"I should not like to get into that man's clutches," said I, as my
superior rejoined me; "he has a way of making one appear so small."

Mr. Gryce shot an askance look at his shadow gloomily following him
along the pavement. "Yet it may happen that you will have to run the
risk of that very experience."

I glanced towards him in amazement.

"If the girl does not turn up of her own accord, or if we do not
succeed in getting some trace of her movements, I shall be tempted to
place you where you can study into the ways of this gentleman's
household. If the affair is a mystery, it has its centre in that
house."

I stared at Mr. Gryce good and roundly. "You have come across
something which I have missed," observed I, "or you could not speak
so positively."

"I have come across nothing that was not in plain sight of any body
who had eyes to see it," he returned shortly.

I shook my head slightly mortified.

"You had it all before you," continued he, "and if you were not able
to pick up sufficient facts on which to base a conclusion, you
mustn't blame me for it."

More nettled than I would be willing to confess, I walked back with
him to the station, saying nothing then, but inwardly determined to