Edward Phillips Oppenheim

The Evil Shepherd Edward Phillips Oppenheim

Francis Ledsam, alert, well-satisfied with himself and the world, the echo of a little buzzof congratulations still in his ears, paused on the steps of the modern Temple of Justice tolight a cigarette before calling for a taxi to take him to his club. Visions of a whisky andsoda-his throat was a little parched-and a rubber of easy-going bridge at his favouritetable, were already before his eyes. A woman who had followed him from the Courttouched him on the shoulder."Can I speak to you for a moment, Mr. Ledsam?"The barrister frowned slightly as he swung around to confront his questioner. It wassuch a familiar form of address."What do you want?" he asked, a little curtly."A few minutes' conversation with you," was the calm reply. "The matter is important."The woman's tone and manner, notwithstanding her plain, inconspicuous clothes, commanded attention. Francis Ledsam was a little puzzled. Small things meant much tohim in life, and he had been looking forward almost with the zest of a schoolboy to thathour of relaxation at his club. He was impatient of even a brief delay, a sentiment which hetried to express in his response."What do you want to speak to me about?" he repeated bluntly. "I shall be in my rooms inthe Temple to-morrow morning, any time after eleven.""It is necessary for me to speak to you now," she insisted. "There is a tea-shop across theway. Please accompany me there.