I shall
be glad of your company.'
I was only too happy to have the privilege of going with him. It was
most interesting to watch the workings of so inscrutable a mind. As we
drove under the lofty iron roof of the terminus I noticed a look of
annoyance pass over his face.
'We are fifteen seconds ahead of our time,' he remarked, looking at
the big clock. 'I dislike having a miscalculation of that sort occur.'
The great Scotch Express stood ready for its long journey. The
detective tapped one of the guards on the shoulder.
'You have heard of the so-called Pegram mystery, I presume?'
'Certainly, sir. It happened on this very train, sir.'
'Really? Is the same carriage still on the train?'
'Well, yes, sir, it is,' replied the guard, lowering his voice, 'but
of course, sir, we have to keep very quiet about it. People wouldn't
travel in it, else, sir.'
'Doubtless. Do you happen to know if anybody occupies the compartment
in which the body was found?'
'A lady and gentleman, sir; I put 'em in myself, sir.'
'Would you further oblige me,' said the detective, deftly slipping
half-a-sovereign into the hand of the guard, 'by going to the window
and informing them in an offhand casual sort of way that the tragedy
took place in that compartment?'
'Certainly, sir.
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