Behind her, still standing, with
his hat in his hand, was a man. Francis recognised them both
with surprise.
"Miss Hyslop!" he exclaimed.
She nodded a little defiantly. Sir Timothy smiled. "Ah!" he
said. "You know the young lady, without a doubt. Mr. Shopland,
your coadjutor in various works of philanthropy, you recognise,
of course? I do not mind confessing to you, Ledsam, that I am
very much afraid of Mr. Shopland. I am not at all sure that he
has not a warrant for my arrest in his pocket."
The detective came a little further into the light. He was
attired in an ill-fitting dinner suit, a soft-fronted shirt of
unpleasing design, a collar of the wrong shape, and a badly
arranged tie. He seemed, nevertheless, very pleased with
himself.
"I came on here, Mr. Ledsam, at Sir Timothy's desire," he said.
"I should like you to understand," he added, with a covert glance
of warning, "that I have been devoting every effort, during the
last few days, to the discovery of your friend's brother, Mr.
Reginald Wilmore."
"I am very glad to hear it," Francis replied shortly. "The boy's
brother is one of my greatest friends."
"I have come to the conclusion," the detective pronounced, "that
the young man has been abducted, and is being detained at The
Walled House against his will for some illegal purpose.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210