Page:Fletcher - The Mortover Grange Affair.pdf/158

 It set forth, too, that Miss Mortover's disappearance was possibly connected with the recent affair in Handel Street, W. C. And it wound up by offering a reward of one thousand pounds—spot cash—to anyone who would produce the said Avice Mortover or give information that would lead to her restoration to her friends—application to be made direct, in person, to James Nottidge, Nottidge House, Belsize Park, N.W. 3.

Wedgwood read the advertisement twice—hurriedly, the first time; carefully, the second, and then, careless of the fact that his bacon was going cold and his fried eggs congealing, he made for the door, called his landlady's boy, and thrusting a shilling into his hand bade him go forth and buy all the principal morning papers. There was a newsagent's close at hand and within five minutes the detective was in possession of several prints and rapidly turning them over. And—as he had more than half expected—he found the advertisement prominently displayed in every one of them.

"Cost him a tidy penny, that!" muttered Wedgwood. "Well—there's nothing like doing a job thoroughly when you once start! I could see he was an eccentric chap, too! Fairly gone on that girl, evidently. There's one thing certain—that advertisement will sharpen the