He preceded us into the corridor, an absurd figure in his gorgeous negligee, and I could not help but note how much better Mr. Pegg appeared by comparison. It is not only women whose appearance is governed by clothes, and, as my dear father used to say, clothes may not make the man but, thank the Lord, they hide him.
Well, at any rate we two timid females followed the stronger members of the exploring party out into the main hall, where we encountered Wilkes. He was fully dressed, perfectly composed, and the very picture of quiet correctness.
"You wished me, sir?" he said.
"Yes. Why the devil were you so long?" snapped Markheim, wishing to vent his annoyance on someone.
"Sorry, sir, I was dressing!" replied the man.
"Well," snarled the master, "there's been a burglary. Most valuable picture in the house's been taken. Call police headquarters at Tarrytown and tell them to send someone out at once. Then get every servant in the house down into the front hall and see that no one leaves the premises! Meanwhile, we'll take a look about."
"Yes, sir," replied the man, after a little gasp of surprise. "Nobody hurt, I trust, sir?"
"No," said Markheim briefly. "I expect it's the same gang you thought you heard last night. Anything heard from Pedro?"
"Nothing, sir," said Wilkes. "I'll telephone at once."