“No caller of any description?�

“No, sir; nobody.�

“Are you quite certain of that?�

“I am absolutely positive—for two reasons.â€�

“What are they?�

“One is that I watched the door myself as Mr. Lynne had directed me to do; the other is that since I have discovered that he is not here, I have—very guardedly, of course—questioned the other servants who might have admitted any person.â€�

“Well?�

“Nobody has been here. Since half-past twelve o’clock to-day, until you arrived, there has been no summons at the door at all. I am positive of that.�

“Have you looked through the house? It is a big place. Mr. Lynne might have——â€�

“I have searched everywhere, sir. He is not in the house. Of that I am certain.�