"What kind of a shock? An accident?" asked Gebb.
"No," replied the boy, after some consideration, "not that sort of shock. Quite another kind."
"Well, I'm sorry to disturb Mr. Basson," said Gebb, "but you must take him my card and tell him that I must see him. It's a matter of life and death."
The boy still seemed unwilling, but Gebb thrust the card into his hand, and insisted; so in the end it was taken to Basson. In less than a minute Cerberus returned with the information that his master would see Mr. Gebb at once. With a nod the detective stepped into the dingy inner office, and found Mr. Basson with his arms on the mantelpiece, and his head bent down on them in an attitude of dejection. When he heard the footstep of his visitor--and firm, quick, business-like footsteps they were--he turned slowly, and displayed a very pale face and eyes so red that they looked as though he had been crying.
"What is the matter?" asked Gebb, rather taken aback by this evidence of grief.
"I've had a shock," replied Basson, using the very same words as his small clerk had done.
"Nothing serious, I hope?"
"Serious in one way, not in another. Still, I am glad to see you. If you had not come to me I should have paid you a visit in the course of the day. You have a right to know."
"Know what?" demanded Gebb, beginning to feel uncomfortable; he knew not why.
"That Alder is dead."