As to this latter part of the program, Mr. Spedding had plans which would have astonished Connor had he but known.
But old George’s loquacity stopped short at the all-important point of instructing the lawyer on the question of the cryptogram. He had brought him along in the hope that at the eleventh hour the old man would reveal his identity.
Unconscious of the responsibility that lay upon his foolish head, the old man sat in the upstairs room communing with himself.
“We will leave him here,” said the lawyer, “he will be safe.”
“Safe enough. I know him of old. He’ll sit here for hours amusing himself.”
“And now, what about the men?” asked the lawyer. “Where do we meet them?”
“We shall pick them up at the corner of Lombard Street, and they’ll follow me to the Safe Deposit.”
“Ah!”
They turned swiftly on old George, who with his chin raised and with face alert was staring at them.
“Safe Deposit, Lombard Street,” he mumbled. “And a most excellent plan too—a most excellent plan.”