Room 13

Read Room 13 for Free Online

Book: Read Room 13 for Free Online
Authors: Edgar Wallace
Tags: Crime, wallace, 13, room, edgar, thirteen
nodded with a smile.
    “That is the fellow who is called The Great Unknown,” he said, striving to thin the contempt from his voice. “I’ve heard about him in the club. He is a very stupid person of middle age, who lives in Peckham. So he isn’t as much unknown as your mystery man!”
    “It is very likely,” said the other. “Convicts invest their heroes and enemies with extraordinary gifts and qualities. I only know what I have been told. At Dartmoor they say Reeder knows everything. The Government gave him carte blanche to find the Big Printer–”
    “And has he found him?” asked Jeff Legge innocently.
    “He’ll find him,” said Johnny. “Sooner or later there will be a squeak.”
    “May I be there to hear it,” said Jeff Legge, and showed his white teeth in a mirthless smile.
     

5
    Johnny was alone in the lower garden, huddled up on a corner of the marble bench, out of sight but not out of hearing of the guests who were assembling on the lawn. He had to think, and think quickly. Marney knew! But Marney had not told, and Johnny guessed why.
    When had Jeff Legge told her? On the way back from the church, perhaps. She would not let Peter know – Peter, who believed her future assured, her happiness beyond question.
    What had Jeff said? Not much, Johnny guessed. He had given her just a hint that the charming Major Floyd she had known was not the Major Floyd with whom she was to live.
    Johnny was cool now – icy cold was a better description. He must be sure, absolutely sure, beyond any question of doubt. There might be some resemblance between Jeff Legg and this Major Floyd. He had only seen the crook once, and that at a distance.
    He heard the rustle of skirts and looked round quickly. It was the maid he had seen quarrelling with Barney.
    “Mr Kane says, would you care to be in the group that is being photographed, Captain Gray?” she asked.
    He did not immediately reply. His eyes were scanning her with a new interest.
    “Tell him I’d rather not, and come back.”
    “Come back, sir?” she repeated in astonishment.
    “Yes, I want to talk to you,” said Johnny with a smile. “Have mercy on a disgruntled guest, who can find nobody to entertain him.”
    She stood, hesitating. He could see the indecision in her face.
    “I don’t know if Mr Kane would like that,” she said, and a smile trembled at the corner of her mouth. “Very well, I’ll come back.”
    It was not till ten minutes later, when he judged the photograph had been taken and the guests had gone again to the house, that she appeared, demure but curious.
    “Sit down,” said Johnny. He threw away his cigarette and moved to the end of the stone bench.
    “Don’t stop smoking for me, Captain Gray,” she said.
    “How long have you been here?” he asked.
    “With Mr Kane? About six months,” she said.
    “Pretty good job?” he asked carelessly.
    “Oh, yes, sir, very.”
    “What is your name?”
    “My name is Lila. Why do you ask?”
    “I think you and I ought to get better acquainted, Lila,” he said, and took her unresisting hand.
    Secretly she was amused; on the surface she showed some sign of being shocked.
    “I didn’t know you were that type of flirting man, Mr Gray – you’re a Captain, though, aren’t you?”
    “‘Captain’ is a purely honorary title, Lila,” said Johnny. “I suppose you’ll miss your lady?”
    “Yes, I shall miss her,” said Lila.
    “A nice girl, eh?” bantered Johnny.
    “And a very nice husband,” she said tartly.
    “Do you think so?”
    “Yes, I suppose he is a nice fellow. I don’t know much about him.”
    “Good-looking?” suggested Johnny.
    The woman shrugged her shoulders.
    “I suppose he is.”
    “And very much in love with Miss Kane. That fellow adores her,” said Johnny. “In fact, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a man so much in love with a woman.”
    She suppressed a sigh.
    “Oh, yes, I suppose he is,” she said impatiently. “Do you want me any more,

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