k next morning. Both partners were already there, and appeared to have been there for some time. And Joseph at once called Neale int

le," he said. "It's just come in-I gave the copy for it

bold letters, and silentl

cting the disappearance of their late manager, Mr. John Horbury, take the earliest opportunity of announcing that al

Joseph, closely watching his c

I should say,"

ded Joseph. "And if people do come asking questions-as some of them will!-tell them not to b

read it, and, after the usual fashion of country-born folk, then went away to talk about it. In half an hour it was known in every shop and tavern parlour in Scarnham Market-Place that despite the town-crier's announcement, and the wil

und the corner from the police-station and approached the bank. Half a dozen loungers were gathered before the window, reading the poster; the two police officials jo

nary business, "we'll just have a word with your principals, if the

ispered Neale, bending over the

principals will do! Here, Starmidge, giv

ppeared into the parlour, wh

sir," he said. "They say

with a look of inquiry: Joseph sneered at

wish to see them,"

aps we'd better see them. We may as well see the

abriel made the slightest inclination of his head, in response to Polke's s

nded the sen

ything to say to us about this matter of Mr. Horbury's," s

s!" snapp

. "The young lady, of course, is naturally anxious about her uncle's safety, and Lord Ellersde

ld you so," re

approached you,

olke. "But, under t

Miss Fosdyke likes to do. Lord Ellersdeane is not, and never has been, a customer of ours. Miss Fosdyke acts independently. If they call you in-

rds the door as he spoke, as if to c

olice any information, then, Mr.

it doesn't concern," replied Gabriel. "As regards the mere surface

or any attempt to discover his whereabouts, sir?"

m his paper, and slow

atter for ourselves," he answ

a moment, said good-morning and followed him from the room. T

" said

le!" remark

humb at the poster

tomers that all's right so far as they're concerned, we can'

nding that out," repl

private affairs. Supposing Horbury has robbed them, they aren'

inning. Let's go and talk to this Miss Fosdyke a bit. She d

her her last penn

s Entire represents a lot of pennies.

s Bank, and was waiting eagerly for their coming. She listened intently to Polke's account of

ns against my uncle, and then to refuse to sa

midge. "Slow and steady's the game here.

you last night?" asked Betty anxious

y sort, miss,"

he inquired, looking from one to t

Now, the first thing is, publicity! We must have all this in the newspapers at once." He turned to the superintend

eplied Polke, with promptitude. "He's a sort of reporter-edi

ated broadcast. It must have a portrait on it-I'll take that photograph you showed me last night. And-we'll hav

y eagerly. "A thousand pounds?

olke, if you'll tell me where this Mr. Parkinson's to be found, an

rs-and they're quick," said Po

o?" asked Betty. "If I cou

his comprehension

me about Mr. Horbury's household arrangements. Now, as you are a relation, suppose you call on his housekeeper, who was the last person to see him, and get all th

rest-next-of-kin,

mand to see them! You've the legal right. And let us know-you'll always find me s

Starmidge looked at his c

ng of a betting

-crown now and then,"

nything of Horbury's-nor get any information!" answered

e detective a

t's a queer game, this, Starmid

," counselled Starmidge.

advertisement canvasser and business manager of the one four-page sheet which Scarnham boasted, received the two

. Polke," he said. "Can you let me h

s gentleman-Detective-Sergeant Starmidge, of the C.I.D., M

ive with as much wonder as Neale

et you, sir-I've heard of you. Wha

l you, to a London Press agency that'll distribute it amongst all t

ipal provincials, too. It'll be in all

pping into a chair by the editorial

fact that Lady Ellersdeane's jewels were missing: he said nothing whatever about the rumours that some of Chestermarke's securities were said to have disappeared. But on one point he laid great stress-the visit of the little gentleman with the large grey moustache to the Station Hotel at Scarnham on the evening whereon John Horbury disappeared, and to the fragments o

hering up his copy. "Now I'm off to wire this at once. Great engine the Pre

d Polke into the

uch store by it, but it's got to be done. It all helps

mile. Miss Betty Fosdyke, attired in her smartest,