CHAPTER X CONTAINS A CLUE
At once I knew that some startling incident had happened.
Dr. Sladen, called by the police, entered the room a few moments afterwards, whereupon I turned to him, and in order to allay any undue curiosity, said—
"My man has been taken ill, doctor. Exhaustion, I suppose. He's a great walker, and, unknown to me, has apparently been out for a night ramble."
"Ah, yes," answered the quiet, old-fashioned medical man, peering at the invalid through his glasses.
Slowly he took Rayner's pulse, and then said—
"Heart a little weak, I suppose. There's nothing really wrong—eh?"
"I think not. He was talking to me only a few moments ago, and then suddenly fainted. Been on a long ramble, I should think."
"At night, eh?" asked the doctor in some surprise.