His daughter heard these words with a sinking heart.

She had a most unhappy picture of herself boarding a ship and sailing out of Liverpool or Southampton, leaving the mystery that so engrossed her thoughts forever unsolved.

Wisely she diverted her father's thoughts toward the question of food.

She had heard, she said, that Simpson's, in the Strand, was an excellent place to dine.

They would go there, and walk.
She suggested a short detour that would carry them through Adelphi Terrace.