“Less than half an hour. We notified you immediately.”
“I will have just a word with them,” said Nick.
“Command me in any way, Carter, if I can be of service,” Margate artfully pleaded, briefly checking him.
“Presently,” Nick nodded. “I will see you again in a moment.”
He hastened into the library with the last, where he found both Clayton and his wife, the latter in tears and both ghastly with consternation and anxiety.
Nick said what he could to encourage them, at the same time hurriedly inspecting the letter left by Martha Dryden, and he then observed that Margate had followed him into the room. This was precisely what he had anticipated—and wanted.
“What have you done, Clayton, beyond sending for me?” he abruptly inquired.
“Nothing whatever,” Clayton declared, with a groan. “I’m all upset. I know not what to do.”
“One thing must be done without delay, then, for a[Pg 36] starter,” said Nick. “We must try to trace the missing woman.”
“That’s what I have advised,” Margate said quickly.