Edgar Wallace

“ He spun round and made for the nearest wall, and stood waiting, his back to the panelling. And then he heard the plaintive voice of Mr. Daver.
"Who on earth has put the lights out? Where are you, Mr. Reeder?"
"Here!" said Mr. Reeder, in a loud voice, and dropped instantly to the ground. Only in time; he heard a whistle, a thud, and something struck the panel above his head.
Mr. Reeder emitted a deep groan and crawled rapidly and noiselessly across the floor.
Again came Daver's voice.
"What on earth was that? Has anything happened, Mr. Reeder?"
The detective made no reply. ”

“ With the exception of the servants, there were only two persons at Larmes Keep when the police began their search. Mr. Daver and the faded Mrs. Burton alone remained. "Colonel Hothling" and "the Rev. Mr. Dean" had disappeared as though they had been whisked from the face of the earth.
Big Bill Gordon interviewed the proprietor.
"This is Flack's headquarters, and you know it. You'll be well advised to spill everything and save your own skin."
"But I don't know the man; I've never seen him!" wailed Mr. Daver. "This is the most terrible thing that has happened to me in my life! ”

“ Reeder."
It was the girl who spoke, and her voice was husky, her tone hesitant, as though she was forcing herself to speak.
"I play one or two games rather well," said Mr. Reeder. "Partly, I think, because I have such an extraordinary memory—I never forget knaves." ”

“ He had an angel tattooed on his left forearm, a piece of decoration which one would have imagined sufficient to keep him to the narrow paths of virtue, and even to bring him eventually within the fold of the church. ”

“ He stopped before his door, unlocked it, and threw it wide open. The lamp by the side of the bed was still burning. Mr. Reeder switched on the wall light, peeped through the crack between the door and the wall before he ventured inside. ”

“ I have had six men on duty on the road since dark, and neither the woman nor the two men passed me."
"Did you see Brill?" asked Mr. Reeder, suddenly remembering the absent detective.
"Brill?" said the other in astonishment. "He's with you, isn't he? You told me to have him under your window——"
In a few words Mr. Reeder explained the situation, and together they went up to No. 7. There was nothing in the cupboard to afford the slightest clue to Brill's whereabouts. The panels were sounded, but there was no evidence of secret doors—a romantic possibility which Mr. ”