“Then, my dear, it is a blessing I am with you. We will put up at the Universal Hotel. It is large and central, and the very moment we take rooms there we will wire to Rowton Heights to tell the servants our whereabouts.” CHAPTER XXXII. A RED TRACK. When the train arrived at King’s Cross, Crossley was waiting on the platform. A quick glance showed him Nancy’s pale face in the window of a first-class compartment. He went forward to meet her. “Thank you for answering my letter so promptly, Mrs. Rowton,” he said. “I have a carriage outside; may I take you at once to my house?” At this moment Lady Georgina touched Nancy on the arm. “Introduce me to the gentleman,” she said. “Mr. Crossley, Lady Georgina Strong,” said Nance. Crossley bowed. Lady Georgina favoured him with an intensely earnest glance. She saw a man of middle height, dressed in the correct garb of an ordinary gentleman. He had a pleasant face, and looked eminently respectable. “Lady Georgina has been kind enough to accompany me to town, Mr. Crossley,” said Mrs. Rowton. “Yes,” said Lady Georgina, “I have come with this lady because she is too young and inexperienced to take care of herself—also because her husband left her in my charge. She says that she has come up to London on receipt of a letter. May I ask, sir, if you are the writer?” “I am, madam. I am anxious to see Mrs. Rowton on a private matter of much importance.” “Yes, Lady Georgina, it is quite a secret,” said Nance. “I am aware of that fact,” said Lady Georgina. “Well, sir,” she continued, “here is Mrs. Rowton. You are at liberty to tell her what you please. Where do you propose to take her to communicate your tidings?” “To my own house, madam.” “And where is your house?” “It is a good way from here—near Clapham Common—but, expecting the lady, I ordered a private carriage, which is waiting for us at the present moment, and we can reach the house in about an hour from now.” “Very well,” answered Lady Georgina, “only please understand that where Mrs. Rowton goes I go.” The luggage was secured and put upon the top of the private carriage, which Crossley had hired from a livery stable not far from his own house. Lady Georgina and Nance entered, but the detective preferred sitting with the driver on the box, he said. “The mystery thickens, but excitement suits me,” said Lady Georgina with a sigh, which she quickly suppressed as the horses started forward at a good pace, and they soon left King’s Cross behind them. In the course of an hour they reached Crossley’s house. The moment they got within, Nance, who had been absolutely silent during the long drive, spoke. “I am anxious to see you alone at once, Mr. Crossley,” she said. She raised her eyes to the detective’s face as she spoke. He was placing his hat on the stand in the little narrow hall. “Very well, madam, I wish to tell you my tidings without delay,” he replied. “Then will you kindly show Lady Georgina to one room and take me to another?”