“Well?” he said, smiling slightly as we entered.
“Nothing much,” replied Harley dryly, “except that I don't wonder at the girl's leaving such a home.”
“What's that! What!” roared a big voice, and Sir Howard came into the room. “I tell you, Bramber only had one fault as a stepfather; he wasn't heavy-handed enough. A bad lot, sir, a bad lot!”
“Well, sir,” said Inspector Wessex, looking from one to another, “personally, beyond the usual inquiries at railway stations, etc., I cannot see that we can do much here. Don't you agree with me, Mr. Harley?”
Harley nodded.
“Quite,” he replied. “There is a late train to town which I think we could catch if we started at once.”
“Eh?” roared Sir Howard; “you're not going back to-night? Your rooms are ready for you, damn it!”
“I quite appreciate the kindness, Sir Howard,” replied Harley; “but I have urgent business to attend to in London. Believe me, my departure is unavoidable.”
The blue eyes of the baronet gleamed with the simple cunning of his kind.
“You've got something up your sleeve,” he roared. “I know you have, I know you have!”