‘A word in your wise ear before you go, Mr Coutts Hadleigh. I promised that your motives in coming to me should have justice done them. They shall. I know what they were. You have been useful to us, and that will be taken into account.’
‘It is a satisfaction to have served you in any way,’ rejoined Coutts, unabashed, although he understood the meaning of that parting address, and knew that somehow he had overreached himself, which was even more disagreeable than being overreached by others.
He left the room with as much composure as if he had satisfactorily completed an ordinary piece of business.
Sergeant Dier gave a cheery ‘Good-day, gentlemen—come along, Mr Tuppit,’ as he went out. Tuppit had continued to edge his way round the table to where Wrentham stood, and slipped a scrap of paper into his hand. He bowed as if taking leave of an audience, and followed the detective.
A hansom was already at the door, and Coutts was about to get into it; before doing so he spoke with injudicious abruptness to his agent.
‘Arrange with your friend about his expenses, and call at the office to-morrow at eleven.’
‘Then I am to consider the job finished?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘Glad of it,’ said Dier, smiling to himself as the cab wheeled away. ‘Come along, Bob, there’s something I want you to show me, and we must have a refreshment.’
As they were about to move away, a servant informed Dier that he was wanted by a gentleman inside, and he was taken back to Mr Beecham. From him he received instructions which appeared to give him much satisfaction.