Ah!' "If ever an exclamation was eloquent that simple 'ah!' was.

I could not see the speaker, but I knew she was leaning over the banisters from the landing above.

I listened to hear her glide away.

But she did not move.
She was evidently collecting herself for the emergency of the moment.
Presently she spoke again, and I was astonished at her tone: 'You have come from Police Headquarters,' was the remark with which she hailed me.
"I lowered the parasol.

I did not think it necessary to say yes.
"'From a man there, called Gryce,' she went on, still in that strange tone I can hardly describe, sir.
"'Since you ask me,' I now replied, 'I acknowledge that it is through his instructions I am here.