The Heads of Cerberus | Page 4

wish with all my heart that they'd put me where they put my
partner, poor old Warren!"
"And where is that? It's riddles you're talking."
"First in jail and now in his grave," answered Drayton grimly.
The Irishman flung back his great, black-maned head angrily--
"Bobby, my boy, we've had enough of that make of talk! I can see with
half an eye that much has happened of which I know nothing, for I've
been back in old Ireland this two years past. But for what sort of
scoundrel do you take me, to throw over the man I've best liked in my

whole life, and just because he chances to be in a bit of trouble? As I
said before, 'tis a doctor you are needing, not a policeman. As for this,"
he pointed to the rifled safe, "it was my thought that you did things here
last night of which you have now no memory. Others here? 'Tis not in
the bounds of reason that two different thieves--pardon the word; it's
your own--should honor this house in one night!"
By way of reply, Drayton removed his hat, and for the first time
Trenmore saw the ugly wound its low-drawn brim had concealed.
"They gave me that," said Drayton simply. "The room," he continued,
"was dark. I came over the roofs and down through the first transom I
found unfastened. I had just entered this room and discovered the safe
when they, whoever they were, came on me from behind and knocked
me out."
Trenmore's lips drew in with a little sympathetic sound. "Ah, and so
that's why you're so white and all! But tell me, was the safe open then?"
"No. They must have done the trick afterward. I was left lying on that
bed. And I may as well tell you that this morning, when I found myself
alone here and that stuff on the floor, I was going to--was going to
finish what they had begun."
"And what stopped you?" Trenmore eyed him curiously from beneath
lowered brows.
"This." Stooping, Drayton picked up the thing he had flung so
desperately away half an hour earlier. It was a thin gold cigarette case,
plain save for a monogram done in inlaid platinum.
Trenmore looked, and nodded slowly.
"Your own gift to me, Bobby. I think a power o' that case. But how
came it there, I wonder? The other day I mislaid it. Likely Jim found it
and put it here while I was in Atlantic City yesterday. When I returned
Jim had been called away. I wonder he did not put it in the wall safe,
though, that he lent me the use of; but all that's no matter. What did you
do after finding the case?"

"I tried to get out, but the transom had been fastened down from above.
So I made for the front door. Your servant intercepted me, and I-I hid
in your room, hoping he would pass on by."
"And that's the one piece of good luck you had, my boy!" cried
Trenmore. Grasping Drayton's shoulder with one great hand, he shook
him gently to and fro, as if he had been the child he seemed beside his
huge friend.
"Don't look like that now! I'm not so easy shocked, and if you've seen
fit to turn burglar, Bob Drayton, I'm only sure 'tis for some very good
cause. And let you arrive through the roof or by the front door, it makes
no difference at all. You're here now! Martin and I have the place to
ourselves for a couple of days. Jimmy Burford's a jolly old bachelor to
delight your heart, but he lives at his club mostly and keeps but one
man-servant, and him he took to New York with him when he was
called away. We'll do fine with Martin, though. The man's a born
genius for cooking."
"You mean that you are only visiting here?" asked Drayton hesitantly.
Trenmore seemed taking it rather for granted that he was to remain as a
guest, who had entered as a very inefficient burglar.
"Just visiting, the while Viola is enjoying herself with some friends in
Atlantic City. You know it's no social butterfly I am, and too much of
that crowd I will not stand, even for her sake. D'you mind my ever
speaking to you of my little sister Viola, that was in the convent school
near Los Angeles? But I'm a dog to keep you standing there! Come
down to my room while we fix that head of yours and I get myself
decently dressed. Then we'll breakfast together, and perhaps you'll tell
me a little of what's been troubling your heart? You need not unless--"
"But I will, of course!" broke in Drayton impulsively as he at