"Come back to the house, Coombes. Drive on, Rogers."
"We had better get down, Sir Silas," suggested Mr Buckley. "I am sure that in this unfortunate trouble we do not want to thrust our company upon you."
"There's no thrust about it. Stay where you are, Mr Buckley, and you, too, lads. Now, Atherton, you're a sharp lad. You've been jolly useful to me twice, and there's nothing like three for luck. Use your wits, and put your scouting abilities to the test."
There was a constrained silence amongst the numerous servants as Sir Silas entered the hall of Polkerwyck House and led his youthful guests into the study.
"The police will be here directly," he observed. "Meanwhile I'll have the butler in and see what he has to say."
In a few minutes Tassh, dressed in his black suit, obsequiously entered the room.
"What's all this I hear, Tassh?" asked the baronet. "Some of my silver gone, eh? Tell me about it."
"I locked up last night, sir, as I always do. This morning when I came down at 7.30 the safe was open, and the silver, which you gave orders was to be placed there for safety, was missing. There were marks of a jemmy on the window-sash, and footprints on the flower-beds outside. I immediately told the housekeeper, and sent Williams on horseback to fetch the police."
"H'm; have you made a list of what is missing?"
"Not yet, sir; truth to tell I was so upset that I haven't recovered my normal self."