The Yellow Streak Part 46

"Well, now," cried the doctor breezily, "and how are you feeling? Did you take my advice and have some tea?"

"What has happened?" asked the girl; "I have been so anxious about you ..."

Her words were addressed to the doctor, but she looked at Robin.

"Mary," said Robin, "we are very near the truth now. But there is one thing you can tell us. It is very important. When you heard the shot in the library at Harkings, did you notice any other sound--before or after?"

The girl paused to think.

"There was a sort of sharp cry and a thud ..."

"I know. But was there anything else? Do try and remember. It's so important!"

The girl was silent for a moment. Then she said slowly:

"Yes, there was, now I come to think of it. Just as I tried the door--it was locked, you know--there was a sort of hiss, harsh and rather loud, from the room ..."

"A sort of hiss, eh? Something like a sneeze?"

"Yes. Only louder and ... and ... harsher!"

"Now, answer me carefully! Was this before or after the shot?"

"Oh, before! Just as I was rattling the doorhandle. The shot broke in upon it...."

Robin turned to Herr Schulz, who stood with a grave face by his side.

"The silencer, you see, sir!" he said. Then to Mary he added: "Mary, we are going off now. But we will be back within the hour and...."

"Oh, Robin," the girl broke in, "don't leave me alone! I don't feel safe in this place after this morning. I'd much rather come with you...."

"Mary, it's quite impossible...." Robin began.

But the girl had turned to a table and taken from it her hat and fur.

"I don't care!" she exclaimed wilfully; "I'm coming anyhow. I refuse to be left behind!"

She smiled at Herr Schulz as she spoke, and that gentleman's rather grim face relaxed as he looked at her.

"I'm not sure I wouldn't say the same!" he remarked.

The upshot of it was that, despite Robin's objections, Mary Trevert accompanied the party. She sat on the back seat, rather flushed and excited, between Herr Schulz and the doctor, while Robin took the wheel again. A few minutes' drive took them to the big hotel where Robin had booked a room. They all waited in the car whilst he went to the office.

He was back in a minute, an open telegram in his hand.

"I believe I've got in my pocket," he cried, "the actual weapon with which Hartley Parrish was killed!"

And he read from the telegram:

"Mastertons gunsmiths sold last July pair of Browning automatics identical with that found on Parrish to Jeekes who paid with Parrish's cheque."

The message was signed "Manderton."

At that moment a man wearing a black bowler hat and a heavy frieze overcoat came hurrying out of the hotel.

"Mr. Greve!" he cried as Robin, who was back in the driving-seat, was releasing the brake. "Did you have the wire from the Yard saying I was coming?" he asked. "Probably I beat the telegraph, though. I came by air!"

Then he tipped his hat respectfully at Herr Schulz.

"This is Detective-Inspector Manderton, of Scotland Yard, sir," said Robin.

The big man beamed a smile of friendly recognition.

"Mr. Manderton and I are old friends," he said. "How are you, Manderton? I didn't expect you to recognize me in these duds ..."

"I'd know you anywhere, sir," said the detective with unwonted cordiality.

"Have you got your warrant, Manderton?" asked Herr Schulz.

"Aye, I have, sir," replied the detective. "And I've a colleague from the Dutch police who's going along with me to effect the arrest ..."

"Jeekes, eh?"

"That's the party, sir, charged with wilful murder.... This is Commissary Boomjes, of the Rotterdam Criminal Investigation Department!"

A tall man with a short black beard had approached the car. It was decided that the whole party should proceed to the Villa Bergendal immediately. Manderton sat next to Robin and the Dutch police officer perched himself on the footboard.

"And where did you pick _him_ up, I'd like to know?" whispered Manderton in Robin's ear with a backward jerk of the head, as they glided through the brightly lit streets.

"D'you mean the doctor?" asked Robin.

"No, your other friend!"

"Miss Trevert had a letter to him. Something in the Secret Service, isn't he?"

Mr. Manderton snorted.

"'Something in the Secret Service,'" he repeated disdainfully. "Well, I should say he was. If you want to know, Mr. Greve, he's the head!"

CHAPTER XXVI

THE FIGURE IN THE DOORWAY

The rain was coming down in torrents and the night was black as pitch when, leaving the lights of Rotterdam behind, the car swung out on to the main road leading to the Villa Bergendal. Thanks to a powerful headlight, Robin was able to get a good turn of speed out of her as soon as they were clear of the city. As they slowed down at the gate in the side road Herr Schulz tapped him on the shoulder.