“Ah, if you could only give me a clew to the fate of my dear niece I would be forever in your debt,” replied Blood, in a psalm-singing tone.
The chief bowed.
“Then you have discovered nothing new?” he asked.
“Well, ahem! That is, I have a new theory.”
The chief affected interest.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Well, it may be only theory, but sometimes I think it fact. I do not wish to wrong the young man—but—you see young people will be foolish—and—I—of course, this is all confidential.”
“Certainly!” replied the chief in a mystified way.
“There is a young man in the case. His name is Allerton Banks.”
The chief noted down the name.