.

How dared you wire to Penelope?
It was abominable of you!" "Why didn't she reply?
I thought they must be away--" "That clinched matters in your mind, I suppose ?" she said contemptuously.

"But it's quite simple.

Penelope didn't wire because I wouldn't let her." He was silent.

It was quite true that since Nan's disappearance from Trenby Hall he had been through untold agony of mind.