CHAPTER IV

IN THE LIFT


Gurdon looked out from the shelter of the great portico to see the sheets
of rain falling on the pavement. Silence reigned supreme but for the
steady plash of the raindrops as they rattled on the pavements. To walk
half a mile on such a night meant getting wet through; and Gurdon
somewhat ruefully regarded his thin slippers and his light dust overcoat.
Half a dozen times the night porter blew his whistle, but no sign of a
cab could be seen.

"We shan't get one to-night," Venner said. "They are all engaged. There
is only one thing for it--you must take a room here, and stay till the
morning. I've no doubt I can fit you up in the way of pyjamas and the
things necessary."

Gurdon fell in readily enough with the suggestion. Indeed, there was
nothing else for it. He took his number and key from the sleepy clerk in
the office, and made his way upstairs to Venner's bedroom.

"I'll just have one cigarette before I turn in," he said. "It seems as if
Fate had ordained that I am to keep in close touch with the leading
characters of the mystery. By the way, we never took the trouble to find
out who the handsome cripple was."

"That is very easily done in the morning," Venner replied. "A striking
personality like that is not soon lost sight of. Besides, he has