“Simply what I say, Mrs. Rowton. In order to make my suspicion a certainty a member of my staff must come here.”
“But why?”
“I would rather not say at present. Remember, young lady, that I have asked you to give up this search—you wish to continue it to the bitter end. The clue which I have unexpectedly acquired points to a certain track—that track lies red and hot round Rowton Heights.”
“You excite and terrify me,” said Nance, turning white as death.
“Even now, ma’am, we can drop the whole thing.”
“Never, never; my heart palpitates with eagerness to go on. Oh! that I could find that coward, that ruffian, that assassin! If it is necessary for your purpose to send a man here, let him come.”
“I thank you, Mrs. Rowton. The question now to consider is, in what guise he had best appear on the scene.”
“Do you mean to imply that the man we are seeking for is in this house?”
“I mean to imply nothing of the kind, young lady. I believe, however, that a member of my staff may do good work if his headquarters are here for a short time.”
“He shall come,” said Nance, “he shall come. Send him down at once.”