Part 32 (1/2)
Inspector Jacks took up his hat and followed his acquaintance to the private room of the Home Secretary. That personage nodded to him upon his entrance and continued to dictate a letter. When he had finished, he sent his clerk out of the room and, motioning Mr. Jacks to take a seat by his side, leaned back in his own chair with the air of one prepared to relax for a moment. He was a man of somewhat insignificant presence, but he had keen gray eyes, half the time concealed under thick eyebrows, and flas.h.i.+ng out upon you now and then at least expected moments.
”From Scotland Yard, I understand, Mr. Jacks?” he remarked.
”At your service, sir,” the Inspector answered. ”I am in charge of the investigations concerning these two recent murders.”
”Quite so,” the Home Secretary remarked. ”I am very glad to meet you, Mr. Jacks. So far, I suppose, you are willing to admit that you gentlemen down at Scotland Yard have not exactly distinguished yourselves.”
”We are willing to admit that,” Inspector Jacks said.
”I do not know whether the reward will help you very much,” the Home Secretary continued. ”So far as you people personally are concerned, I imagine that it will make no difference. The only point seems to be that it may bring you outside help which at the present time is being withheld.”
”The offering of the reward, sir,” Inspector Jacks said, ”can do no harm, and it may possibly a.s.sist us very materially.”
”I am glad to have your opinion, Mr. Jacks,” the Home Secretary said.
There was a moment's pause. The Minister trifled with some papers lying on the desk before him. Then he turned to his visitor and continued,--
”You will forgive my reminding you, Mr. Jacks, that I am a busy man and that this is a busy morning. You had some reason, I presume, for wis.h.i.+ng to see me?”
”I had, sir,” the Inspector answered. ”I took the liberty of waiting upon you, sir, to ask whether the idea of a reward for so large a sum came spontaneously from your department?”
The Home Secretary raised his eyebrows.
”Really, Mr. Jacks,” he began,--
”I hope, sir,” the Inspector protested, ”that you will not think I am asking this question through any irrelevant curiosity. I am beginning to form a theory of my own as to these two murders, but it needs building up. The offering of a reward like this, if it emanates from the source which I suspect that it does, gives a solid foundation to my theories.
I am here, sir, in the interests of justice only, and I should be exceedingly obliged to you if you would tell me whether the suggestion of this large reward did not come from the Foreign Office?”
The Minister considered for several moments, and then slowly inclined his head.
”Mr. Jacks,” he said, ”your question appears to me to be a pertinent one. I see not the slightest reason to conceal from you the fact that your surmise is perfectly accurate.”
A flash of satisfaction illuminated for a moment the detective's inexpressive features. He rose and took up his hat.
”I am very much obliged to you, sir,” he said. ”The information which you have given me is extremely valuable.”
”I am glad to hear you say so,” the Home Secretary declared. ”You understand, of course, that it is within the province of my department to a.s.sist at all times and in any possible way the course of justice. Is there anything more I can do for you?”
Inspector Jacks hesitated.
”If you would not think it a liberty, sir,” he said, ”I should be very glad indeed if you would give me a note which would insure me an interview with Sir Edward Bransome.”
”I will give it you with pleasure,” the Secretary answered, ”although I imagine that he would be quite willing to see you on your own request.”
He wrote a few lines and pa.s.sed them over. Inspector Jacks saluted, and turned towards the door.
”You'll let me know if anything turns up?” the Home Secretary said.
”You shall be informed at once, sir,” the Inspector a.s.sured him, a as he left the room.
Sir Edward Bransome was just leaving his house when Inspector Jacks entered the gate. The latter, who knew him by sight, saluted and hesitated for a moment.