Ernest William Hornung

“ Yes, you may go past now. But—stop a minute, Bunn—here's something else that you needn't name in the servants' hall.'
The something else was a half-sovereign.
'It was worth it, too,' said Granville, when the girl was gone; 'she has given me something to go upon. These half-educated and impulsive people always do let out more to their maids than to any one else.'
He went back to Alfred.
'There was something I forgot to ask you. How much money do you suppose Gladys had about her when she went away?'
'I have no idea,' said Alfred. ”

“ Granville's best, in matters that required a clear head and some little imagination, was always excellent. In the present instance his normal energies were pushed to abnormal lengths by the uncomfortable feeling that he himself had been not unconcerned in bringing about that state of unhappiness which alone could have driven his sister-in-law to her last rash, mysterious step; by a feverish desire to atone, if the smallest atonement were possible ”

“ Now, I shall have to follow out my idea in town; and if I find the truth at all, I shall most likely come across it suddenly, round a corner as it were. So I have been thinking that you may as well be in town too, to be near at hand in case I am successful. ”

“ He left Alfred, shut himself up alone, and reviewed the situation. An hour's hard thinking led to a rather ingenious interview—one with the girl Bunn. It took place on the stairs, of all places. Granville saw her set foot upon the bottom stair; he immediately sat down upon the top one, produced a newspaper, and blocked the gangway.
'Bunn, you have a sweetheart in Australia. Don't pout and toss your head; it's nothing to be ashamed of—quite the contrary ”

“ Then I shall be here to meet her—and—and—— But you understand me, Gran?'
'Not very well,' said Granville, dryly, and with a shrug of his shoulders that was meant to shift from them all responsibility for Alfred's possible insanity. 'In your case I should prefer to be in town rather than here. However, a man judges for himself. There is one thing, however ”