"DERLETH, August - The Adventure of the Late Mr. Faversham (A Solar Pons story)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Derleth August)

"No one," answered Dunnel.

"Then obviously you have specific reason for believing that some one has made away with Professor Faversham. May I know it?"

"Certainly, Mr. Pons. It is this. Professor Faversham is our treasurer; for the last year he has had complete charge of ten thousand pounds of our money. Five days ago Professor Faversham returned to London from a three months' vacation in Scotland; he is on a six months' leave at present. On his return, he saw fit to draw our money from the bank. We did not question his motive, confident that his action would be to our ultimate benefit."

"When was the money drawn out?"

"Yesterday morning, Mr. Pons. It was to have been returned today, for Professor Faversham was to leave for Berlin tomorrow morning to complete his leave of absence."

"He notified you that he was drawing out the money?"

"Certainly. Everything was done in the proper order."

"How many people knew of the transaction?" asked Pons after a momentary hesitation.

"I fear you will gain nothing in that direction, Mr. Pons. I admit that we were rather indiscreet about the matter, and it came out; virtually all the tutors and lecturers in the college knew of it. And then there are, of course, the bank officials."

Pons contemplated his pipe thoughtfully. "You asked no questions of Professor Faversham?"

"None. We suggested as a matter of course that he give us some clue to his intention, but he did not do so."

"Surely that is an unusual, not to say irregular, procedure?"

"Oh, most irregular, Mr. Pons, admittedly. But we have done it before, and we have never lost anything through any of Professor Faversham's transactions. He has a good eye for investments, and in every case previous to this time, his investment has proved a very good thing."

"As a barrister, Mr. Faversham may have known prominent people in other fields--brokers, perhaps. Is there any possibility that he might have invested your money in stocks?"

Dr. Dunnel looked uneasy, his austere features colored a little. He glanced at his companion before he admitted at last that it had been suggested that Professor Faversham might have dabbled in the market.

His statement was reserved almost to coolness. Pons said nothing for a moment, but a keen look came into his eyes. "Did Professor Faversham spend his London interlude at his home on Slade Street, or at an hotel?"

"That we cannot say. He spent a part of each day at his home; but it is equally certain that he did not spend his nights there."

"Do you know whether he at any time entertained visitors at his home?"

"We know of one man, Mr. Pons, of whom he spoke to us. Dr. Hans von Ruda, a professor retired from the University of Bonn."

"You saw them together?"

"We saw von Ruda enter Faversham's home. My own home is just across the street from number 27."

Pons sat for a few moments, his eyes contemplative. "I take it you want me to find Professor Faversham and the ten thousand pounds," he said presently.

"Quite so, Mr. Pons. We would not like the members of the college board to know that we had been in the practice of following so irregular procedure in regard to our funds. Dr. Fessenden and I are making this our personal concern, and you will have carte blanche--we will cover all your expenses in addition to your fee."

"Very well, Gentlemen, I will take the matter up."

Pons had hardly bowed the two professors from our lodgings before we were on the street ourselves. He hailed a cab at once, and in a few moments we passed our recent visitors walking slowly in the direction of the college. We drove rapidly along Edgware Road, but were halted for a short time at the Marble Arch by the increasing traffic along Bayswater Road and Oxford Street. In considerably less than half an hour, however, we drew up before number 27 Slade Street, from the steps of which came a young constable whom I recognized as Mecker, with whom Pons had previously worked. He came down the path to meet us as we crossed from the curb.