The revolver and Richard’s unflinching eye did the rest. Richard led the astonished and unresisting man into the hall, and then locked him up in the hat and coat room, and put the key of the door in his pocket. He returned to the other room, locked its door on the inside, so as to preclude the approach of the expected Terrell, and took the empty chair in front of the far door. He guessed that Simon Lock, and perhaps Raphael Craig, were on the other side of that door.
‘Up to now,’ he reflected, ‘it’s been fairly simple.’
There was absolute silence. It was as though the great house had hushed itself in anticipation of a great climax.
Then Richard heard a voice in the room beyond. It was Simon Lock’s voice. Richard instantly tried the door, turning the handle very softly and slowly. It was latched, but not locked. Using infinite precautions, he contrived to leave the door open about half an inch. Through this half-inch of space he peered into the library. He saw part of a large square desk and an armchair. In this armchair sat Raphael Craig, and Raphael Craig was tied firmly to the chair with ropes. He could not see Simon Lock, and he dared not yet push the door further open.
‘Now, Craig,’ the voice of Simon Lock was saying, ‘don’t drive me to extreme measures.’
For answer Raphael Craig closed his eyes, as if bored. His face had a disgusted, haughty expression.
‘You’ve got no chance,’ said Simon Lock.
‘Redgrave is caught, and won’t be let loose in a hurry. These two girls of yours are also in safe hands. Nothing has been omitted. I have here a list of the firms who have been acting for you in the Princesse shares. I have also written out certain instructions to them which you will sign. I have also prepared a power of attorney, authorizing me to act in your name in the matter of these shares. You will sign these documents. I will have them sent to the City and put into operation this morning, and as soon as I have satisfied myself that all has been done that might be done you will be set free—perhaps in a couple of days.’
Richard saw that Raphael Craig made no sign of any sort.
Simon Lock continued: ‘You did not expect that I should proceed to extreme measures of this kind. You thought that the law of England would be sufficient to protect you from physical compulsion. You thought I should never dare. How foolish of you! As if I should permit myself to be ruined by an old man with a bee in his bonnet; an old man whose desire is not to make money—I could have excused that—but to work a melodramatic revenge. If you want melodrama you shall have it, Craig, and more of it than you think for.’