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 'This is Captain Pollock,' Barton said, introducing him. 'He wished, I believe, to ask you a question, Mr. Munro.'

I looked at the new-comer with some surprise, as he bowed and, in rather an authoritative manner, took a chair at the big leather-covered table at which I was seated with the inspector.

'The facts of your friend Miss Lethmere's disappearance have been communicated to us, Mr. Munro,' he commenced, 'and we find that the lady's disappearance is much complicated by certain rather curious facts.'

'Well?' I asked, rather resentful that another department of the State should enter upon what, after all, was a purely personal investigation. Besides, I could see no motive. The War Office had enough to do without making inquiries regarding missing persons.

'Well,' said the captain politely, 'I of course know you, Mr. Munro, to be a well-known aviator, and have often read of the long and sensational flights undertaken by Miss Lethmere and yourself. I hope you will not think that I am personally inquisitive regarding your lady friend. But,' he went on apologetically, 'I am only performing my duty in inquiring in the interests of the State. You are, I know, an intensely patriotic man. I hope that I, as a British officer, am equally patriotic. Therefore we stand upon the same ground—don't we?'

'Most certainly,' was my reply, though, much puzzled as to the drift of his argument, I looked straight into his face, a round, rather florid countenance, with a small sandy moustache.