The Riddle of the Purple Emperor

eedily. Within three weeks of that memorable drive through the moonlit lanes of Hampton he entered the sacred precincts of Mr. Maverick Narkom's room to f

e Headland stood where a moment before Cleek had been. Mr. Narkom was quick enough to note the change, and introduc

our little affair." He turned to Cleek and motioned with his hand in the young man's direction. "This is Sir Edgar Brenton. H

fiancée Lady Margaret Cheyne. I tell you," he added excitedly, "she is in danger, and

s of his fingers toget

assented, as he turned to sm

, eh?" Then he bowed to Sir Edgar. "P'raps you'll be good enough to

ined himself wit

hree weeks ago to-morrow. I met her more than a year ago when my mother and I-we are neighbours, by the way-were staying in Paris, and we became engaged

queried Mr. Headland with

hat we had met, and fallen in love with each other, she was furious, and kept my dear girl almost imprisoned in that confounded convent. It was impossible for us to hold any communication directly, but when I heard she was expected back, like an ass I rush

that was?" put in Cleek w

gh, but one Sir Edgar s

cely. "How dare you try to badger me with foolish questions! As a matter of fac

t his tones were quite smooth as he sai

gar flushed

rty. And I haven't come here to be cross-examined by a common pol

flung himself

kly, and thereby voiced the thought

ry with the consent of Miss Cheyne. Now yesterday was her birthday, and by a sheer piece of good luck here in London I came across Lady Margaret herself and

wn in a lonely place like Cheyne Court? Why, every sneak thief in Europe could attack it--" He broke off sharply, for Sir Edgar was looking at him in a startled way that made Cleek ment

hat Peggy has the right to do what she likes with her own fortune, the only thing Lord Cheyne had to leav

m think that?

gar fr

e had seen her alone he could have persuaded her to have left them or at

eek. Once more he betrayed more knowledg

ace became almost gray with fear. "You know of th

ls of history and that stone is amongst them," he lied glibly. "And if there are thieves who know the 'Em

hy I came to the Yard. She shrieked out to

ke the glass of the window, you say?

ted me to run away with her and keep her

shot a look

" he said in a kindly tone, "then we'll be ab

nd window seemed to be bolted and barred. At last I smashed in the dining-room door w

rkom, excitedly, while Cl

darling girl! There was not a sign, no trap-doors or panels, nothing, and I simply had to give up in the dark, and now I want your help! By Heaven th

gard face in his hands and his

r Edgar pulled himsel

"made an ass of myself, but you ca

to be done till me and my mates come down and have a peep at the place. That's about it, don't you think so, sir?" He turned to Mr

turned. "We'll go down to Ha

ome down and look round casual like," said Mr. George Headland in an off-hand manner. "Ten

ir Edgar quickly. "Yes, you're right. I w

arkom, shaking the young man's hand sy

, Cleek?" he cried excitedl

of them is, why didn't Sir Edgar break the dining-room door down at once before he made that fru

ee what that has to do with it. You are not insinuating that

t night, when a murder was committed at Cheyne Court. For I still hold that that woman was dead when I found her in the ballroom and the young gentleman's story about a revolver which he snatched away from her in the afternoon is all tommy-rot. The weapon was lying by her side when I saw her, and I'll

m, writhed his features into their semblance of the

incts of the law. There was the usual street loafer and errand boy, but half-concealed by an abutting arch there stood the figure

and Yard. That the man outside was waiting for someone to come out was obvious, but for whom? Cleek gave vent to a little

s again to Mr. Narkom's room a

!" said the Superintendent blankly

at man saw Lieutenant Deland go in, and he shall see Lieutenant

ing wall and follow in his wake, unconscious, however, that he, too, was being shadowed in his turn by Mr. Narkom in the car. It was no

limousine which had slowed down some distance ahead. There was certai

e car and climbed in beside the Superintendent, "the p