The Chestermarke Instinct

hose mutton-chop whiskers suggested much business-like capacity and an equal amount of c

with a twinkle of the eye which betokened infin

ked the Earl, as he dropped into the chair wh

with a chuckle. "She's not one to let m

acts, I suppose?

his own seat. He put his fingers together over his

ibly be used! Yes, my lord-she told me the facts in a couple of sentences. Her uncle disappeared-nobody knows where he is-

hink of it?" a

swered Polke, with another twinkle.

t believe that Horbury's appropriated anyth

isappeared," remarked Neale, looking at the superintend

ances. Some men, as your lordship knows, disappear-and reappear with good reasons for their absence. Some never

the Earl, nodding assent to these phi

cash, to the first man, woman, child, who brings her the least fragment of news of him. That's Miss Fosdyke's method. It's not a bad one-it's only rich young ladies who can follow it. So I've already put things in train. Handbills and posters, of course-and the town-crie

Earl. "But-where are

k-and he's never seen again. I don't know. We must wait and see if anybody comes forward to s

have seen him,"

t of that ridge. At that foot is the river. There's a foot-bridge over the river, immediately opposite his orchard gate. He could cross that foot-bridge, and be in the wood on the other side in two minutes from leaving his house. That wood extends for a good mile into the country. Oh, yes! he

Neale looked quickly

Earl. "Didn't l

ouse. I only know that his housekeeper says he did. That's a very different matter. For anything we kn

ing?" said Neal

hese cases. However, Mrs. Carswell says he did leave the house, so we must take her word to begin with, and see if we can find out where he went. And as your lor

the Earl. "I never mentioned the matter to any one, and I don'

little things in these affairs, or else I wouldn't ask another question. D

tarted in

She may have done that, of co

rustworthy woman

Earl. "We've always found her quite trustworthy. So much so that I

o the Continent, of cour

ll, we had always had a great desire to have a walking tour, alone, in the Ardennes district, in early spring. We decided some time ago to have it this year. So when we set off, six weeks ago,

er this last statement. T

ng what I can. There's somet

Earl. "What, now!

Just now we're having some grand moonlight nights. If your men would look about the country between here and Ellersdeane, now?

and set things going at once. And you'll let me know if

followed. But on the threshold Neale

le!" sai

tioner looking at him with a

sage had you for

tell you that Mr. Horbury disappeared from his hou

-from your principa

g," sai

ad closed on his visitors, and for a while busied himself in writing. He was thus occupied when the t

is disappearance, under mysterious circumstances, of a bank manager. Securities to a large amount are missing; valuables also. No expense will be spared here-money no object. You

f and went ba

pen. "However, we'll live in hope that something out of the usual will arrive. Now what are those two Chestermarkes after?

Chestermarke immediately told him to follow out the ordinary routine. The clerks were to finish their work and go their ways, as if nothing had happened, and, as far as they could, they were to keep their tongues quiet.

n the police, I suppose?" asked Gabriel, as Neale was l

nd in half an hour Neale handed over the keys to Joseph Chestermarke and went out into the hall, his labours over. That had

She had evidently not recognized him when she came so suddenly into the dining-room of the bank-house. But why should she,

r Mrs. Carswell. The housekeeper came hurry

eale?" she asked. "Or found out

ing has been heard. Where is Miss Fosdyke, M

all ready for her. Said she wouldn't stop two seconds in a house that belonged to men who suspected her uncl

his head and

to give you any information, they'll give it themselves. But I can say this on my own responsibility-if

ut what I've told," said Mrs.

arked Neale. "That's the wor

erations during the last two centuries. And there inside its wide hall, superintending the removal of various articles of

ut all these things in the bedroom, and I'll have what I want taken into the sitting-room later.

at this eminently good-looking young man was not only smiling at her

gotten me!"

flushed a little and

sked. "But-I saw you in the bank-

k to me," retort

ou've grown! But-come upstairs. Mrs. Depledge-di

a private parlour. And when they were once within

h it! What is the meaning of all this i