Reviewing the facts gleaned from Miska
during the earlier part of the evening, Stuart perceived that, apart
from the additional light which they shed upon her own relations with
the group, they could be of slight assistance to the immediate success
of the inquiry--unless the raid failed. Therefore he had determined
upon the course which now he was adopting.
As he completed the sealing of the envelope and laid it down upon the
table, he heard a cab drawn up in front of the house, and presently
Mrs. M'Gregor knocked and entered the study.
"Inspector Dunbar to see you, Mr. Keppel," she said--"and he has with
him an awful-looking body, all cuts and bandages. A patient, no doubt."
Stuart stood up, wondering what this could mean.
"Will you please show them up, Mrs. M'Gregor," he replied.
A few moments later Dunbar entered, accompanied by a bearded man
whose head was bandaged so as to partly cover one eye and who had an
evil-looking scar running from his cheekbone, apparently--or at any
rate from the edge of the bandage--to the corner of his mouth, so that
the lip was drawn up in a fierce and permanent snarl.
At this person Stuart stared blankly, until Dunbar began to laugh.
"It's a wonderful make-up, isn't it?" he said. "I used to say that
disguises were out of date, but M. Max has taught me I was wrong."
"Max!" cried Stuart.
"At your service," replied the apparition, "but for this evening only
I am 'Le Belafre.
Pages:
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190