to-night’s mail. It’s in a horrid state; the blood soaked through, of course.” [Pg 25] [Pg 25] He picked up a small oblong card, holding it gingerly in his finger-tips, and handed it to me. I think I knew what it was, even before I looked at it. A photograph of Anne Pendennis, identical—save that it was unframed—with that which was in the possession of the miserable old Russian, even to the initials, the inscription, and the red symbol beneath it! [Pg 26] [Pg 26] CHAPTER IV THE RIVER STEPS “ This was found in Carson’s pocket?” I asked, steadying my voice with an effort. T He nodded. I affected to examine the portrait closely, to gain a moment’s time. Should I tell him, right now, that I knew the original; tell him also of my strange visitant? No; I decided to keep silence, at least until after I had seen Anne, and cross-examined the old Russian again. “Have you any clue to her identity?” I said, as I rose and replaced the blood-stained card on his desk. “No. I’ve no doubt the Russian Secret Police know well enough who she is; but they don’t give anything away,—even to me.” “They sent you that promptly enough,” I suggested, indicating the photograph with a fresh cigarette which I took up as I resumed my seat. I had managed to regain my composure, and have no doubt that Southbourne considered my late agitation was merely the outcome of my natural horror and astonishment at the news of poor Carson’s tragic fate. And now I meant to ascertain all he knew or suspected about the affair, without revealing my personal interest in it. “Not they! It came
Prev.
Back
Top