"I am afraid I have rather serious news to give you about Mr Burnett."
"Dear me!" cried Mr Drummond. "It's not mental trouble, I hope? That was a queer wire he sent me!"
"He didn't send you that wire," said Lieutenant Topham.
"What!" exclaimed Mr Drummond. "Really—you don't say so? Then who did?"
"That's what we've got to find out."
The lieutenant glanced at the door, and added—
"I think we had better come a little farther away from the door."
They moved to the farther end of the room and sat down.
"Mr Burnett has been knocked on the head and then nearly drowned," said the lieutenant.
Mr Drummond cried aloud in horror. Topham made a warning gesture.