Page:Fletcher - The Mortover Grange Affair.pdf/142

 know who I am go ask anybody up Belsize Park—I've a house of my own there and I'm a man of substance as my old dad was before me; he left me a rich man, and I know as well how to take care of what I have as this bit of dog-flesh knows how to take care of me—if need be! Now, I'm a man of leisure, d'ye see, and I spend a lot of my time educating myself by visiting museums, picture-galleries, and what not—I've a taste that way. I've gone a great deal to the British Museum of late, and I met this girl in the refreshment room and took a liking to her—honest! And I've seen her home from there, and taken her out a bit, and to cut it short we got engaged the other night, and now—now this damned business has cropped up! And what I say, Wedgwood is—what d'ye make of it?"

Wedgwood gave his companion a keen look.

"You're deeply concerned about it, Mr. Nottidge?" he said.

"Never slept a wink last night, Wedgwood! Look here—I've got to find that girl! If you know anything"

"I'll tell you what I do know!" exclaimed Wedgwood, with a sudden making-up of his mind. "We're in the same boat! You want to find this girl—so do I! She must be found.