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.The truth isn t in them! He was feeling in his pocket for the little cushion-shaped gold box, and Marypretended not to see.She had guessed the nature of the stimulant whichMaurice took at frequent intervals, and of late he had made no disguise of hisweakness.He snuffled at a pinch of white, glittering powder, dusted his facewith a handkerchief, and a few seconds later was laughing at himself anotherman.She had often wondered at the efficacy of the drug, not realising thatevery week he had to increase the dose to produce the desired effect, and thatone day he would be a cringing, crawling slave to the glittering white powderwhich he now regarded as his servant. Wembury threatened me, by gad! His tone had changed: he was now hispompous self. A wretched hireling police officer threatened me, an officer ofthe High Court of Justice! Surely not, Maurice? Alan threatened you? 97 He nodded solemnly, and was about to tell her the nature of the threat whenhe thought better of it.Even in his present mood of exaltation he had no desireto raise the subject of Gwenda Milton. I took no notice, of course.One is used to dealing with that kind of creature.By the way, Mary, I have made inquiries and I ve discovered that Johnny wasnot involved in the prison riot. She was so grateful for this news, that she did not for one moment questionits authenticity.Mary did not know that Scotland Yard was as ignorant of whathappened in the prison as the Agricultural and Fisheries Board.But when hewas under the influence of the drug, Maurice lied for the pleasure of lying: itwas symptomatic of the disease. No, he was not in any way connected with the trouble.It was a man named I forget the name, but it doesn t matter who was the ringleader.And, my dear,I ve been thinking over that burglary at your house. He half-turned to face her;the drug had transformed him: he was the old loquacious, debonair andcare-free Meister she knew. You can t stay any longer at Malpas Mansions.Iwill not allow it.Johnny would never forgive me if anything happened to you. But where can I go, Maurice? He smiled. You re coming to my house.I ll have that room put in order and the lightsseen to.You can have a maid to look after you& She was shaking her head already. That is impossible, she said quietly. I am not at all nervous about theburglary, and I am quite sure that nobody intended harming me.I shall stay atMalpas Mansions, and if I get too nervous I shall go into lodgings. My dear Mary! he expostulated. I m determined on that, Maurice, she said, and he was a picture ofresignation. As you wish.Naturally, I would not suggest that you should come to abachelor s establishment without rearranging my household to the newconditions; but if you re set against honouring my little hovel, by all means doas you wish. As they approached New Cross he woke from the reverie into which he hadfallen and asked: I wonder who is on the rack at this moment? She could not understand what he meant for a moment. You mean at Scotland Yard? He nodded. I d give a lot of money, he said slowly, to know just what is happening inRoom C2 at this very second, and who is the unfortunate soul facing theinquisitors. 98 CHAPTER 26Dr.Lomond could neither be described as an unfortunate soul, nor the genialAssistant Commissioner as an inquisitor.Colonel Walford for the moment wasbeing very informative, and the old doctor listened, rolling one of hisinterminable cigarettes, and apparently not particularly interested in the recital.Lomond was possessed of many agreeable qualities, and he had the dourhumour of his race.Alert and quick-witted, he displayed the confidence andassurance of one who was so much master of his own particular subject that hecould afford to mock himself and his science.His attitude towards theCommissioner was respectful only so far as it implied the deference due to anolder man, but an equal.He paused at the door. I ll not be in the way, will I? Come along in, doctor, smiled the Commissioner. Poor old Prideaux! he shook his head sadly. Man, it s on my consciencesending a man to be hanged in the suburbs! There was a dignity about Newgateand an historical value to being hanged at Tyburn.I wish I didn t know so muchabout criminology.Have ye ever noticed Wembury s ears, sir? He exhibitedthese appendages of the embarrassed Wembury in the manner of a showman. A tee-pical criminal ear! In conjunction with the prognathic process of the jawsuggests a rabid homicide! Have ye ever committed a murder? Not yet, growled Alan.Lomond finished rolling his cigarette, and the Commissioner, who had beenwaiting patiently for this operation to be concluded, spoke: I wanted to have a little chat with you, doctor
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