Page:Weird Tales Volume 7 Number 2 (1926-02).djvu/31



HE Mevrouw, Sumatra-bound out of Amsterdam, had dropped the low Holland coast an hour behind when I recognized a familiar figure among the miscellany of Dutch colonials. The little man with the erect, military carriage, trimly waxed mustache and direct, challenging blue eyes was as conspicuous amid the throng of overfleshed planters, traders and petty administrators as a fleur-de-lis growing in the midst of a cabbage patch.

"For the Lord's sake, de Grandin! What are you doing here?" I demanded, seizing him by the hand. "I thought you'd gone back to your microscopes and test tubes when you cleared up the Broussac mystery."

He grinned at me like a blond brother of Mephistopheles as he linked his arm in mine and caught step with me. "Eh bien," he agreed with a nod, "so did I; but those inconsiderate Messieurs Lloyd would not have it so. They must needs send mo an urgent message to investigate a suspicion they have at the other end of the earth.

"I did not desire to go. The summer is come and the blackbirds are singing in the trees at St. Cloud. Also, I have much work to do; but they tell me: 'You shall name your own price and no questions shall be asked,' and, hélas, the franc is very low on the exchange these days.

"I tell them, 'Ten pounds sterling for each day of my travels and all expenses.' They agree. Voilà. I am here."

I looked at him in amazement. "Lloyds? Ten pounds sterling a day?" I echoed. "What in the world?"

"La, la!" he exclaimed. "It is a long story, Friend Trowbridge, and most like a foolish one in the bargain, but, at any rate, the English money, is sound. Listen"—he sank his voice to a confidential whisper.—"you know those Messieurs Lloyd, hein? They will insure against anything from the result of one of your