Does that mean--" "Did you read your newspaper yesterday ?" interrupted Mr.Lindsey, who knew that what we had read in the _Dundee Advertiser_ had also appeared in the _Newcastle Daily Chronicle_.

"Evidently not, Portlethorpe, or you'd have known, in part at any rate, what my wire meant.

But I'll tell you in a hundred words--and then I'll ask you a couple of questions before we go any further." He gave Mr.Portlethorpe an epitomized account of the situation, and Mr.
Portlethorpe listened attentively to the end.

And without making any comment he said three words: "Well--your questions ?" "The first," answered Mr.Lindsey, "is this--How long is it since you saw or heard from Sir Gilbert Carstairs ?" "A week--by letter," replied Mr.Portlethorpe.
"The second," continued Mr.Lindsey, "is much more important--much! What, Portlethorpe, do you know of Sir Gilbert Carstairs ?" Mr.Portlethorpe hesitated a moment.

Then he replied, frankly and with evident candour.
"To tell you the truth, Lindsey," he said, "beyond knowing that he is Sir Gilbert Carstairs--nothing!".