The Magnate blinked beneath the cone of rose-light. He wet his dry lips. He rubbed his scaly hands. “Any orders to me?” he asked determinedly. “What shall I do?”
“You lock this library door when Delaney and I go out. Lock it and bolt it securely. Don’t take a particle of food. Don’t drink any water. Try to get along to-night without sampling anything.”
Stockbridge reached for the bottle of Bourbon. He held it up to the light. It was half full. “All right,” said he. “I might finish part of this—that’s all.”
Drew glanced at Delaney. “That’ll be all right,” he said turning. “That bottle’s been tested. You might let this officer try a little of it. Nothing like being sure, you know.”
Delaney was willing. The drink he poured, after the butler brought a clean glass, would have cost him considerable money in war time. He upended it neat. He smiled as one hand rested upon his chest. “Fine!” he said with sincerity. “There’s nothin’ th’ matter with that!”
Drew turned toward the portières, where, between, the butler waited. “We’ll go now,” he said. “Remember—lock and bolt this door. Instruct your man to stay outside and not to leave it under any circumstances. When you go up to your bedroom, have him go with you. Then lock the upstairs door and let your valet sleep across the threshold. You can have a mattress moved for that purpose. I’ll come in—first thing in the morning. Good night, sir!”
“Good night,” repeated Stockbridge rising from his chair and leaning his hands upon the polished surface of the table. “Good night to both of you!”
Drew glanced back as the butler pressed in the curtains and started closing the hardwood door. The Magnate still stood erect under the rich glow from the overhead cone. His eyes were slit-lidded and defiant. He glared about the room like an aged lion in a jungle-glade. He started around the table.
The door closed. Drew waited in the hallway. He heard the lock snap. The bolt shot home. Stockbridge was alone in a sealed room.
“Watch this door!” ordered Drew clutching the butler’s purple sleeve. “Watch it like a cat. Stay right near it under any and all circumstances. Don’t go away from it. It may mean life or death to your master.”