Your presence is required in town. I am staying at the Metropole.
After a hasty dinner, he decided to play his first card, and went to the Victoria Hotel in quest of Sir Harold Annesley.
CHAPTER XXIV.
POOR THERESA.
When Sir Harold reached his hotel he found a note awaiting him from the detective, which threatened to alter his plans very materially. It ran:
Dear Sir—You spoke of going to Paris to-night. It is important that you see me before leaving London, even if your journey is postponed for twenty-four hours. If you value your peace of mind, you will not disregard this suggestion, and I will call upon you at the earliest possible moment with news. I have every belief that I can lay my hand upon one, at least, of the despicable wretches who are bent upon the misery of yourself and Lady Annesley.
Obediently yours,
Paul Asbury.
Theresa herself had handed the note to Sir Harold, and, while his face flushed and paled by turns as he read it, she watched him with painful eagerness.
“It is from the detective,” he said. “A somewhat ambiguous message—but must I obey it? Theresa, you shall be judge. It seems that everything is conspiring to keep us in London.”
He gave the letter to her, and she perused it with mixed feelings.