“I’m longing to get back to Overstow, Mr. Hargreave,” the girl went on presently. “I feel that ere long Mrs. Blumenfeld, who is a very clever and astute woman, will discover something about us, and then——”
“And if she does, it will upset your father’s plans—whatever they are!”
“But Mr. Blumenfeld, as a great financier, has agents in all the capitals, and they might inquire and discover more about us than would be pleasant,” she said apprehensively. “I wonder why we are visiting these people?” she added.
I did not reply. I was constantly puzzled and bewildered by the actions and movements of Rayne and his questionable friends.
That evening after dinner, while old Blumenfeld played billiards with his guest, I marked. They played three closely contested games, for both were good players; until at eleven o’clock we all three went to the great drawing-room to bid the ladies good night. With our host I returned to the billiard-room, leaving Rayne to follow. Mr. Blumenfeld poured me out a whisky-and-soda and took a glass of port himself. Then a few minutes later he suggested, that as Rayne had not returned, he and I should have a final game before retiring.
He had made about twenty-five when of a sudden he leaned heavily against the table, his face blanched, and placing his hand to his heart, exclaimed:
“Oh! I have such a pain here! I—I——”
And before I could run round to his assistance he had collapsed heavily upon the floor.
In an instant I was at his side, but saw that he was already unconscious.
I flew to the door and down the corridor, when luckily I encountered Rayne, who was at that moment returning to us.