Savoy is the soundest of structures.'
'Well, I guess they keep the windows open, but, please, don't say anything. She'd be pretty sore at me if she thought I talked to you about it - '
'I don't understand, sir.'
'Just tell me who they are and I'll talk to them myself. You know, friendly-like, over a drink.'
The clerk couldn't have been happier with the American's solution. 'Well, if you insist, sir... In eight west one is the Viscount and Viscountess Roxbury, charming couple and quite elderly, I believe. Most unusual. However, they could be entertaining.'
'Who's above them?'
'Above them, Mr. Canfield? I don't think...'
'Just tell me, please.'
'Well in nine west one is...' The clerk turned the page. 'It's not occupied, sir.'
'Not occupied? That's unusual for this time of year, isn't it?'
'I should say unavailable, sir. Nine west one has been leased for the month for business conferences.'
'You mean no one stays there at night?'
'Oh, they're certainly entitled to but that hasn't been the case.'
'Who leased it?'
The firm is Bertholde et Fils.'
Chapter Twenty-nine
The telephone beside James Derek's bed rang harshly, waking him.
'It's Canfield. I need help and it can't wait.'
'That may possibly be only your judgment. What is it?'
'Scarlatti's suite was broken into.'
'What! What does the hotel say?'
'They don't know about it.'
'I do think you should tell them.'
'It's not that simple. She won't admit it.'
'She's your problem. Why call me?'
'I think she's frightened... It was a second-story.'
'My dear fellow, her rooms are on the seventh floor! You're too fantastic! Or do the nasty men fly by themselves?'
The American paused just long enough to let the Englishman know he wasn't amused. 'They figured she wouldn't open the door, which, in itself, is interesting. Whoever it was, was lowered from one of the rooms above and used a blade. Did you learn anything about Bertholde?'
'One thing at a time.' Derek began to take Canfield seriously.
'That's the point. I think they are the same thing. Bertholde's company leased the rooms two floors above.'
'I beg your pardon?'
'That's right. For a month. Daily business conferences, no less.'
'I think we'd better have a talk.'
'The girl knows about it and she's frightened. Can you put a couple of men on?'
'You think it's necessary?'
'Not really. But I'd hate to be wrong.'
'Very well. The story will be anticipated jewel theft. Not uniformed, of course. One in the corridor, one in the street.'
'I appreciate it. You beginning to wake up?'
'I am, confound you. I'll be with you in a half hour. With everything I've been able to dig up on Bertholde. And I think we'd better get a look at their suite.'
Canfield left the phone booth and started back to the hotel.
His lack of sleep was beginning to take effect and he wished he was in an American city where such institutions as all-night diners provided coffee. The English, he thought, were wrong in thinking themselves so civilized. No one was civilized without all-night diners.
He entered the opulent lobby and noted that the clock above the desk read quarter to four. He walked toward the ancient elevators.
'Oh, Mr. Canfield, sir!' The clerk rushed up.
'What is it?' Canfield could only think of Janet and his heart stopped.
'Just after you left, sir! Not two minutes after you left!... Most unusual this time of night...'
'What the hell are you talking about?'
'This cablegram arrived for you.' The clerk handed Canfield an envelope.
'Thank you,' said a relieved Canfield as he took the cablegram and entered the open-grill elevator. As he rose from the ground floor he pressed the cable between his thumb and forefinger. It was thick. Benjamin Reynolds had either sent a long abstract lecture or there would be a considerable amount of decoding to be done. He only hoped he could finish it before Derek arrived.
Canfield entered his room, sat down in a chair near a floor lamp, and opened the cable.
No decoding was necessary. It was all written in simple business language and easily understood when applied to the current situation. Canfield separated the pages. There were three.
SORRY TO INFORM YOU RAWLINS THOMAS AND LILLIAN IN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT REPEAT AGO IDEM! POCOHO MOUNTAINS STOP BOTH ARE DEAD STOP MOW THIS WILL UPSET YOUR DEAR FRIEND E S STOP SUGGEST YOU GARB FOR HER IS HER DISTRESS STOP TO WIMBLEDON BUSINESS STOP WE BATE SPARED W EXPENSE AGAIN SPARED SO EXPENSE WITH OUR ENGLISH SUPPLIERS TO OBTAIH MAXIMUM QUOTAS OF MERCHANDISE STOP THEY ARE SYMPATHETIC WITH OUR PROBLEMS OF SCANDINAVIAN EXPORTS STOP THEY ARE PREPARED TO AID YOU IN YOUR NEGOTIATIONS FOR FAIR REDUCTIONS ON MAXIMUM PURCHASES