Free She Painted her Face by Dornford Yates Page A

lodge bandits," said Brenda coldly enough. "These are two English gentlemen who—"
    "Since when have they been here?" said the sergeant.
    "They came to us five days ago."
    "And are they within?"
    "I believe," said Brenda, "that they're taking their tea."
    "Then tell them that the police would like to speak with them here."
    "No. Wait a moment," said Virgil. "First show us their car." He turned to the police. "If this fellow identifies it—"
    "I think, perhaps," said the sergeant, but Virgil cut him short.
    "Can't you see," he said, "how much it'll strengthen your hand?"
    "Very well," said the other reluctantly.
    Brenda hesitated. Then she passed down the steps and led them away to the left and out of my sight.
    In a flash we were both at the door, en route for our sitting-room. As we entered the hall, Lady Caroline Virgil slipped from behind the front door.
    "And now?" she said.
    "We may," said Herrick, "we may have to call upon you. We shan't if we can help it, but Percy— err— knows no law."
    She smiled and nodded. "All right."
    And then we were back in our room and had shut the door.
    The position was delicate— and showed forth very clearly the infamous skill with which Percy had laid his plans.
    He had, of course, been looking for some such arrival as ours, and the moment he heard that we had been seen in Gola he gave his waiting bullies the word to strike.
    By fastening suspicion on us, he was making sure their escape with their precious goods, for time that is lost in such matters is irretrievably lost, and by the time a scent has been found to be false, the one which is true has faded and died away. And we had played straight into his hands. Our movements of the last tour days had been in all respects such movements as kidnappers make; our map of the district was marked as kidnappers would have marked it; and neither movements nor markings could be accounted for— except by the truth.
    Quite apart from the fact that I could speak no German, Herrick was plainly the man to play our difficult hand. His wit was far quicker than mine, and he had, besides, an address which would have unsettled the hottest enemy.
    "We've no time to discuss," he said, "the line we should take. But I think we must get dear Percy to help us out. This means giving something away, but charity sometimes comes off."
    "You mean?" said I.
    "I'm not quite sure," said Herrick. "I have an idea, but it's still in a state of flux. Should it take shape I have a horrid feeling that Percy is going to perspire. And now don't talk for a moment. If—?"
    Here Brenda flew In with her summons, fairly aglow with excitement and ready for any mischief that we might command.
    "Have they found a map?" I said, rising.
    "They're now inspecting it, sir with their eyes half out of their beads."
    "Good." said Herrick. "Where's Winter?"
    "At tea in the kitchen, sir."
    "Tell him to stay there," said Herrick. "And if he should be sent for, to tell the truth— except, of course, on one point. He's never seen my lady at any time."
    Brenda nodded and fled, and we strolled out of the house and into the drive. The police and Virgil were there, but the smith was not to be seen. I afterwards found that he had been left with the Rolls— to raise the alarm in case we should try to make off.
    I had wondered if Percy Virgil would know me again, for, while I had had good reason to study him and his ways, I had been to him no more than one of several guests at a country hotel. But he did— immediately. And though he would have concealed it, I saw him start.
    Herrick was addressing the police "Good evening, gentlemen. I'm told that you wish to see us. Ii we can be of service in any way—"
    The police seemed taken aback. I suppose that we did not resemble the men they had expected to see.
    Then the sergeant took off his hat.
    "The matter is serious," he said.
    "Of course," said Herrick. "Otherwise you would first have asked us before inspecting our car."
    The sergeant swallowed,