The Black Box Part 31

The Professor's manner betrayed some excitement.

"Then will you tell me this?" he demanded. "The young lady is confident that she locked Craig up in the coach-house and that the key was on the outside of the door, a fact which would prevent the lock being picked from inside, even if such a thing were possible. The window is small, and up almost in the roof. Will you tell me how Craig escaped from the coach-house in order to carry out this abduction--all within a few minutes, mind, of his having been left there? Will you tell me that, Mr.

Sanford Quest?" the Professor concluded, with a note of triumph in his tone.

"That's one of the troubles we are up against," Quest admitted. "We have to remember this, though. The brain that planned the two murders here, that stole and restored Mrs. Rheinholdt's jewels, that sends us those little billets-doux from time to time, is quite capable of finding a way out of a jerry-built garage."

The Professor sniffed. He turned once more to Lenora.

"Young lady," he said, "I will ask you this. I do not wish to seem obstinate in my refusal to accept Craig's guilt as proved, but I would like to put this simple question to you. Did Craig's demeanour during your conversation seem to you to indicate the master criminal? Did he seem to you to be possessed of supreme courage, of marvellous intelligence?"

Lenora smiled very faintly.

"I am afraid," she replied, "that this time I'll have to satisfy the Professor. He was white and trembling all the time. I thought him an arrant coward."

The Professor smiled beatifically as he glanced around. He had the air of one propounding an unanswerable problem.

"You hear what Miss Lenora says? I ask you whether a man who even knew the meaning of the word fear could have carried out these ghastly crimes?"

"I have known cases," Quest observed, "where the most cold-blooded criminals in the world have been stricken with the most deadly fear when it has come to a question of any personal danger. However," he added, "here comes our friend French. I have an idea that he has something to tell us."

They glanced expectantly towards the door as French entered. The Inspector, who was looking very spruce and well-brushed, wished them a general good-morning. His eyes rested last and longest upon Laura, who seemed, however, unconscious of his presence.

"Now, then, French," Quest began, as he returned his greeting, "take a cigar, make yourself comfortable in that chair and let us have your news.

As you see, we have obeyed orders. We are all ready to follow you anywhere you say."

"It won't be to the end of the world, anyway," the Inspector remarked, as he lit his cigar. "I am going to propose a little excursion down Gayson Avenue way."

"Back to that house?" Lenora exclaimed, with a grimace.

The Inspector nodded.

"We have had those boys at the station," he went on, "and we have questioned them carefully. It seems that after they had picked up the ball, a man came out of the side entrance of the house, saw them reading Miss Lenora's message, and shouted after them. The boys had sense enough to scoot. The man ran after them, but had to give it up. Here is their description of him."

The Inspector took a piece of paper from his pocket. They all waited breathlessly.

"Had to drag this out of the boys, bit by bit," the Inspector proceeded, "but boiled down and put into reasonable language, this is what it comes to. The man was of medium height, rather thin, pale, and dressed in black clothes. He had what they call anxious eyes, and after running a short distance he put his hand to his heart, as though out of breath. One of the boys thought his nose was a little hooked, and they both remarked upon the fact that although he shouted after them, he used no swear words, but simply tried to induce them to stop. This description suggest anything to you, gentlemen?"

"Craig," Lenora said firmly.

"It is a very accurate description of Craig," Sanford Quest agreed.

The Professor looked troubled, also a little perplexed. He said nothing, however.

"Under these circ.u.mstances," the Inspector continued, "I have had the house watched, and I propose that we now search it systematically. It is very possible that something may transpire to help us. Of course, my men went through it roughly when we brought Miss Lenora away, but that wasn't anything of a search to count, if the place really has become a haunt of criminals."

"What about the owners.h.i.+p of the house?" Quest asked, as he took up his hat.

The Inspector nodded approvingly.

"I am making a few enquiries in that direction," he announced. "I expect to have something to report very shortly."

The Professor stood drawing on his gloves. The vague look of trouble still lingered in his face.

"Tell me again," he begged, "the name of the avenue in which this residence is situated?"

"Gayson Avenue," the inspector replied. "It's a bit out of the way, but it's not a bad neighbourhood."

The Professor repeated the address to himself softly. For a moment he stood quite still. His manner showed signs of growing anxiety. He seemed to be trying to remember something.

"The name," he admitted finally, as they moved towards the door, "suggests to me, I must confess--We are going to see the house, Inspector?"

"We are on our way there now, sir--that is, if the young ladies are willing?" he added, glancing at Laura.

"We've been waiting here with our hats on for the last half-hour," Laura replied promptly. "You've stretched your ten minutes out some, Mr.

French."

The Inspector manoeuvred to let the others pa.s.s on, and descended the stairs by Laura's side.

"Couldn't help it," he confided, lowering his tone a little. "Had some information come in about that house I couldn't quite size up. You're looking well this morning, Miss Laura."

"Say, who are you guying!" she replied.

"I mean it," the Inspector persisted. "That hat seems to suit you."

Laura laughed at the top of her voice.

"Say, kid," she exclaimed to Lenora, "the Inspector here's setting up as a judge of millinery!"

Lenora turned and looked at them both with an air of blank astonishment.

The Inspector was a little embarra.s.sed.

"No need to give me away like that," he muttered, as they reached the hall. "Now then, ladies and gentlemen, if you are ready."

They took their places in the automobile and drove off. As they neared the vicinity of Gayson Avenue, the Professor began to show signs of renewed uneasiness. When they drew up at last outside the house, he gave a little exclamation. His face was grave, almost haggard.

"Mr. Quest," he said, "Inspector French, I deeply regret that I have a statement to make."

They both turned quickly towards him. The Inspector smiled in a confidential manner at Laura. It was obvious that he knew what was coming.

"Some years ago," the Professor continued, "I bought this house and made a present of it to--"

"To whom?" Quest asked quickly.

"To my servant Craig," the Professor admitted with a groan.

Lenora gave a little cry. She turned triumphantly towards the Inspector.

"All recollection as to its locality had escaped me," the Professor continued sorrowfully. "I remember that it was on the anniversary of his having been with me for some fifteen years that I decided to show him some substantial mark of my appreciation. I knew that he was looking for a domicile for his father and mother, who are since both dead, and I requested a house agent to send me in a list of suitable residences. This, alas! was the one I purchased."