“From a man who just left in an automobile,” the boy informed Kenyon, as he handed him the message. “He said there was no answer.”
Kenyon tore open the envelope. The note was written upon a sheet of hotel stationery, and contained but two lines of writing. A glance took this in, and with a laugh he tossed it over to Webster. The message read:
“Your progress is wonderful! But don’t forget that boldness can be carried too far.”
And underneath this was the signature: “Farbush.”
VII
THE BELLEVUE HOSPITAL PUZZLE
“Do you know, old chap, there are many features in this
case that I do not understand.”
—A Frequent Remark of Garry Webster.
“Mr. Farbush,” remarked Garry Webster, speculatively, “is more than likely the gentleman with the half-bald head and the vulture eyes. But just where does he enter in this thing, I wonder?”
“There is no telling,” answered Kenyon. “It is not well to introduce all one’s characters in the first act, as every practical dramatist knows. Farbush has been held in reserve for the opening of act second, apparently; which reservation shows the hand of a craftsman of more or less skill.”
There was something in the speaker’s voice that caught Webster’s attention, and he gave him a quick, inquiring glance. It seemed to hold a certain resolution that was not altogether clear.