"Well," he replied, "I have three-quarters of an hour."
"You can do it in the car," said Harley suddenly. "I have been
asked to look into this case myself, and before I definitely
decline I should like to hear your version of the matter."
Accordingly, we three presently gathered in my chambers, and
Wessex, with one eye on the clock, outlined the few facts at that
time in his possession respecting the missing girl.
Two days before the news of the disappearance had been published
broadcast under such headings as I have already indicated, a
significant scene had been enacted in the gamekeeper's cottage.
Molly Clayton, a girl whose remarkable beauty had made her a
central figure in numerous scandalous stories, for such is the
charity of rural neighbours, was detected by her stepfather,
about eight in the evening, slipping out of the cottage.
"Where be ye goin', hussy?" he demanded, grasping her promptly by
the arm.
"For a walk!" she replied defiantly.
"A walk wi' that fine soger from t' Manor!" roared Bramber
furiously. "You'll be sorry yet, you barefaced gadabout! Must I
tell you again that t' man's a villain?"
The girl wrenched her arm from Bramber's grasp, and blazed
defiance from her beautiful eyes.
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