In a few minutes he was, still in the exaltation of this wondrous love that he had found, speeding away to a common-place, sordid consultation in a company case. What contrasts the world holds, he thought; and suddenly found himself heartily in agreement with Gastineau’s late indictment of their profession. It was difficult to bring his mind down from that seventh heaven to the mundane level of advising a knot of greedy money-grubbers how to avoid a certain disgorgement of undue profits which threatened them. For the time hating and despising a profession which made him, the, nominally honourable, adviser of dishonest men, he kept himself rigidly from all show of sympathy with the sharp practitioners who sat before him; and held, without a suggestion of helpfulness to the dry questions of law which were involved. And when the smart solicitor had carried off his dissatisfied clients, arguing with glib tenacity the chances of law versus equity, he threw himself back in his chair with a sigh of unutterable relief that the air of the room was purer, and that he could indulge the delight of his new-found happiness.
Then a troublesome thought arose to check the delight of his reverie, his immediate interview with Gastineau, the time for which was almost come. He remembered how Gastineau had practically ordered him to attend that evening. It was galling; behind the distastefulness was, perhaps, a touch of apprehension. And indeed a brave man may be excused fear of the methods of an unscrupulous opponent. It is fighting in the dark, and courage may well fail where it can avail nothing. Still, with all his reluctance to meet Gastineau under their altered relationship, Herriard was glad to think that the projected interview might also show him where he stood: he might, though it was unlikely, get an inkling of Gastineau’s plans, and whether he intended to resume his pursuit of Alexia. That he was feverishly anxious to know, since on it depended the question whether or not he was to be involved in a terribly unequal struggle with a man of abnormal cunning and determination. Yes; if it were to come, it was as well that it should come at once; suspense was unbearable.
Herriard rose and prepared to go out. He would dine at a restaurant near at hand, then start off for Mayfair and get the business over. As he opened the door of his chambers a man stood outside who raised his hat and addressed him by name.
CHAPTER XX
THE SOLUTION OF THE MYSTERY
“I WAS just coming to see you, Mr. Herriard, from Sir Henry Ferrars.”
He handed his card, “Detective Inspector Quickjohn, New Scotland Yard.”
“Ah, come in,” Herriard said, leading the way back to his room, and closing the door. “Have you any news for me, Inspector?”
Inspector Quickjohn took the indicated seat and pulled out a large note-book, the orthodox preliminary to police communications. He was a rather smartly dressed man with a curious absence of any professional stamp upon him: he had an unobtrusive manner, quiet almost to dulness, only relieved by the alert, uncompromising eyes and a general suggestion of unflinching power.
“Well, Mr. Herriard,” he answered, with legal deliberation, as he ran through the leaves of his note-book, “I have certain information which the Chief Commissioner has instructed me to give you.”
“Ah, yes?” Herriard leaned forward with eager attention.