"I have nothing to do with that. You must do as you think proper."
And Mr. Gryce felt that he had received a check, and did not know whether to admire the young man for his nerve or to execrate him for his brutality. That the woman whom he had thus carelessly dismissed to the ignominy of the public gaze was his wife, the detective did not doubt.
VII.
MR. GRYCE DISCOVERS MISS AMELIA.
To return to my own observations. I was almost as ignorant of what I wanted to know at ten o'clock on that memorable night as I was at five, but I was determined not to remain so. When the two Misses Van Burnam had retired to their room, I slipped away to the neighboring house and boldly rang the bell. I had observed Mr. Gryce enter it a few minutes before, and I was resolved to have some talk with him.
The hall-lamp was lit, and we could discern each other's faces as he opened the door. Mine may have been a study, but I am sure his was. He had not expected to be confronted by an elderly lady at that hour of night.
"Well!" he dryly ejaculated, "I am sensible of the honor, Miss Butterworth." But he did not ask me in.
"I expected no less," said I. "I saw you come in, and I followed as soon after as I could. I have something to say to you."