“The trap will be set at a quarter to six,” said Burke, glancing at the clock.
Derrick grinned contentedly. “It would be a bit of a feather in your cap, sergeant, if you could pull this thing off after two years.”
CHAPTER VIII
THE POWER OF THE UNKNOWN
DERRICK walked quickly back, slackening speed as he approached the Lodge, and reëntering the grounds from the direction in which he had started. There was a light in the cottage kitchen, but neither man came to the window as he passed. In the study he found Edith beside the tea-tray. She handed him his cup, and with it sent an inquiring glance.
“How’s your friend the peddler behaving himself, and what did Jean say?”
He flushed a little. “She didn’t say very much, but”—he smiled reminiscently—“she took the bangle.”
“I’m glad of that, my dear,” she said softly. “Had she ever heard anything of the peddler?”
“Not a word, nor has Sergeant Burke.”
“You’ve been there, too?”
He nodded. “I thought it best to have a chat with him. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”