ed up a cab and called it to the side walk. When we had
got in and given the driver Mr. Wetherell's address, I said to the
Inspector--"What are you going to do first?"
"Put some men on to find Mr. Draper, and some more to find a schooner
with her blocks newly painted green."
"You won't be long in letting us know what you discover?" I said.
"Remember how anxious we are."
"You may count on my coming to you at once with any news I may procure,"
he answered.
A few moments later we drew up at Mr. Wetherell's door. Bidding the
Inspector good-bye we went up the steps and rang the bell. By the time
the cab was out in the street again we were in the house making our way,
behind the butler, to Mr. Wetherell's study.
The old gentleman had not gone to bed, but sat just as I had left him so
many hours before. As soon as we were announced he rose to receive us.
"Thank God, Mr. Hatteras, you have come back!" he said. "I have been in
a perfect fever waiting for you. What have you to report?"
"Not very much, I'm afraid," I answered. "But first let me have the
pleasure of introducing the real Marquis of Beckenham to you, whom we
have had the good fortune to find and rescue."
Mr. Wetherell bowed gravely and held out his hand.
"My lord," he said, "I am thankful that you have been discovered. I look
upon it as one step towards the recovery of my poor girl. I hope now
that both you and Mr. Hatteras will take up your abode with me during
the remainder of your stay in the colony. You have had a scurvy welcome
to New South Wales. We must see if we can't make up to you for it. But
you look thoroughly worn out; I expect you would like to go to bed."
He rang the bell, and when his butler appeared, gave him some
instructions about preparing rooms for us.
Ten minutes later the man returned and stated that our rooms were ready,
whereupon Mr. Wetherell himself conducted Beckenham to the apartment
assigned to him. When he returned to me, he asked if I would not like to
retire too, but I would not hear of it. I could not have slept a wink,
so great was my anxiety. Seeing this, he seated himself and listened
attentively while I gave him an outline of Beckenham's story. I had
hardly finished before I heard a carriage roll up to the door. There was
a ring at the bell, and presently the butler, who, like ourselves, had
not dreamt of going to bed, though his master had repeatedly urged him
to do so, entered and announced the Inspector.
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