“Will you kindly read this?” he begged.
The Prince accepted the sheet and read the paragraph aloud:
“FIFTY POUNDS REWARD! Disappeared from his home in Long Whatton on Wednesday morning last, Herbert Spencer Whiles, Surgeon. The above reward will be paid to any one giving information which will lead to the discovery of his present whereabouts. Was last seen in a motor car, Limousine body, painted dark green, leaving Long Whatton in the direction of London.”
The Prince laid down the paper, smiling.
“Well?” he asked. “That seems clear enough. Some one is willing to give fifty pounds to know where you are.”
The doctor tapped the advertisement with his forefinger impressively.
“Fifty pounds!” he repeated. “There isn’t a person in the world to whom the knowledge of my movements is worth fifty pounds—except—”
“Except?” the Prince murmured.
“Except Mr. Inspector Jacks,” Dr. Whiles said slowly.
The Prince seemed scarcely to grasp the situation.