"He seemed a bit upset, once or twice, yesterday--and the night before," said the butler. "I noticed it--in little things. Well!--I can't make it out, sir. You see, I've been with him ever since he came back to England--some years now--and I know his habits, thoroughly. However, we can only wait--I believe Miss Bennett sent for you, Mr. Purdie?" "Yes," said Purdie. "She did." "This way, sir," said the butler. "Miss Bennett's alone, now--the children have just gone out with their nurses." He led Purdie through the house to a sitting-room looking out on the garden of the Square, and ushered him into the governess's presence. "I've told Mr. Purdie all about it, miss," he said, confidentially. "Perhaps you'll talk it over with him! I can't think of anything more to do--until we hear something." Left alone, Purdie and Elsie Bennett looked at each other as they shook hands. She was a fair, slender girl, naturally shy and retiring; she was manifestly shy at renewing her acquaintance with Purdie, and Purdie himself, conscious of his own feelings towards her, felt a certain embarrassment and awkwardness. "You sent for me," he said brusquely. "I came the instant I got your note. Grayson kept me talking downstairs. You're bothered--about Mr. Levendale?" "Yes," she answered. Then she pointed to a chair. "Won't you sit down?" she said, and took a chair close by. "I sent for you, because--it may seem strange, but it's a fact!--I couldn't think of anybody else! It seemed so fortunate that you were in London--and close by. I felt that--that I could depend on you." "Thank you," said Purdie. "Well--you can! And what is it?" "Grayson's told you about Mr. Levendale's going out last night, and never coming back, nor sending any message?" she continued. "As Grayson says, considering Mr. Levendale's habits, that is certainly very strange! But--I want to tell you something beyond that--I must tell somebody! And I know that if I tell you you'll keep it secret--until, or unless you think you ought to tell it to--the police!" Purdie started. "The police!" he exclaimed. "What is it?" Elsie Bennett turned to a table, and picked up a couple of newspapers. "Have you read this Praed Street mystery affair?" she asked. "I mean the account of the inquest?" "Every word--and heard more, besides," answered Purdie. "That young fellow, Andie Lauriston, is an old schoolmate and friend of mine. I came here yesterday to see him, and found him plunged into this business. Of course, he's absolutely innocent." "Has he been arrested?" asked Elsie, almost eagerly. "No!" replied Purdie. "He's gone away--to get evidence that those rings which are such a feature of the case are really his and were his mother's." "Have you noticed these particulars, at the end of the inquest, about the book which was found in the pawnbroker's parlour?" she went on. "The Spanish manuscript?" "Said to have been lost by Mr. Levendale in an omnibus," answered Purdie. "Yes! What of it?"