e
living man would have acted with the determination and bravery with
which you've acted. Only you must be careful, Lewis, old man--deuced
careful. There are enemies about, you know.' Then the gentleman said:
'I know! I'm quite aware of my peril, Arnold. You, too, had a narrow
shave in Paris a short time ago--I hear from Sonia.' 'Yes,' laughed
the other, 'she acted splendidly. But, as you say, it was a very close
thing. Have you seen Shuttleworth yet?' he asked. The other said: 'He
met me, in the Ditches at Southampton, two nights ago, and told me all
that's happened.' 'Ah! And Sonia has told you the rest, I suppose?' he
asked; to which the other man replied in the affirmative, adding:
'It's a bad job, I fear, for Owen Biddulph--a very bad job for the
fellow!' That was all the conversation that I overheard at that time,
for they then rang the bell and ordered whisky and sodas."

"And what else did you see or hear?" I asked eagerly, much puzzled by
his statement.

"They struck me as rather a suspicious lot, sir," the man said. "After
I had taken them in their drinks they closed the door, and seemed to
hold some sort of a consultation. While this was going on, two men
drove up in another car, and asked if a Mr. Winton was here. I told
him he was--for the bald-headed gentleman had given the name of
Douglas Winton. They were at once welcomed, and admitted to the
conference."

"Rather curious--to hold a conference in such a manner and at such an
hour!" I remarked.

"Yes, sir. It was a secret meeting, evidently. They all spoke in
another language. The two men who last arrived were no doubt
foreigners."

"Was one of them stout and wore gold-rimmed glasses?" I inquired
quickly.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

AN UNFORTUNATE SLIP

"No, sir," the boots replied, "both were youngish men, with dark
moustaches. They wore heavy coats, and were in an open car. They came
from York way, and had evidently driven some distance."

"You saw nothing of what went on at their mysterious meeting?"

"Well, sir, the fact is, when I had had my suspicions aroused, I crept
out into the yard, and found that I could see into the lounge through
the chink between the blind and the window. They were all seated round
the table, the head of which had been taken by the gentleman who had
arrived from London with the lady. He seemed to be chairman, and he
talked in a low, deliberate, and very earnest tone, being listened to
with greatest interest.