Terror Keep · Chapter 12 (2/2)

“There’s no doubt at all that these people were members of the Flack crowd, probably engaged in advance against his escape, and how they got away the Lord knows! I have had six men on duty on the road since dark, and neither the woman nor the two men passed me.”

“Did you see Brill?” asked Mr. Reeder, suddenly remembering the absent detective.

“Brill?” said the other in astonishment. “He’s with you, isn’t he? You told me to have him under your window⁠—”

In a few words Mr. Reeder explained the situation, and together they went up to No. 7. There was nothing in the cupboard to afford the slightest clue to Brill’s whereabout. The panels were sounded, but there was no evidence of secret doors⁠—a romantic possibility which Mr. Reeder had not excluded, for this was the type of house where he might expect to find them.

Two men were sent to search the grounds for the missing detective, and Reeder and the police chief went back to finish their coffee.

“Your theory has turned out accurate so far, but there is nothing to connect Daver.”

“Daver’s in it,” said Mr. Reeder. “He was not the knife-thrower; his job was to locate me on behalf of the Colonel. But Daver brought Miss Belman down here in preparation for Flack’s escape.”

Big Bill nodded.

“She was to be hostage for your good behaviour.” He scratched his head irritably. “That’s like one of Crazy John’s schemes. But why did he try to shoot you up? Why wasn’t he satisfied with her being at Larmes Keep?”

Mr. Reeder had no immediate explanation. He was dealing with a madman, a person of whims. Consistency was not to be expected from Mr. Flack.

He passed his fingers through his scanty hair.

“It is all rather puzzling and inexplicable,” he said. “I think I’ll go to bed.”

He was dreaming sleeplessly, under the watchful eye of a Scotland Yard detective, when Big Bill came bursting into the room.

“Get up, Reeder!” he said roughly.

Mr. Reeder sat up in bed, instantly awake.

“What is wrong?” he asked.

“Wrong! That gold lorry left the Bank of England this morning at five o’clock on its way to Tilbury and hasn’t been heard from since!”