Heaths report clearly troubled him; but beforehe
could answer, Vance spoke.
His resentment slowly ebbed, and when he
againspoke, his voice was almost matter-of-fact. But if Leacock attempts to leave
the city, nab him. Do you know what he quarreled about with Mr. Ysee, if you
discover for yourself whom he suspects, it relieves himof the onus of having
tattled. After a brief silence Leacock said, Very well, then.
When he turned back tothe room, his bantering air
had gone.
That facilitates matters, said Vance, sniffing.
Thats natural, Vance said sympathetically.
And Im also assailed by the premonition that
hellwelcome your interest in his ledger.
Well, if its so important to you: I didnt ring the
bell; and thedoor was unlocked.
I thought hed take kindly to the suggestion, said
Vance.
One read in her words a strange, self-sacrificing
affectionfor the worthless Pfyfe.
Vance was watching Markham out of the corner of his
eye, a drowsysmile on his lips. Markham looked at Vance a moment, then turned to
Heath.
I had in mind a connection of a somewhat diffrent
nature when Imentioned you and Mr.
Butsuddenly, realizing the situation, he turned
away, embarrassed.
Furthermore, the jewels are gone; and Pfyfe tried
to cover up histracks that night. Im sure he cant slip from yourvigilant clutches.
It doesnt pay, y know, to worry over the trivia ofexistence. I was afraid they might
find itat my apartment. It was ten minutes, however, before he joined
us.
He was a prematurely old young man,with a sharp,
shrewd face and a perpetual frown.
He said it was luckythat he did, seeing that a
machine just like his had been at Mr. The tone in which he madethe remark seemed to
establish a closer rapprochement. He went badly astray on that point, added the
major.
Not once did he look up as hecarefully clipped the
end and lit it.
He lit a cigarette and watched the drifting spirals
of smoke.