“You know quite well where my wife is.”
“Alas! I do not,” the fellow declared emphatically. “It was to obtain information that I called.”
“You cannot deny that you know that pair of criminals, Reckitt and Forbes?”
“I have surely not denied knowledge of them!”
“Yet you refuse to tell me who this man is who enticed my wife from my side—the man who presided over that secret council at the George Hotel at Stamford!”
“I am prepared to be frank with you in return for your frankness, monsieur,” he answered.
But I saw in his evasive replies an intention to mislead me into a belief that he was actuated towards me by friendly motives. Therefore my antagonism increased. He had defied me, and I would give him into custody.
Presently there came a loud knocking at the door, and, upon my opening it, a police-sergeant stood upon the threshold.
“I give this man into custody,” I said, addressing him and pointing to the Frenchman.
“Upon what charge, sir?” asked the burly officer, whose broad shoulders filled the doorway, while I saw a constable standing behind him.