Part 36 (1/2)

Maud sank into a chair

”I'll wait,” she declared

”I a her eyebrohether that will be convenient There may be other clients in Mr Ruff himself may not be back for several hours”

”Are you his secretary?” Maud asked, without

”I am his secretary and also his wife,” Violet declared The woman raised herself a little in her chair

”Some people have all the luck,” she lad enough to take me out You remember when I used to come here?”

”I reht then,” the woman continued, ”and no I'm down and out,” she added, with a little sob ”You see what I ah you didn't care to have h you were afraid I'd co”

”I am sure Mr Ruff will do what he can for you,” Violet said, ”although--”

”I see you know all about it,” Maud interrupted, with a hard little laugh ”I came once to wheedle information out of him I came to try and betray the only man who ever really cared for me Mr Ruff was too clever, and I a a fool as a woht enough!”

She swayed in her chair, and Violet was only just in ti woman to an inner room, made her comfortable upon a sofa, and sent out for some food and a bottle of wine Down in the street below, John Dory, who had tracked his wife to the building, alking aith face as black as night He knew that Maud had lost her position, that she was in need of money--almost penniless He had waited to see to who--poor fool as he called himself--that she would coone! He had seen her enter the building; he knew that she had not left it In the ht him another report--she was still within It was the end, this, he told himself! There must be a settlement between him and Peter Ruff!

Mr John Dory, who had arrived at Clenarvon Court in a four-wheel cab from the nearest railway station, was ushered by the butler to the door of one of the roo the Park A policeuard--a policeh he was in plain clothes John Dory nodded, and turned to the butler

”You see, the man knows me,” he said ”Here is my card I am John Dory froeant”

The butler hesitated

”Our orders are very strict, sir,” he said ”I am afraid that I cannot allow you to enter the room without a special permit from his lordshi+p

You see, we have had no advice of your coht,” he answered ”If every one were to obey his orders as literally, there would be fewer robberies However, you see that this nizes entle-breeches, who had just descended into the hall

”His lordshi+p is here,” he said ”He will give you perentleman from Scotland Yard, your lordshi+p,” he explained, ”ishes to enter the eant”

”Inspector John Dory, at your lordshi+p's service,” saluting ”I have been sent down from town to help in this little business”

Lord Clenarvon sht that, under the circuh Still, it is not for eant You will find him inside Rather dull work for him, I'm afraid, and quite unnecessary”

”I am not so sure, your lordshi+p,” Dory answered ”The Clenarvon diamonds are known all over the world, and I suppose there isn't a thieves' den in Europe that does not know that they will re presents”

Lord Clenarvon sed his shoulders He was a man who had unbounded faith in his fellow-creatures