Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/210

200 Thompson: when you drove up to the Canary Bird Hotel where did you say this man was standing?"

"In the verandah, sir."

"Had he his hat on?"

"Yes, sir."

"And then you went into the bar, but it was crowded, so he took you to a private room?"

"Yes, sir."

"And once there he began giving you the details of this farm he proposed starting. Did he work out any figures on paper?"

"Yes, sir."

"On what?"

"On a letter or envelope; I'm not certain which."

"Which of course he took from his pocket?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very good," I said. Then turning to the police officer, "Now, Mr. Inspector, shall we be off to the Canary Bird?"

"If you wish it, sir. In the meantime I'll send instructions back by these men to the different stations. Before breakfast time we must have the man who held the horse in our hands."

"You don't know him, I suppose," I asked Thompson.

"No, sir; but I've seen him before," he answered.

"He's a Sydney fellow then?"

"Oh, yes, sir."

"Then there should be no difficulty in catching him. Now let us be going."

Mr. Wetherell rose to accompany us, but hard though it was to stop him I eventually succeeded in dissuading him from such a course.

"But you will let me know directly you discover