The inspector readily granted him an interview, and listened in amazement to his latest trouble.
“Only an hour since I learned from Asbury that the anonymous letter-writer was within reach when wanted, and I concluded that your troubles were nearly at an end, Sir Harold,” he said.
“This is merely an outcome of the disgraceful affair,” Annesley replied, savagely clinching his hands. “My poor wife has evidently been driven out of her mind with fear—more upon my account than her own. Now, sir, what can be done?”
“Notice must be promptly given to every police station in the metropolis. The railway station and hotels must be watched. Now, if she had less start of us, the matter would be as simple as A B C. For the present, leave it in my hands, with a carefully-written description of Lady Annesley’s dress, etc. I have no doubt that Asbury has the whole case at his fingers’ ends, and I really do not think that you have reason for so much alarm. Women take strange fancies into their heads at times, Sir Harold. Let us hope that you will find her at your hotel when you get back.”
Annesley shook his head. “The moment that Mr. Asbury is available let him come to me,” he said.
“I am sorry that he is not here now,” was the reply. “I telephoned to his private office only a few minutes before you came in, and hear that he is out of London until the evening. You may depend, however, that we will do our best for you, Sir Harold.”
Annesley went back to his hotel, but there was no news of Theresa. He sent for copies of the evening papers, and was almost afraid to read them, lest there should be some awful story concerning his wife.
At this unhappy moment Stimson announced Miss Margaret Nugent, and a wild hope sprang into his heart, to be as quickly dispelled when he saw his cousin standing before him alone, wonder and alarm in her face at sight of his misery.
“So it is you!” he cried, harshly.
“Harold—dear Harold!” Margaret said, “what is the matter? I am leaving London to-day for home. Until last night I have been visiting a friend living at Bayswater, and I have come to see Theresa—because I have been very miserable about something.”