The Complete Four Just Men by Edgar Wallace Page A

allow of its passage without a stormy debate. He was a master of dialectics, a brilliant casuist, a coiner of phrases that stuck and stung. There was nothing for him to fear in the debate. If only – It hurt him to think of the Four Just Men. Not so much because they threatened his life – he had gone past that – but the mere thought that there had come a new factor into his calculations, a new and terrifying force, that could not be argued down or brushed aside with an acid jest, nor intrigued against, nor adjusted by any parliamentary method. He did not think of compromise. The possibility of making terms with his enemy never once entered his head.
    ‘I’ll go through with it!’ he cried, not once but a score of times; ‘I’ll go through with it!’ and now, as the moment grew nearer to hand, his determination to try conclusions with this new world-force grew stronger than ever.
    The telephone at his elbow purred – he was sitting at his desk with his head on his hands – and he took the receiver. The voice of his house steward reminded him that he had arranged to give instructions for the closing of the house in Portland Place.
    For two or three days, or until this terror had subsided, he intended his house should be empty. He would not risk the lives of his servants. If the Four intended to carry out their plan they would run no risks of failure, and if the method they employed were a bomb, then, to make assurance doubly sure, an explosion at Downing Street might well synchronize with an outrage at Portland Place.
    He had finished his talk, and was replacing the receiver when a knock at the door heralded the entry of the detective.
    He looked anxiously at the Minister.
    ‘Nobody been, sir?’ he asked.
    Sir Philip smiled.
    ‘If by that you mean have the Four delivered their ultimatum in person, I can comfort your mind – they have not.’
    The detective’s face was evidence of his relief.
    ‘Thank Heaven!’ he said fervently. ‘I had an awful dread that whilst I was away something would happen. But I have news for you, sir.’
    ‘Indeed!’
    ‘Yes, sir, the Commissioner has received a long cable from America. Since the two murders in that country one of Pinkerton’s men has been engaged in collecting data. For years he has been piecing together the scrappy evidence he has been able to secure, and this is his cable-gram.’ The detective drew a paper from his pocket and, spreading it on the desk, read.
    Pinkerton, Chicago, to Commissioner of Police,
    Scotland Yard, London.
    Warn Ramon that the Four do not go outside their promise. If they have threatened to kill in a certain manner at a certain time they will be punctual. We have proof of this characteristic. After Anderson’s death small memorandum book was discovered outside window of room evidently dropped. Book was empty save for three pages, which were filled with neatly written memoranda headed ‘Six methods of execution’. It was initialled ‘C.’ (third letter in alphabet). Warn Ramon against following: drinking coffee in any form, opening letters or parcels, using soap that has not been manufactured under eye of trustworthy agent, sitting in any room other than that occupied day and night by police officer. Examine his bedroom; see if there is any method by which heavy gases can be introduced. We are sending two men by Lucania to watch.
    The detective finished reading. ‘Watch’ was not the last word in the original message, as he knew. There had been an ominous postscript, ‘Afraid they will arrive too late.’
    ‘Then you think – ?’ asked the statesman.
    ‘That your danger lies in doing one of the things that Pinkerton warns us against,’ replied the detective. ‘There is no fear that the American police are talking idly. They have based their warning on some sure knowledge, and that is why I regard their cable as important.’
    There was a sharp rap on the panel of the door, and without waiting for invitation the private