He turned again and
swung on his way toward the main road. The incident had done him good.
It had banished domestic matters from his mind, and he was become
again the highly trained champion of justice, standing, an unseen
buckler, between society and the criminal.
CHAPTER IX
A PACKET OF CIGARETTES
Following their dismissal by Chief Inspector Kerry, Seton and Gray
walked around to the latter's chambers in Piccadilly. They proceeded
in silence, Gray too angry for speech, and Seton busy with
reflections. As the man admitted them:
"Has anyone 'phoned, Willis?" asked Gray.
"No one, sir."
They entered a large room which combined the characteristics of a
library with those of a military gymnasium. Gray went to a side table
and mixed drinks. Placing a glass before Seton, he emptied his own at
a draught.
"If you'll excuse me for a moment," he said, "I should like to ring up
and see if by any possible chance there's news of Rita."
He walked out to the telephone, and Seton heard him making a call.
Then:
"Hullo! Is that you, Hinkes?" he asked. . . . "Yes, speaking. Is Mrs.
Irvin at home?"
A few moments of silence followed, and:
"Thanks! Good-bye," said Gray.
He rejoined his friend.
"Nothing," he reported, and made a gesture of angry resignation.
Pages:
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91