Herrick meanwhile was priding himself that all was at an end. He wrote to Joyce stating that he intended to do nothing, and also let Santiago know his decision. From neither did he receive an answer. But this he did not mind. "They are powerless to do harm," he said to Bess.
And indeed he never expected to hear of the pair again. But one morning Bess came to him with the Daily Telegraph and pointed out in silence a cipher message in the agony column. It was worded similarly to that put in before, and asked Frisco to meet the inserter at Hyde Park Corner at three o'clock in two days. "Humph!" said Jim meditatively, "Robin wants to see his father again!"
"What will you do Jim?" asked Bess anxiously.
"Nothing. Why should I?"
"If Robin meets his father they will plot against Stephen."
"They can't do anything but physical harm, and I am always with him."
But Bess was not to be put off in this way. "I really think you should write to Mr. Joyce about it Jim."
"He will not answer."
"Perhaps not. But he will see that you have your eye on him."
"True enough. I'll see to it, Bess."