“Do you want to ruin me?” he hissed. “Tell her I’m Gordon Selsbury? I’ve told her, haven’t I? But I gave up telling her when I remembered Heloise. How am I going to explain her?”
The crux of the problem was now displayed. Bobbie had no cut and dried solution. Such as presented were so nobbly and damp that he rejected them without examination.
“I’d forgotten about Aunt Lizzie,” he said thoughtfully.
Gordon’s triumph brought little happiness to him.
“Don’t you see it’s impossible? Now, I’ve been thinking the matter over and I’ve worked out a much better plan than yours. I can get away when this dithering old ass isn’t looking—which is pretty often. Diana has to go out early to-morrow to her bankers. That will be my chance, but I must have some money. I want it before the banks open, so you cannot possibly help me there. What you can do is this: persuade Diana to let you have the key of the safe. She’s put the lock on as well as the combination. I’ve tried to open it, so I know. Get the key and pass it to me at the first opportunity.”
Bobbie was looking at him very hard now, and Bobbie was whistling.
“Give you the key of the safe?” he said slowly. “By Jove!” His eyes were bulging, his jaw had dropped.
“What’s the matter?” demanded Gordon with a sinking feeling in his heart.
Slowly and distinctly the words came.
“You infernal rascal!”