"Eleven o'clock, sahib," said the servant. "Do you need me longer?"
"Better wait up until midnight, Abdul," suggested Duncan. "By the way, what day was it that you mailed that last letter I gave you?"
"Sunday, sahib."
Duncan went to the desk and brought out some papers. He studied them thoughtfully while the Hindu moved quietly about the room.
The letters had been Duncan's only hope for a clue to the mystery which perplexed him. Among his uncle's documents he had found a list of four names which Tremaine had identified as persons with whom Harvey Duncan had conducted considerable correspondence.
Artful questioning had satisfied Bruce Duncan that the lawyer knew nothing about his uncle's connection with a prominent Russian. But it was possible that one of these four men might be able to supply some information.
So he had written them and had received three replies to his carefully worded notes. The letters that had come in indicated that the men knew nothing — unless they had deliberately sought to conceal facts. Bruce intended to investigate that later.
In the meantime he had sent a second letter to the man who had not replied. It was an urgent letter, asking for an immediate response and suggesting a visit. This was the letter that Abdul had mailed on Sunday night.
Bruce put the memoranda back in the desk and returned to his chair. At that moment the doorbell rang.
Abdul went to answer it.