Raleigh Mansions. What of them?" "Ah, there we may be forwarded a stage. But there are six main entrances and no hall porters. There are twelve flats at each number, seventy-two in all, and all occupied. That means seventy-two separate inquiries into the history and attributes of a vastly larger number of persons, in order to find some possible connection with Lady Dyke and her purposely concealed visit. She may have remained in one of those flats five minutes. She may be in one of them yet. Anyhow, I have taken the necessary steps to obtain the fullest knowledge of the inhabitants of Raleigh Mansions." "Scotland Yard appears to be an unnecessary institution, Mr. Bruce," snapped the detective. "By no means. It is most useful to me once I have discovered a criminal. And it amuses me." "Listen, Claude, and you, Mr. White," pleaded the baronet. "I implore you to keep me informed in future of developments in your search. The knowledge that progress is being made will sustain me. Promise, I ask you." "I promise readily enough," answered Bruce. "I only stipulate that you prepare yourself for many disappointments. Even a highly skilled detective like Inspector White will admit that the failures are more frequent than the successes." "True enough, sir. But I must be going, gentlemen." Mr. White was determined to work the new vein of Raleigh Mansions thoroughly before even his superiors were aware of its significance in the hunt for her lost ladyship. When the detective went out there was silence for some time. Dyke was the first to speak. "Have you formed any sort of theory, even a wildly speculative one?" he asked. "No; none whatever. The utter absence of motive is the most puzzling element of the whole situation." "Whom can my wife have known at Raleigh Mansions? What sort of places are they?" "Quite fashionable, but not too expensive. The absence of elevators and doorkeepers cheapens them. I am sorry now that I mentioned them to White." "Why?" "He will disturb every one of the residents by injudicious inquiries. Each housemaid who opens a door will be to him a suspicious individual, each butcher's boy an accomplice, each tenant a principal in the abduction of your wife. If I have a theory of any sort, it is that the first reliable news will come from Richmond. There cannot be the slightest doubt that she was going there on Tuesday night." "It will be very odd if you should prove to be right," said Sir Charles. Again they were interrupted by the footman, this time the bearer of a telegram, which he handed to his master. The latter opened it and read: "What is the matter? Are you ill? I certainly am angry.--DICK." He frowned with real annoyance, crumpling up the message and throwing it in the fire. "People bothering one at such a time," he growled. 

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