Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/256

Rh road and turned back with him. I had to get out of the way quick. I judged they were coming back to the house, so I did a run and dropped over the fence, and was away on the other side of the lake. Then I went into the rhododendrons and waited for them to pass. You see, sir, Parker had to keep well out of sight behind, and I was as near as makes no matter. Well, if you'll believe me, it was Mr. Kimball made the quarrel, and all in a minute he made it. One minute they were walking quite friendly, the next he whips round on Mr. Sandford and he called him a bad name. I couldn't hear all, he was talking so quick, but there was ugly words in it. Then he made to strike Mr. Sandford, and Mr. Sandford closed and chucked him back, and into the water he went just where that same rail thet [sic] he looked at was loose. But it's true enough as he fell he called out, 'You scoundrel, you've murdered me!'"

"Well, well. So he didn't bring it off after all," said Reggie. "We trumped his last card."

"Sir?" said the detective.

"You were the trump," said Reggie. "Oh, my aunt, I feel much better! I wonder if there's any lunch in these parts? What about it, Lomas, old thing?"

"I'm damned if I understand," said Lomas. "I want Sandford. Let's go up to the house."

They found Sandford sitting in an easy-chair in