Read "The Crystal Claw" by William Le Queux online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Two days passed, yet Stanley Audley did not return.
On the afternoon of the second day, old Mr. Humphreys spoke to me in confidence while we sat at tea, which is almost a religious ceremony in Mürren.
"Funny about that young fellow Audley," he said. "Have you discovered anything further?"
"No," I replied, "the fact is I don't like to be too inquisitive."
"Of course, but the girl is left in your charge, and you certainly have a right to know the truth," declared the old invalid. "Personally, I don't like the situation at all. I shall go back to London in a few days, but do let me know how you get on, for I am interested. You can always write to me, care of the Ottoman Bank in London."
I promised, and finding Thelma, who had just come in from the rink, where there had been an ice-hockey match, I greeted her in the hall as she went downstairs to tea.
Later we went for a stroll together and as we passed out into the grey twilight, young Ruthen held open the door for us, bowing, but not speaking. Before me the pair posed as strangers.
"I don't like that fellow! " I remarked, as we walked along the snowy road out of the village.
"Neither do I," was her quick response.
"But, if I'm not mistaken, Mrs. Audley, you are acquainted with him," I remarked.
"Well -- yes -- and no," she said. "It is true that he thrusts himself upon me whenever he has the chance, and your back is turned. I've snubbed him a dozen times, but he is always lurking about."
"Then you are not friendly with him?"
"On the contrary. I confess I don't like him," she answered quite frankly. Whereupon I resolved to try and catch him speaking with her and tell him what I thought of him.
"He's a cad! " I declared. "He pretends to be a gentleman, but he does not behave like one."
"You speak as though you are annoyed, Mr. Yelverton," and she laughed lightly.
"I am. You are left in my care, Mrs. Audley. Your husband would be very angry if he knew that the fellow pestered you with his unwanted attentions, would he not?"
"I suppose he would," she faltered.
"I wonder why we hear nothing from Stanley? " I said. "It is all very mysterious. Do you know that he is not employed by that electrical firm in Westminster? They know nothing of him!"
She halted, held her breath and stared at me.
"What! " she cried. "But surely he is at Gordon & Austin's? I left him at their offices one day just before our marriage and he went in there."