The Traitor by Sydney Horler Read Free Book Online Page B

jack of them.”
    â€œWhat about this fellow Clinton?”
    â€œClinton?” Bentley looked at his questioner in surprise. “He’s all right. A most decent fellow. Knew his father—was with him at Oxford. Eustace Clinton was one of the best blokes I ever knew—and his son takes after him.”
    â€œHave you sent for him?”
    â€œI have, as a matter of fact. Not that he’ll be able to tell us anything, I suppose. By the way,” putting his hand into his pocket, “I’ve got his report here. It gives exact details of how he spent his time from the moment he left the War Office until he handed the dispatches over to me. He never left them for a moment—according to his report,” taking a paper from his pocket.
    â€œHe stopped the night in Paris, didn’t he?”
    â€œYes. What’s that got to do with it?”
    â€œIt may have a great deal to do with it. I know these nights in Paris,” went on General Garside. “Where did he stay?”
    Bentley looked at the paper.
    â€œHe gives the name somewhere. Oh, here it is—the Lion d’Or Hotel.”
    â€œNever heard of it. I wonder if the dispatches were got at during the night? You can never tell, these days.”
    Bentley lowered his head again.
    â€œNo,”—reading from the report,—“he distinctly states that he didn’t sleep at all that night.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œHis reason is that it was too hot.”
    â€œAll the same—” started Garside, who gave no sign, yet, of being convinced.
    â€œHold your horses a minute, Garside. He’s got some corroboration of that. He says he spent the night talking to an old school friend—Captain Mallory of the Gunners.”
    â€œMallory? I know him. Thoroughly reliable chap. Is he coming here, too?”
    â€œYes; we had to recall him from leave. I’m expecting them both at any moment. Perhaps you’d like to stay?”
    â€œSorry, but I have to go along to see the Big Man.”
    â€œI don’t wonder at it, after this ghastly business. Well, anyway, you can rely upon me to put these two fellows through it properly. I’m going to get at the truth somehow.”
    â€œIt certainly must be cleared up. We can’t have men’s lives thrown away in this reckless fashion.”
    â€œYou ought to talk to certain people higher up about that, Garside.”
    The other, more cautious, let the words go by. He had turned away when there was a knock at the door.
    â€œCome in,” called Bentley.
    An orderly entered. He saluted both generals.
    â€œCaptain Clinton and Captain Mallory are waiting, sir,” he stated.
    â€œWell, I’ll be off,” said Garside. “Good-bye. See you at lunch?”
    â€œI hope so.”
    As soon as Garside had left, Bentley gave the orderly his instructions.
    â€œTell the two officers to come in.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Bentley was reading Clinton’s report when they entered.
    â€œGood-morning, gentlemen,” started the General. “Please sit down. I’ve just been through your report, Captain Clinton.” Both men, he noticed, appeared very ill at ease. “So far as it goes it seems very straightforward. But all the same I’d like to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind.”
    Clinton moved nervously in his chair.
    â€œVery good, General. I shall be pleased to answer anything I possibly can.”
    â€œNow, according to this report,” said Bentley, “General Hutchinson handed you those dispatches on the afternoon of August the third. Is that correct?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œAt the War Office?”
    â€œAt the War Office, sir.”
    â€œYou put them in a dispatch-case, of course?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œWas it locked?”
    â€œYes, sir. General Hutchinson gave me the key at the same time.”
    â€œQuite so. Then,”—examining the report