made just before this lady—Miss Fosdyke, I think!—entered. Don't let's forget it—it's a good one."
Miss Fosdyke turned eagerly to the Earl.
"What suggestion was it?" she asked. "Do tell me? I'm sure you agree with me—I can see you do. Thank you, again!"
"This gentleman," said the Earl, pointing to Neale, who had retreated into a corner and was staring out of the window, "suggests that Horbury may have met with an accident, you know, and be lying helpless somewhere. I sincerely hope he isn't but———"
Miss Fosdyke jumped from her chair. She turned an indignant look on Gabriel and let it go on to Joseph.
"You don't mean to tell me that you have not done anything to find my uncle?" she exclaimed with fiery emphasis. "You've surely had some search made?—surely!"
"We knew nothing of his disappearance until ten o'clock this morning," replied Gabriel, half-angrily.
"But—since then? Why, you've had five hours!" she said. "Has nothing been done? Haven't you even told the police?"
"Certainly not!" answered Gabriel. "It is not our policy."
Miss Fosdyke made one step to the door and flung it open.
"Then I shall!" she exclaimed. "Policy, indeed! High time I came down here, I think! Thank you, Lord Ellersdeane—and the other gentleman—for the suggestion. Now I'll go and act on it. And when I act, Mr. Chestermarke, I do it thoroughly!"
