"Why have you taken her there?" "It was Fenton's idea," said Medwin slowly. "He has a boat lying in the Thames close by, and he thought that if he could persuade her to go for a short cruise she might change her opinion about the impossibility of marrying him." With his fists clenched Joe started forward, but before he could strike Colin thrust him back. "Leave him alone, Joe," he said harshly. "It's the truth we want, no matter what it is." He turned to Medwin, who was watching them with surprising coolness. "Do you know what his plans are exactly?" "He means to take her on board as soon as it's dark. Where he will go then depends chiefly on the weather. I believe he has some idea of trying to reach Holland." "What, by himself, in mid-winter?" "Oh, he's not alone," returned Medwin. "He has two old acquaintances of yours with him--Cooper and Hudson. In the course of their varied lives they have both served before the mast." For a moment Colin remained silent, his eyes fixed steadily upon the lawyer's face. "I don't know whether you're telling me the truth, Medwin," he said. "If you're not, heaven help you. I'll find you again, no matter where you try to hide, and I'll tear your lying tongue out of your throat with my own fingers." Medwin nodded. "Yes," he said, "I can quite believe you would, but, fortunately, such an unpleasant proceeding won't be necessary. As I told you before, I know when the game's up." Colin replaced the poker in the grate, then, crossing to the desk, on which stood a portable telephone, he unhooked the receiver and asked for Marsden's number. The lawyer watched him curiously. "Hullo!" came the Inspector's voice. "This is Gray. I'm speaking from Albert Terrace. I've got the information I wanted." "You mean you know where the girl is?" "Yes. She's at a cottage in Essex, close to South Ockendon. Fenton means to take her on board his boat as soon as it's dark." "Who told you this?" "Medwin. I had to use a certain amount of persuasion, but I think it's true." "What have you done to him?" "He's all right. He's lying on the sofa listening to what I'm saying. We've tied him up, and we propose to leave him here." "How about the servants?" "Both out at the theatre. They're not likely to be back until half-past five." "Sounds as if you'd made a pretty tidy job of it," was Marsden's comment. "You'd better come back here as quickly as possible and pick me up in the car. If what he's told you is right, the sooner we have a look at this cottage the better." "We're starting now," replied Colin. "We'll be with you in a quarter of an hour." He rang off, and, picking up his hat from the chair, turned to Medwin. "This is your last chance," he said. "You know what to expect if you've sent me on a false errand."