The American opened the envelope and read a few lines scribbled on a sheet of note-paper. He passed it to Theydon.
"The circus is now about to commence," he said, and the meaning of this enigmatical remark was made clear when Theydon saw what was written.
"Dear Sir," it ran, "take Mr. Theydon to your room. I'll join you there immediately.—C. F. Furneaux."
"If this is the little sleuth who was missing yesterday I guess we've gotten our call," commented Handyside, with an amused grin at the expression of bewilderment on his companion's face.
"I was just about to tell you that Furneaux had come in and crossed the hall."
"Well, let's beat it to the third floor. I have the key in my pocket."
They were walking through a long corridor when Furneaux appeared at the other end. Beyond the three men, not another person was visible in that part of the hotel, and in a few seconds they were behind the closed door of Handyside's room.
"So you're still on the map?" said the detective, surveying Theydon with an air of professional interest.
"Yes, but I have received notice to quit," was the retort.
"So I hear. The executioner was quick on the heels of the warrant, too. If it had not been for the precautions Winter took last night the newsboys would have been bawling a second Innesmore Mansions tragedy during the past couple of hours."