Part 41 (1/2)
Haredale started.
”I don't know,” was his reply; ”but I can go and see.”
He forced his way past the knot of people at the door, ignoring Inspector Sheffield, who sought to detain him. Rapidly he ran through the rooms composing the suite. In one he met Zoe's maid, wringing her hands with extravagant emotion.
”Where is your mistress?”
”She has gone out, m'sieur. I cannot tell where. I do not know.”
Haredale's heart gave a leap--and seemed to pause.
He ran to the stairs, not waiting for the overworked lift, and down into the hall.
”Has Miss Oppner gone out?” he demanded of the porter.
”Two minutes ago, sir.”
”In her car?”
”No, sir. It was not ready. In a cab.”
”Did you hear her directions?”
”No, sir. But the boy will know.”
The boy was found.
”Where was Miss Oppner going, boy?” rapped Haredale.
”Eccleston Square, sir,” was the prompt reply.
The Marquess of Evershed's. Then his suspicions had not been unfounded.
He saw, in a flash of inspiration, the truth. Zoe Oppner had seen in this disappearance the hand of Severac Bablon--if, indeed, if she did not _know_ it for his work. She was anxious about her father. She wished to appeal to Severac Bablon upon his behalf. And she had gone--not direct to the man--but to Eccleston Square. Why? Clearly because it was Lady Mary, and not herself, who had influence with him.
Hatless, Haredale ran out into the courtyard. Rohscheimer's car was waiting, and he leapt in, his grey eyes feverish. ”Lord Evershed's,” he called to the man; ”Eccleston Square.”
CHAPTER XXI
A CORNER IN MILLIONAIRES
At the moment that Julius Rohscheimer's car turned into the Square, a girl, enveloped in a dark opera wrap, but whose fair hair gleamed as she pa.s.sed the open door, came alone, out of Lord Evershed's house, and entering a waiting taxi-cab, was driven away.
”Stop!” ordered Haredale hoa.r.s.ely through the tube.
The big car pulled up as the cab pa.s.sed around on the other side.
”Follow that cab.”