ford.

"I don't know yet. Mannering has already urged me to consult Scotland
Yard at once. Indeed, he was going to approach them to-day. Mr.
Hardcastle shall certainly be invited to do what he can. I shall leave
no stone unturned to reach the truth. Yet what even such a man can do is
difficult to see. The walls of the Grey Room are solid, the floor is
of sound oak, the ceiling is nine or ten inches thick, and supported by
immense beams. The hearth is modern, and the chimney not large enough to
admit a human being. This was proved twelve years ago."

"Give him a free hand all the same--with servants and everybody. I
should ask him to come as your guest, then nobody need know who he is,
and he can pursue his investigations the more freely."

Felix Fayre-Michell made this suggestion after luncheon was ended, and
Masters and Fred Caunter had left the room. Then the conversation showed
signs of drifting back to sentimentality. Sir Walter saw it coming in
their eyes, and sought to head them off by inquiring concerning their
own movements.

"Can I be of any service to simplify your plans? I fear this terrible
event has put you all to great inconvenience."

"Our inconvenience is nothing beside your sorrow, dear Walter," said
Nelly Travers.

All declared that if they could serve the cause in any way they would
gladly stop at Chadlands, but since they were powerless to assist, they
felt that the sooner they departed the better.

"We go, but we leave our undying sympathy and commiseration, dear
friend," declared Mr. Travers. "Believe me, this has aged my wife and
myself. Probably it would not be an exaggeration to say it has aged us
all. That he should have come through Jutland, done worthy deeds, won
honorable mention and the D. S. O., then to be snatched out of life in
this incomprehensible manner--nay, perhaps even by supernatural means,
for we cannot yet actually declare it is not so. All this makes it
impossible to say much that can comfort you or dear Mary. Time must pass
I fear, Walter. You must get her away into another environment. Thank
Heaven she has youth on her side."

"Yes, yes, I shall live for her, be sure of that." He left them and
presently spoke to his nephew alone in his study.

"Do what you can for them. Handford and Vane are getting off this
afternoon, the rest early to-morrow. I don't think I shall be able to
dine with them to-night. Tom's father will be here. I fear he is likely
to be prostrated