The Red Bicycle

bad temper, and undoubtedly he had been in the house when the crime was committed. Adding to this the fact that Wyke disliked Claudia's father and had a b

sed the knife while the other man was present. On the whole, Craver was perplexed by the situation, and wondered what he should do. If Lemby took his daughter to Australia, Craver felt sure that he would never see her again, as he himself was unable to leave England. And Lemby, if implicated

audia should be allowed to marry him. It was difficult to see how he could help the pirate since he knew so little. Two heads are always better than one, and Craver believed that Lemby would consent to the marriage in order

was mounting the stairs. On inquiry it appeared that Lemby had arrived, and was awaiting the interview with Mr. Sandal, who was engaged for the time being. Craver rejoiced that there was a chance of seeing the pirate before he interviewed the lawyer, and requested to be shown into the waiting-room. The clerk opened a side do

r?" he asked in his truculent way. "I di

at and thus forcing Lemby to resume his

d who told you t

aud

I suppose you slipped in to see my daughter immediately

ctly honourable way," ret

allow you to make love to Claudia, as I don't i

Now that he is dead there is no reason

ously. "You have no money. When Wyke was alive I told you to keep away from my flat,

tend to marry her. She yielded to your pressing wishes and became engag

hed impertinen

n me from my resolution, Mr. Lem

s eyes. "I won't have it," he declared with a growl. "Cl

. It is about that matter I ha

ed upon and followed and worried and chased? Well, you ar

id not mind. The hotter Lemby got the cooler was the young man, and the more composed was

meddle with that," sn

hould meddle with it t

-"drop it! You are going too far, Craver. W

actly what took place at Maranat

told all that I knew at the inquest," he blust

ffing boldly; "but he may have his sus

ith a positive look of terror on his face. "I

reputation, liberty and life to, get it." Craver

You have been listening to the conversation b

u left the flat I saw Claudia

ver, and Claudia is a minx for t

rmly. "I hear that you want Claudia to go with

he other, "And how do you

remains to

confounded

ould easily stop your projected journey to Australia by informing Sergeant Purse what you said to

vociferated the pir

g your frankness at the inquest. Sergeant Purse may have suspicions that you

ice, I s

my marriage with Claudia if I succeed

and down the room like a caged beast. "

your words to Claudia hint that

right to s

You have caused her much distress by your hints that you are in danger, so it is right that she should

f losing my freedom,

ou use those wo

her do wh

to offer my services on condition that you allow me to marry your daughter. But as you refuse to list

door--"don't be in a hurry. I expect to see Mr. Sandal every

and you kno

me here, to see if Wyke has left his money to Claudia, which he should do, considering how badly he treated he

it if you will promise

gly. "I have no reason to run away in spite of my speech to m

you have nothing to

it that way; I am p

ept my assistance?"

o see Sandal and arrange about the money, perhaps you will clear out. It

time," commented Craver, sarcastically. "However. I will go. Re

savagely, "you've go

Mr. Lemby, I have not got the whip-hand of you. I am not so mean as to employ tactics of a dishonou

Lemby, ungraciously. "But, mind, I do

h the door of the waiting-room at the same moment that a clerk op

arriage settlements of Claudia, and did not like him. Therefore Sandal received him coldly, and, having seated himself at his desk, waited to hear what he

ttle of fish," he sa

ir Hector Wyke," said Sandal, in his dry, p

to look into the affair?" asked Lemby

resentative was at the inquest, at the burial, and at the police-office in Redleigh, where he learnt that no trace could be found of the assassin. But you, Mr. Lemby,

as much in the dark as y

d why you have come to se

want to know what Sir Hect

ed his eyebrows. "Why

rry him, and the marriage sett

ector," Sandal reminded him: "nor

sly. "Surely Sir Hector has provi

fore Sir Hector met your daughter. That will leaves all t

Lemby, rather

Hector

th a dazed air, scarc

yke." The lawyer smiled