way laying my
criminal hand upon this young man?"

"None whatever that we have been able to discover as yet," Francis
admitted.

"A leaning towards melodrama, admirable in its way, needs the leaven of
a well-balanced discretion and a sense of humour," Sir Timothy observed.
"The latter quality is as a rule singularly absent amongst the myrmidons
of Scotland Yard. I do not think that Mr. Shopland will catch even fish
in the neighbourhood of The Walled House. As regards your matrimonial
proposal, let us waive that until my daughter returns."

"As you will," Francis agreed. "I will be frank to this extent, at any
rate. If I can persuade your daughter to marry me, your consent will not
affect the matter."

"I can leave Margaret a matter of two million pounds," Sir Timothy said
pensively.

"I have enough money to support my wife myself," Francis observed.

"Utopian but foolish," Sir Timothy declared. "All the same, Mr. Ledsam,
let me tell you this. You have a curious attraction for me. When I was
asked why I had invited you to The Sanctuary last night, I frankly could
not answer the question. I didn't know. I don't know. Your dislike of me
doesn't seem to affect the question. I was glad to have you there last
night. It pleases me to hear you talk, to hear your views of things. I
feel that I shall have to be very careful, Mr. Ledsam, or--"

"Or what?" Francis demanded.

"Or I shall even welcome the idea of having you for a son-in-law," Sir
Timothy concluded reluctantly. "Make my excuses to Mr. Shopland. Au
revoir!"

Shopland came in as the door closed behind the departing visitor. He
listened to all that Francis had to say, without comment.

"If The Walled House," he said at last, "is so carefully guarded that
Sir Timothy has been informed of my watching the place and has been made
aware of my mild questionings, it must be because there is something to
conceal. I may or may not be on the track of Mr. Reginald Wilmore, but,"
the detective concluded, "of one thing I am becoming convinced--The
Walled House will pay for watching."

CHAPTER XXI

It was a day when chance was kind to Francis. After leaving his rooms
at the Temple, he made a call at one of the great clubs in Pall Mall, to
enquire as to the whereabouts of a friend. On his way back towards the
Sheridan, he came face to face with Margaret Hilditch, issuing from the
doors of one of the great steamship companies. For a moment he almost
failed to rec