DINNER AT FERNLY
"I've had a return of that pain after food lately," remarked Ackroyd casually, as he helped himself to coffee. "You must give me some more of those tablets of yours."
It struck me that he was anxious to convey the impression that our conference was a medical one. I played up accordingly.
"I thought as much. I brought some up with me."
"Good man. Hand them over now."
"They're in my bag in the hall. I'll get them."
Ackroyd arrested me.
"Don't you trouble. Parker will get them. Bring in the doctor's bag, will you, Parker?"
"Very good, sir."
Parker withdrew. As I was about to speak, Ackroyd threw up his hand.
"Not yet. Wait. Don't you see I'm in such a state of nerves that I can hardly contain myself?"
I saw that plainly enough. And I was very uneasy. All sorts of forebodings assailed me.
Ackroyd spoke again almost immediately.
"Make certain that window's closed, will you?" he asked.
Somewhat surprised, I got up and went to it. It was not a French window, but one of the ordinary sash type. The heavy blue velvet curtains were drawn in front of it, but the window itself was open at the top.
Parker reëntered the room with my bag while I was still at the window.
"That's all right," I said, emerging again into the room.
[39]
