CHAPTER XXXII.
THE LINK I knew by one glance at Mr.Lindsey's face that he had news for us; but there was only one sort of news I was wanting at that moment, and I was just as quick to see that, whatever news he had, it was not for me.

And as soon as I heard him say that nothing had been heard of Maisie Dunlop during our absence, I was for going away, meaning to start inquiries of my own in the town, there and then, dead-beat though I was.

But before I could reach the door he had a hand on me.
"You'll just come in, my lad, and sit you down to a hot supper that's waiting you and Mr.Smeaton there," he said, in that masterful way he had which took no denial from anybody.

"You can do no more good just now--I've made every arrangement possible with the police, and they're scouring the countryside.

So into that chair with you, and eat and drink--you'll be all the better for it.