“They have. It’s really a most extraordinary thing. They started on bicycles yesterday from Clonmore to ride to Pool-a-donagh. They never arrived. That’s really all we know about the matter. The ladies followed them on a car and didn’t overtake them. We’ve telegraphed to every police barrack in the neighbourhood, and they haven’t turned up anywhere.”
“I’ll tell you what it is, Goddard. This is an uncommonly awkward business for you. Here you are, responsible for the safety of the inhabitants of this district, and no less than four men disappear completely in the inside of a single week. First there was Dr. O’Grady. Then poor Patsy Devlin vanished, leaving a wife and family behind him.”
“We know all about them,” said Mr. Goddard.
“And now no less than two Members of Parliament. It doesn’t look at all well. I’m greatly afraid there’ll be a fuss when it gets into the newspapers. The public will take the keenest interest in it. We shall have columns and columns every day. Do you happen to know whether these men were Liberals or Conservatives?”
“No, I don’t. I don’t see that it makes any difference. I’ve got to find them whichever they are.”
“It makes the greatest difference,” said Lord Manton. “If they’re supporters of the Government, there’ll be a much bigger fuss than if they’re on the Opposition side. The Prime Minister isn’t likely to sit down quietly under the loss of two votes, especially with the way bye-elections are going at present. You’ll simply have to find them.”
“I wish I could,” said Mr. Goddard. “I’d do it quick enough, whatever their politics are, if I knew how to go about it.”
“Of course, if they belonged to the Opposition,” said Lord Manton, “the matter won’t be pressed by the Government. But even so you’ll have the newspapers to reckon with, and the curiosity of the general public. Why don’t you go and look for them?”
“I would go at once, if I had the remotest idea where to look. But I haven’t. That’s what I want your advice about.”
“You say,” said Lord Manton, “that there are three ladies belonging to them. If I were you, I should begin by introducing them to Miss Blow. Then get a hold of Mrs. Patsy Devlin and let her talk to the whole party. You could put them all together into a room in Jimmy O’Loughlin’s hotel. They’ll interest each other. They have so much in common.”