He seemed to be
satisfied and asked me to come into his study for a moment. The man
in the lane was probably satisfied, too. I had stood three paces from
the table-lamp all the time, waving the letter about as I talked, and
casting a bold shadow on the linen blind!
The first thing that struck me as I entered the doctor's study was
that the French windows, which opened on a sheltered lawn, were open.
I acted accordingly.
"You see," said Dr. Stuart, "I am enclosing your letter in this big
envelope which I am sealing."
"Yes, sir," I replied, standing at some distance from him, so that he
had to speak loudly. "And would you mind addressing it to the Lost
Property Office."
"Not at all," said he, and did as I suggested. "If not reclaimed
within a reasonable time, it will be sent to Scotland Yard."
I edged nearer to the open window.
"If it is not reclaimed," I said loudly, "it goes to Scotland Yard--yes."
"Meanwhile," concluded the doctor, "I am locking it in this private
drawer in my bureau."
"It is locked in your bureau. Very good."
CHAPTER III
DISAPPEARANCE OF CHARLES MALET
Knowing, and I knew it well, that people of "The Scorpion" were
watching, I do not pretend that I felt at my ease as I drove around to
the empty house in which I garaged my cab. My inquiry had entered upon
another stage, and Charles Malet was about to disappear from the case.
I was well aware that if he failed in his vigilance for a single moment
he might well disappear from the world!
The path which led to the stables was overgrown with weeds and flanked
by ragged bushes; weeds and grass sprouted between the stones paving
the little yard, also, although they were withered to a great extent
by the petrol recently spilled there.
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