I saw the marks ...
then." "Did you discover anything else ?" "No; the dog started to bark, and I left as quickly as I could." "I see." Barrant's voice was non-committal, followed after a pause by a quick change of tone.
"I shall investigate this story later," he said coldly.

"Meantime--" "Why not investigate it immediately ?" asked Charles in a disappointed voice.

"Thalassa will be back directly, or I can take you down to the cliffs were I left him." Barrant was reminded of the flight of time.

It would be as well to remove Charles before Thalassa returned.

Time enough for Thalassa's story later! At that moment it seemed to Barrant that the final solution of the mystery was almost in his hands.