He had previously sent information of the robbery to
the Bank of England, and had also advertised the loss in the daily
newspapers.
The air was so pleasant, and the sun was so bright, that he determined
on proceeding to his destination on foot. He was hardly out of sight of
his own offices when he was overtaken by a friend, who was also
walking in the direction of Whitehall. This gentleman was a person
of considerable worldly wisdom and experience; he had been officially
associated with cases of striking and notorious crime, in which
Government had lent its assistance to discover and punish the criminals.
The opinion of a person in this position might be of the greatest value
to Mr. Troy, whose practice as a solicitor had thus far never brought
him into collision with thieves and mysteries. He accordingly decided,
in Isabel's interests, on confiding to his friend the nature of his
errand to the police. Concealing the name, but concealing nothing else,
he described what had happened on the previous day at Lady Lydiard's
house, and then put the question plainly to his companion.
"What would you do in my place?"
"In your place," his friend answered quietly, "I should not waste time
and money in consulting the police."
"Not consult the police!" exclaimed Mr. Troy in amazement. "Surely, I
have not made myself understood? I am going to the Head Office; and
I have got a letter of introduction to the chief inspector in the
detective department. I am afraid I omitted to mention that?"
"It doesn't make any difference," proceeded the other, as coolly as
ever.
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