the lost road-第61章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


Times　has　the　courage　to　publish　it；　it　will　be　the　biggest
newspaper　sensation　of　modern　times；　and　it　will　either　cause
a　financial　panic　all　over　Europeor　prevent　one。　　The　man　they
suspect　is　facing　us。　　Don't　look　now；　but　in　a　minute　you　will
see　him　sitting　alone　at　a　table　on　the　right　of　the　middle　pillar。
The　people　at　the　tables　nearest　himeven　the　womenare
detectives。　　His　waiter　is　in　the　employ　of　Scotland　Yard。　　The
maitre　d'hotel；　whom　you　will　see　always　hovering　round　his
table；　is　a　police　agent　lent　by　Bulgaria。　　For　the　Allies　are　even
more　anxious　to　stop　the　leak　than　we　are。　　We　are　interested
only　as　their　hosts；　with　them　it　is　a　matter　of　national　life　or
death。　　A　week　ago　one　of　our　own　inspectors　tipped　me　off　to
what　is　going　on；　and　every　night　since　then　I've　dined　here；
hoping　to　see　something　suspicious。〃

〃Have　you？〃　asked　Sam。

〃Only　this；〃　whispered　Forsythe〃on　four　different　nights　I've
recognized　men　I　know　are　on　the　staff　of　the　Times；　and　on　the
other　nights　men　I　don't　know　may　have　been　here。　　But　after　all
that　proves　nothing；　for　this　place　is　a　resort　of　newspaper　writers
and　editorsand　the　Times　men's　being　here　may　have　been　only
a　coincidence。〃

〃And　Hertz？〃　asked　Sam〃what　does　he　do？〃

The　Englishman　exclaimed　with　irritation。

〃Just　what　you　see　him　doing　now！〃　he　protested。　　〃He　eats　his
dinner！　Look　at　him！〃　he　commanded。　　〃Of　all　in　the　room　he's　the
least　concerned。〃

Sam　looked　and　saw　the　suspected　Adolf　Hertz　dangling　a　mass
of　macaroni　on　the　end　of　his　fork。　　Sam　watched　him　until　it
disappeared。

〃Maybe　that's　a　signal！〃　suggested　Sam。　　〃Maybe　everything　he　does
is　part　of　a　cipher　code！　He　gives　the　signals　and　the　Times　men
read　them　and　write　them　down。〃

〃A　man　would　have　a　fine　chance　to　write　anything　down　in　this
room！〃　said　Forsythe。

〃But　maybe；〃　persisted　Sam；　〃when　he　makes　those　strange
movements　with　his　lips　he　is　talking　to　a　confederate　who　can
read　the　lip　language。　　The　confederate　writes　it　down　at　the
office　and〃

〃Fantastic　and　extremely　improbable！〃　commented　Forsythe。　　〃But；
nevertheless；　the　fact　remains；　the　fellow　does　communicate　with
some　one　from　the　Times；　and　the　police　are　positive　he　does　it
here　and　that　he　is　doing　it　now！〃

The　problem　that　so　greatly　disturbed　his　friend　would　have　more
deeply　interested　Sam　had　the　solving　of　his　own　trouble　been
less　imperative。　　That　alone　filled　his　mind。　　And　when　the　coffee
was　served　and　the　cigars　lit；　without　beating　about　the　bush　Sam
asked　Forsythe　bluntly　if　on　his　paper　a　rising　and　impecunious
genius　could　find　a　place。　　With　even　less　beating　about　the　bush
Forsythe　assured　him　he　could　not。　　The　answer　was　final；　and　the
disappointment　was　so　keen　that　Sam　soon　begged　his　friend　to
excuse　him；　paid　his　bill；　and　rose　to　depart。

〃Better　wait！〃　urged　Forsythe。　　〃You'll　find　nothing　so　good　out
at　a　music…hall。　　This　is　Houdini　getting　out　of　his　handcuffs
before　an　audience　entirely　composed　of　policemen。〃

Sam　shook　his　head　gloomily。

〃I　have　a　few　handcuffs　of　my　own　to　get　rid　of；〃　he　said；　〃and
it　makes　me　poor　company。〃

He　bade　his　friend　good　night　and；　picking　his　way　among　the
tables；　moved　toward　the　pillar　on　which　the　waiter　had　hung　his
hat。　　The　pillar　was　the　one　beside　which　Hertz　was　sitting；　and
as　Sam　approached　the　man　he　satisfied　his　curiosity　by　a　long
look。　　Under　the　glance　Hertz　lowered　his　eyes　and　fixed　them
upon　his　newspaper。　　Sam　retrieved　his　hat　and　left　the　restaurant。

His　mind　immediately　was　overcast。　　He　remembered　his　disappointment
and　that　the　parting　between　himself　and　Polly　was　now　inevitable。
Without　considering　his　direction　he　turned　toward　Charing　Cross
Road。　　But　he　was　not　long　allowed　to　meditate　undisturbed。

He　had　only　crossed　the　little　street　that　runs　beside　the　restaurant
and　passed　into　the　shadow　of　the　National　Gallery　when；　at　the
base　of　the　Irving　Memorial；　from　each　side　he　was　fiercely　attacked。
A　young　man　of　eminently　respectable　appearance　kicked　his　legs
from　under　him；　and　another　of　equally　impeccable　exterior　made
an　honest　effort　to　knock　off　his　head。

Sam　plunged　heavily　to　the　sidewalk。　　As　he　sprawled　forward　his
hat　fell　under　him　and　in　his　struggle　to　rise　was　hidden　by　the
skirts　of　his　greatcoat。　　That；　also；　he　had　fallen　heavily　upon　his
hat　with　both　knees　Sam　did　not　know。　　The　strange　actions　of
his　assailants　enlightened　him。　　To　his　surprise；　instead　of
continuing　their　assault　or　attempting　a　raid　upon　his　pockets；
he　found　them　engaged　solely　in　tugging　at　the　hat。　　And　so
preoccupied　were　they　in　this　that；　though　still　on　his　knees；
Sam　was　able　to　land　some　lusty　blows　before　a　rush　of　feet
caused　the　young　men　to　leap　to　their　own　and；　pursued　by
several　burly　forms；　disappear　in　the　heart　of　the　traffic。

Sam　rose　and　stood　unsteadily。　　He　found　himself　surrounded　by
all　of　those　who　but　a　moment　before　he　had　left　contentedly
dining　at　Pavoni's。　　In　an　excited　circle　waiters　and　patrons　of
the　restaurant；　both　men　and　women；　stood　in　the　falling　snow；
bareheaded；　coatless；　and　cloakless；　staring　at　him。　　Forsythe
pushed　them　aside　and　took　Sam　by　the　arm。

〃What　happened？〃　demanded　Sam。

〃You　ought　to　know；〃　protested　Forsythe。　　〃You　started　it！　The
moment　you　left　the　restaurant　two　men　grabbed　their　hats　and
jumped　after　you；　a　dozen　other　men；　without　waiting　for　hats；
jumped　after　them。　　The　rest　of　us　got　out　just　as　the　two　men
and　the　detectives　dived　into　the　traffic。〃

A　big　man；　with　an　air　of　authority；　drew　Sam　to　one　side。

〃Did　they　take　anything　from　you；　sir？〃　he　asked。

〃I've　nothing　they　could　take；〃　said　Sam。　　〃And　they　didn't　try　to
find　out。　　They　just　knocked　me　down。〃

Forsythe　turned　to　the　big　man。

〃This　gentleman　is　a　friend　of　mine；　inspector；〃　he　said。　　〃He　is
a　stranger　in　town　and　was　at　Pavoni's　only　by　accident。〃

〃We　might　need　his　testimony；〃　suggested　the　official。

Sam　gave　his　card　to　the　inspector　and　then　sought　refuge　in　a
taxicab。　　For　the　second　time　he　bade　his　friend　good　night。

〃And　when　next　we　dine；〃　he　called　to　him　in　parting；　〃choose　a
restaurant　where　the　detective　service　is　quicker！〃

Three　hours　later；　brushed　and　repaired　by　Mrs。　Wroxton；　and
again　resplendent；　Sam　sat　in　a　secluded　corner　of　Deptford　House
and　bade　Polly　a　long　farewell。　　It　was　especially　long；　owing　to
the　unusual　number　of　interruptions；　for　it　was　evident　that　Polly
had　many　friends　in　London；　and　that　not　to　know　the　Richest　One
in　America　and　her　absurd　mother；　and　the　pompous；　self…satisfied
father；　argued　oneself　nobody。　　But　finally　the　duchess　carried　Polly
off　to　sup　with　her；　and　as　the　duchess　did　not　include　Sam　in　her
invitationat　least　not　in　such　a　way　that　any　one　could　notice　it
Sam　said　good…nightbut　not　before　he　had　arranged　a　meeting
with　Polly　for　eleven　that　same　morning。　　If　it　was　clear；　the
meeting　was　to　be　at　the　duck　pond　in　St。　James's　Park；　if　it
snowed；　at　the　National　Gallery　in　front　of　the　〃Age　of
Innocence。〃

After　robbing　the　duchess　of　three　suppers；　Sam　descended　to
the　hall　and　from　an　attendant　received　his　coat　and　hat；　which
latter　the　attendant　offered　him　with　the　inside　of　the　hat
showing。　　Sam　saw　in　it　the　trademark　of　a　foreign　maker。

〃That's　not　my　hat；〃　said　Sam。

The　man　expressed　polite　disbelief。

〃I　found　it　rolled　up　in　the　pocket　of　your　greatcoat；　sir；〃　he
protested。

The　words　reminded　Sam　that　on　arriving　at　Deptford　House　he　had
twisted　the　hat　into　a　roll　and　stuffed　it　into　his　overcoat
pocket。

〃Quite　right；〃　said　Sam。　　But　it　was　not　his　hat；　and　with　some　hope
of　still　recovering　his　property　he　made　way　for　other　departing
guests　and　at　one　side　waited。

For　some　clew　to　the　person　he　believed　was　now　wearing　his　hat；
Sam　examined　the　one　in　his　hand。　　Just　showing　above　the　inside
band　was　something　white。　　Thinking　it　might　be　the　card　of　the
owner；　Sam　removed　it。　　It　was　not　a　card；　but　a　long　sheet　of　thin
paper；　covered　with　typewriting；　and　many　times　folded。　　Sam
read　the　opening　paragraph。　　Then　he　backed　suddenly　toward　a
great　chair　of　gold　and　velvet；　and　fell　into　it。

He　was　conscious　the　attendants　in　pink　stockings　were　regarding
him　askance；　that；　as　they　waited　in　the　drafty　hall　for　cars　and　taxis；
the　noble　lords　in　stars　and　ribbons；　the　noble　ladies　in　tiaras　and
showing　much…fur…lined　galoshes；　were　discussing　his　strange
appearance。　　They　might　well　believe　the　youth　was　ill；　they　might
easily　have　considered　him　intoxicated。　　Outside　rose　the　voices　of
servants　and　police　calling　the　carriages。　　Inside　other　servants　echoed
them。

〃The　Duchess　of　Sutherland's　car！〃　they　chanted。　〃Mrs。　Trevor
Hill's　carriage！　The　French　ambassador's　carriage！　Baron
Haussmann's　car！〃

Like　one　emerging　from　a　trance；　Sam　sprang　upright。　　A　little　fat
man；　with　mild　blue　eyes　and　curly　red　hair；　was　shyly　and　with
murmured　apologies　pushing　toward　the　exit。　　Before　he　gained　it
Sam　had　wriggled　a　way　to　his　elbow。

〃Baron　Haussmann！〃　he　stammered。　　〃I　must　speak　to　you。　　It's　a
matter　of　gravest　importance。　　Send　away　your　car；〃　he　begged；
〃and　give　me　five　minutes。〃

The　eyes　of　the　little　fat　man　opened　wide　in　surprise；　almost　in
alarm。　　He　stared　at　Sam　reprovingly。

〃Impossible！〃　he　murmured。　　〃II　do　not　know　you。〃

〃This　is　a　letter　of　introduction；〃　said　Sam。　　Into　the　unwilling
fingers　of　the　banker　he　thrust　the　folded　paper。　　Bending　over
him；　he　whispered　in　his　ear。　　〃That；〃　said　Sam；　〃is　the　Treaty　of
London！〃

The　alarm　of　Baron　Haussmann　increased　to　a　panic。

〃Impossible！〃　he　gasped。　　And；　with　reproach；　he　repeated：　〃I　do
not　know　you；　sir！　I　do　not　know　you！〃

At　that　moment；　towering　above　the　crush；　appeared　the　tall　figure
of　Senator　Seward。　　The　rich　man　of　the　New　World　and　the　rich
man　of　Europe　knew　each　other　only　by　sight。　　But；　upon　seeing
Sam　in　earnest　converse　with　the　great　banker；　the　senator
believed　that　without　appearing　to　seek　it　he　might　through　Sam
effect　a　meeting。　　With　a　hearty　slap　on　the　shoulder　he　greeted
his　fellow　countryman。

〃Halloo；　Sam！〃　he　cried　genially。　　〃You　walking　home　with　me？〃

Sam　did　not　even　turn　his　head。

〃No！〃　he　snapped。　　〃I'm　busy。　　Go　'way！〃

Crimson；　the　senator　disappeared。　　Baron　Haussmann　regarded　the
young　stranger　with　amazed　interest。

〃You　know　him！〃　he　protested。　　〃He　called　you　Sam！〃

〃Know　him？〃　cried　Sam　impatiently。　　〃I've　got　to　know　him！　He's
going　to　be　my　father…in…law。〃

The　fingers　of　the　rich　man　clutched　the　folded　paper　as　the
claws　of　a　parrot　cling　to　the　bars　of　his　cage。　　He　let　his　sable
coat　slip　into　the　hands　of　a　servant；　he　turned　back　toward　the
marble　staircase。

〃Come！〃　he　commanded。

Sam　led　him　to　the　secluded　corner　Polly　and　he　had　left　vacant
and　told　his　story。

〃So；　it　is　evident；〃　concluded　Sam；　〃that　each　night　some　one　in
the　service　of　the　Times　dined　at　Pavoni's；　and　that　his　hat　was
the　same　sort　of　hat　as　the　one　worn　by　Hertz；　and　each　night；
inside　the　lining　of　his　hat；　Hertz　hid　the　report　of　that　day's
proceedings。　　And　when　the　Times