Lady Pell was quickly on the scene.
“Sit down, Louisa, and oblige me by reading this, which was brought me a few minutes ago,” said Sir Gilbert as he handed her the letter.
She took it without a word. When she had read to the end, she turned a scared face on her kinsman.
“This is indeed terrible, if it be true,” she said as she gave him back the letter.
“Here is the key of the strong room to confirm it.”
At this juncture Everard Lisle entered the room. At sight of Lady Pell he was about to retire, but Sir Gilbert motioned to him to come forward. “Read this, which was found on my study table about half-an-hour ago,” he said.
Lisle, standing within a yard of his elbow, did as he was told. He, too, was utterly dumbfoundered and for a few moments knew not what to say. Then a thought struck him. “According to this, sir, Mr. Lewis is still locked up in the strong room.”
“Aye—like a rat in a trap,” replied the Baronet grimly. “Suppose we go and release him and hear what he has to say for himself. Do you take the key, Lisle. Come, Louisa; I must ask you to keep us company. This seems to me an affair which may necessitate the presence of witnesses.”
“Now, be good enough to unlock the door of the strong room,” he said to Lisle when they had reached the study.
Everard did as he was told and pulled wide the heavy door.