I stared blankly for a moment, then:
'You are her accepted lover,' he added, 'and she is very charming. I congratulate you ... and give you my permission to leave out the kisses....'
4
'Rima was obsessed with the idea,' I said, 'that someone was hiding in the big lacquer cabinet. But her frame of mind seems to have been such that she wouldn't stoop to test this suspicion. '
'Very characteristic,' Nayland Smith commented. 'You may remember that I left Barton's study some time ahead of you? '
'Yes. '
'The cabinet in question stands beside the newel post of the staircase, and as the library was lighted to- night, in deep shadow. It had certain properties, Greville, with which I am acquainted but which may be unfamiliar to you. It's a very old piece and I had examined it in the past. It has lacquered doors in front and a plain door at the back! '
'Do you mean-- '
'Precisely! As I came out of the study, I noticed a curious passivity in Rima's attitude which aroused my interest. Also, she was not reading, as your account would lead one to suppose--but, twisted around her chair, was staring rigidly at the french windows! The staircase, you remember, is not visible from outside!'
'Then-- '
'Her suspicion--which came later--was based on fact. I was in the cabinet! '
'But when-- '
'Did I withdraw? Husband your blushes. I escaped at the moment you entered the room, and slipped unnoticed through the door leading to the servants' quarters below the staircase. I went back to the study by way of the east wing, and waited for Weymouth's signal. I had another small problem to investigate en route and so grabbed my useful ghostly disguise!' 'What was the small problem?' 'The cheetah!' 'The cheetah? '
'A tame cheetah, Greville, is more sensi- tive than any ordinary domestic animal to the presence of strangers. He is used to Barton's guests, but an intruder would provoke howls calculated to rouse the house. I suspected that the cat had been doped. '
'By heaven, you're right! '
'I know I'm right! When I went round there in my monkish disguise he was snoring like an elephant! But please go on.'
To the best of my ability I outlined what Rima had told me of her mood of passive terror. I tried to explain that I had reassured her and had finally parted from her confident that she was restored to normal; but:
'There's something wrong,' Nayland Smith rapped irritably; 'and time is impor- tant. She went out of the library--111 swear, to fetch something--just before you came in, and she opened and then reclosed the windows.' 'I'm sorry!' I exclaimed. 'Ssh! '
'I had overlooked it, Sir Denis--although it isn't of the slightest importance. She had gone to her room to get a scent-spray containing eau-de-Cologne.'
Nayland Smith, who had been walking across and across the rug beside the bed, pulled up with a jerk.
'Not of the slightest importance? It's what I've been waiting to hear! At least I understand the strong smell of eau-de- Cologne which I detected on the terrace outside the library.... Quick! You are privi- leged.... Steal along to Rima's room. Take your shoes off. Go by the balcony. Her window is open, no doubt. If she's awake-- which I think unlikely--ask her for the eau-de-Cologne bottle. Explain things how you like. If she's asleep, find it--and bring it to me! Take this torch....'
5
The strange theft was accomplished without a hitch. Rima slept soundly. Although her dressing-table was littered with bottles, I found the spray easily enough--for it was the only one of its kind there. I hurried back to my room.
Nayland Smith took it from my hands as though it had been a live bomb. He opened the door and went out. I heard him turn a tap on in the bathroom. Then he returned-- carrying the spray. I saw that it was still half full.
'Take it back,' he directed.
And I replaced it on Rima's dressing-table without arousing her.
'Good,' Smith acknowledged. 'Now we enter a province of surmise.'
He began to pace the mat again, deep in thought; then:
'I am the likeliest!' he snapped suddenly; and although I couldn't imagine what he meant, went on immediately:
'Conceal yourself in the south comer of the balcony. The ivy is thick there. Keep your shoes off. We must be silent.'
As the paving was still wet, my prospect was poor; but:
'If anyone moves in Rima's room,' he continued rapidly, 'don't stir. If anyone comes out on to the balcony-- watch. But whoever it is, do nothing. Just watch. If necessary, follow, but don't speak and don't be discovered. Off you go, Greville!'
I had already started,when:
'It may be a bit of an ordeal,' he added, 'but I count on you.'
Past the open window of Smith's room I went and past that, closed, which belonged to the vacant room. Then, creeping silently, I went by Rima's window and crouched down among a tangle of wet ivy in the comer formed by a stone balustrade.
The sky directly above was cloudless again, and part of the balcony gleamed phan- tomesque in silvery moonlight. But, another part, including the comer in which I lay concealed, was in deep shadow. From some- where a long way off--perhaps over the sea-- came dim drumming of thunder. About me whispered leaves of rain-drenched foliage.
I saw Nayland Smith go into his room.
What were we waiting for?
Abbots Hold was silent. Nothing stirred, until a soft fluttering immediately above me set my heart thumping.
An owl swept out from the eaves and disappeared in the direction of the big planta- tion. From some reed bed of the near-by river a disturbed lapwing gave her eerie, peewit cry. The cry was repeated; then answered far away. Silence fell once more.
My post was a cold and uncomfortable one. It was characteristic ofNayland Smith that he took no count of such details where either himself or another was concerned. The job in hand overrode in importance any such trivial considerations.
Presently I heard the big library clock strike--and I counted the strokes mechanically.
Midnight.
I reflected that in London, now, folk would just be finishing supper.
Then... I saw her!
I suppose--I hope--I shall never again experience just the sort of shock which gripped my heart at this moment. Vaguely, I had imagined that our purpose was protec- tive; that I was on guard because Rima's safety was at stake in some way. To the mystery ofNayland Smith's words, 'I am the likeliest,' I had failed all along to discover any solution.
Now, the solution came... hazily at first.
Rima, a fairy gossamer figure in the moonlight, came out barefooted on to the terrace!
Unhesitatingly, she turned right, passed the vacant room and entered the open window of that occupied by Nayland Smith! I could not believe the evidence of my senses. Just in the nick of time I checked her name as it leaped to my lips.
'... You must be silent. It may be a bit of an ordeal--but I count on you....'
Rising slowly to my feet, I stole along the terrace. The moon shone into Smith's room as it shone into mine. Just before reaching the window, I dropped down on my knees and cautiously craned forward to peer in.
Nayland Smith was in bed, the sheets drawn up to his chin. His eyes were closed... and Rima stood beside him.
Something that had puzzled me in that first stunning moment now resolved itself-- grotesquely. I had realized
