"Rotten luck," commented Villiers.
"Might have been worse," rejoined Sir Hugh oracularly. "Let's get in and see what's doing. The commissionaire will give an eye to the car."
He led the way to a large room on the ground floor. From the adjoining room came the subdued hum of voices.
"Adventure aspirants," remarked Sir Hugh, nodding his head in the direction whence the sounds came. "You'll be my secretary pro tem., Villiers. Cast your eye over these letters and see if you recognize any of the writers."
He handed Villiers a bundle of about thirty envelopes.
"I know three of these names," replied Jack, after scanning the contents of the communications. "Merridew, O'Loghlin, and Fontayne."
"Anything detrimental?"
"To the contrary," replied Villiers.
"Good! We'll see them first. But one moment, I want an advertisement drafted, something to this effect:—'Lost from car, between Winchester and Southampton, attaché-case, containing papers of no value except to owner—no, say owners. Finder will be liberally rewarded on returning same.' That ought to fetch 'em."
"Is the loss a very serious matter," asked Villiers.