Page:The Clue of the Twisted Candle (1916).djvu/197

"Yes, yes," said T. X. quickly, "for heaven's sake go on, woman."

"Tell him,' " said Mrs. Cassley, " 'that Belinda Mary—' "

He sprang to his feet.

"Belinda Mary!" he breathed, "Belinda Mary!"

In a flash he saw it all. This girl with a knowledge of modern Greek, who was working in Kara's house, was there for a purpose. Kara had something of her mother's, something that was vital and which he would not part with, and she had adopted this method of securing that something. Mrs. Cassley was prattling on, but her voice was merely a haze of sound to him. It brought a strange glow to his heart that Belinda Mary should have thought of him.

"Only as a policeman, of course," said the still, small voice of his official self. "Perhaps!" said the human T. X., defiantly.

He got on the telephone to Mansus and gave a few instructions.

"You stay here," he ordered the astounded