Part 7 (1/2)
REVENGE
Reg had now fully determined to follow Wyck to Australia, and he lost no tio to a firm of die-sinkers, where he ordered a die to be cut in the shape of a broken heart, exactly similar to the device on Wyckliffe's letter-paper
”Make it of the finest steel,” he said, ”and have its edges as sharp as that of a razor Have a case made to fit it, so that it can be kept constantly sharp and bright, and ready for use at any time”
”It will be an expensive article, sir,” said the shopman
”Never mind, have it made exactly to order Let me knohen it will be ready, and I will call and pay the bill”
That done, he called a cab, drove to Finsbury Paveland in?” he asked at the Inquiry Office, and was ushered into a ser”
”Goodhands with aat a desk
”What, Morris!” he replied ”You look like a ghost Are you ill, man?”
”She's dead and buried, old chap”
”Who?--not Miss Johnson,” alland
”Yes, Amy Johnson is dead She was murdered”
”Murdered!”
”Yes, , ohtest detail froland was the onlyhad ever called a friend He had h a business transaction shortly after his landing, and had taken a great fancy to hiland was a self-made e firer He was short and stout, with a full-ood-humour He always faced his troubles with a senerally conquered the's trouble was too serious to be sht of the pale, drawn face of the friend who had always been so gay and light-hearted was a shock to hi had told his pitiful story, he found it difficult to restrain his tears He was fairly inti and Amy Johnson, and looked upon them as an ideal couple
”My dear old chap, I cannot tell you how sorry I am This fellow Wyckliffe must be a miserable scoundrel, but I think I can help you”
”You can, Bridgland?” said Reg, starting
”Yes, sit down and I will tell you Listeners are people I despise, but I was compelled to overhear a conversation, which has troubledin the fact that I was given this chance One of the partners here leads the life of a man about town His office is there, next tofellow called Tommy drop in and have a chat with hi
”Well, on this particular day the door I suppose was not closely shut, and I chanced to hear the about a certain secret club called the Detlij Club, or so more or less, I believe, than an association of youthful rakes who lay plans to ruin women Tommy and he were apparently members, and they frequently spoke of Wyck”
”That's , fiercely
”Froather, this Wyck boasts of the possession of a diabolical faculty for irls fall in love with him His next move is to throw them over and one more is added to his record, which is kept by means of notches on a stick Now I distinctly heard Tommy say that Wyck had his fiftieth notch booked, and that she was an Australian”
”My God! that was Aer now I begin to see land's astonishment he left the office hurriedly, without another word
Calling a cab, Reg drove to the Angora Club in Piccadilly, and asked for Mr Tho him to meet him on business of i afternoon