Chapter 28
A DISTURBING thought took possession of him as he walked back along the beach. Supposing this invitation were a trap? The dinner hour, when bedrooms were unoccupied and the servants were busy in the dining-room, was the jewel thief’s favoured moment. If Pedder suspected him, what more adroit than to call him off temporarily (not to mention Robotham and the two girls) and leave Reardon a clear field on shore? It was already twenty minutes to seven; if this were Reardon’s plan, he would have left New York by this; and the same was true if he were going to be at the dinner. If that were the case and Bill were up to scratch, there should be word at the club. The detective hurried his pace.
But, on reaching the clubhouse, he found that no one had telephoned. Had Bill let him down?
