"I do indeed," Charles said.
"Spindle, didn't go upstairs to wake him. He nipped down the back stairs, gave the signal that would summon Wilkes - there's an electric bell just inside the trap door, by the way - and nipped up again. Wilkes came hurrying back, went up the back stairs, and came down the front fully dressed. You thought that was what had taken him so long.
"But I'm wandering from the point. Where was I?"
"Behind a beer-barrel," said Charles. "Come to think of it, you might have chosen a worse hiding-place. Go on."
"I wish I'd thought of that earlier," Michael said. "I thought it a rotten spot. I stayed there till about four o'clock when Wilkes and Co returned. Still, I was repaid, for the two strangers were full of something that had happened. Evidently they hadn't been able to give vent to their feelings down below, and they meant to talk it all over with Wilkes before they left the Inn. Duval was mentioned, and apparently neither of them had the smallest doubt that the Monk had done him in. They were in a great way about that, partly out of fear of the Monk, partly because they thought Duval's death would bring the police down on them. Then one of them said that it wasn't that so much as "what's happened tonight." They both agreed about that, and the other one said that it was too thick, and he wouldn't be a party to murder. Wilkes tried to soothe him by saying there'd be no murder, but it was plain that the milder one of the pair wasn't satisfied. He kept on saying that he wouldn't stand for it, until the other one turned on him and told him to go and tell the Monk so if he dared. He replied if he knew who the Monk was, he would, and be damned to the lot of them, and then they both roundedd on Wilkes, and accused him of knowing the Monk's identity. The ferocious one said that it was his belief Duval had found "where the Monk goes," and he'd half a mind to have a shot at doing the same thing. Wilkes managed to pacify him, and I learned from what he said that the Monk meant to clear out as "soon as the run's finished," things having got suddenly dangerous. That was you, of course, but I didn't know that at the time. After a bit more palaver they all cleared out, and as soon as I dared I went up to my room, ascertained that Wilkes had gone to bed, got hold of Fripp and a perfectly good disguise - hired from Clarkson's, by the way - and went down to see what I could discover. The rest you know." He glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. "Tomlinson ought to be arriving at any moment now, and as soon as he comes I want to investigate the rest of that staircase."
"I never heard such a thrilling tale in my life!" Celia said. "And you can say what you please, but I think you're a pretty clever detective!"
"Hear, hear!" Peter said. "By the way, what if the Monk takes it into his head to go down some time to-day to have a look at us?"
"I thought of that," Michael said, "but I can't see any reason why he should. Neither Wilkes nor Spindle wilclass="underline" it's far too risky, besides which I've left Fripp to make himself a nuisance to Wilkes. The Monk can't go, because to be seen in daylight might give him away, and now of all times he won't take any chances."
Bowers came into the room, and went to Charles.. "Colonel Ackerley has called, sir, and he says if you could spare a moment he would like to speak to either you or the mistress. I've shown him into the library."
"All right, I'll come," Charles said. "I take it I'd better keep your presence here a secret even from him, Draycott?"
"Yes, don't tell anyone," Michael answered.
When Charles entered the library the Colonel rose from a chair by the window. "My dear fellow, I hope I haven't disturbed you, but I felt I must come up to inquire. My man told me about you coming up to my place to telephone last night, and this morning the milkman told him what had happened. Now is there any mortal thing I can do? Is my car any use to you? I never was more shocked in my life. Have you any idea what can have become of them?"
"None," Charles said. "We're worried to death about it. As far as we can make out they must have strolled out, possibly to meet us - we were dining with the Pennythornes, you know -and what happened then, or who spirited them away, we haven't the foggiest notion. The police are on to it, of course. The whole thing's a mystery. It seems certain somebody must have kidnapped them, but who, or why, we simply don't know. My wife's in a dreadful state: expects to hear of their bodies being discovered in some wood. I can't think it's as bad as that, though. It's awfully good of you to offer to help: I hoped I'd be able to get hold of you last night."
"I was over at Manfield. I'd have come like a shot if I'd been in. But can I do anything to-day?"
"Thanks very much, sir, but I don't think you can. Now the police have taken over, there's really nothing any of us can do. Of course we're getting on to the hospitals, and circulating a description. But it's awfully good of you to offer."
"Good of me be damned! I'm only sorry there's nothing I can do. But I needn't keep you here at any rate. I know you must be wishing me at Jericho. Don't forget to call me up if you want anything at any time. I may have to run over to Norchester this afternoon, and I might be late back. But my man will let you in if you should want to telephone again. You'll convey my deepest sympathy to your wife, won't you?"
He had hardly been gone five minutes when the police-car arrived, and the inspector got out. He was shown into the dining-room at once.
"I'm afraid I'm a bit late," he said. "I got detained. Now, what are the plans, inspector? We're all of us pretty well in your hands."
"It'll have to be to-night," Michael said. "Can you manage it?"
"Yes, I've arranged for the Flying Squad from Norchester to be here. That's all right," the inspector answered. "I take it we've got to try and find this other entrance?"
"We're only waiting for you, to start," Michael answered. He looked inquiringly at Peter- and Charles. "Are you game to come and help us?"
"Not only game to, but all bursting with enthusiasm," Charles said. "You don't mind, do you, Celia?"
"Not if Mr. Draycott is going to be with you," she said. "If anyone else comes to inquire, what shall I tell them?"
Charles repeated what he had said to the Colonel. "And I think Margaret ought to retire to her room," he added. "If anyone happened to look in at the window and see her the game would be up."
"All right," Margaret agreed. "I'll stay upstairs till you get back. You'll return here, won't you, Michael?"
"Yes, if I may," he said. "Sorry you've got such a dull morning ahead of you, but it'll be all over by to-night."
Five minutes later the four men were once more on the secret stair.
"We'd better go up first, and make sure where it leads to," Michael said. "There's obviously a way into it from the first floor."
They followed him up the stairs until they came to a blank wooden partition. The usual knob was found, and as they expected the partition opened. Something that looked at first like a curtain was hanging just inside, but when Michael flashed the light on to it they saw that it was a dressing-gown.