human
I wonder, said Nash, as if struck by the silence of the place,
gpt
The flat people provided service, I expect; they cater, and do everything for tenants if they're wanted to.
human
Do you mean to say that he lived here all alone?
gpt
Generally, I fancy; though when the humour took him he may have kept up any sort of an establishment for all I know; I'll be able to tell you more on that head when I've been over the place. Now let me see. From what I know of the arrangements of flats I should say that that room over there was his own particular apartment. He moved to the door to which he referred.
human
Locked; however, there's the key in the lock, and it turns quite easily. He threw it open.
gpt
Right I am! Nash, this is Joseph Oldfield's Ali Baba's treasure-cave; perhaps presently you'll be fingering some of his precious things. But before we start at that let's see what's behind these other doors; I always like to know the lay of the land before I commence actual operations. Mr. Morgan began opening door after door, glancing at what was behind each, then shutting it again; Herbert Nash stood in the hall and watched.
human
Looks like a drawing-room; what did he want with a drawing-room, a lone-lorn bachelor? Seem to be some nice things in it too. A bedroom, furnished up to the knocker. My word! that bed cost money; he lay well. Bathroom; spared nothing even over his bath. Dining-room; nothing cheap about that either; he spent money upon this place; I suppose he walked straight out of the bath to his food. Another bedroom; everything in the palest pink; that's meant for a woman's occupation I'll swear. I wonder who it was meant for? Looks as if it had never been lived in. What are those over the way? Domestic offices, I take it; kitchen; yes, and the rest of it, I know; we'll pay attention to you perhaps a trifle later. Now we'll return to Ali Baba's treasure-cave. Come along, Nash.
gpt
Morgan, he protested,
human
I don't like this; I don't care what you say, I don't like it; if we're not committing burglary, we're doing something which is not far off.
gpt
Don't talk nonsense; you a lawyer! and talking about burglary! stuff! If you imagine, Mr. Nash, that I'm the sort of person who would commit burglary you're mistaken. Haven't you got all your explanations pat? You've as much right to be here as any man on this side the grave. Very nice room I call this; very nice; well adapted for a gentleman's occupation. The late Oldfield had a pretty taste in bric-a-brac; like Mr. Donald Lindsay, he'd a good eye for a promising investment. I'm a bit of an authority on the subject myself, so I know. There's a pair of powder blue vases over there--both Oldfield and Lindsay seem to have had a liking for powder blue--which wouldn't be out of the way at a thousand. And unless I'm mistaken that cabinet in the corner is a genuine Boule; Oldfield wasn't likely to have anything imitation about his place; if it is I should like to have the coin it's worth in my pocket; perhaps we shall have it in both our pockets before very long, eh, Nash? What do you think? My dear boy, the contents of this room, the mere trimmings, so to speak, are worth a small fortune in themselves, you can take it from me; I was quite right in calling it Ali Baba's treasure-cave.
human
Morgan, look at this!
gpt
Look at what? Hello! what's that?
human
It's Miss Lindsay; it's his daughter.
gpt
So it is; and a fine photograph too; and a good likeness.
human
She--she was with him even when he was here.
gpt
You mean her effigy was.
human
And--and look at that portrait over the mantel.
gpt
Rather a fine bit of painting; quite decent; good colour; clever drawing; face seems alive.
human
Can't you see who it is? It's his wife.
gpt
Never saw the lady; but I shouldn't be surprised; there's no mistaking the likeness to the girl. So while he was living a double life he was living it with his wife and child; queer thing human nature.
human
Morgan, I feel as if those women were looking at us.
gpt
Looking at us? What do you mean?
human
I--I'm sure they can see us; look how they're staring!
gpt
Staring! Nash! Stop that! One would think you'd been drinking; or perhaps it's a nip of something you want; there ought to be a decanter somewhere about.
human
I want nothing; it would make no difference.
gpt
Then let's get to business. I've a theory; you listen, and tell me what you think of it. From what we know of the late Oldfield I rather infer that when he left the flat he left the keys of all these drawers, and cupboards, and things, behind him; that's the kind of thing he would do; and I know that they weren't at Cloverlea; I'm guessing that they're somewhere about the place at this moment. Now what's your idea of the kind of hiding-place he'd choose?
human
I don't know; and I don't care.
gpt
What do you mean by you don't care? You seem to be in a nice mood, my lad.
human
I'll not touch a thing here; nothing!
gpt
Won't you? Then don't! Who asked you? I'll do all the touching that's wanted; only--mind! if you shirk now you'll pay for it when the time for sharing comes.
human
I'm not quite the scoundrel you take it for granted that I am.
gpt
No, you're another and a worse kind, you're a white-livered cur. You do the sneak game, when you think it's safe, for pennies; but when it comes to the man's game, for something worth having, you whine. I can see that I shall have to talk to you as I haven't done yet before you really do begin to find out where you are; but I haven't time to do it now. Where's he likely to have put those keys? Anyhow we ought to be able to get at his writing-table drawers without them; I shouldn't say that there was anything very special about their locks. He took something out of his pocket which he inserted in the keyhole of the top drawer.
human
It only wants a little--a little management. I thought so; that's done it; drawer No. 1. He drew the top drawer open, and instantly pushed it back again.
gpt
What's that?
human
It's--it's somebody ringing.
gpt
I know it's somebody ringing; I'm not deaf, am I? I don't need you to tell me that it's somebody ringing; but who's ringing? Who knows that we're here?
human
Perhaps it's the porter; or somebody connected with the Mansions.
gpt
You go and see who's there; if it's the porter, or any one of that sort, you bluff him off. And mind, if you make a mess of things through funk, it'll be you who'll pay.
human
I'm not afraid, Mr. Morgan; at least, not in the sense you mean.
gpt
I beg your pardon, said the young man;
human
I am.
gpt
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Clifford--Frank Clifford; I am Mr. Oldfield's manager--at Marlborough Buildings; possibly he has mentioned my name to you.
human
Certainly he has mentioned your name to us, Mr. Clifford; we know it very well, and all about you. Step in, you're the very man we want to see. Nash, let Mr. Clifford in.