May 15, 2025 • 36 mins
Journey with Paul Walmsley, a well-known regular at Stephanos, as his peaceful dinner is interrupted by a fast-acting stranger who not only steals his meal but also hands him a mysterious packet beneath the table. This encounter marks the start of exhilarating adventures with the enigmatic American adventurer, Joseph H. Parker and his charming daughter, Eve. Please note that there is an alternative narration for section 8, both renditions are equally compelling and we invite you to enjoy either or both.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Chapter ten of An Amiable Charlatan. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
by asterisks An Amiable Charlatan by E. Phillips Oppenheim, Chapter ten.
(00:31):
A broken partnership by what certainly seemed to be at
the time a stroke of evil fortune. I invited Missus
Bundercombe and Eve to lunch with me at Prince's restaurant
a few days after our return from the country. Missus
Bundercombe was graciously pleased to accept my invitation, but she
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did not think it necessary to alter in any way
her usual style of dress for the occasion. We sailed
into Princes Therefore, Eve charming in a lemon colored fulard
dress and a black toque, Missus Bundercombe in an a
carter dressmaker's conception of a tailor made gown in some
hard steel ray material, and a hat whose imperfections were
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perhaps mercifully hidden by a veil, which, instead of providing
a really reasonable excuse for its existence, by concealing some
portion of Missus Bundercombe's features, streamed down behind her. Nearly
to her feet. The met d'hotell, who welcomed me and
showed to our table, found his little flow of small
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talk arrested by that first glimpse of our companion. He
accepted my orders in a chastened manner, and I noticed
his eyes straying every now and then, as though in
fearsome fascination to Missus Bundercombe, who was sitting very upright
at the table, with her bony fingers stretched out and
a good deal of gold showing in her teeth, as
(02:01):
she talked with Eve in a high nasal voice concerning
the absurd food invariably offered in English restaurants. Then suddenly
her flow of language ceased, the bomb shell fell. Missus
Bundercombe's face became unlike anything I have ever seen or
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dreamed of. Even Eve's eyes were round and her expression dubious.
I turned my head. Some three tables away, mister Bundercombe
was lunching with a young lady, a stranger to us all.
She was not only a stranger to us all, but
though she was remarkably good looking, there were indications that
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she scarcely belonged to our world. All three of us
remained silent for a moment. Then I coughed and took
up the wine list. Why should you like to drink,
Missus Bundercombe, I asked, in attempted unconcern. Missus Bundercombe adjusted
her spectacles severely and transferred her regard to me. I felt, somehow,
(03:07):
as though I were back at school and had been
discovered in some ignominious escapade. You are aware, Paul, she replied,
that I drink nothing save a glass of hot water
after my meal. The subject of drink does not interest me.
I appeal to you now, as a future member of
the family. Fetch mister Bundercombe here. I shook my head.
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Missus Bundercombe, I said, leaning over the table, your husband,
during his stay in London, plunged freely into the bohemian
life of our city. I will answer for it that
he did so simply in pursuance of that hobby of
which we all know. I am convinced, Paul. Missus Bundercombe
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interrupted her voice. If possible a little more nasal, even unusual,
will you fetch mister Bundercombe here? Or must I rise
from my seat in a public place and remove him
myself from from that hussy I appealed to Eve. Eve,
I begged, please reason with your stepmother. There are certain
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situations in life that can be faced in one way. Only.
Missus Bundercombe will no doubt have a few words to
say to her husband on his return. Let her keep
them until then. Paul is right, Eve declared, Do take
our advice, She continued, turning to her stepmother. Let us
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eat our luncheon quite calmly. I am perfectly certain, Dad,
we'll have some very good reason to give for his
presence here. With that, young lady, Missus Bundercombe rose to
her feet. I hastened to follow her example. We stood
confronting one another. It is either you or I, Paul,
she insisted, Then it had better be myself. I groaned.
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I deposited my napkin on the table and made my
way towards mister Bundercombe. I smiled pleasantly at him and
bowed apologetically towards his companion. Sorry, I said, under my breath,
but I am afraid Missus Bundercombe means to make trouble.
Mister Bundercombe looked at me with a gloriously blank expression.
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His manner was not without dignity. I regret to hear.
He replied that any person by the name of Missus
Bundercombe is looking for trouble. I scarcely see. However, how
I am concerned in the matter. You have the advantage
of me, Sir. I stared at him and stooped a
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little lower. She's staring mad, I whispered, You don't want
a scene. Couldn't you make an excuse and slip away?
Mister Bundle the comb frowned at me. He glanced at
the young lady, as though seeking for some explanation. Is
this young gentleman known to you, miss Blanche? He inquired.
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She set down her glass and shook her head. Never
saw him before in my life, she declared. What's worrying him? Hitherto?
Mister Bundercombe said, my somewhat unusual personal appearance has kept
me from an adventure of this sort. But I clearly
understand that I am now being mistaken for some one else.
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Your reference to a Missus Bundercombe, Sir, are Greek to me.
My name is Parker, Mister Joseph H. Parker. Do you
mean to keep this up? I protested? Mister Bundercombe beckoned
to the mate d'hotel, who came hastily to his side.
Do you know this gentleman? The mate d'hotel bowed certainly, sir,
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he answered, with a questioning glance towards me, This is
mister Walmsley. Then will you take mister Walmsley back to
his place? Mister Bundercombe begged, he persists in mistaking me
for some one else. I am not complaining, mind, he added, affably,
no complaint whatever. I am quite sure the young gentleman
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is genuinely mistaken and does not mean to be in
any way offensive. Only my digestion is not what it
should be, and these little contretemps in the middle of
luncheon are disturbing. Run away, sir, please, he concluded, waving
his hand toward me. The mate d'hotel looked at me,
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and I looked at the mate d'hotel. Then I glanced
at mister Bundercombe, who remained quite unruffled. Finally I bowed
slightly toward the young lady and returned to my place. Well,
Missus Bundercombe snapped, it seems I said that we were mistaken.
That isn't mister Bundercombe at all. Missus Bundercombe's face was
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a study. Is this a jest? She demanded severely. I
wish it were, I replied, anyhow, Missus Bundercombe, you must
really excuse me, but there is nothing more I can do.
The gentleman whom I addressed insisted upon it that his
name was mister Joseph H. Parker. No doubt he was right.
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These likenesses are sometimes very deceptive, I added feebly. Missus
Bundercombe rose to her feet. I made no effort to
stop her. In fact, her action filled me with pleasurable anticipations.
She walked across to the table at which mister Bundercombe
was seated. Eve and I both turned in our places
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to watch poor daddy. Eve murmured under her breath. Why
couldn't he have chosen a smaller restaurant? He is going
to catch it now. I think I'll about your father.
I observed, he is quite at his best this morning.
The exact words that passed between mister Bundercombe and his
wife we Alas never knew. She turned her left shoulder
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pointedly toward the young woman whom she had designated as
a hussy, and talked steadily for about a minute and
a half at mister Bundercombe. The history of what followed
was reflected in that gentleman's expressive face. He appeared to listen,
at first in amazement, afterward in annoyance, and finally in
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downright anger. When at last he spoke, we heard the
words distinctly, madam. He said, I don't know who you are,
and I objected me in addressed in a public place
by ladies who are strangers to me, be so good
as to return to your seat. You are a mistaken
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me for some one else. My name is Joseph H. Parker,
for a lady who had one renown upon the platform
as a debater, Missus Bundercombe seemed afflicted with considerable difficulty
in framing a suitable reply, and while she was still
a little incoherent, mister Bundercombe softly summoned the mot d'hotell.
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It may have been my fancy, but I certainly thought
I saw a sovereign slipped into the hand of the
latter Charles. Mister Bundercombe confided, my luncheon is being spoiled
by people who mistake me for a gentleman who I
believe does bear a singular resemblance to me. My name
is Parker. This lady insists upon addressing me as mister Bundercombe.
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I do not wish to make a disturbance, but I
insist upon it that you conduct this lady to her place,
and see that I am not disturbed any more. The
Mot d'hotell's attitude was unmistakable. Within the course of a
few seconds, Missus bundercomte and was restored to us. I
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thought it best to ignore the whole matter, and plunged
at once into a discussion of gastronomic matters I have ordered.
I began some Maryland chicken. Then you can eat it.
Missus Bundercombe snapped, Not a mouthful of food do I
take in this place? With that painted hussy sitting by
Joseph's side a few feet away. Oh, I'll fix him
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when I get him home. She drew a little breath
between her teeth, but she was as good as her word.
She refused all food and sat with her arms folded,
glaring across at mister Bundercombe's table. My admiration for that
man of genius was never greater than on that day.
So far from hurrying over his luncheon, he seemed inclined
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to prolong it. There was no lack of conversation between
him and his companion. They even lingered over their coffee,
and they were still at the table when Eve and
I had finished, and Missus Bundercombe was simpy, the hot
water the only thing that passed her lips during the
entire meal. I paid the bill and rose. Missus Bundercombe,
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after a moment's hesitation, followed us. Even. I thought of
going into the academy for a few minutes, I said, tentatively.
As we reached the entrance hall, Missus Bundercombe plumped herself
down on a high backed chair within the yard of
the door. I, she announced, shall wait here for Joseph.
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I realized the futility of any attempt to dissuade her,
so we left her there. Spent an hour at the academy,
and did a little shopping on our way back. An
idea occurred to me. We re entered the restaurant. Missus
Bundercombe was still sitting there in a corner of the hall.
Thinks he can tie me out, perhaps, she remarked, in
(12:49):
an explanatory manner. Well, he just can't, that's all. I
moved a few steps further in and glanced down the restaurant.
Then I returned. But my dear Missus Bundercombe, I said,
your husband has gone long ago. He went out the
other way. I am not sure, but I believe we
saw him in Bond Street quite three quarters of an
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hour ago. There is another way out, Missus Bundercombe asked, hastily.
Certainly there is. I told her into Germy Street. Why
was I not told, she demanded, rising unwillingly to her feet, Really,
I assured her I didn't think of it. She followed
us out. We all walked down Piccadilly. Will you please,
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she said, direct me to a tea shop. I pointed
one out to her. She left us without a word
of farewell. Eve and I turned down into the Haymarket.
Nice example. Your parents are setting us, I remarked. Eve's sighed,
I wish I knew what Dad was up to, she murmured.
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At that moment we met him, he came strolling along,
his silk hat, a little on the back of his head,
a cigar in his mouth, his hands grasping his cane
behind his back. Bundercombe or Parker, I inquired, as we
came to a standstill on the pavement. He grinned nasty
business that, he remarked cheerfully. Why don't you keep to
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the ritz at the Berkeley anyway, he added, his tone changing,
I am glad to make you, Paul, I want your
help in a little manner. I shook my head quite
out of the question, I declared emphatically. Don't forget that
Paul is an MP. Dad. Eve said severely, you mustn't
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attempt to bring him into any of your little affairs
on this occasion. Mister Bundercombe expostulated, I am on the
side of the law. Mister Cullen, whom I am probably
going to see presently, will be my brother in unce.
What do you need me for? Then? I asked, as
to absolutely needing you per Perhaps I don't, mister Bundercombe admitted,
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On the other hand, it's a very interesting little affair,
and one in which you could take a hand without
compromising yourself. What about Eve, I inquired, Not this time,
mister Bundercombe replied. The only risk there is about the affair,
he explained, is that it is just possible there may
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be a bit of a scrap. What's the program? I
asked to night at home at ten o'clock, can you
manage it rather, I answered, if Eve doesn't mind. This
is the night you promised to go with your mother
to a lecture somewhere, isn't it, I reminded her. She
nodded very well. She consented resignedly. So long as you
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don't let him get hurt, Dad, no fear of that,
Mister Bundercombe declared, cheerfully. If they go for anyone, they'll
go for me. So long, young people at ten o'clock
pall at precisely the hour agreed upon that evening, I
presented myself at mister Bundercombe's house in Prince's Gardens. I
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noticed that the manner of the servant who admitted me
was subdued, and there was a peculiar gloom about the place.
Very few lights were lit, and the farther portion of
the house of which one could catch a glimpse from
the little circular hall, seemed entirely deserted. I was shown
at once into mister Bundercombe's study upon the ground floor.
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Mister Bundercombe was seated at a writing table with his
face toward the door. He greeted me with a friendly
nod and pointed to a little table upon which stood
an abundant display of cigars and cigarettes of old brands.
I helped myself and lit a cigarette. May I know
something of this evening's program, I asked, spoil a whole show.
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Mister Bundercombe objected earnestly. Just play the part of assistant
audience and stick this into your pocket, will you? He
threw toward me a very small revolver that he had
produced from a drawer. Only the last three chambers are loaded,
he remarked. You'll have to click three times if you
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do use it. I don't think you'll need to, though,
Take a stall and watch the fun I'll tell you
only this. You remember Bone Stanley, as he was called
in those days, the man who was sent to prison
for fifteen years for bank robbery and for shooting the
manager down Hammersmith's Way. It was the fellow was an American.
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I remember it quite well, I assented. He was tried
for murder and convicted of manslaughter. Mister Bundercombe nodded. He
was released this afternoon. He'll be here in a few minutes,
I exclaimed. Mister Bundercombe nodded, but did not offer any
further explanation. Covered with a certain gravity of expression. He
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had the appearance of a schoolboy for whom a feast
was being set out. Quite a pleasant little evening we
are going to have, he promised. You. Wait, I frowned
a little uneasily. You are quite sure you are not
letting me in for mister Bundercombe plunged into the middle
of my little protest. You're all right, Paul, he assured me.
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Collin's in the house at the present moment, and there
are two other detectives with him. They are letting me
run this thing simply because I know more about it
than they do, and for certain reasons. I am not
giving my whole hand away. Don't you worry, Paul, You'll
be all right this time. Listen, we heard a very
feeble ring at the bell. Mister Bundercombe nodded. That's Stanley,
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he whispered. Sit down. A man was shown into the room.
A moment later. I leaned forward in my chair so
as to see more distinctly the hero of one of
the most famous cases that had ever been tried in
a criminal court. Of his renowned good looks, there was
little left. He stood there, still, tall, with high cheek bones,
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furtive eyes and a long mouse. He wore good clothes,
his linen was irreproachable, and he kept his gloves on. Nevertheless,
the stamp of the prison was upon him, mister Stanley.
Mister Bundercombe said, good. I am glad you are prevailed
upon to come. I am still wholly in the dark
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as to what this means. The newcomer remarked, I'll tell
you in a very few sentences. Mister Bundercombe promised, Will
you sit down? I prefer to stand. Stanley replied, until
I know exactly in whose house I am and what
your interest in me is. Very well, mister Bundercombe agreed.
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Here is my history. My name is Joseph H. Bundercombe.
I am an American manufacturer. I have made a fortune
in manufacturing Bundercombe's reaping machines. You may call it a
hobby if you like. But I have always been interested
in criminals and criminal methods. Not the lowest type, but
men who have pitted their brains against others and robbed them.
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As soon as I arrived in this country, I found
an interest in inquiring about the identities of American criminals
imprisoned over here, with a view to helping any deserving cases.
Your name came before me. I studied your case, I
became interested in it. I learned that your time was
almost up. A chance inquiry revealed to me a state
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of things that I determined to bring before your knowledge.
You sent me a telegram, mister Stanley interrupted, as I
was stepping on the steamer at Southampton. I have returned
to London for your explanation. You will probably, mister Bundercombe
remarked genially, be thankful all your life that you did.
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Now listen, who is this person, mister Stanley asked, indicating me.
He is my prospective son in law, mister Paul Walmsley.
Mister Bundercombe explained, a member of Parliament. I have asked
him to be present because I may need a little support,
and also because it may help to convince you that
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I am in earnest. Twenty years ago, mister Stanley, you
came to the conclusion that honest methods were of little
use to anyone seeking to make a large fortune. You
joined with two other men, Richard Densmore and Philip Harding,
in a series of semi criminal conspiracies. You pulled all
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your money, you had the most, and you determined that
if you could not make a living honestly, you would
those with less brains than yourself. When a half your
capital was gone. This Hammersmith's bank robbery was planned and
took place. You were the only one caught, and you
held your tongue like a man, But all the same
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you were used as a cat's paw. In what way?
Stanley asked softly. You all three had revolvers, You all
three arranged that they should be uncharged. Cartridges were put
into yours without your knowledge. You held up your revolver
and pressed the trigger, believing it to be empty. The
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others knew better. You shot the bank manager, and in
the stupefaction that followed, you became an easy captive. The
others escaped. Stanley moved a little on his feet, His
lips were slightly parted, His eyes fixed upon mister Bundercombe.
What story is this year telling me? He muttered, But
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true one, mister Bundercombe continued, Now listen, The total amount
in possession of your two confederates when you went in
a prison was under a thousand pounds. You heard from
them periodically as struggling paupers harding met you out of prison.
He was almost in rags. They were at the end
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of their resources. He told you he gave you a
hundred pounds to procure, which he assured you tears in
his eyes. They had almost beggared themselves. It was to
enable you to leave the country and make a fresh start.
You were even grateful. You shook him by the hand.
You left him at the hotel at Southampton only an
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hour before you got my telegram. What of it? Stanley
asked nothing except this. Mister Bundercombe concluded. Your two partners
were so scared at the result of the Hammersmith affair
and at your sentence, that they turned over a new leaf.
They went into business as outside stockbrokers with your capital.
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The agreement as to or third prophets was still in force.
They had what I can describe only as the devil's
own luck. I should say their total capital today is
at least fifty thousand pounds. The time came for you
to be released, they had an old idea of parting
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with a third of their money and taking you into
the business. All the time they had deceived you, they
continued the deception. Harding met you as a poor man.
But for me you would have been on your way
to South Africa by this time with one hundred pounds
in your pocket. Is what you're telling me the truth?
Stanley demanded. Absolutely, mister Bundercombe declared, I stumbled across the
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truth in making inquiries concerning you and your probable future.
I had meant, as a matter of fact, to put
up a little money of my own to give you
a fresh start. In the course of these inquiries, I
am to run across a young woman who had been
a typist in Harding's office. It was from her I
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learned the truth. As she rose in the world. Harding
seems to have treated the girl badly. A little kindness
and a little attention on my part, and I learned
the truth. She placed me in possession of the whole story.
After we had lunch together to day, Stanley at last
took the chair he had so long refused. He sat
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with his arms folded, and I kept my mouth closed.
He muttered, it was their job. I would no more
have pulled the trigger on my revolver than I would
have shut myself if I had known it was they
who put the cartridges there. He sat for a moment
quite still. Mister Bundercombe rang the bell. The gentleman I
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am expecting, he said, will be here in a moment.
You can show them in directly they arrive. The man
bowed and withdrew. Mister Bundercombe turned to his visitor. I
have made the acquaintance, he continued, of these two men.
Your late partners sought them out and made it purposely.
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They are coming here to see me to night. They
fancy that it is just a friendly call. They know
that I have money to invest. I have even made
use of them, employing them to buy for me bonds
of my own choosing. They think it is an affair
of a little business chat perhaps, and a restaurant's supper.
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Pull yourself together, Stanley, go into that corner behind the curtain.
Wait your time. Stanley rose slowly to his feet. His
face was drawn as though with pain. It isn't so
much the money, he muttered. Only I thought I fancied
they would have been there to meet me, to shake
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me by the hand, to stay with me, and they
wanted to push me off out of the country. He
owned his lips a little wider and swore softly but vindictively.
Then the bell rang. Mister Bundercombe hastened to push him
out of sight. We heard the sound of strange voices
in the hall. When the door was opened, it was
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obvious that the whole house was lit up. From somewhere
in the distance came the soft music of a piano.
Mister Harding and mister Densmore were announced. I looked at
them curiously. They were both most correctly dressed in evening clothes.
They both had, somehow the hard expression of worldly men
tempered not altogether pleasantly by symptoms of good living. They
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greeted mister Bundercombe with bluff heartiness. He gave them each
a hand. Now, my friends, he said, welcome to my house, Paul,
he added, turning to me, let me introduce my two friends,
mister Harding and mister Densmore. Mister Paul Walmsley. Mister Walmsley
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has just been returned for the Western Division of Bedfordshire.
They greeted me with more than affability. Mister Harding assured
me he had read my speeches. Mister Densmore thought no
one was more to be envied than a man who
had the gifts that secured for him a seat in Parliament.
It's early yet, mister Bundercombe declared genially, let's sit down.
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Tell me a little about English business. It interests me.
You bought those chilly and bonds, all right, I see
they are up an eighth to night. A good purchase,
mister Bundercombe. Mister Harding assured him, A very good purchase,
after all, though there's not much money to be made
out of those government things. Now we've a little affair
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of our own. What do you say, Densmore, he broke off,
looking toward his partner. We could afford to let mister
Bundercombe come in a little way with us, I think.
Mister Densmore nodded. Not more than five, he said, warningly,
remember what you promised the Rough's child people. Mister Harding
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nodded and crushed his knees. He let a cigar from
the box. Mister Bundercombe passed round. This sounds interesting, the
latter remarked. I dare say mister Walmsley too, has a
little spare money for investment. Mister Densmore sighed, though his
eyes were brightening. It's too good a thing, he explained confidentially,
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to let the world into between ourselves. There's a fortune
in it, and we want to keep it among our friends.
He drew a dummy prospectus from his vest pocket and
began a long winded title of some figures in which
I was not particularly interested. Mister Bundercombe, however, appeared to
be greatly impressed by what he heard. Gentlemen. He said,
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there's just one thing. American business methods and English are
different in one respect. In my country, we've got a
sort of official guide that tells us exactly whom we're
dealing with and what their means are. Now, I know
you are good fellows, and it seems to me I'll
be glad to go into this little affair with you.
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But we are strangers financially, aren't we. Now, if you
were Americans, I should say to you what's you're rating,
and you'd tell me, because you'd know that I could
look it up in a business guide in ten minutes.
Perfectly sound, mister Harding admitted, perfectly. Neither my partner nor
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I have anything to conceal. Last Christmas we were worth
just over sixty thousand pounds, and since then we've made
a bit. You've no other a partner, mister Bundercombe inquired, certainly, not,
mister Harding replied, then, what about our friend Stanley, mister
(31:14):
Bundercombe asked quietly. Almost as he spoke, Stanley walked into
the middle of the little group. I have never, in
the whole course of my life seen two men so
thoroughly and entirely amazed. Mister Harding dropped his cigar on
the carpet, where he let it remain. They stared at
Stanley as though they were looking upon a ghost. Both
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men seemed somehow to have lost their confident bearing, seemed
to have shrunken into smaller, less assertive, meaner beings. Sixty
thousand pounds, mister Bundercombe went on, one third of which
belongs to Stanley. Here absurd Harding faltered nothing. Nothing of
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the sort, Densmore declared. Mister Bundercombe very carefully lit another cigar.
Then he rang the bell. Harding rose to his feet.
He was not looking in the least like the sleek,
opulent gentleman who had entered the room a few minutes before.
What's that for, he demanded, pointing to the bell. The
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door was already open, mister Bundercombe indicated. The young lady
who stood upon the threshold, The lady with whom he
had been lunching that day at Prince's. I only wish
to have the pleasure, mister Bundercombe explained, off presenting you
two gentlemen, mister Harding, especially to this young lady Blanche.
(32:42):
Mister Harding exclaimed, mister Densmore muttered something under his breath.
My dear miss Blanche, said mister Bundercombe, moving toward the door.
I will not ask you to stay, as our interview
is scarcely perhaps a pleasant one. I simply wish you
to show yourself so that mister Harding and his friend
(33:04):
might understand how useless certain denials on their part would be.
My servant will now place you in a taxi, and
if you will do me the honor of calling here
at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning, I think I can promise
you a satisfactory termination to this little affair. The girl
patted him on the shoulder. That's all right, Bundy, she declared,
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I hope you'll take me out to lunch again. As
for him, she added, her eyebrows coming together and looking
towards Harding, perhaps he'll understand now how well it pays
to be a liar. She turned round and left the room.
Amid a stricken silence. Mister Bundercombe came back to his place. Gentlemen,
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he said, I will be brief with you. It has
given me the utmost pleasure to raise this little meeting
on behalf of my friend mister Stanley. In the room
on the other side of the passages waiting my lawyer,
who will draw up a renewal of your partnership deed
with mister Stanley upon terms that we can discuss amicably.
In the room behind this is waiting a particular friend
(34:11):
of mine, mister Cullen, a detective. Remember, mister Bundercombe added
his voice suddenly very stern and threatening that through all
the years that man, your rightful partner, has been in prison,
through all the agony of his trial, the humiliation of
his sentence, the name of neither one of you has
(34:33):
passed his lips. Is it your wish that the truth
shall now be told? They shrank back harding was pale
at the lips. Densmore was shivering very well. Gentlemen, mister
Bundercombe concluded, if I ascend for the lawyer, mister Cullen
can go. If you choose mister Cullen, the lawyer can go.
(34:56):
Mister Harding moistened his lips with his tongue. We will
make an arrangement, he said. We have been wrong, now
that I see you here, Stanley, he continued, looking up
with the first show of courage either of them had exhibited.
I am ashamed. It was a dirty trick. Forget it.
(35:16):
After you were lagged, we decided to turn over a
new leaf and be honest. We've been honest inside the
law at any rate, and we've made money. Come and
take your share of it and forgive we were brutes.
Densmore agreed. They were both bending over. Stanley somehow or
other his hands stole out to them. Mister Bundercombe and
(35:39):
I strolled outside. You might tell mister Cullen that we
shall not require him this evening. Mister Bundercombe instructed the butler,
bring a bottle of champagne and tell the gentleman from
Wymans and Wymans and his clerk that we shall be
ready for them in ten minutes. End of Section eleven,
(36:04):
which is chapter ten
Chapter ten of An Amiable Charlatan. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
by asterisks An Amiable Charlatan by E. Phillips Oppenheim, Chapter ten.
(00:31):
A broken partnership by what certainly seemed to be at
the time a stroke of evil fortune. I invited Missus
Bundercombe and Eve to lunch with me at Prince's restaurant
a few days after our return from the country. Missus
Bundercombe was graciously pleased to accept my invitation, but she
(00:54):
did not think it necessary to alter in any way
her usual style of dress for the occasion. We sailed
into Princes Therefore, Eve charming in a lemon colored fulard
dress and a black toque, Missus Bundercombe in an a
carter dressmaker's conception of a tailor made gown in some
hard steel ray material, and a hat whose imperfections were
(01:18):
perhaps mercifully hidden by a veil, which, instead of providing
a really reasonable excuse for its existence, by concealing some
portion of Missus Bundercombe's features, streamed down behind her. Nearly
to her feet. The met d'hotell, who welcomed me and
showed to our table, found his little flow of small
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talk arrested by that first glimpse of our companion. He
accepted my orders in a chastened manner, and I noticed
his eyes straying every now and then, as though in
fearsome fascination to Missus Bundercombe, who was sitting very upright
at the table, with her bony fingers stretched out and
a good deal of gold showing in her teeth, as
(02:01):
she talked with Eve in a high nasal voice concerning
the absurd food invariably offered in English restaurants. Then suddenly
her flow of language ceased, the bomb shell fell. Missus
Bundercombe's face became unlike anything I have ever seen or
(02:22):
dreamed of. Even Eve's eyes were round and her expression dubious.
I turned my head. Some three tables away, mister Bundercombe
was lunching with a young lady, a stranger to us all.
She was not only a stranger to us all, but
though she was remarkably good looking, there were indications that
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she scarcely belonged to our world. All three of us
remained silent for a moment. Then I coughed and took
up the wine list. Why should you like to drink,
Missus Bundercombe, I asked, in attempted unconcern. Missus Bundercombe adjusted
her spectacles severely and transferred her regard to me. I felt, somehow,
(03:07):
as though I were back at school and had been
discovered in some ignominious escapade. You are aware, Paul, she replied,
that I drink nothing save a glass of hot water
after my meal. The subject of drink does not interest me.
I appeal to you now, as a future member of
the family. Fetch mister Bundercombe here. I shook my head.
(03:33):
Missus Bundercombe, I said, leaning over the table, your husband,
during his stay in London, plunged freely into the bohemian
life of our city. I will answer for it that
he did so simply in pursuance of that hobby of
which we all know. I am convinced, Paul. Missus Bundercombe
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interrupted her voice. If possible a little more nasal, even unusual,
will you fetch mister Bundercombe here? Or must I rise
from my seat in a public place and remove him
myself from from that hussy I appealed to Eve. Eve,
I begged, please reason with your stepmother. There are certain
(04:18):
situations in life that can be faced in one way. Only.
Missus Bundercombe will no doubt have a few words to
say to her husband on his return. Let her keep
them until then. Paul is right, Eve declared, Do take
our advice, She continued, turning to her stepmother. Let us
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eat our luncheon quite calmly. I am perfectly certain, Dad,
we'll have some very good reason to give for his
presence here. With that, young lady, Missus Bundercombe rose to
her feet. I hastened to follow her example. We stood
confronting one another. It is either you or I, Paul,
she insisted, Then it had better be myself. I groaned.
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I deposited my napkin on the table and made my
way towards mister Bundercombe. I smiled pleasantly at him and
bowed apologetically towards his companion. Sorry, I said, under my breath,
but I am afraid Missus Bundercombe means to make trouble.
Mister Bundercombe looked at me with a gloriously blank expression.
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His manner was not without dignity. I regret to hear.
He replied that any person by the name of Missus
Bundercombe is looking for trouble. I scarcely see. However, how
I am concerned in the matter. You have the advantage
of me, Sir. I stared at him and stooped a
(05:49):
little lower. She's staring mad, I whispered, You don't want
a scene. Couldn't you make an excuse and slip away?
Mister Bundle the comb frowned at me. He glanced at
the young lady, as though seeking for some explanation. Is
this young gentleman known to you, miss Blanche? He inquired.
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She set down her glass and shook her head. Never
saw him before in my life, she declared. What's worrying him? Hitherto?
Mister Bundercombe said, my somewhat unusual personal appearance has kept
me from an adventure of this sort. But I clearly
understand that I am now being mistaken for some one else.
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Your reference to a Missus Bundercombe, Sir, are Greek to me.
My name is Parker, Mister Joseph H. Parker. Do you
mean to keep this up? I protested? Mister Bundercombe beckoned
to the mate d'hotel, who came hastily to his side.
Do you know this gentleman? The mate d'hotel bowed certainly, sir,
(07:02):
he answered, with a questioning glance towards me, This is
mister Walmsley. Then will you take mister Walmsley back to
his place? Mister Bundercombe begged, he persists in mistaking me
for some one else. I am not complaining, mind, he added, affably,
no complaint whatever. I am quite sure the young gentleman
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is genuinely mistaken and does not mean to be in
any way offensive. Only my digestion is not what it
should be, and these little contretemps in the middle of
luncheon are disturbing. Run away, sir, please, he concluded, waving
his hand toward me. The mate d'hotel looked at me,
(07:47):
and I looked at the mate d'hotel. Then I glanced
at mister Bundercombe, who remained quite unruffled. Finally I bowed
slightly toward the young lady and returned to my place. Well,
Missus Bundercombe snapped, it seems I said that we were mistaken.
That isn't mister Bundercombe at all. Missus Bundercombe's face was
(08:12):
a study. Is this a jest? She demanded severely. I
wish it were, I replied, anyhow, Missus Bundercombe, you must
really excuse me, but there is nothing more I can do.
The gentleman whom I addressed insisted upon it that his
name was mister Joseph H. Parker. No doubt he was right.
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These likenesses are sometimes very deceptive, I added feebly. Missus
Bundercombe rose to her feet. I made no effort to
stop her. In fact, her action filled me with pleasurable anticipations.
She walked across to the table at which mister Bundercombe
was seated. Eve and I both turned in our places
(08:53):
to watch poor daddy. Eve murmured under her breath. Why
couldn't he have chosen a smaller restaurant? He is going
to catch it now. I think I'll about your father.
I observed, he is quite at his best this morning.
The exact words that passed between mister Bundercombe and his
wife we Alas never knew. She turned her left shoulder
(09:16):
pointedly toward the young woman whom she had designated as
a hussy, and talked steadily for about a minute and
a half at mister Bundercombe. The history of what followed
was reflected in that gentleman's expressive face. He appeared to listen,
at first in amazement, afterward in annoyance, and finally in
(09:36):
downright anger. When at last he spoke, we heard the
words distinctly, madam. He said, I don't know who you are,
and I objected me in addressed in a public place
by ladies who are strangers to me, be so good
as to return to your seat. You are a mistaken
(09:57):
me for some one else. My name is Joseph H. Parker,
for a lady who had one renown upon the platform
as a debater, Missus Bundercombe seemed afflicted with considerable difficulty
in framing a suitable reply, and while she was still
a little incoherent, mister Bundercombe softly summoned the mot d'hotell.
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It may have been my fancy, but I certainly thought
I saw a sovereign slipped into the hand of the
latter Charles. Mister Bundercombe confided, my luncheon is being spoiled
by people who mistake me for a gentleman who I
believe does bear a singular resemblance to me. My name
is Parker. This lady insists upon addressing me as mister Bundercombe.
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I do not wish to make a disturbance, but I
insist upon it that you conduct this lady to her place,
and see that I am not disturbed any more. The
Mot d'hotell's attitude was unmistakable. Within the course of a
few seconds, Missus bundercomte and was restored to us. I
(11:02):
thought it best to ignore the whole matter, and plunged
at once into a discussion of gastronomic matters I have ordered.
I began some Maryland chicken. Then you can eat it.
Missus Bundercombe snapped, Not a mouthful of food do I
take in this place? With that painted hussy sitting by
Joseph's side a few feet away. Oh, I'll fix him
(11:23):
when I get him home. She drew a little breath
between her teeth, but she was as good as her word.
She refused all food and sat with her arms folded,
glaring across at mister Bundercombe's table. My admiration for that
man of genius was never greater than on that day.
So far from hurrying over his luncheon, he seemed inclined
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to prolong it. There was no lack of conversation between
him and his companion. They even lingered over their coffee,
and they were still at the table when Eve and
I had finished, and Missus Bundercombe was simpy, the hot
water the only thing that passed her lips during the
entire meal. I paid the bill and rose. Missus Bundercombe,
(12:08):
after a moment's hesitation, followed us. Even. I thought of
going into the academy for a few minutes, I said, tentatively.
As we reached the entrance hall, Missus Bundercombe plumped herself
down on a high backed chair within the yard of
the door. I, she announced, shall wait here for Joseph.
(12:29):
I realized the futility of any attempt to dissuade her,
so we left her there. Spent an hour at the academy,
and did a little shopping on our way back. An
idea occurred to me. We re entered the restaurant. Missus
Bundercombe was still sitting there in a corner of the hall.
Thinks he can tie me out, perhaps, she remarked, in
(12:49):
an explanatory manner. Well, he just can't, that's all. I
moved a few steps further in and glanced down the restaurant.
Then I returned. But my dear Missus Bundercombe, I said,
your husband has gone long ago. He went out the
other way. I am not sure, but I believe we
saw him in Bond Street quite three quarters of an
(13:11):
hour ago. There is another way out, Missus Bundercombe asked, hastily.
Certainly there is. I told her into Germy Street. Why
was I not told, she demanded, rising unwillingly to her feet, Really,
I assured her I didn't think of it. She followed
us out. We all walked down Piccadilly. Will you please,
(13:34):
she said, direct me to a tea shop. I pointed
one out to her. She left us without a word
of farewell. Eve and I turned down into the Haymarket.
Nice example. Your parents are setting us, I remarked. Eve's sighed,
I wish I knew what Dad was up to, she murmured.
(13:56):
At that moment we met him, he came strolling along,
his silk hat, a little on the back of his head,
a cigar in his mouth, his hands grasping his cane
behind his back. Bundercombe or Parker, I inquired, as we
came to a standstill on the pavement. He grinned nasty
business that, he remarked cheerfully. Why don't you keep to
(14:18):
the ritz at the Berkeley anyway, he added, his tone changing,
I am glad to make you, Paul, I want your
help in a little manner. I shook my head quite
out of the question, I declared emphatically. Don't forget that
Paul is an MP. Dad. Eve said severely, you mustn't
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attempt to bring him into any of your little affairs
on this occasion. Mister Bundercombe expostulated, I am on the
side of the law. Mister Cullen, whom I am probably
going to see presently, will be my brother in unce.
What do you need me for? Then? I asked, as
to absolutely needing you per Perhaps I don't, mister Bundercombe admitted,
(15:04):
On the other hand, it's a very interesting little affair,
and one in which you could take a hand without
compromising yourself. What about Eve, I inquired, Not this time,
mister Bundercombe replied. The only risk there is about the affair,
he explained, is that it is just possible there may
(15:28):
be a bit of a scrap. What's the program? I
asked to night at home at ten o'clock, can you
manage it rather, I answered, if Eve doesn't mind. This
is the night you promised to go with your mother
to a lecture somewhere, isn't it, I reminded her. She
nodded very well. She consented resignedly. So long as you
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don't let him get hurt, Dad, no fear of that,
Mister Bundercombe declared, cheerfully. If they go for anyone, they'll
go for me. So long, young people at ten o'clock
pall at precisely the hour agreed upon that evening, I
presented myself at mister Bundercombe's house in Prince's Gardens. I
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noticed that the manner of the servant who admitted me
was subdued, and there was a peculiar gloom about the place.
Very few lights were lit, and the farther portion of
the house of which one could catch a glimpse from
the little circular hall, seemed entirely deserted. I was shown
at once into mister Bundercombe's study upon the ground floor.
(16:36):
Mister Bundercombe was seated at a writing table with his
face toward the door. He greeted me with a friendly
nod and pointed to a little table upon which stood
an abundant display of cigars and cigarettes of old brands.
I helped myself and lit a cigarette. May I know
something of this evening's program, I asked, spoil a whole show.
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Mister Bundercombe objected earnestly. Just play the part of assistant
audience and stick this into your pocket, will you? He
threw toward me a very small revolver that he had
produced from a drawer. Only the last three chambers are loaded,
he remarked. You'll have to click three times if you
(17:24):
do use it. I don't think you'll need to, though,
Take a stall and watch the fun I'll tell you
only this. You remember Bone Stanley, as he was called
in those days, the man who was sent to prison
for fifteen years for bank robbery and for shooting the
manager down Hammersmith's Way. It was the fellow was an American.
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I remember it quite well, I assented. He was tried
for murder and convicted of manslaughter. Mister Bundercombe nodded. He
was released this afternoon. He'll be here in a few minutes,
I exclaimed. Mister Bundercombe nodded, but did not offer any
further explanation. Covered with a certain gravity of expression. He
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had the appearance of a schoolboy for whom a feast
was being set out. Quite a pleasant little evening we
are going to have, he promised. You. Wait, I frowned
a little uneasily. You are quite sure you are not
letting me in for mister Bundercombe plunged into the middle
of my little protest. You're all right, Paul, he assured me.
(18:32):
Collin's in the house at the present moment, and there
are two other detectives with him. They are letting me
run this thing simply because I know more about it
than they do, and for certain reasons. I am not
giving my whole hand away. Don't you worry, Paul, You'll
be all right this time. Listen, we heard a very
feeble ring at the bell. Mister Bundercombe nodded. That's Stanley,
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he whispered. Sit down. A man was shown into the room.
A moment later. I leaned forward in my chair so
as to see more distinctly the hero of one of
the most famous cases that had ever been tried in
a criminal court. Of his renowned good looks, there was
little left. He stood there, still, tall, with high cheek bones,
(19:19):
furtive eyes and a long mouse. He wore good clothes,
his linen was irreproachable, and he kept his gloves on. Nevertheless,
the stamp of the prison was upon him, mister Stanley.
Mister Bundercombe said, good. I am glad you are prevailed
upon to come. I am still wholly in the dark
(19:41):
as to what this means. The newcomer remarked, I'll tell
you in a very few sentences. Mister Bundercombe promised, Will
you sit down? I prefer to stand. Stanley replied, until
I know exactly in whose house I am and what
your interest in me is. Very well, mister Bundercombe agreed.
(20:03):
Here is my history. My name is Joseph H. Bundercombe.
I am an American manufacturer. I have made a fortune
in manufacturing Bundercombe's reaping machines. You may call it a
hobby if you like. But I have always been interested
in criminals and criminal methods. Not the lowest type, but
men who have pitted their brains against others and robbed them.
(20:26):
As soon as I arrived in this country, I found
an interest in inquiring about the identities of American criminals
imprisoned over here, with a view to helping any deserving cases.
Your name came before me. I studied your case, I
became interested in it. I learned that your time was
almost up. A chance inquiry revealed to me a state
(20:47):
of things that I determined to bring before your knowledge.
You sent me a telegram, mister Stanley interrupted, as I
was stepping on the steamer at Southampton. I have returned
to London for your explanation. You will probably, mister Bundercombe
remarked genially, be thankful all your life that you did.
(21:09):
Now listen, who is this person, mister Stanley asked, indicating me.
He is my prospective son in law, mister Paul Walmsley.
Mister Bundercombe explained, a member of Parliament. I have asked
him to be present because I may need a little support,
and also because it may help to convince you that
(21:32):
I am in earnest. Twenty years ago, mister Stanley, you
came to the conclusion that honest methods were of little
use to anyone seeking to make a large fortune. You
joined with two other men, Richard Densmore and Philip Harding,
in a series of semi criminal conspiracies. You pulled all
(21:53):
your money, you had the most, and you determined that
if you could not make a living honestly, you would
those with less brains than yourself. When a half your
capital was gone. This Hammersmith's bank robbery was planned and
took place. You were the only one caught, and you
held your tongue like a man, But all the same
(22:15):
you were used as a cat's paw. In what way?
Stanley asked softly. You all three had revolvers, You all
three arranged that they should be uncharged. Cartridges were put
into yours without your knowledge. You held up your revolver
and pressed the trigger, believing it to be empty. The
(22:36):
others knew better. You shot the bank manager, and in
the stupefaction that followed, you became an easy captive. The
others escaped. Stanley moved a little on his feet, His
lips were slightly parted, His eyes fixed upon mister Bundercombe.
What story is this year telling me? He muttered, But
(23:00):
true one, mister Bundercombe continued, Now listen, The total amount
in possession of your two confederates when you went in
a prison was under a thousand pounds. You heard from
them periodically as struggling paupers harding met you out of prison.
He was almost in rags. They were at the end
(23:20):
of their resources. He told you he gave you a
hundred pounds to procure, which he assured you tears in
his eyes. They had almost beggared themselves. It was to
enable you to leave the country and make a fresh start.
You were even grateful. You shook him by the hand.
You left him at the hotel at Southampton only an
(23:43):
hour before you got my telegram. What of it? Stanley
asked nothing except this. Mister Bundercombe concluded. Your two partners
were so scared at the result of the Hammersmith affair
and at your sentence, that they turned over a new leaf.
They went into business as outside stockbrokers with your capital.
(24:08):
The agreement as to or third prophets was still in force.
They had what I can describe only as the devil's
own luck. I should say their total capital today is
at least fifty thousand pounds. The time came for you
to be released, they had an old idea of parting
(24:29):
with a third of their money and taking you into
the business. All the time they had deceived you, they
continued the deception. Harding met you as a poor man.
But for me you would have been on your way
to South Africa by this time with one hundred pounds
in your pocket. Is what you're telling me the truth?
Stanley demanded. Absolutely, mister Bundercombe declared, I stumbled across the
(24:55):
truth in making inquiries concerning you and your probable future.
I had meant, as a matter of fact, to put
up a little money of my own to give you
a fresh start. In the course of these inquiries, I
am to run across a young woman who had been
a typist in Harding's office. It was from her I
(25:16):
learned the truth. As she rose in the world. Harding
seems to have treated the girl badly. A little kindness
and a little attention on my part, and I learned
the truth. She placed me in possession of the whole story.
After we had lunch together to day, Stanley at last
took the chair he had so long refused. He sat
(25:39):
with his arms folded, and I kept my mouth closed.
He muttered, it was their job. I would no more
have pulled the trigger on my revolver than I would
have shut myself if I had known it was they
who put the cartridges there. He sat for a moment
quite still. Mister Bundercombe rang the bell. The gentleman I
(26:05):
am expecting, he said, will be here in a moment.
You can show them in directly they arrive. The man
bowed and withdrew. Mister Bundercombe turned to his visitor. I
have made the acquaintance, he continued, of these two men.
Your late partners sought them out and made it purposely.
(26:28):
They are coming here to see me to night. They
fancy that it is just a friendly call. They know
that I have money to invest. I have even made
use of them, employing them to buy for me bonds
of my own choosing. They think it is an affair
of a little business chat perhaps, and a restaurant's supper.
(26:48):
Pull yourself together, Stanley, go into that corner behind the curtain.
Wait your time. Stanley rose slowly to his feet. His
face was drawn as though with pain. It isn't so
much the money, he muttered. Only I thought I fancied
they would have been there to meet me, to shake
(27:08):
me by the hand, to stay with me, and they
wanted to push me off out of the country. He
owned his lips a little wider and swore softly but vindictively.
Then the bell rang. Mister Bundercombe hastened to push him
out of sight. We heard the sound of strange voices
in the hall. When the door was opened, it was
(27:30):
obvious that the whole house was lit up. From somewhere
in the distance came the soft music of a piano.
Mister Harding and mister Densmore were announced. I looked at
them curiously. They were both most correctly dressed in evening clothes.
They both had, somehow the hard expression of worldly men
tempered not altogether pleasantly by symptoms of good living. They
(27:55):
greeted mister Bundercombe with bluff heartiness. He gave them each
a hand. Now, my friends, he said, welcome to my house, Paul,
he added, turning to me, let me introduce my two friends,
mister Harding and mister Densmore. Mister Paul Walmsley. Mister Walmsley
(28:16):
has just been returned for the Western Division of Bedfordshire.
They greeted me with more than affability. Mister Harding assured
me he had read my speeches. Mister Densmore thought no
one was more to be envied than a man who
had the gifts that secured for him a seat in Parliament.
It's early yet, mister Bundercombe declared genially, let's sit down.
(28:42):
Tell me a little about English business. It interests me.
You bought those chilly and bonds, all right, I see
they are up an eighth to night. A good purchase,
mister Bundercombe. Mister Harding assured him, A very good purchase,
after all, though there's not much money to be made
out of those government things. Now we've a little affair
(29:04):
of our own. What do you say, Densmore, he broke off,
looking toward his partner. We could afford to let mister
Bundercombe come in a little way with us, I think.
Mister Densmore nodded. Not more than five, he said, warningly,
remember what you promised the Rough's child people. Mister Harding
(29:25):
nodded and crushed his knees. He let a cigar from
the box. Mister Bundercombe passed round. This sounds interesting, the
latter remarked. I dare say mister Walmsley too, has a
little spare money for investment. Mister Densmore sighed, though his
eyes were brightening. It's too good a thing, he explained confidentially,
(29:47):
to let the world into between ourselves. There's a fortune
in it, and we want to keep it among our friends.
He drew a dummy prospectus from his vest pocket and
began a long winded title of some figures in which
I was not particularly interested. Mister Bundercombe, however, appeared to
be greatly impressed by what he heard. Gentlemen. He said,
(30:11):
there's just one thing. American business methods and English are
different in one respect. In my country, we've got a
sort of official guide that tells us exactly whom we're
dealing with and what their means are. Now, I know
you are good fellows, and it seems to me I'll
be glad to go into this little affair with you.
(30:32):
But we are strangers financially, aren't we. Now, if you
were Americans, I should say to you what's you're rating,
and you'd tell me, because you'd know that I could
look it up in a business guide in ten minutes.
Perfectly sound, mister Harding admitted, perfectly. Neither my partner nor
(30:54):
I have anything to conceal. Last Christmas we were worth
just over sixty thousand pounds, and since then we've made
a bit. You've no other a partner, mister Bundercombe inquired, certainly, not,
mister Harding replied, then, what about our friend Stanley, mister
(31:14):
Bundercombe asked quietly. Almost as he spoke, Stanley walked into
the middle of the little group. I have never, in
the whole course of my life seen two men so
thoroughly and entirely amazed. Mister Harding dropped his cigar on
the carpet, where he let it remain. They stared at
Stanley as though they were looking upon a ghost. Both
(31:37):
men seemed somehow to have lost their confident bearing, seemed
to have shrunken into smaller, less assertive, meaner beings. Sixty
thousand pounds, mister Bundercombe went on, one third of which
belongs to Stanley. Here absurd Harding faltered nothing. Nothing of
(31:57):
the sort, Densmore declared. Mister Bundercombe very carefully lit another cigar.
Then he rang the bell. Harding rose to his feet.
He was not looking in the least like the sleek,
opulent gentleman who had entered the room a few minutes before.
What's that for, he demanded, pointing to the bell. The
(32:18):
door was already open, mister Bundercombe indicated. The young lady
who stood upon the threshold, The lady with whom he
had been lunching that day at Prince's. I only wish
to have the pleasure, mister Bundercombe explained, off presenting you
two gentlemen, mister Harding, especially to this young lady Blanche.
(32:42):
Mister Harding exclaimed, mister Densmore muttered something under his breath.
My dear miss Blanche, said mister Bundercombe, moving toward the door.
I will not ask you to stay, as our interview
is scarcely perhaps a pleasant one. I simply wish you
to show yourself so that mister Harding and his friend
(33:04):
might understand how useless certain denials on their part would be.
My servant will now place you in a taxi, and
if you will do me the honor of calling here
at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning, I think I can promise
you a satisfactory termination to this little affair. The girl
patted him on the shoulder. That's all right, Bundy, she declared,
(33:28):
I hope you'll take me out to lunch again. As
for him, she added, her eyebrows coming together and looking
towards Harding, perhaps he'll understand now how well it pays
to be a liar. She turned round and left the room.
Amid a stricken silence. Mister Bundercombe came back to his place. Gentlemen,
(33:48):
he said, I will be brief with you. It has
given me the utmost pleasure to raise this little meeting
on behalf of my friend mister Stanley. In the room
on the other side of the passages waiting my lawyer,
who will draw up a renewal of your partnership deed
with mister Stanley upon terms that we can discuss amicably.
In the room behind this is waiting a particular friend
(34:11):
of mine, mister Cullen, a detective. Remember, mister Bundercombe added
his voice suddenly very stern and threatening that through all
the years that man, your rightful partner, has been in prison,
through all the agony of his trial, the humiliation of
his sentence, the name of neither one of you has
(34:33):
passed his lips. Is it your wish that the truth
shall now be told? They shrank back harding was pale
at the lips. Densmore was shivering very well. Gentlemen, mister
Bundercombe concluded, if I ascend for the lawyer, mister Cullen
can go. If you choose mister Cullen, the lawyer can go.
(34:56):
Mister Harding moistened his lips with his tongue. We will
make an arrangement, he said. We have been wrong, now
that I see you here, Stanley, he continued, looking up
with the first show of courage either of them had exhibited.
I am ashamed. It was a dirty trick. Forget it.
(35:16):
After you were lagged, we decided to turn over a
new leaf and be honest. We've been honest inside the
law at any rate, and we've made money. Come and
take your share of it and forgive we were brutes.
Densmore agreed. They were both bending over. Stanley somehow or
other his hands stole out to them. Mister Bundercombe and
(35:39):
I strolled outside. You might tell mister Cullen that we
shall not require him this evening. Mister Bundercombe instructed the butler,
bring a bottle of champagne and tell the gentleman from
Wymans and Wymans and his clerk that we shall be
ready for them in ten minutes. End of Section eleven,
(36:04):
which is chapter ten
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