I know
anything else I feel sure of that."

Mr. Buxton struck a match and puffed out several clouds of smoke. Then
he tossed the match into the fire, and nodded through the tobacco
clouds. "I agree with you, Jack," he said. "This is the queerest thing
I ever came across in my life. I've known Tom Haydon, boy and man,
this forty-five years, and he's as straight as a gun-barrel. If they
expected him back at that hotel, if Risley expected him back, then he
meant to come back. And if he didn't get back, it was because he was
interfered with. I'd stake a hand on that."

Jack nodded with glistening eyes. "And I'm going to see why he didn't
come back," said the lad.

"I'd come with you if I could," said Mr. Buxton, "but at present I can
no more leave London than the Monument can. I'm as fast by the leg,
held by press of work, as a bear tethered to a stump. How do you
stand for funds?"

"I've only got a sovereign or two in my pocket," said Jack. "I was
depending on you."

"Yes, yes," said Mr. Buxton, "of course you were. I made time an hour
or so ago to run over your father's accounts. There's plenty to draw
on." He went over to his desk and ran his fingers through a bundle of
papers. "Here it is," he remarked. "At the present moment your father
is worth the respectable sum of forty-seven thousand two hundred and
nineteen pounds eighteen shillings and fourpence; so he certainly
hasn't run away from his creditors."

Jack nodded. "I'll start straight for Brindisi to-night, Mr. Buxton. I
can't lose a minute till I get on to the spot and talk with Buck
Risley."

Mr. Buxton nodded. "I quite understand your feelings, Jack," he
replied. "I've wondered whether the matter might not have a very
simple explanation after all. One thing struck me. Has your father
ever said anything about his health to you? You know he's been a great
deal in India and Burmah. It's a very easy thing to get a touch of the
sun, and that will often cause a man to lose the sense of his identity
and get lost for a time."

Jack shook his head. "I've never heard him mention such a thing," he
said. "He's always been perfectly fit whenever I've seen him."

"Yes, yes," said Mr. Buxton, "and whenever I've seen him, too. He has
a wonderful constitution. But, you know, the possibility crossed my
mind, and I mentioned it."

At this moment the servant announced that the meal was ready, and
Jack did his best to eat something. It was a very poor best, however,