The chauffeur, seeing the general trend of events, quietly slid from his stool and vanished beneath the table. Mrs. Crump sat motionless, looking from one person to another. Sandy Mackintavers swallowed hard and made as if to rise, but Lewis shifted eyes and weapon slightly, and Sandy changed his mind about moving.
“I was afraid of something like this.” The voice of Coravel Tio was gently apologetic. “You see, the real James Zebulon Premble always keeps his engagements to the minute—unless something has happened to him. He is now two days overdue here. Of course, it would be possible for another man to waylay him and to obtain his papers; it would be quite possible for that other man to come here under the name of Premble, and to carry out a slight business transaction.”
“Smooth guy, aren’t you?” sneered Premble. “You’ll have a hell of a time proving anything on me!”
“My dear señor, I don’t want to prove anything on you!” said Coravel Tio in pained surprise. “No, no, far from it! But I suspect that a certain firm by the name of the Williams Manufacturing Company, a firm that is very jealous of its reputation, might like to know that you are in its employ. Si! Of course, you’ll not reveal to us for whom you are working?”
“I’ve nothing to say,” sullenly returned Premble. He looked much perturbed.
“Very well. Gilbert, take the gun from the señor’s left armpit and lead him to his automobile. Tie him in his automobile and allow him to repose in peaceful meditation. That is all. Young man, kindly come from beneath the table and resume your meal!”
The chauffeur, looking sheepish, crawled into view again. Gilbert fulfilled the orders that had been given him, and departed with Mr. Premble.
Sandy Mackintavers, although trying to appear impassive and unconcerned, signally failed in his endeavour. He was completely astounded, swept off his feet, by the falling of Coravel Tio’s mask. He was suddenly aware of the fact that in Coravel Tio he had a damnably clever antagonist.
Now, too late, Sandy began to suspect a thousand things that did not appear on the surface. Conjectures flitted through his brain. Suspicion that the hand of Coravel Tio was a very powerful hand, and that this hand was set against him, deepened into hard certainty. Yet—not even Coravel Tio could know the truth! No one could know that Mackintavers and the false Premble were friends, were working in concert! There was yet hope.
“Aiblins, now, there’s no tellin’ about these mining sharks!” observed Sandy in righteous accents. “I’ve had experiences of my own in that line, aye! But if you’re willing to talk over the proposition we discussed last night——”