“All round our front door. They wasn’t there overnight, an’ next day there was a revolver bullet stuck in your kitchen skirting-board.”
“Excellent! Clear proof that our sort of ghosts will bleed if you punch them hard enough on the nose. Now, I want your help in three ways. In the first place, I am going out about seven and will return about nine. I want you to make sure that no one enters my flat within those hours. Secondly, when I come back, I wish to reach this floor without coming in by the front door. You understand? If any one should be watching my movements, I would like to be seen leaving the mansions but not returning. Thirdly, I want you to join me on guard when you close the front door at midnight, hiding the pair of us somewhere above, so that we can see, without fear of mistake, any persons who may possess keys which fit my front door.”
“Oh, that’s it, is it?” said the porter, setting down his glass. “Well, I’m your man, sir. Leave everything to me. When you comes home at nine just pop along the other street until you sees a door leadin’ to a harea. Drop down there, an’ you’ll find yourself in our basement. At twelve sharp I’ll come up in the lift and fix you up proper.”
“Jim, you’re a treasure!” said David.
CHAPTER XXI
THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING
When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office. At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day. Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished. Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary. The man Neil certainly did rush about like a whirlwind as soon as he recovered his breath; but Violet was in the post-office writing to David, and securely hidden from his ferret eyes.