Beresford was too shocked to reply. He waited mutely for more.
Landon drained his glass, and continued:
“When I had searched New York vainly for a week, I concluded that Miss Fane had perhaps ventured back to Suicide Place. I went down there three days ago. The very first night I made a startling discovery.”
“What?”
“I found that Otho Maury and his eldest sister, the beautiful Maybelle, were in the habit of spending the wee small hours of each night secretly within the portals of Suicide Place.”
“Great heavens! for what sinister purpose, Landon?”
“It occurred to me that they had somehow imprisoned Miss Fane in the house, and were keeping her there to force her consent to a marriage with Otho, who is madly in love with the little beauty.”
“It is very probable. But you—you found out——”
“No.”
As that strange word dropped from the detective’s lips, Beresford glared at him as if he would spring at his throat.