regarding Mr Sainsbury, saying that he wished he could see him tonight." Then, turning to Jack, he added: "At his request I rang up your flat at Hampstead, but you were not in."

"Why did he wish to see me?"

"Ah! that I don't know. He told me nothing," was the Admiralty official's reply. "While I was sitting here with him I was rung up three times--twice from my office, and once by a well-known man I had met for the first time that afternoon--Mr Lewin Rodwell."

At mention of Rodwell all present became instantly interested.

"How did Mr Rodwell know that you were here?" inquired the detective quickly. "That's a mystery. I did not tell him."

"He might have rung up your house, and your servant may possibly have told him that you were dining with Jerrold," Sir Houston suggested.

"That may be so. I will ask my man."

"What did Mr Rodwell want?" Rees asked.

"He told me that he had that evening been in consultation with his friend Sir Boyle Huntley, and that, between them they had resolved to commence a propaganda for the internment of all alien enemies -- naturalized as well as unnaturalized -- and he asked whether I would meet them at the club tomorrow afternoon to discuss the scheme. To this I readily consented. When I returned to this room I found the doctor in the act of sealing an envelope. After he had finished he gave the envelope to me, saying `This will be safer in your care than in mine, my dear Trustram. Will you please keep it in your safe?' I consented, of course, and as I took it I saw that it was a private letter addressed to Mr Sainsbury, with instructions that it was not to be opened till a year after his death."

"Then you have the letter!" cried Jack excitedly.

"Yes, I have it at home," replied Mr Trustram; who, proceeding, said: "At first I was greatly surprised at being given such a letter, and chaffingly remarked that I hoped he wouldn't die just yet; whereat he laughed, refilled his pipe and declared that life was, after all, very uncertain. 'I want my friend Sainsbury to know something -- but not before a year after I'm gone. You understand, Trustram. I give you this, and you, on your part, will give me your word of honour that, whatever occurs, you will safely guard it, and not allow it to be opened till a year has elapsed after my death.' He seemed to have suddenly grown 

 Prev. P 29/134 next