The Crime Club

d round on his h

at?" he ask

ugged his

d to the negro, whose teet

" Westerham de

ue from Melun and merely

ouder and more terror-stricken than

protest he had snatched the lantern fro

blundered up the second flight, the

against the crazy panel, and the door went in with a crash, disclosing a frowsy little sitting-room somewhat in disorder. All about was spread signs of a meal. Two girls-W

s collar in a moment, and s

ing with passion, blocked

the man with as certain and as deadly an aim as that which h

her, crying and looking at Westerham in an

egro aside and bru

shortly, "this is enough to brin

ouse" before, and was prepared for all emergencies. As usual, too, when he fo

ond the window is the street. You forget, too, that one good man is worth all

lf-recovered his senses, sat on the floor,

ly bright and steady gaze, and again shrugged his s

ell," h

to the negro. "Drop t

" said t

said West

man dr

"Come along," he said, "let's ge

, and still clinging together,

m, and then he thrust the nozzle of his

said, "and down th

e captain brought up the rear. In t

men below, and two or three of them were now gathered to

en the lantern from th

show you a lig

ut they did not blink so much that they failed to

your friend that is to help us all? If he goes

he better man, and felt that at the presen

ck, asking them, with pleasant oaths, how long i

nted himself that at his direction the negro opened

turned about and f

here I shall do things in my own way so much the better for you. I am

him rolling back into the passage; then he we

rebuke. Westerham was of no mind to listen to hi

to go, and I will follow and

them to walk on quickly, and then taking Melun's arm in the grip

e to nod the girls good-bye, but bund

nd Melun endeavoured to speak again, but

d protesting; he appeared dazed and cowed by the swiftness with which Westerham h

h great precision poured out a couple of

skulking," he said. "I would suggest to you that ev

to reply angrily, when Wes

y eyes to a great many matters not exactly permitted by the law of this country. That contingency, however, I was from

ermit!" Melun

rham, coldly. "And one of them is such

now blazing, and his mou

he continued, "and therefore I propose

annot," cr

at to me. I already see that I am more qualified to deal with those ruffians down yonde

without any mistake that I will have no women fetched into that

. He was completely

e pleased to call your 'endless resources,' you might do me some injury. A good many people disappear in London, and I fancied for a little while I might become one

now and proceed to another which is o

in his chair and smoked thoughtfully for a few minut

ster was to give a reception on the morrow. Folding it carefully so as to mark the place, Westerham

irl in the picture-the girl you informed me was the Lady Kathleen Carfax. Now I find you, even on this short acquaintance, such a braggart that I am inclined to doubt everythin

lun, with some signs

from his chair, but Westerham gave him a litt

"you are here to liste

you said was true. In that case I demand as part of our bargai

d. "I will never

ld introduce me to all your friends. If you fail to keep that agreement, then I shall fail to keep mine; a

ingly at Westerham. "But what you ask no

hy

e should mention the Hyde Park affair of the night before. Had Bagley told him? He was doubtful. And if Bagley had not told the

een and her father. It would be better, he reflected, to smooth matters over and let events take their own cours

hat your presence in Lord Penshurst's house must be unwelcome. Do you hesitate to take me there

agely, and there crept into his eyes

ite of everything, you must make it conven

and then nodded acquiescence. "Very well," he sai

tel sleek and smiling. His face was as smooth as his shir

to him with an almost friendly smile. Pre

rned the rather dowdy old house upside down, and decorators and upholsterers h

great. The Prime Minister, handsome and white-bearded

ugh in the endeavour to find the eyes of friends or at least acqu

at social events came back to him, and he followed Melun easily and unembarras

er his strange, bright, sea-green glance fell there was left b

aring lest his unlooked-for appearance might cause her an embarrassment which might become obvious to all beholders, but he reflected that a girl who had displayed such courage and such coolness was more than likely to be equal t

th terror. But the contraction and dilation of her pupils were so swift that no one but an expectant observer would have noted the change. Her face paled a little and then

rham's face with a long, searching gaze. And over his face there swept a sudden change of expression. As Melun had whispered his name the old man's fac

to be avoided, as a man introduced by Melun for some sinister motive. Then suddenly, from the very honesty and openness of Westerham's face, the Premier had changed about to the opinion that he was Melun's du

had noted that to the other man she had merely bowed, but to h

on to one of astonishment. Westerham saw the dry old lips tighten in the white beard, and was somewhat taken aback.

ady Kathleen-at least not then. But as he moved away he was conscious

; so he nodded back with a little friendly smile as though he had known her for man

nd almost immediately moved back in a furt

rial privilege of bored young men at a dance or a crush, leant against the

little; all the guests had made their bows, a

inister standing a little apart conversing earnestly in whispers

ush once or twice and was conscious that the Prime Minist

e doorway till he saw Melun come back alone and take the Prime Minister on one side. They were conversing rapidly, and Westerham could plainly see that Lord Penshurst was by no means pleased. There was, indeed, on his face an expression of cold

s he was in the finding of Lady Kathleen, so he moved across the

on to a third room in which there were fewer peopl

g. He moved towards this, and found himself suddenly face to face with her. Sh

hands as though to thrust him away, and her fac

st as they are. I shook hands with you just now, b

my friend?" asked

bt it?" asked

ugh, "I admit that he appears to be, but that

t so," sh

"but don't misunderstand me-my ends ma

een starte

ee that they were unobserved; he

I know it is impossible for you to st

tween Bagley and Melun. Why they persecute you and your father I do not know; I wish I did, for I would then, perhaps, be able to help you. These men

appealingly and doubtfully

though you seem to be Melun's friend, I feel that I might trust you; but,

further, but at this moment her fath

en!" he

s arm. The old man turned quickly towards

in a low voice, "leave my ho

ew out a depr

nly hear me, L

that I will have no further deal

urged W

you have not heaped sufficient dishonour on my head already? But there is a point beyond

garded as of the same breed as Melun. But he saw it would be utterly useless and would only provoke a