An Apostle of Gloom Read Online Free PDF

old stick.” The loyalty of the policewoman cheered him up but he did not wait for Mark to bring in the tea. “Come on,” he said, “I’m going to wring the truth out of Mark.”
    Mark was leaning against the gas-stove, whistling gently, imitating the noise of the kettle, which was singing. He had washed out the teapot and held that in one hand, a cigarette in the other. He had brushed his hair and straightened his tie and he looked more like his usual immaculate self – even to the faint smile on his rather ascetic face. His eyes quizzed Roger.
    â€œHere it comes!” he said, in mock dismay.
    â€œNever mind making tea,” Roger said. “Janet will do that. What brought you here?”
    â€œOh, my natural prescience,” said Mark, airily. “I heard a little bird tell a story about Abbott and Handsome West and Tiny Martin being on Handsome’s heels and I thought I would come and introduce a little light relief. Was I good?” He seemed naively anxious. “If there’s any damage to that A string, I’ll have it put right at my expense.”
    Janet took the teapot from him and Roger said: “Talk, Mark.”
    â€œHow crude!” said Mark, and affected to shudder.
    â€œThis is no time for playing the fool!” snapped Roger.
    â€œEr—no, I suppose not,” said Mark, sobering up yet still smiling. “I can’t tell you any more, Roger, it’s just as I’ve already said, except that the little bird was Pep Morgan.”
    â€œPep!” exclaimed Janet, swinging on her heels.
    â€œMorgan?” asked Roger, dazedly. “Where does he come in?”
    â€œThe senior partner of Morgan and Morgan, Private Inquiry Agents,” said Mark, expansively, “telephoned me about half an hour before I arrived here and told me to hurry over here and to kick up the very dickens of a shindy if I found Abbott on the premises. Had it been anyone else but Pep I would have told him to take his practical jokes elsewhere, but Pep – he wouldn’t play the fool,” added Mark, more soberly. “His voice was what one hears described as ‘laden with emotion’ – as a matter of fact, when I asked him a question he jumped at me and told me to listen carefully if I wanted”—he paused, put his head on one side and then delivered himself of the final blow gently—”to save Handsome from Dartmoor. What else could I do but obey, Roger? Pep said Dartmoor, and that’s what he meant.”
    Roger said slowly: “He must have had an idea of what Abbott was coming for and knew that if anything were found it would mean a long stretch.” He smoothed the back of his head and watched the steam hissing from the kettle, while Janet stood unheeding. Only when the lid began to jump about did she look away from Roger and pour the water into the teapot.
    â€œNow that we can have the cup that cheers, let’s go into the lounge,” suggested Mark.
    They acted on the suggestion, Roger looking very thoughtful. When they were sitting about the table he spoke quietly.
    â€œPep was upstairs, of course?”
    â€œIt seems likely,” admitted Mark.
    â€œLikely?” asked Roger, and then with a sharp exclamation: “My sainted aunt, I can’t think of anything more crazy! Pep phoned you and warned you that there was trouble ahead for me.
    â€œHe wanted you to create a din while he got in upstairs and he—” he paused, boggling at the actual words.
    â€œTook something away!” exploded Janet.
    Roger gulped. “What else could it mean?”
    â€œNothing,” said Mark promptly, “and you’ve got to swallow your impatience and wait until after black-out, when Pep’s coming to tell you all about it. He says he won’t chance it earlier because the house will probably be watched. Sweetheart,” he added lightly, to Janet, “is that tea brewed yet? I