Larkspur presented himself before
her.
"Well, Mr. Larkspur, what news?" she cried, eagerly, as he entered the
room.
"Not much, my lady; but there's something done, at any rate. I've found
out one fact."
"And what is that?"
"That the little lady has not been taken out of the country. Now, you
seem to know something of the man Milsom, my lady. Have you any idea
whether there is any particular place where he'd be _likely_ to take
little missy?"
For some minutes Lady Eversleigh remained silent, evidently lost in
thought.
"Yes," she said, at last, "I do know something of that man's past
career; so much, that the very mention of his name sends a thrill of
horror through my heart. Yes, Mr. Larkspur, it is my misfortune to have
known Black Milsom only too well in the bitter past."
"If your ladyship wouldn't consider it a liberty," said the police-
officer, with some hesitation, "I should very much like to put a
question."
"You are free to ask me what questions you please."
"What I should like to ask is this," replied Mr. Larkspur, "when and
where did your ladyship happen to meet Black Milsom? If you would only
be so kind as to speak freely, it might be a great help to me in the
work I've got in hand."
Honoria did not answer him for some moments. She had risen from her
chair, and was walking up and down the room in deep thought.
Pages:
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676