"Ah!" said Mr. Lawrence. "Show the gentleman in, Mr. Styles."
Mr. Shelton entered with suppressed excitement beaming from every feature. His greeting ceremonies were brief and hurried.
"Mr. Lawrence," he said directly, "I have a carriage in waiting outside. Will you do me the honor to ride several miles with me this morning?"
"You have made some important discovery?" exclaimed Mr. Lawrence, rising excitedly.
"Yes," answered the detective, "but I cannot explain until we are on our way. We have not a minute to spare!"
They hurried out and took their places in the carriage.
"Driver, you have your directions," said the detective to the man on the box. "Do not forget. Drive fast and overtake the other carriage if possible—if not, try and get within sight of it at least."
"Is there another carriage?" inquired the banker, bewildered.
"Yes," said Mr. Shelton. "I have sent a carriage ahead of us containing four policemen, and they are secretly following another carriage. The first carriage contains Doctor Pratt, Harold Colville, and a priest. They are on the way to the place where the body of your daughter is concealed, and we are on our way to secure and arrest them."
"You are perfectly certain, I hope," said Mr. Lawrence, trembling with excitement.