CHAPTER XXV GEOFFREY IS PUZZLED
It was a long time before Ralph Ravenspur spoke again. He remained so quiet that Geoffrey began to imagine that his existence had been forgotten. He ventured to lay a hand on his uncle's knee.
The latter started like one who sleeps uneasily under the weight of a haunting fear.
"Oh, of course," he said. "I had forgotten you; I had forgotten everything. And yet you brought me news of the greatest importance."
"Indeed, uncle. What was it?"
"That you shall know speedily. The danger had not occurred to me for the moment. And yet all the time it has been under my nose."
"Still, you might easily be forgiven for not seeing——"
"Seeing has nothing to do with it. And there is nothing the matter with my hearing. The danger has been humming in my ears for days and I never heard it. Now it is roaring like Niagara. But, please God, we shall avert the danger."
"You might take me into your confidence, in this matter, uncle."