Part 5 (1/2)

”Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, ”play is over for to-night. We are, without a doubt, the victims of an attempted robbery. The lights were turned out from the controlling switch by the lift man, who has disappeared. I will ask you to leave the room one by one; and, for all our sakes, I beg that any unknown to us will submit themselves to be searched.”

There was a little angry murmur. Mr. Rubenstein looked pleadingly round.

”Ladies and gentlemen,” he begged, ”you will not object, I am sure. I am a poor man. Two thousand pounds of my money has gone from that table--all the money I kept in reserve to make a bank for you. If any one will return it now nothing shall be said. But to lose it all--I tell you it would ruin me!”

The perspiration stood out on his forehead. He looked anxiously round, as though seeking for sympathy. Mr. Parker came over to his side.

”Say, Mr. Rubenstein,” he declared, ”there isn't any one here who wants you to lose a five-pound note--that's a sure thing! But there is just one difficulty about this searching business: How can you identify your notes?

If I, for instance, were to insist that I had brought with me two thousand pounds in banknotes in my pocket--which, let me hasten to a.s.sure you, I didn't--how could you deny it?”

”My notes,” Mr. Rubenstein replied feverishly, ”all bear the stamp of Lloyd's Bank and to-day's date. They can all be recognized.”

”In that case,” Mr. Parker continued, ”I recommend you, Mr. Rubenstein, to insist upon searching every person here not thoroughly known to you; and I recommend you, ladies and gentlemen,” he added, looking round, ”to submit to be searched. It will not be a very strenuous affair, because no one can have had time to conceal the notes very effectively. I think you will all agree with me that we cannot allow our friend, who has provided us with amus.e.m.e.nt for so many nights, to run the risk of a loss like this. Begin with me, Mr. Rubenstein. No--I insist upon it. You know me better than most of your clients, I think; but I submit myself voluntarily to be searched.”

”I thank you very much indeed, sir,” Mr. Rubenstein declared quickly. ”It is very good of you to set the example,” he continued, thrusting his hand into Mr. Parker's pockets. ”Ah! I see nothing here--nothing! Notes in this pocket--ten, twenty, thirty. Not mine, I see--no Lloyd's stamp. Gold! A pleasant little handful of gold, that. Mr. Parker, I thank you, sir. If you will be so good as to pa.s.s into the next room.”

I brought Eve up. We were recognized as having been sitting upon the divan and Mr. Rubenstein, with a bow and extended hand, motioned to us to pa.s.s on.

”You will visit us again, I trust,” he said, ”when we are not so disturbed.”

”Most certainly!” Mr. Parker promised in our names. ”Most certainly, Mr.

Rubenstein. We will all come again. Good night!”

We walked out to the landing and, descending the stairs, reached the street and stepped into the motor car that was waiting for us. It rolled off and turned into Piccadilly.

”How much was it, father?” Eve asked suddenly, from her place in the corner.

”I am not sure,” Mr. Parker answered. ”There is a matter of eight hundred pounds in my right shoe, and a little more than that, I think, in my left.

The note down my back was, I believe, a hundred-pound one. Quite a pleasant little evening and fairly remunerative! The lift man will cost me a hundred--but he was worth it.”

I sat quite still. I felt that Eve's eyes were watching me. I set my teeth for a moment; and I turned toward her, my cigarette case in my hand.

”You don't mind?” I murmured as I lit a cigarette.

She shook her head. Her eyes were still fixed upon me.

”Where can we drop you?” Mr. Parker inquired.

”If the evening is really over and there are no more excitements to come, you might put me down at the Milan Court,” I told him, ”if that is anywhere on your way.”

Mr. Parker lifted the speaking tube to his lips and gave an order. We glided up to the Milan a few minutes later.

”I have enjoyed my evening immensely,” I a.s.sured Eve impressively, ”every moment of it; and I do hope, Mr. Parker,” I added as I shook hands, ”that you and your daughter will give me the great pleasure of dining with me any night this week. If there are any other little adventures about here in which I could take a hand I can a.s.sure you I should be delighted. I might even be of some a.s.sistance.”

They both of them looked at me steadfastly. Then Eve at last glanced away, with a little shrug of the shoulders, and Mr. Joseph H. Parker gripped my hand.

”Say, you're all right!” he p.r.o.nounced. ”You just ring up 3771A Gerrard to-morrow morning between ten and eleven.”