“I can’t really say, sir, I’m sure! A car will meet you there and I can go home to bed.”
The ends sealed again! thought Desmond. What a man of caution, the Chief!
“And this gentleman here, Matthews?” asked Desmond, lighting one of the skipper’s cigars.
“That, sir, is Mr. Crook, who does any little jobs we require in the way of make-up. Our expert on resemblances, if I may put it that way, sir, for we really do very little in the way of disguises. Mr. Crook is an observer of what I may call people’s points, sir, their facial appearance, their little peculiarities of manner, of speech, of gait. Whenever there is any question of a disguise, Mr. Crook is called in to advise as to the possibilities of success. I believe I am correct in saying, Crook, that you have been engaged on the Major here for some time. Isn’t it so?”
Crook looked up a minute from his table.
“That’s right,” he said shortly, and resumed his occupation of examining the photographs.
“And what’s your opinion about this disguise of mine?” Desmond asked him.
“I can make a good job of you, Major,” said the expert, “and so I reported to the Chief. You’ll want to do your hair a bit different and let your beard grow, and then, if you pay attention to the lessons I shall give you, in a week or two, you’ll be this chap here,” and he tapped the photograph in his hand, “to the life.”
So saying he handed Desmond the photograph. It was the portrait of a man about forty years of age, of rather a pronounced Continental type, with a short brown beard, a straight, rather well-shaped nose and gold-rimmed spectacles. His hair was cut en brosse, and he was rather full about the throat and neck. Without a word, Desmond stretched out his hand and gathered up a sheaf of other photos, police photos of Mr. Basil Bellward, front face and profile seen from right and left, all these poses shown on the same picture, some snapshots and various camera studies. Desmond shook his head in despair. He was utterly unable to detect the slightest resemblance between himself and this rather commonplace looking type of business man.
“Now if you’d just step into the compartment at the end of the Pullman, Major,” said Crook, “you’ll find some civilian clothes laid out. Would you mind putting them on? You needn’t trouble about the collar and tie, or coat and waistcoat for the moment. Then we’ll get along with the work.”