The silence which followed was broken by the loud and insistent ringing of the telephone bell.
“Hullo,” said Mansus rising quickly; “that's Kara's bell.”
With two quick strides he was at the telephone and lifted down the receiver.
“Hullo,” he cried. “Hullo,” he cried again. There was no reply, only the continuous buzzing, and when he hung up the receiver again, the bell continued ringing.
The three policemen looked at one another.
“There's trouble there,” said Mansus.
“Take off the receiver,” said T. X., “and try again.”
Mansus obeyed, but there was no response.
“I am afraid this is not my affair,” said John Lexman gathering up his coat. “What do you wish me to do, Sir George?”
“Come along to-morrow morning and see us, Lexman,” said Sir George, offering his hand.