“I have failed to discover any motive at all for Reginald Wilmore’s disappearance,” Francis admitted, “nor have I at any time been able to connect you with it.  Mr. Shopland’s efforts, however, although he has not seen well to take me into his entire confidence, have my warmest approval and sympathy.  Although I have accepted your very generous hospitality, Sir Timothy, I think there has been no misunderstanding between us on this matter.”

“Most correct,” Sir Timothy murmured.  “The trouble seems to be, so far as I am concerned, that no one will tell me exactly of what I am suspected?  I am to give Mr. Shopland the run of my house, or he will make his appearance in the magistrate’s court and the evening papers will have placards with marvellous headlines at my expense.  How will it run, Mr. Shopland—­

  “’Mysterious disappearance of A young gentleman. 
    Millionaire’s house to be searched.’”

“We do not necessarily acquaint the press with our procedure,” Shopland rejoined.

“Nevertheless,” Sir Timothy continued, “I have known awkward consequences arise from a search warrant too rashly applied for or granted.  However, we are scarcely being polite.  So far, Miss Hyslop has had very little to say.”

The young lady was not altogether at her ease.

“I have had very little to say,” she repeated, “because I did not expect an audience.”

Sir Timothy drew a letter from his pocket, opened it and adjusted his eyeglass.

“Here we are,” he said.  “After leaving my dinner-party tonight, I called at the club and found this note.  Quite an inviting little affair, you see young lady’s writing, faint but very delicate perfume, excellent stationery, Milan Court—­the home of adventures!”

“Dear sir Timothy Brast: 

“Although I am not known to you personally, there is a
certain matter concerning which information has come into my possession, which I should like to discuss with you.  Will you call and see me as soon as possible?”
Sincerely yours,
“Daisy Hyslop.”

“On receipt of this note,” Sir Timothy continued, folding it up, “I telephoned to the young lady and as I was fortunate enough to find her at home I asked her to come here.  I then took the liberty of introducing myself to Mr. Shopland, whose interest in my evening has been unvarying, and whose uninvited company I have been compelled to bear with, and suggested that, as I was on my way back to Curzon Street, he had better come in and have a drink and tell me what it was all about.  I arranged that he should find Miss Hyslop here, and for a person of observation, which I flatter myself to be, it was easy to discover the interesting fact that Mr. Shopland and Miss Daisy Hyslop were not strangers.

“Now tell me, young lady,” Sir Timothy went on.  “You see, I have placed myself entirely in your hands.  Never mind the presence of these two gentlemen.  Tell me exactly what you wanted to say to me?”