"And I will accompany you!" I exclaimed eagerly. "They must not escape us."
But my plans were at once altered, and Frémy was compelled to leave for Germany alone, for at the police office at the station half an hour later I received a brief message from Edwards urging me to return to London immediately, and stating that an important discovery had been made.
So I drove across to the Gare du Nord, and left for London by the next train.
What, I wondered, had been discovered?
CHAPTER XXVII.
EDWARDS BECOMES MORE PUZZLED.
At half-past seven on that same evening, Edwards, in response to a telegram I sent him from Calais, called upon me in Albemarle Street.
He looked extremely grave when he entered my room. After Haines had taken his hat and coat and we were alone, he said in a low voice:
"Mr. Royle, I have a rather painful communication to make to you. I much regret it—but the truth must be faced."