Page:An African Millionaire.djvu/187

174 I will divulge one jot of them. If I did, my occupation would be gone, and my reputation shattered.'

Charles looked at him, appalled. 'Do you dare to say,' he burst out, 'you've been listening to my talk with my brother-in-law and secretary?'

'Why, of course,' Medhurst answered. 'It's my business to listen, and to suspect everybody. If you push me to say so, how do I know Colonel Clay is not—Mr. Wentworth?'

Charles withered him with a look. 'In future, Medhurst,' he said, 'you must never conceal yourself in a room where I am without my leave and knowledge.' Medhurst bowed politely. 'Oh, as you will, Sir Charles,' he answered; 'that's quite at your own wish. Though how can I act as an efficient detective, any way, if you insist upon tying my hands like that, beforehand?'

Again I detected a faint American flavour.

After that rebuff, however, Medhurst seemed put upon his mettle. He redoubled his vigilance in every direction. 'It's not my fault,' he said plaintively, one day, 'if my reputation's so good that, while I'm near you, this rogue won't approach you. If I can't catch him, at least I keep him away from coming near you!'

A few days later, however, he brought Charles some photographs. These he produced with evident pride. The first he showed us was a vignette of a