I was as far off the solution
of the problem as ever.
"We must first find Muriel," he declared, when I pressed him to tell me
everything he knew. "There are facts you have told me which negative my
own theories, and only from her can we obtain the real truth."
"But surely you know where she is? She writes to you," I said.
"The last letter, which I received at Gib. ten days ago, was from the
Hotel Bristol, at Botzen, in the Tyrol, yet Bartlett says she has been
seen down at Eastbourne."
"But you have an address where you always write to her, I suppose?"
"Yes, a secret one. I have written and made an appointment, but she has
not kept it. She has been prevented, of course. She may be with her
parents, and unable to come to London."
"You did not know that they had fled, and were in hiding?"
"Of course not. What I've heard to-night is news to me--amazing news."
"And does it not convey to you the truth?"
"It does--a ghastly truth concerning Elma Heath," he answered in a low
voice, as though speaking to himself.
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