“Yes, sir. I know Mr. Philip Graydon. A very estimable young gentleman.”
“Who is he?”
“Well, his father was the great Clyde shipbuilder, whose works are at Port Glasgow—the firm of Graydon and Hambling. When his father died, about two years ago, he left him a quarter of a million.”
“You know him well?”
“I did, sir. His father used to shoot with his lordship regularly, and Mr. Philip often came with him.”
I briefly told him that I was making inquiries into certain very curious circumstances, and said—
“I want your private opinion, Mr. Seton. Is there anything peculiar concerning Mr. Graydon? I ask this because on his marriage he took the name of Audley.”
“His marriage! I didn’t know he’d married, sir.”
“Yes. And he is missing. It is on behalf of his wife, who is a friend of mine, that I’m making these inquiries.”
“Mr. Graydon married!” he repeated. “Pardon me, sir, but whom did he marry?”