Sawn Off Part 40

"It will be a lesson to a disobedient son, too," said Max, turning and darting a withering look at Tom. "One who fortunately happens to be here."

"Well, when you've got through the introductory matter, or described the symptoms," said d.i.c.k, laughing, "perhaps you'll administer the pill.

Your friends are mad doctors, I suppose?"

Max laughed derisively; and the taller of the two men--a curious-looking fellow, whose ears stood out at either side of his head so that you could look into them--in a sharp, businesslike way took out his pocket-book, and presented a card.

"That is my name and address, sir," he said--"E. Gilderoy, private inquiry agent. This is one of my a.s.sistants."

"Thankye," said d.i.c.k, smiling. "There now, let's have an inquiry in private."

Max hesitated for a moment, and then went on.

"The fact is, Mr Richard Shingle, I have employed these gentlemen to--"

"I know--watch me," said d.i.c.k sharply. "There, you needn't shrink, Max; I was quite satisfied with the thrashing I gave you before, and if I want you turned out I shall set X Number something to work."

"I am accustomed to your insults," said Max, "so say what you like. I say, I employed these gentlemen in the interest of your wife and child as much as in that of the family, since you are so imbecile that you cannot take care of yourself."

"All right: go on," said d.i.c.k, coolly picking his teeth.

"I don't care; say what you like--I deserve something for that kicking I gave you."

"And these gentlemen have reported to me that for many nights past your house has had a man lurking about it, evidently for no good purpose."

"One of these two, I suppose?" said d.i.c.k contemptuously.

"Your interruptions are most uncalled for," said Max.

"Besides us, sir," said Mr Gilderoy, nodding at his a.s.sistant.

"Yes, sir, besides us," said that worthy.

"This evening the matter culminated in the man gaining entrance to your house," said Max, with a malignant look in his eyes.

"Nonsense!" cried d.i.c.k.

"Oh no," said Max, with a sneer, "it's truth."

"I don't believe it," cried d.i.c.k. "I'll question the servants."

"There is no need," said Max maliciously; "you had better search the house, for he is here still."

"It's a lie--an invention!" cried d.i.c.k indignantly.

"You'd better ask Miss Jessie if it is," said Max, laughing. "Ask--ask Jessie?" cried d.i.c.k, looking from one to the other. "What do you mean?

To--Oh, I won't have it. Who dares to say anything of the kind?"

"Fact, sir," said the private inquirer sharply. "Young lady, sitting at window on first-floor, sits there every evening watching along the road."

"Yes," said d.i.c.k, in a bewildered way; "she does--but--"

"To-night, at seven fifty-six, tall gent in dark coat came up, jumped the railing, crossed the flower-bed, and made signs."

There was a pause, and Tom sighed.

"Dark gent, with big beard--something like this gent, sir," said the private inquirer, pointing to Tom.

"Was it you, Tom?" said d.i.c.k, with his old puzzled look growing more distinct upon his lined brow.

"No, uncle," said Tom hoa.r.s.ely; and then to himself--"Would to G.o.d it had been!"

"Oh no, sir, not this gent," said the private inquirer, referring to his note-book--"something like him, but not him. He signals to the lady at the window. Lady comes down. Lady opens breakfast-room window."

"How the devil do you know which is the breakfast-room?" cried d.i.c.k savagely.

"My duty to know, sir," said the man, in the most unruffled way.

"That's the breakfast-room door, sir. Gent goes in through window-- shuts it after him; and he didn't come out."

"How do you know?" cried d.i.c.k.

"Men watching back and front, sir," said the private inquirer imperturbably.

"Well, Max, and if some one did, what then?" said d.i.c.k. "Suppose a policeman or some one comes to see one of the maids?"

"You had better turn him out," said Max. "I should search the room."

"That's soon done," said d.i.c.k, throwing open the door. "Here, John--a lighter."

The boy took a taper to the hall lamp, and a couple of the burners in the breakfast-room being lit, they entered, to discover nothing.

"There," said d.i.c.k, wiping the perspiration from his face, "you see there is no one here. I won't have any more of your poll-prying about.

You pay men to see things, Max, and they see them."

"That's an aspersion on my word, sir," said the private inquirer sharply.

"Serve you right!" cried d.i.c.k fiercely. "What do you come watching for?

No one else saw, I'll swear. You saw n.o.body come in, did you, Hopper?--nor you, Tom?"

Neither answered, and d.i.c.k grew more and more excited.

"I won't have it!" he cried. "I'll have the house cleared."

"Without clearing your daughter's name?" said Max, with a sneer.

"Clear my daughter's name? It wants no clearing," cried d.i.c.k angrily; and now his nervous, weak manner was thrown off, and he stood up proud and defiant. "Here, stop! You, Tom Fraser, and you, Hopper! I won't have you go, if it comes to that."

"I would rather go," said Tom sadly, from the hall.

"But I say you shall not go."