"Information of the greatest importance," I answered; "but one other thing first. Call up your housekeeper, tell her you have reason to believe that one of the housemaids is not in the house. Tell her not to mention you in the matter, but to discharge her before breakfast. By the time you've done that I'll have changed my things and be ready to tell you everything."
"I'll go and rouse her at once; I'm all impatience to know what you have discovered."
He left me and passed through the green baize door to the servants' portion of the house; I myself went to my bedroom and changed my things. This done I passed into the study, where I found a meal laid for me. To this I did ample justice, for my long walk and the excitement of the evening had given me an unusual appetite.
Just as I was helping myself to a second glass of grog Mr. Wetherell returned, and informed me that the housekeeper was on the alert, and would receive the girl on her reappearance.
"Now tell me of your doings," said the old gentleman.
I thereupon narrated all that had occurred since I left the study in search of my pipe—how I had seen the girl listening at the door, how I had followed her into the town; gave him a description of old Sally, their interview, and my subsequent return home. He listened eagerly, and, when I had finished, said:
"Do you believe then that my poor girl has been carried off by Nikola to this island called Pipa Lannu?"
"I do; there seems to be no doubt at all about it."
"Well, then, what are we to do to rescue her? Shall I ask the Government to send a gunboat down?"
