.”

Without waiting for a reply, Alden departed. Mr. Oppner heard him brus.h.i.+ng against the bushes in pa.s.sing. Crouching there uncomfortably, and looking out across the road to the gateway of The Cedars, Oppner saw a singular thing, a thing that made him wonder.

He saw Alden run swiftly across from the gap in the fence by which they had entered their hiding-place, to the gate opposite. He saw him run in.

Then he disappeared. Whilst Oppner was thras.h.i.+ng his brains for a solution to this man[oe]uvre, a faint rattling sound drew his gaze down the hill.

Someone was approaching on a bicycle!

Almost holding his breath, he watched. Nearer came the rider, and nearer. Immediately before the gate of The Cedars he dismounted. He was a telegraph messenger.

At that moment Alden came strolling out, smoking his cigar and pulling on a pair of gloves.

”Hullo, boy!” he said; his voice was clearly audible to the listening Oppner. ”Got a wire for me? I've been expecting it all the evening.”

The boy opened his wallet, but with some hesitation.

”Dr. Phillips,” continued Alden, ”that right?”

The boy hesitated no longer.

”Phillips, yes, sir,” he said, and handed the telegram to Alden.

With a nonchalant air which excited Mr. Oppner's admiration, Alden walked to a lamp some little distance away, tore open the yellow envelope, and read the message.

”All right, boy,” he said. ”No reply. Here, catch!”