"Most
extraordinary! _Most_ extraordinary! But you'll excuse my saying
that while, unfortunately, it affords no clue, this seems to me as
far as possible removed from the composition of a madman." He gazed
almost gallantly over his spectacles at Miss Marty, who coloured.
"In any case," he went on, folding up the letter and returning it,
"the man must be found. I understand, madam, that you are a relative
of his? Has he any others with whom we can communicate?"
"So far as I know, sir, none."
"I have a chaise awaiting me on the other side of the ferry.
With all respect, dear madam, I suggest it; I am sorry indeed to put
you to inconvenience--"
"You propose that Miss Marty, here, should accompany you back to
Plymouth?"
"That was the suggestion in my mind. And you, too, sir--that is, if
you can make it square with your engagements. Mrs. Basket will be
happy to extend her hospitality. . . . Two heads are better than one,
sir. We will prosecute our investigations together . . . with the
help of the constabulary, of course. We should communicate with the
constabulary, or our position may eventually prove an awkward one."
"Yes, yes; the man having disappeared from your house."
"Quite so. Apart from that, I see no immediate necessity for making
the matter public; but am willing to defer to your judgment."
"That is a question we had better leave until we have seen the Chief
Constable at Plymouth.
Pages:
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221