Page:The Viaduct Murder (1926).pdf/228

Then there was silence; a silence fraught with expectation, and for Gordon with anxiety. Why hadn't he come? Had he, after all⁠—one ought to have considered that⁠—another pipe in his pocket? Had some splinter or paper-clip succeeded in removing the all-important obstruction? No; Marryatt's door was suddenly flung open with an impatient gesture; Marryatt's step was heard again in the passage; Marryatt's voice still found occupation in rendering the hymn, but more savagely now⁠—you pictured a bear robbed of her whelps.

and at that the door suddenly swung open, and the light was switched on.

The voice stopped dead in mid-tone. There was a sharp, nerve-wracking crash as a pipe fell on the floor-boards. Marryatt was standing in the doorway as if transfixed, staring at the oaken stick, his face distorted with terror. Half in excitement, half in relief, Reeves drew a deep breath, which came out with a slight whistle⁠—he must be careful not to do that again, or he might betray his presence. . . . No, precaution was needless. Marryatt had turned; he strode in silence down the pas-