When I was asked why I had invited you to The Sanctuary last
night, I frankly could not answer the question. I didn't know.
I don't know. Your dislike of me doesn't seem to affect the
question. I was glad to have you there last night. It pleases
me to hear you talk, to hear your views of things. I feel that I
shall have to be very careful, Mr. Ledsam, or--"
"Or what?" Francis demanded.
"Or I shall even welcome the idea of having you for a son-in-law,"
Sir Timothy concluded reluctantly. "Make my excuses to Mr.
Shopland. Au revoir!"
Shopland came in as the door closed behind the departing visitor.
He listened to all that Francis had to say, without comment.
"If The Walled House," he said at last, "is so carefully guarded
that Sir Timothy has been informed of my watching the place and
has been made aware of my mild questionings, it must be because
there is something to conceal. I may or may not be on the track
of Mr. Reginald Wilmore, but," the detective concluded, "of one
thing I am becoming convinced--The Walled House will pay for
watching."
CHAPTER XXI
It was a day when chance was kind to Francis. After leaving his
rooms at the Temple, he made a call at one of the great clubs in
Pall Mall, to enquire as to the whereabouts of a friend. On his
way back towards the Sheridan, he came face to face with Margaret
Hilditch, issuing from the doors of one of the great steamship
companies.
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