Page:An African Millionaire.djvu/180

Rh 'No,' Charles answered, fixing him with his eye. 'Quite another kind of job. You've heard of Colonel Clay?'

Medhurst nodded. 'Why, certainly,' he said; and, for the first time, I detected a lingering trace of American accent. 'It's my business to know about him.'

'Well, I want you to catch him,' Charles went on.

Medhurst drew a long breath. 'Isn't that rather a large order?' he murmured, surprised.

Charles explained to him exactly the sort of services he required. Medhurst promised to comply. 'If the man comes near you, I'll spot him,' he said, after a moment's pause. 'I can promise you that much. I'll pierce any disguise. I should know in a minute whether he's got up or not. I'm death on wigs, false moustaches, artificial complexions. I'll engage to bring the rogue to book if I see him. You may set your mind at rest, that, while I'm about you, Colonel Clay can do nothing without my instantly spotting him.'

'He'll do it,' Marvillier put in. 'He'll do it, if he says it. He's my very best hand. Never knew any man like him for unravelling and unmasking the cleverest disguises.'

'Then he’ll suit me,’ Charles answered, 'for I never knew any man like Colonel Clay for assuming and maintaining them.'

It was arranged accordingly that Medhurst should take up his residence in the house for the