I knew
not what to do for the best; and Gatton had begun to pace up and down
like a caged wild beast. Therefore:
"Fill your pipe," I said wearily. "A lot may depend upon our next
move. To make a false one would perhaps be fatal."
Gatton stared at me almost savagely, then threw himself back into the
armchair from which he had arisen, and was just reaching out for the
tobacco-jar which I had pushed before him, when a bell rang. I heard
Coates opening the front door, and wondering whom this late visitor
could be, I stared questioningly at the Inspector.
Came a tap upon the door.
"Come in," I cried.
Coates entered, and standing stiffly in the doorway:
"_Dr. Damar Greefe_!" he announced.
Unmoved, he stood aside; and whilst Gatton and I slowly rose from our
chairs in a state of utter stupefaction, the Eurasian doctor entered,
and stood, a tall, gaunt figure, towering over the burly form of
Coates in the doorway!
His hawk eyes blazed feverishly and his face was drawn and haggard,
whilst I observed with a sort of horrified wonder that he seemed to be
almost too weak to stand. For, as Gatton and I came finally to our
feet, he clutched at the edge of a bookcase, but recovered himself,
bowed in that stately fashion which immediately translated me in
spirit to the strange library in the Bell House, and:
"Gentlemen," he said, and his harsh voice rose scarcely above a
whisper--"pray resume your seats.
Pages:
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249