Events went to prove the soundness of Polton’s culinary principles; and the brilliant success of their application in practice gave a direction to the conversation which led it comfortably away from other and less discussable topics.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Last Act
Shortly before leaving Thorndyke’s chambers with Marion and Miss Boler I managed to secure his permission to confide to them, in general terms, what was to happen on the morrow; and very relieved I was thereat, for I had little doubt that questions would be asked which it would seem ungracious to evade. Events proved that I was not mistaken; indeed, we were hardly clear of the precincts of the Temple when Marion opened the inquisition.
“You said yesterday,” she began, “that Dr. Thorndyke might have something to tell us to-day, and I hoped that he might. I even tried to pluck up courage to ask him, but then I was afraid that it might seem intrusive. He isn’t the sort of man that you can take liberties with. So I suppose that whatever it was that happened this morning is a dead secret?”
“Not entirely,” I replied. “I mustn’t go into details at present, but I am allowed to give you the most important item of information. There is going to be an arrest to-morrow.”
“Do you mean that Dr. Thorndyke has discovered the man?” Marion demanded incredulously.
“He says that he has, and I take it that he knows. What is more, he offered to conduct the police to the house. He has actually given them the address.”
“I would give all that I possess,” exclaimed Miss Boler, “to be there and see the villain taken.”
“Well,” I said, “you won’t be far away, for the man lives in Abbey-road, nearly opposite the studio.”
Marion stopped and looked at me aghast. “What a horrible thing to think of,” she gasped. “Oh, I am glad I didn’t know! I could never have gone to the studio if I had. But now we can understand how he managed to find his way to the place that foggy night, and to escape so easily.”