'That's fine,' Don said approvingly.
He went back to where the boy was waiting and gave him the parcel.
'Here's what you do,' he said. 'I don't want you to get to the Piccadilly Hotel before ten o'clock. That's important. Give this package to Mr Montgomery and get his signature, but not before ten, do you understand?'
The boy nodded.
'Yes, sir.'
'Okay, you get off,' Don said and slipped a pound note into the boy's hand. 'That's for keeping you out of bed.'
The boy grinned.
'Thanks, sir. I'll do just as you say.'
When he had gone, Don returned to the lounge where Guido and Julia sat side by side on the settee. Julia still looked frightened, but she had herself under control. Her hand gripped Guido's tightly.
'Well, it looks as if we have a crackpot on our hands,' Don said, closing the door and coming over to the brightly burning fire. 'He appears to be a Mr Montgomery, and he is waiting in the lounge of the Piccadilly Hotel for a district messenger to make him a present of your ten thousand pounds. I've made up a faked parcel, and the boy is going to deliver it. We must get the police on to this, Guido. It's got to be done. This fellow mustn't be encouraged. He could make himself a nuisance to others unless he is stopped. I'll call Dicks. He'll take care of him.'
Guido shrugged.
'All right. Go ahead.'
Don lifted the telephone receiver. He held it to his ear for a long moment, then frowning, he tapped the crossbar, listened, then laid down the receiver.
He realized with a feeling of shock that he had taken this business up to now far too casually.
'I should have guessed it wasn't going to be as easy as that,' he said, his face hardening. 'The line's dead.'
'You mean someone's cut the line?' Julia said, starting to her feet.
'I don't know. There's no dialling tone. Where's the nearest telephone, Guido?'
'About half a mile down the road,' Guido said. 'Will you go or shall I send Dixon?'
Don moved over to the fireplace and stood with his back to it. He stared down at the carpet for a long moment.
'Don't let's rush this, Guido,' he said.''We haven't taken it seriously enough - at least we two haven't. We must be careful now not to be caught on the wrong foot again.'
'Then you do think Guido is in danger?' Julia said, her eyes growing wide.
'I don't know,' Don said, looking steadily at her, 'but I think we should assume that he is and act accordingly. If this man really means business, it is quite unlikely that he will be at the Piccadilly Hotel. I was slow not to realize that when the boy told me where he was taking the package. If he does mean business, he'll probably waylay the boy before he reaches the station. I don't want to put the wind up either of you, but we must face up to the situation. One thing we must not do: we mustn't reduce our forces. This is a lonely spot; the road is dark and lonely and there are no other houses for quite a distance. If this crackpot is determined to make trouble he may try to stop us using an outside telephone. A lot depends on his mentality. What will he do when he finds the package contains useless newspapers ?
Will he give us rest and go home or will he try to make good his threat?'
Guido lit a cigarette. He seemed to be enjoying the situation.
'He would scarcely go to the trouble of putting the telephone out of order unless he intended to pay us a visit,' he said.
Don nodded.
'Yes, I think we should be prepared for a visit.' He smiled encouragingly at Julia. 'It's-going to be all right. Don't look so scared. There are three able-bodied men in the house and one outside.'
'Yes,' Julia said unsteadily. She tried to match his smile, but didn't succeed.
'Let's get Dixon in and tell him what to expect,' Don said. 'I won't go out to Harry. He knows he has to keep his eyes open, and if the house is being watched, I should only give away his position.
We can rely on him to do the right thing at the right moment. But let's get Dixon in.'
Guido rang the bell and when Dixon entered the room, he explained the situation.
Dixon took the news calmly.
'Well, sir ' he said, 'I can't see him doing much damage with the three of us here, but if you like I'll have a crack at getting the police.'
'No, we'll stick together,' Don said. 'The first move is to go over the house. We want to be sure no one has already broken in or can break in. Stay here with Mr Ferenci while I take a look around.'
'I'm coming with you,' Guido said.
'No, stay here with Julia, please,' Don said firmly. 'And you, Dixon, don't let Mr Ferenci out of your sight.'
'Yes, sir,' Dixon said.
Guido shrugged.
