Читать книгу Seven Sins - Sax Rohmer - Страница 12

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The door opened and a man came in, quickly closing it behind him as if to exclude some intruder. Then he turned and faced the lobby, and his dark brown eyes opened wider and wider until they seemed to become completely round.

He was a short, broad man, having a remarkable span of shoulder, clean shaven, high colored and with a good head of gray hair, meticulously groomed. But the high color was gradually filtering out of his face. He wore light suede gloves, a black morning coat and a winged collar with a black tie. His trousers were of a discreet gray, his shoes were black. An umbrella which hung from his arm, allowed drops of rain to fall upon the mosaic pavement. Slowly, as he watched, he removed a soft black hat, as one grown conscious that he stands in the presence of death.

"Good evening," said the Chief Inspector ominously. "Who are you?"

The man swallowed. His gaze had sought, found, and was now focussed upon the Roman couch. "My name is James Wake, and I am Lord Marcus Amberdale's butler."

Bluett was considering James Wake with frank interest. His expression was that of a punter studying the points of a horse, and deciding whether it shall or shall not carry his money. Firth's tawny eyes conveyed nothing other than an interrogation. Dr. Fawcett replaced his bag on the floor and his hat on top of it.

"You keep strange hours for a butler."

"It may certainly seem so, sir." The man had a punctilious accuracy of speech which the Chief Inspector found faintly irritating. "But in point of fact my return at so late an hour is, if I may so describe it, the result of an after-thought."

"Indeed! Do I take you to mean that you had not intended to come back at all?"

"I had his lordship's permission to sleep out. And if I don't intrude in any way, perhaps you will be good enough to tell me who you are, sir, and what has occurred."

With the unerring instinct of a "gentleman's gentleman," he had placed Firth in that intermediate class towards members of which one displays a reasonable respect (as a well-trained butler should do) but not the peculiar deference which is reserved for social superiority. As if to discount his studiously calm manner, however, the high color of James Wake had now filtered away entirely.

"I am Chief Inspector Firth, and what has happened is a murder. Just step across, Mr. Wake, and tell me if you know the dead man."

Wake, suddenly aware of his wet umbrella, inverted it hurriedly, then, drawing open a curtain which hung before a cupboard immediately inside the door, he placed it in a stand which the curtain had concealed and hung up his hat. He crossed the lobby with short, sturdy steps, and looked down at Sir Giles Loeder. Then he turned and faced Firth.

"I recognise this unfortunate gentleman, Inspector. It is Sir Giles Loeder."

"Quite so. A friend of his lordship?"

"Not to my knowledge, Inspector."

"When did he arrive?"

"I have no idea. He was certainly not here when I left."

"At what time did you leave?"

"Immediately after dinner. Mrs. Vane dined with his lordship, and I understood that the evening was to be devoted to one of his lordship's occult experiments."

"Do you know where his lordship keeps his key?"

"Certainly, Inspector. It is always in the left hand flower box; but I use my own." He held up a bunch of keys attached to a chain. "I should not dream of disturbing his lordship's."

"Where have you been until this hour?"

"I have been balancing my quarterly accounts. My wife usually assists me. I am responsible for his lordship's household. My wife is exceptionally good at figures."

"I see. Where does your wife live?"

"At the town house of Sir George Clarking in Grosvenor Square: she was formerly Sir George's cook, and now acts as caretaker of the premises, which are unoccupied."

"You have been there, then, since what time?"

"Since a little before nine o'clock. I had permission to remain the night, as I have mentioned, but I recalled the fact that his lordship had an early morning appointment, and I thought it better that I should return."

During this conversation Wake had perceptibly recovered some of his normal sang-froid, and with it a trace of his normal color. He was peeling off the suede gloves, which he placed in a pocket of his black jacket. Dr. Fawcett thought that in many respects he more closely resembled a City man than a butler. But there was something else about Wake's appearance, now that hat, gloves and umbrella were discarded, which taunted the Chief Inspector as a thing familiar, yet elusive. The wing collar and black tie formed part of this mocking image which he failed wholly to capture. Suddenly he spoke again.

"Ye were expecting a Miss Fay Perigal, I understand?"

"Miss Fay, Inspector?" Wake's expression of surprise was too sudden to be simulated. "No, sir. Although I am sure Miss Fay would be very welcome."

"Nae doubt," said Firth drily. "Well, she is here."

"What do you say, Inspector?"

"She went upstairs some little whiles back. Lord Marcus said he would leave a note for you; but I misdoubt me if he will remember."

"Thank you, Inspector. I will see that Miss Fay has her early morning coffee. Can I assist in any way, in this highly unpleasant matter?"

"It is probable. So don't turn in at present. By the way, doctor, speaking of coffee, if ye would prescribe the same, possibly Mr. Wake would oblige us. We have much yet to do."

Dr. Fawcett groaned, and glanced at his wrist-watch; at which moment the telephone rang in the study. Wake moved in that direction, but:

"Sergeant Bluett," said Firth peremptorily, "take the call."

Bluett went out, and his muffled voice might be heard speaking. The Chief Inspector, watching Wake, seemed to have another idea.

"Do you keep a lot of cats here?" he asked.

"No, Inspector." Wake shook his head. "But his lordship's experiments result in a number from the neighborhood being attracted here." He sniffed. "I am told that it is the incense which is used at these séances. His lordship has informed me that all domestic cats derive from the temple cat of Ancient Egypt, and that Kyphi, which I understand to be the name of this preparation, has what his lordship terms an hereditary fascination for them."

"Thank you," said Firth; "a most lucid exposition. Could I trouble ye to prepare a pot of coffee?"

Sergeant Bluett appeared in the opening which led to the study. "Assistant Commissioner on the line, sir," he reported ...