He had business on the Continent,
I understand. But fortunately I managed to reach him at Dover
and he has come back to London. I wanted him, you see, because
I have found the murderer of Captain Fraser-Freer."
I thrilled to hear that, for from my point of view it was certainly
a consummation devoutly to be wished. The colonel did not speak
again. In a few minutes the door opened and Bray came in. His
clothes looked as though he had slept in them; his little eyes were
bloodshot. But in those eyes there was a fire I shall never forget.
Hughes bowed.
"Good afternoon, Inspector," he said. "I'm really sorry I had to
interrupt you as I did; but I most awfully wanted you to know that
you owe me a Homburg hat." He went closer to the detective. "You
see, I have won that wager. I have found the man who murdered
Captain Fraser-Freer."
Curiously enough, Bray said nothing. He sat down at his desk and
idly glanced through the pile of mail that lay upon it. Finally he
looked up and said in a weary tone:
"You're very clever, I'm sure, Colonel Hughes."
"Oh--I wouldn't say that," replied Hughes. "Luck was with me
--from the first. I am really very glad to have been of service
in the matter, for I am convinced that if I had not taken part in
the search it would have gone hard with some innocent man.
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