Then comes the letter, with its obvious threat, and I am ordered to remain at home, under a strong guard, while he hurries off to Whitehall.

You have met my father, Mr.Theydon.Do you regard him as the sort of man who would rush off in a panic to consult the Home Secretary without very grave and weighty reasons ?" "But you can hardly be certain that a wretched crime in this comparatively insignificant quarter of London supplies the actual motive of Mr.Forbes's action," urged Theydon.
The girl stamped an impatient foot.

He heard it distinctly.
"Of course I am certain," she cried.

"Why won't you be candid?
You know I am right--I can tell it from your voice, and your guarded way of talking--" An inspiration came to Theydon's relief in that instant.
"Pardon the interruption," he said, "but I must point out that both of us are acting unwisely in discussing such matters over the telephone.
Really, neither must say another word, except this--when I have found your father I'll ask his permission to come and see you.

Perhaps we three can arrange to meet somewhere for luncheon.