June 9, 2025 • 17 mins
In The Just Men of Cordova (1917), a series of European financiers from London to Cordova are dying under mysterious circumstances, falling victim to an unidentified poison. Edgar Wallace, in his previous novel, introduced us to a group of vigilantes known as the Four Just Men, who are renowned for their ingenuity, persistence, lock breaking skills, and mastery of disguise. They operate in the shadowy realm beyond the law, their lethal justice instilling terror in their targets. But who are these men and who supports their cause? Edgar Wallace, a prolific author from the golden age of detective fiction, penned over 170 novels, including King Kong. With over 160 films based on his work, and a publishers claim that a quarter of all books read in England at the time were his, Wallaces influence is undeniable. - Summary by ASharma
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter sixteen of The just Men of Cordoba by Edgar Wallace.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by
A Toolsharma, Winnipeg, Canada, Chapter sixteen, Colonel Black meets a
just man. Doctor Esley's house at Forest Hill stood untenanted.
(00:21):
The red lamp before the door was unlit, and though
the meager furnishings had not been removed, the house, with
its drawn blinds and grimy steps, had the desolate appearance
of emptiness. The whisper of a rumor had agitated the
domestic circles of that respectable suburb, a startling rumor which,
(00:41):
if it were true, might well cause Forest Hill to
gasp in righteous indignation. Doctor Esley was an unauthorized practitioner,
a fraud of the worst description, for he had taken
the name in the style of a dead man. All
I know, explained Colonel Black, whom a reporter discovered at
his office, is that I met doctor Esley in Australia,
(01:06):
and that I was impressed by his skill. I might say,
he added, in a burst of frankness, that I am
in a sense responsible for his position in England, for
I not only advanced him money to buy his practice.
But I recommended him to all my friends, and naturally
I am upset by the revelation. No, he had no
(01:26):
idea as to the doctor's present location. He had last
seen him a month before, when the doctor spoke of
going to the continent. Colonel Black had as much to
tell and no more. To the detectives who came from
Scotland yard. They came with annoying persistence, and never seemed
tired of coming. They waited for him on the doorstep
(01:48):
and in his office. They waited for him in the
vestibules of the theaters, and at the entrance doors of banks.
They came as frequently as emissaries of houses to whom
Colonel Black was under my minitary obligation. A week after
the events chronicled in the last chapter, Colonel Black sat
alone in his flat with a light heart. He had
(02:09):
collected together a very considerable amount of money. That it
was money to which he had no legal right did
not disturb the smooth current of his thoughts. It was
sufficient that it was money, and that a motor car,
which might carry him swiftly to focus Stone, was within
telephone called day and night. Moreover, he was alive the
(02:31):
vengeance of an organization vowed against Doctor Esley had passed
over the head of Colonel Black. He might be excused
if he thought that the matter of a gray wig
and a pair of shaggy eyebrows, added to some knowledge
of medicine, had deceived the astute men who had come
to England to track him down. This infernal man Fellow,
(02:52):
who appeared and disappeared as if by magic, puzzled him,
almost alarmed him. Fellow was not one of the four
just men. Instinct told him that much Fellow was an official.
A Sergeant Gerdon, who had been extremely useful to Black,
had been suddenly transferred to a remote division, and nobody
knew why. With them had disappeared from his familiar beats.
(03:15):
A young police constable who had been seen dining with
cabinet ministers. It was very evident that there was cause
for perturbation. Yet singularly enough, Colonel Black was cheerful, but
there was a malignant quality to his cheerfulness. He busied
himself with the destruction of such of his papers, and
they were few which he had kept by him. He
(03:37):
turned out an old pocket book and frowned when he
saw its contents. It was a wagon de coupon for
the journey from Paris to Madrid, and was made out
in the name of doctor Esley. A mad slip which
might have led to serious consequences, he told himself. He
burnt the incriminating sheet and crumbled the ashes before he
threw them into the fireplace. It was dark before he
(04:00):
had finished his preparations, but he made no attempt to
light the room. His dressing suit was laid out in
an adjoining room. His trunk stood packed. He looked at
his watch. In half an hour he would be on
his way to the Sandfords. Here was another risk, which
none but a madman would take, so he told himself.
But he contemplated the outcome of his visit with equanimity.
(04:24):
He went into his bedroom and began his preparations. Then
remembered that he had left a bundle of notes on
his writing table and went back. He found the notes
and was returning when there was a click and the
room was flooded with light. He whipped round with an oath,
dropping his hand to his hip pocket. Don't move, please,
said the visitor quietly. You gasped black. The tall man
(04:49):
with the little pointed beard nodded, Keep your hand away
from your pocket, Colonel, he said, there is no immediate danger.
He was unarmed. The thin cigar betwe qween. His white
teeth testified his serenity. De la Monte stammered Black again.
The bearded man nodded. The last time we met was
(05:10):
in Cordoba, he said, but you have changed since then.
Black forced a smile. You are confusing me with doctor Esley,
he said, I am confusing you with doctor Esley, agreed
the other. Yet I think I am justified in my confusion.
He did not remove his cigar, seemed perfectly at ease,
(05:30):
even going so far as to cast an eye upon
a chair, inviting invitation Esley or Black. He said, steadily,
your day is already dusk, and the night is very near.
A cold wave of terror swept over the colonel. He
tried to speak, but his throat and his mouth were dry,
and he could only make inarticulate noises. Tonight now, he croaked.
(05:56):
His shaking hands went up to his mouth. Yet he
was arm and the man before him bore no weapon.
A quick movement of his hand and he would lay
the specter, which had at one time terrorized Europe. He
did not doubt that he was face to face with
one of the dreaded four, and he found himself endeavoring
to memorize the face of the man before him for
(06:16):
future use. Yet he did not touch the pistol which
lay snug in his hip pocket. He was hypnotized, paralyzed
by the cool confidence of the other. All that he
knew was that he wanted the relief which could only
come if this calm man where to go. He felt
horribly trapped, saw no way of escape in the presence
(06:37):
of this force. The other divine what was going on
in Black's mind? I have only one piece of advice
to offer you, he said, and that is this keep
away from the Sandford's dinner. Why why, stammered Black. The
other walked to the fireplace and flicked the ash of
his cigar into the grate, Because he said, without turning
(07:00):
round at the sand for dinner, you come within the
jurisdiction of the four just men, who, as you may know,
are a protecting force. Elsewhere, Yes, elsewhere, you come within
the jurisdiction of the law, Colonel Black, For at this
present moment, an energetic young Assistant Commissioner of Police is
applying for a warrant for your arrest on the charge
(07:22):
of murder. With a little gnawed Manfred turned his back
and walked leisurely towards the door stop. The words were hissed. Black,
revolver in hand, was livid with rage and fear. Manfred
laughed quietly. He did not check his walk, but looked
backward over his shoulder. Let the cobbler stick to his last.
(07:43):
He quoted, poison, my dear colonel, is your last or
the knife In the case of Jacob's an explosion, even
of a webly revolver, would shatter your nerves. He opened
the door and walked out, closing it carefully behind him,
Black saying into the nearest chair, his mouth working, the
perspiration streaming down his face. This was the end. He
(08:08):
was a spent force. He crossed the room to the
telephone and gave a number. After a little while he
got an answer. Yes, the car was in readiness. There
had been no inquiries. He hung up the telephone and
called up six depots where cars could be hired. To
each he gave the same instructions. Two cars were to
(08:29):
be waiting. He changed the locality with each order. Two
fast cars each able to cover the eighty miles to
Dover without fear of a breakdown. I shall take one,
he said. The other must follow immediately behind. Yes, empty,
I am going to Dover to meet a party of people.
He would take no risk of a breakdown. The second
(08:52):
car must be close at hand in case he had
an accident with the first. He was something of an organizer.
In the short space of time he was at the telephone,
he arranged the cars so that whatever avenue of escape
he was forced to take, he would find the vehicles waiting.
This done, he completed his dressing. The reaction from the
(09:13):
fear had come. He was filled with black hate for
the men who had put a period to his career
of villainy. Most of all, he hated Sandford, the man
who could have saved him. He could take the risk
of the four, take his chance with the police. Curiously,
he feared the police least of all. One final blow
he would strike and break the man whose obstinacy had
(09:37):
broken him. He was mad with anger. He saw nothing
but the fulfillment of his plan of revenge. He went
into his room, unlocked a cupboard, and took out the
green bottle. There was no need for the feather. He
would do the job thoroughly. He finished his dressing, pocketed
his banknotes, and slipped the little green bottle into his
(09:59):
waistcoat pocket. One last look round he gave. Then, with
the sense of the old exhilaration which had been his
before the arrival of Manford, he put on his hat,
threw an overcoat over his arm, and went out. It
was a gay little party that assembled at the Great
South Central Hotel. May Sandford had invited a girl friend,
(10:21):
and mister Sandford had brought back the junior partner of
one of the city houses he did business with. Black
was laid and did not arrive till a quarter of
an hour after the time settled for dinner. Sandford had
given orders for the meal to be served. When the
colonel came in, sit down, Black, said Sandford. There was
a vacant chair between the iron master and his daughter,
(10:43):
and into this the colonel dropped his hand shook as
he took up the spoon to his soup. He put
the spoon down again and unfolded his serviette. A letter
dropped out. He knew those gray envelopes now, and crushed
the letter into his pocket without at tenpt to read it.
Busy man Black, eh smiled Sandford. He was a florid,
(11:06):
hearty man, with a wisp of white whisker on either
side of his rubicund face, and in his pleasant moments
he was a very lovable man. You ought to be grateful.
I did not agree to the amalgamations. You would have
been worked to death, yes, said the colonel. Shortly, he
stuck out his jaw, a trick he had when he
was perturbed in a way, bantered the elder man. You're
(11:29):
an admirable chap. If you were a little more reasonable,
you would be more successful. Wouldn't you call me successful?
Sandford pouted thoughtfully. Yes, and no, he said, you are
not altogether successful. You see, you have achieved what you
would call success too easily. Colonel Black did not pursue
(11:51):
the subject, nor did he encourage the other to go
any further. He needed opportunity. For a time. He had
to sit patiently, joining in with such scraps of speech
as he could muster the conversation that rippled about him.
At his left hand were the girl's wineglasses. She refused
the lighter wines and drew forth a laughing protest from
(12:13):
her father. Dearie, on your birthday, you must sip some champagne. Champagne, then,
she said gaily. She was happy for many reasons, but
principally because, well, just because that was the opportunity. Absent mindedly,
he drew her glass nearer than he found the bottle
in his pocket. With one hand, he removed the cork
(12:36):
and spilt half the contents of the vial on to
his serviette. He recorked the bottle and slipped it into
his pocket. He took the glass onto his lap. Twice
he wiped the edge of it with the damp napkin.
He replaced the glass unnoticed. Now it was done, he
felt better. He leaned back in his chair, his hands
(12:56):
thrust deep into his trouser pockets. It was an inn
an elegant attitude, but he derived a sense of comfort. Black,
wake up, my dear fellow. Sandford was talking to him,
and he roused himself with a start. My friend here
was rude enough to comment on your hair. Eh, Black
put up his hand to his head. Oh it's all right,
and it isn't disarranged. But how long has it been? White? White?
(13:21):
He had heard of such things, and was mildly interested.
White oh er quite a time. He did not further
the discussion. The waiters were filling the glasses. He looked
across to Sandford, how happy, how self sufficient he was.
He intercepted the tender little looks that passed between father
and daughter. There was perfect sympathy between the two. It
(13:45):
was a pity that in a minute or so one
should be dead and the other broken. She so full
of life, so splendid of shape, so fresh and lovely.
He turned his head and looked at her, curious, very curious.
How frail a thing is life, that a milligram of
a colorless fluid should be sufficient to snap the cord
that binds soul to body. The waiter filled the glasses first,
(14:10):
the girls than his. He raised his own with unconcern
and drank it off. The girl did not touch hers.
She was talking to the man on her left. Black
could see only the rounded cheek and one white shoulder.
He waited impatiently. Sandford tried to bring him into the conversation,
but he refused to be drawn. He was content to listen.
(14:31):
He said, to listen, to watch, and to wait. He
saw the slim, white fingers close round the stem of
the glass, saw her half raise it, still looking towards
her partner. Black pushed his chair a little to one side.
As the glass reached her lips. She drank, not much,
but enough. The colonel held his breath. She replaced the glass,
(14:54):
still talking with the man on her left. Black counted
the slow seconds. He counted sixty a hundred, oblivious to
the fact that Sandford was talking to him. The drug
had failed. Are you ill, Colonel? Everybody was staring at
him ill, he repeated hoarsely, No, I am not ill.
(15:15):
Why should I be ill? Open one of those windows, waiter.
A blast of cold air struck him, and he shivered.
He left the table hurriedly and went blundering blindly from
the room. There was an end to it all. In
the corridor of the hotel, he came, in his haste
into collision with a man. It was the man who
had called upon him some time before. Excuse me, said
(15:37):
the man, catching his arm, Colonel Black, I believe stand
out of my way. Black spat out the words savagely.
I am Detective Sergeant K from Scotland Yard and shall
take you into custody at the first hinted danger. The
colonel drew back. Suddenly his fist shot out and caught
the officer under the jaw. It was a terrific blow
(16:00):
and the detective was unprepared. He went down like a log.
The corridor was empty, leaving the man upon the floor.
The fugitive sped into the lobby. He was hatless, but
he shaded his face and passed through the throng and
the vestibule into the open air. He signaled a taxi Waterloo,
and I will give you a pound if you catch
(16:21):
my train. He was speeding down the strand in less
than a minute. He changed his instructions before the station
was reached. I have lost the train. Drop me at
the corner of Eaton Square. At Eaton Square, he paid
the cabman and dismissed him. With little difficulty, he found
two closed cars that waited. I am Colonel Black, he said,
(16:43):
and the first chauffeur touched his cap. Take the straightest
road to Southampton and let the second man follow behind.
The car had not gone far before he changed his mind.
Go first to the Junior Turf Club in pall Mall,
he said. Arrived at the club, he beck and the
porter tell Sir Isaac Trember that he is wanted at
(17:03):
once he directed Ikey was in the club. It was
a chance shot of the colonel's, but it begged his man.
Get your coat and hat, said Black hurriedly to the
flustered baronet. But no butt, snarled the other savagely, get
your coat and hat unless you want to be hauled
out of your club to the nearest police station. Reluctantly,
(17:25):
ike went back to the club and returned in a
few seconds, struggling into his greatcoat. Now what the devil
is this all about, he demanded peevishly. Then as the
light of a street lamb caught the colonel's uncovered head,
he gasped, good lord, your hair is gone white. You
look just like that fellow Esley. End of chapter sixteen.
Chapter sixteen of The just Men of Cordoba by Edgar Wallace.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by
A Toolsharma, Winnipeg, Canada, Chapter sixteen, Colonel Black meets a
just man. Doctor Esley's house at Forest Hill stood untenanted.
(00:21):
The red lamp before the door was unlit, and though
the meager furnishings had not been removed, the house, with
its drawn blinds and grimy steps, had the desolate appearance
of emptiness. The whisper of a rumor had agitated the
domestic circles of that respectable suburb, a startling rumor which,
(00:41):
if it were true, might well cause Forest Hill to
gasp in righteous indignation. Doctor Esley was an unauthorized practitioner,
a fraud of the worst description, for he had taken
the name in the style of a dead man. All
I know, explained Colonel Black, whom a reporter discovered at
his office, is that I met doctor Esley in Australia,
(01:06):
and that I was impressed by his skill. I might say,
he added, in a burst of frankness, that I am
in a sense responsible for his position in England, for
I not only advanced him money to buy his practice.
But I recommended him to all my friends, and naturally
I am upset by the revelation. No, he had no
(01:26):
idea as to the doctor's present location. He had last
seen him a month before, when the doctor spoke of
going to the continent. Colonel Black had as much to
tell and no more. To the detectives who came from
Scotland yard. They came with annoying persistence, and never seemed
tired of coming. They waited for him on the doorstep
(01:48):
and in his office. They waited for him in the
vestibules of the theaters, and at the entrance doors of banks.
They came as frequently as emissaries of houses to whom
Colonel Black was under my minitary obligation. A week after
the events chronicled in the last chapter, Colonel Black sat
alone in his flat with a light heart. He had
(02:09):
collected together a very considerable amount of money. That it
was money to which he had no legal right did
not disturb the smooth current of his thoughts. It was
sufficient that it was money, and that a motor car,
which might carry him swiftly to focus Stone, was within
telephone called day and night. Moreover, he was alive the
(02:31):
vengeance of an organization vowed against Doctor Esley had passed
over the head of Colonel Black. He might be excused
if he thought that the matter of a gray wig
and a pair of shaggy eyebrows, added to some knowledge
of medicine, had deceived the astute men who had come
to England to track him down. This infernal man Fellow,
(02:52):
who appeared and disappeared as if by magic, puzzled him,
almost alarmed him. Fellow was not one of the four
just men. Instinct told him that much Fellow was an official.
A Sergeant Gerdon, who had been extremely useful to Black,
had been suddenly transferred to a remote division, and nobody
knew why. With them had disappeared from his familiar beats.
(03:15):
A young police constable who had been seen dining with
cabinet ministers. It was very evident that there was cause
for perturbation. Yet singularly enough, Colonel Black was cheerful, but
there was a malignant quality to his cheerfulness. He busied
himself with the destruction of such of his papers, and
they were few which he had kept by him. He
(03:37):
turned out an old pocket book and frowned when he
saw its contents. It was a wagon de coupon for
the journey from Paris to Madrid, and was made out
in the name of doctor Esley. A mad slip which
might have led to serious consequences, he told himself. He
burnt the incriminating sheet and crumbled the ashes before he
threw them into the fireplace. It was dark before he
(04:00):
had finished his preparations, but he made no attempt to
light the room. His dressing suit was laid out in
an adjoining room. His trunk stood packed. He looked at
his watch. In half an hour he would be on
his way to the Sandfords. Here was another risk, which
none but a madman would take, so he told himself.
But he contemplated the outcome of his visit with equanimity.
(04:24):
He went into his bedroom and began his preparations. Then
remembered that he had left a bundle of notes on
his writing table and went back. He found the notes
and was returning when there was a click and the
room was flooded with light. He whipped round with an oath,
dropping his hand to his hip pocket. Don't move, please,
said the visitor quietly. You gasped black. The tall man
(04:49):
with the little pointed beard nodded, Keep your hand away
from your pocket, Colonel, he said, there is no immediate danger.
He was unarmed. The thin cigar betwe qween. His white
teeth testified his serenity. De la Monte stammered Black again.
The bearded man nodded. The last time we met was
(05:10):
in Cordoba, he said, but you have changed since then.
Black forced a smile. You are confusing me with doctor Esley,
he said, I am confusing you with doctor Esley, agreed
the other. Yet I think I am justified in my confusion.
He did not remove his cigar, seemed perfectly at ease,
(05:30):
even going so far as to cast an eye upon
a chair, inviting invitation Esley or Black. He said, steadily,
your day is already dusk, and the night is very near.
A cold wave of terror swept over the colonel. He
tried to speak, but his throat and his mouth were dry,
and he could only make inarticulate noises. Tonight now, he croaked.
(05:56):
His shaking hands went up to his mouth. Yet he
was arm and the man before him bore no weapon.
A quick movement of his hand and he would lay
the specter, which had at one time terrorized Europe. He
did not doubt that he was face to face with
one of the dreaded four, and he found himself endeavoring
to memorize the face of the man before him for
(06:16):
future use. Yet he did not touch the pistol which
lay snug in his hip pocket. He was hypnotized, paralyzed
by the cool confidence of the other. All that he
knew was that he wanted the relief which could only
come if this calm man where to go. He felt
horribly trapped, saw no way of escape in the presence
(06:37):
of this force. The other divine what was going on
in Black's mind? I have only one piece of advice
to offer you, he said, and that is this keep
away from the Sandford's dinner. Why why, stammered Black. The
other walked to the fireplace and flicked the ash of
his cigar into the grate, Because he said, without turning
(07:00):
round at the sand for dinner, you come within the
jurisdiction of the four just men, who, as you may know,
are a protecting force. Elsewhere, Yes, elsewhere, you come within
the jurisdiction of the law, Colonel Black, For at this
present moment, an energetic young Assistant Commissioner of Police is
applying for a warrant for your arrest on the charge
(07:22):
of murder. With a little gnawed Manfred turned his back
and walked leisurely towards the door stop. The words were hissed. Black,
revolver in hand, was livid with rage and fear. Manfred
laughed quietly. He did not check his walk, but looked
backward over his shoulder. Let the cobbler stick to his last.
(07:43):
He quoted, poison, my dear colonel, is your last or
the knife In the case of Jacob's an explosion, even
of a webly revolver, would shatter your nerves. He opened
the door and walked out, closing it carefully behind him,
Black saying into the nearest chair, his mouth working, the
perspiration streaming down his face. This was the end. He
(08:08):
was a spent force. He crossed the room to the
telephone and gave a number. After a little while he
got an answer. Yes, the car was in readiness. There
had been no inquiries. He hung up the telephone and
called up six depots where cars could be hired. To
each he gave the same instructions. Two cars were to
(08:29):
be waiting. He changed the locality with each order. Two
fast cars each able to cover the eighty miles to
Dover without fear of a breakdown. I shall take one,
he said. The other must follow immediately behind. Yes, empty,
I am going to Dover to meet a party of people.
He would take no risk of a breakdown. The second
(08:52):
car must be close at hand in case he had
an accident with the first. He was something of an organizer.
In the short space of time he was at the telephone,
he arranged the cars so that whatever avenue of escape
he was forced to take, he would find the vehicles waiting.
This done, he completed his dressing. The reaction from the
(09:13):
fear had come. He was filled with black hate for
the men who had put a period to his career
of villainy. Most of all, he hated Sandford, the man
who could have saved him. He could take the risk
of the four, take his chance with the police. Curiously,
he feared the police least of all. One final blow
he would strike and break the man whose obstinacy had
(09:37):
broken him. He was mad with anger. He saw nothing
but the fulfillment of his plan of revenge. He went
into his room, unlocked a cupboard, and took out the
green bottle. There was no need for the feather. He
would do the job thoroughly. He finished his dressing, pocketed
his banknotes, and slipped the little green bottle into his
(09:59):
waistcoat pocket. One last look round he gave. Then, with
the sense of the old exhilaration which had been his
before the arrival of Manford, he put on his hat,
threw an overcoat over his arm, and went out. It
was a gay little party that assembled at the Great
South Central Hotel. May Sandford had invited a girl friend,
(10:21):
and mister Sandford had brought back the junior partner of
one of the city houses he did business with. Black
was laid and did not arrive till a quarter of
an hour after the time settled for dinner. Sandford had
given orders for the meal to be served. When the
colonel came in, sit down, Black, said Sandford. There was
a vacant chair between the iron master and his daughter,
(10:43):
and into this the colonel dropped his hand shook as
he took up the spoon to his soup. He put
the spoon down again and unfolded his serviette. A letter
dropped out. He knew those gray envelopes now, and crushed
the letter into his pocket without at tenpt to read it.
Busy man Black, eh smiled Sandford. He was a florid,
(11:06):
hearty man, with a wisp of white whisker on either
side of his rubicund face, and in his pleasant moments
he was a very lovable man. You ought to be grateful.
I did not agree to the amalgamations. You would have
been worked to death, yes, said the colonel. Shortly, he
stuck out his jaw, a trick he had when he
was perturbed in a way, bantered the elder man. You're
(11:29):
an admirable chap. If you were a little more reasonable,
you would be more successful. Wouldn't you call me successful?
Sandford pouted thoughtfully. Yes, and no, he said, you are
not altogether successful. You see, you have achieved what you
would call success too easily. Colonel Black did not pursue
(11:51):
the subject, nor did he encourage the other to go
any further. He needed opportunity. For a time. He had
to sit patiently, joining in with such scraps of speech
as he could muster the conversation that rippled about him.
At his left hand were the girl's wineglasses. She refused
the lighter wines and drew forth a laughing protest from
(12:13):
her father. Dearie, on your birthday, you must sip some champagne. Champagne, then,
she said gaily. She was happy for many reasons, but
principally because, well, just because that was the opportunity. Absent mindedly,
he drew her glass nearer than he found the bottle
in his pocket. With one hand, he removed the cork
(12:36):
and spilt half the contents of the vial on to
his serviette. He recorked the bottle and slipped it into
his pocket. He took the glass onto his lap. Twice
he wiped the edge of it with the damp napkin.
He replaced the glass unnoticed. Now it was done, he
felt better. He leaned back in his chair, his hands
(12:56):
thrust deep into his trouser pockets. It was an inn
an elegant attitude, but he derived a sense of comfort. Black,
wake up, my dear fellow. Sandford was talking to him,
and he roused himself with a start. My friend here
was rude enough to comment on your hair. Eh, Black
put up his hand to his head. Oh it's all right,
and it isn't disarranged. But how long has it been? White? White?
(13:21):
He had heard of such things, and was mildly interested.
White oh er quite a time. He did not further
the discussion. The waiters were filling the glasses. He looked
across to Sandford, how happy, how self sufficient he was.
He intercepted the tender little looks that passed between father
and daughter. There was perfect sympathy between the two. It
(13:45):
was a pity that in a minute or so one
should be dead and the other broken. She so full
of life, so splendid of shape, so fresh and lovely.
He turned his head and looked at her, curious, very curious.
How frail a thing is life, that a milligram of
a colorless fluid should be sufficient to snap the cord
that binds soul to body. The waiter filled the glasses first,
(14:10):
the girls than his. He raised his own with unconcern
and drank it off. The girl did not touch hers.
She was talking to the man on her left. Black
could see only the rounded cheek and one white shoulder.
He waited impatiently. Sandford tried to bring him into the conversation,
but he refused to be drawn. He was content to listen.
(14:31):
He said, to listen, to watch, and to wait. He
saw the slim, white fingers close round the stem of
the glass, saw her half raise it, still looking towards
her partner. Black pushed his chair a little to one side.
As the glass reached her lips. She drank, not much,
but enough. The colonel held his breath. She replaced the glass,
(14:54):
still talking with the man on her left. Black counted
the slow seconds. He counted sixty a hundred, oblivious to
the fact that Sandford was talking to him. The drug
had failed. Are you ill, Colonel? Everybody was staring at
him ill, he repeated hoarsely, No, I am not ill.
(15:15):
Why should I be ill? Open one of those windows, waiter.
A blast of cold air struck him, and he shivered.
He left the table hurriedly and went blundering blindly from
the room. There was an end to it all. In
the corridor of the hotel, he came, in his haste
into collision with a man. It was the man who
had called upon him some time before. Excuse me, said
(15:37):
the man, catching his arm, Colonel Black, I believe stand
out of my way. Black spat out the words savagely.
I am Detective Sergeant K from Scotland Yard and shall
take you into custody at the first hinted danger. The
colonel drew back. Suddenly his fist shot out and caught
the officer under the jaw. It was a terrific blow
(16:00):
and the detective was unprepared. He went down like a log.
The corridor was empty, leaving the man upon the floor.
The fugitive sped into the lobby. He was hatless, but
he shaded his face and passed through the throng and
the vestibule into the open air. He signaled a taxi Waterloo,
and I will give you a pound if you catch
(16:21):
my train. He was speeding down the strand in less
than a minute. He changed his instructions before the station
was reached. I have lost the train. Drop me at
the corner of Eaton Square. At Eaton Square, he paid
the cabman and dismissed him. With little difficulty, he found
two closed cars that waited. I am Colonel Black, he said,
(16:43):
and the first chauffeur touched his cap. Take the straightest
road to Southampton and let the second man follow behind.
The car had not gone far before he changed his mind.
Go first to the Junior Turf Club in pall Mall,
he said. Arrived at the club, he beck and the
porter tell Sir Isaac Trember that he is wanted at
(17:03):
once he directed Ikey was in the club. It was
a chance shot of the colonel's, but it begged his man.
Get your coat and hat, said Black hurriedly to the
flustered baronet. But no butt, snarled the other savagely, get
your coat and hat unless you want to be hauled
out of your club to the nearest police station. Reluctantly,
(17:25):
ike went back to the club and returned in a
few seconds, struggling into his greatcoat. Now what the devil
is this all about, he demanded peevishly. Then as the
light of a street lamb caught the colonel's uncovered head,
he gasped, good lord, your hair is gone white. You
look just like that fellow Esley. End of chapter sixteen.
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