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Page 47
The weather remained almost tropically hot, and the moon floated in a
cloudless sky. I looked down upon the closely matted leaves of the box
hedge, which rose to within a few feet of my window, and to the left I
could obtain a view of the close-hemmed courtyard before the doors of
Cray's Folly. On the right the yews began, obstructing my view of the
Tudor garden, but the night air was fragrant, and the outlook one of
peace.
After a time, then, as no sound came from the adjoining room, I turned
in, and despite all things was soon fast asleep.
Almost immediately, it seemed, I was awakened. In point of fact, nearly
four hours had elapsed. A hand grasped my shoulder, and I sprang up in
bed with a stifled cry, but:
"It's all right, Knox," came Harley's voice. "Don't make a noise."
"Harley!" I said. "Harley! what has happened?"
"Nothing, nothing. I am sorry to have to disturb your beauty sleep, but
in the absence of Innes I am compelled to use you as a dictaphone,
Knox. I like to record impressions while they are fresh, hence my
having awakened you."
"But what has happened?" I asked again, for my brain was not yet fully
alert.
"No, don't light up!" said Harley, grasping my wrist as I reached out
toward the table-lamp.
His figure showed as a black silhouette against the dim square of the
window.
"Why not?"
"Well, it's nearly two o'clock. The light might be observed."
"Two o'clock?" I exclaimed.
"Yes. I think we might smoke, though. Have you any cigarettes? I have
left my pipe behind."
I managed to find my case, and in the dim light of the match which I
presently struck I saw that Paul Harley's face was very fixed and grim.
He seated himself on the edge of my bed, and:
"I have been guilty of a breach of hospitality, Knox," he began. "Not
only have I secretly had my own car sent down here, but I have had
something else sent, as well. I brought it in under my coat this
evening."
"To what do you refer, Harley?"
"You remember the silken rope-ladder with bamboo rungs which I brought
from Hongkong on one occasion?"
"Yes--"
"Well, I have it in my bag now."
"But, my dear fellow, what possible use can it be to you at Cray's
Folly?"
"It has been of great use," he returned, shortly.
"It enabled me to descend from my window a couple of hours ago and to
return again quite recently without disturbing the household. Don't
reproach me, Knox. I know it is a breach of confidence, but so is the
behaviour of Colonel Menendez."
"You refer to his reticence on certain points?"
"I do. I have a reputation to lose, Knox, and if an ingenious piece of
Chinese workmanship can save it, it shall be saved."
"But, my dear Harley, why should you want to leave the house secretly
at night?"
Paul Harley's cigarette glowed in the dark, then:
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