The hand, which was leading
Vendale in the dark, led him on that condition only. A large sum was at
stake: a terrible suspicion remained to be verified. If he acted on his
own responsibility, and if anything happened to defeat the object in
view, who would be blamed? As a man of business, Vendale had but one
course to follow. He locked the letter up again.
"It is most annoying," he said to Obenreizer--"it is a piece of
forgetfulness on Monsieur Rolland's part which puts me to serious
inconvenience, and places me in an absurdly false position towards you.
What am I to do? I am acting in a very serious matter, and acting
entirely in the dark. I have no choice but to be guided, not by the
spirit, but by the letter of my instructions. You understand me, I am
sure? You know, if I had not been fettered in this way, how gladly I
should have accepted your services?"
"Say no more!" returned Obenreizer. "In your place I should have done
the same. My good friend, I take no offence. I thank you for your
compliment. We shall be travelling companions, at any rate," added
Obenreizer. "You go, as I go, at once?"
"At once. I must speak to Marguerite first, of course!"
"Surely! surely! Speak to her this evening. Come, and pick me up on the
way to the station. We go together by the mail train to-night?"
"By the mail train to-night."
* * * * *
It was later than Vendale had anticipated when he drove up to the house
in Soho Square.
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