Part 24 (1/2)
He turned and quitted the office, carefully closing the door behind him. Three seconds later he reopened it, and peering in, was in time to see the boy knock upon the private door. A little wicket, or movable panel, was let down, the card of John Henry Smith was pa.s.sed through to someone unseen, and the wicket was reclosed!
The boy turned and met the wrathful eye of the detective. Bristol reentered, closing the door behind him.
”See here, young fellow,” said he, ”I don't stand for those tricks!
Why didn't you tell me Mr. Knowlson was in?”
”I'm very sorry, sir!”--the boy quailed beneath his glance--”but he won't see any one who hasn't an appointment.”
”Is there someone with him, then?”
”No.”
”Well, what's he doing?”
”I don't know, sir; I've never been in to see!”
”What! never been in that room?”
”Never!” declared the boy solemnly. ”And I don't mind telling you,” he added, recovering something of his natural confidence, ”that I am leaving on the 31st. This job ain't any use to me!”
”Too much work?” suggested Bristol.
”No work at all!” returned the boy indignantly. ”I'm just here for a blessed buffer, that's what I'm here for, a buffer!”
”What do you mean?”
”I just have to sit here and see that n.o.body gets into that office. Lively, ain't it? Where's the prospects?”
Bristol surveyed him thoughtfully.
”Look here, my lad,” he said quietly; ”is that door locked?”
”Always,” replied the boy.
”Does Mr. Knowlson come to that shutter when you knock?”
”Yes.”
”Then go and knock!”
The boy obeyed with alacrity. He rapped loudly on the door, not noticing or not caring that the visitor was standing directly behind him. The shutter was lowered and a grizzled, bearded face showed for a moment through the opening.
Bristol leant over the boy and pushed a card through into the hand of the man beyond. On this occasion it did not bear the legend ”John Henry Smith,” but the following--
CHIEF INSPECTOR BRISTOL C.I.D.
NEW SCOTLAND YARD
”Good afternoon, Mr. Knowlson,” said the detective dryly. ”I want to come in!”
There followed a moment of silence, from which Bristol divined that he had blundered upon some mystery, possibly upon a big case; then a key was turned in the lock and the door thrown open.