Page:The Viaduct Murder (1926).pdf/143

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THE MAN IN THE PASSAGE
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"If he came here straight from the railway," said Reeves from the piano, "he wouldn't be likely to have any firearms with him."

"But you forget," said Gordon, "he must have an accomplice outside; somebody who brings him food⁠—why not weapons too?"

"It's a conceivable plan," said Carmichael, "to keep a lookout and catch this confederate of his. Because the confederate presumably uses some other entrance, and if we found that⁠ . . . "

"We could wait at that end, and let Reeves go on playing the piano to him; he couldn't stick it much longer. No, that's all very well, but I really think we ought to do something at once, before this man sees that there's something up, and possibly makes a bolt for it. I know the direct method sounds silly, but I propose that we should go in and take a look round. I don't mind going first."

"I don't see much good in all three of us going in. What happens if our man breaks cover through the other entrance? You see, it may be a member of the club all the time; who could turn up smiling at the other end, and nobody have a right to question him."

"One moment," said Carmichael. "Now we come to think of it, we do know where the other end of the passage was. We know that the old chapel was the present billiard-room. Why not lock this door, and go down to have a look at the billiard-room? You and Gordon can have a game, or pretend to, while I take a look round the walls."

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