Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/196

186 The very thought of such a thing brought the perspiration streaming out on my face.

There must be no delay now in telling all we knew. The villains must be unmasked this very night. Wetherell must know all now; this very instant!

As I came to this conclusion I crushed my paper into my pocket and set off, without a moment's delay, for Potts Point. The night was dark, and now a thick drizzle was falling. Though it really did not take me very long it seemed an eternity before I reached the house and rang the bell. The butler opened the door and looked surprised to see me.

"Is Mr. Wetherell at home?" I asked.

For a moment he looked doubtful as to what he should say, then compromising matters, said he'd see.

"I know what that means," I said in reply. "Mr. "Wetherell is in, but you don't think he'll see me. But he must! I have news for him of the very utmost importance. Will you tell him that?"

He left me and went along the hall and upstairs. Presently he returned shaking his head.

"I'm very sorry, sir, but Mr. Wetherell's answer is, if you have anything to say you must put it in writing; he cannot see you."

"But he must! In this case I can accept no refusal. Tell him, will you, that the matter upon which I wish to speak to him has nothing whatsoever to do with myself. I pledge him my word on that."

Again the butler departed, and once more I was left to cool my heels in the portico. When he returned it was with a smile upon his face.

"Mr. Wetherell will be glad if you will step this way, sir." I followed him along the hall and up the massive stone staircase. Arriving at the top he opened a door