Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/119

108 gurgled. "Some sensation! What, Mr. Lomas, some sensation in the Yard."

"Baddish break, Lomas. 'Zeal, all zeal, Mr. Easy,'" Reggie grinned.

"Why the devil couldn't you give it me?" Lomas thrust by in a hurry. "Get on, Bell—get on." Superintendent Bell, his lieutenant, shook his head at Reggie.

That night after dinner a card was brought in to Reggie Fortune. "For God's sake see me," was scrawled above "Mr. Victor Lunt." Reggie went down to his consulting-room.

Victor Lunt was in distress. The fat face which in the morning had been pale was now crimson and sweating. He breathed heavily; he seemed swollen.

"You must expect nothing from me, Mr. Lunt. I have done with your case," Reggie said.

"You'll hear what I've got to say. You must hear my side, doctor. It was you who set them on me. My God, there may be a warrant out for me any moment. Doctor, for God's sake—you don't want to send me to the gallows. I never did it. I swear I never did."

"I have said nothing but the truth about what I found. The facts are the facts, Mr. Lunt. Defend yourself against them. I can do nothing for you."

"But the facts lie, doctor. God love you, you wouldn't go to hang an innocent man. I'll tell you the truth, by God I will."