I tried the door into Room 16. It was locked, and no sound came to my
ears from behind it.
"I should really like to know," I thought to myself, "whether Mr.
Doddridge Knapp has left any papers in his desk that might bear on the
Wilton mystery."
I tried my keys, but none of them fitted the lock. I gave up the
attempt--indeed, my mind shrank from the idea of going through my
employer's papers--but the desire of getting a key that would open the
door was planted in my brain.
Twelve o'clock came. No Doddridge Knapp had appeared, and I sauntered
down to the Exchange to pick up any items of news. It behooved me to be
looking out for Doddridge Knapp's movements. If he had got another
agent to carry out his schemes, I should have to prepare my lines for
attack from another direction.
Wallbridge was just coming rapidly out of the Exchange.
"No," said the little man, mopping the perspiration from his shining
head, "quiet as lambs to-day. Their own mothers wouldn't have known the
Board from a Sunday-school."
I inquired about Omega.
"Flat as a pancake," said the little man. "Nothing doing."
"What! Is it down?" I exclaimed with some astonishment.
"Lord bless you, no!" said Wallbridge, surprised in his turn. "Strong
and steady at eighty, but we didn't sell a hundred shares to-day. Well,
I'm in a rush. Good-by, if you don't want to buy or sell." And he
hurried off without waiting for a reply.
So I was now assured that Doddridge Knapp had not displaced me in the
Omega deal.
Pages:
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120