. . Thank you, Polkinghorne--of course they can when they're
real friends.
But that speculation wouldn't work, either: for again at Prince's,
and again at Jack's invitation, we were to be a party of three. . . .
I tell you of these doubts because through them, and (you may say) by
way of them, it came to me--my first inkling that something was wrong
with the man.
Anyway, as it turned out, Jimmy and I might have spared ourselves the
discussion: for when we reached Prince's the head-waiter (an old
friend) brought me a letter. It had been delivered by District
Messenger almost two hours before. It ran--Here it is: I have all
the documents but one, and I've sent home for that.
"Dear Roddy,--Sorry to do a shirk: but circumstances oblige me to
take the boat-train, 9.45, ex Victoria. I have locked up the
flat. The porter has the keys, with instructions to lend to
nobody but you or the landlord.
"Address, for some little while, quite uncertain. I drew out a
fair sum in circular notes and cash; enough to keep me solvent
for some weeks.
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