"He was there this afternoon," said Christine slowly. It seemed to her time to let them into the truth.
"What!"
Both men halted in amazement. Such a thing as any one but Mrs. van Cannan going to Saxby's was unknown. Briefly she recounted the incidents of the afternoon. The men's verdict was the same as hers had been.
"Atrocious!"
"Infamous! After that, we will certainly visit Saxby's," decided
Saltire. "But, first, Miss Chaine must go home."
"No, no; let me come," she begged. "It is not far. I must know."
So, in the end, she got her way, and they all approached the bungalow together. It was in utter darkness, and the men had to rap loud and long before any response came from within. At last Saxby's voice was heard inquiring who the deuce, and what the deuce, etc., etc., at that time of the night—followed by his appearance in the doorway with a candle.
"We want to come in and look for Roddy," said Saltire briefly, and, without further ado, pushed the burly man aside and entered, followed by McNeil. Christine, too, entered, and sat down inside the door. She was very exhausted. Saxby appeared too flabbergasted to move for a moment. Then he remonstrated with considerable heat.
"What do you mean by this? You don't seem to know that you are in my house!"
But the other two had already passed through the empty sitting-room to the one beyond, and were casting lantern-gleams from side to side, examining everything.