"Yes, sir, Mr. Harleston.... Here he is, sir--you can use the 'phone in
the private office."

"Hello! Is that you, Ranleigh? Yes, I recognized the voice. Did you
telephone me at the Chateau about six-thirty?... You didn't?... You were
on your way home at that hour.... Yes, exactly; it was a plant.... Do
you know Crenshaw escaped from my apartment.... Yes, I saw him in the
Chateau this evening.... What?... Yes, better look up Whiteside at
once.... Yes, in the Collingwood.... Very good; I'll meet you there....
All right, I'll tell the sergeant."




XII

CARPENTER


Harleston took a taxi to the Collingwood, arriving just as Ranleigh came
up, and the two men went in together.

Whiteside was there; gagged and bound to the same chair that had held
Crenshaw.

The rooms were in confusion. Everything had been gone through; clothes
were scattered over the floor, papers were strewn about, drawers stood
open.

They released Whiteside, and presently he was able to talk.