I spent some time in examining the room and its contents. Then I explored other parts of the house.
Was I now gradually approaching the solution of Sir Charles Thorold’s secret?
I believed it more than likely that I might now at last be well on my way to solving the mystery of Houghton Park and the Thorolds’ sudden flight. That Sir Charles and his big friend would not return that night I fully believed. They might, or might not, be superstitious, but there could be no doubt I had terrified them thoroughly. If they returned at all it would be in the daytime, I conjectured.
What was to be done? How should I act?
I decided that the only thing to do would be to go out into the street and inform the constable of all that had happened. I had told him I would not stay long in the house in any case, and my prolonged absence might be making him feel uneasy.
I left by the front door—which I found securely bolted and chained on the inside—and there found the constable flashing his bull’s-eye lantern upon the door, and with his truncheon ready drawn.
“Hush!” I whispered, and he smiled upon seeing me, and at once replaced his truncheon.
“I was beginning to feel very anxious on your account, sir,” he said. “I ’arf wondered who might be a-comin’ out. Well, sir, did you see anything?”
“I should say so,” I answered, and then, as briefly as I could, I told him nearly everything.
I persuaded him to come in then and there.