"I blame myself for this, Ainsworth," he said. "I ought to have had the place watched."
"That's so," assented the other. "All the same, I don't think there's any harm done. It's plain enough what they're after, but if they want to bring it off they'll have to take her abroad. You can't work that sort of gadget in England."
There was a short pause, which was broken by Marsden. "You had better get hold of Graham immediately. Tell him that the girl's been kidnapped, and that an attempt will probably be made to smuggle her out of the country. They're already on the lookout for Cooper, so it will only be a matter of sending another message."
Giving a curt nod, Ainsworth strode to the door, and, with an abrupt change in his manner, Marsden addressed himself to Colin.
"I am sorry this has happened," he said, "especially as it's partly my fault. I wish to God you could have let me know sooner."
"I came along immediately," retorted Colin, "but you weren't here."
For a moment Marsden hesitated. "Have you any idea who Miss Seymour really is?" he asked slowly.
Colin stared at him. "What do you mean?" he demanded.
"She is the granddaughter of Professor Carter, and the heiress to over a quarter of a million of money."
If the Professor himself had suddenly appeared through the doorway Colin's amazement could hardly have been more complete.