“My dear Miss Arnell,” he said in sarcastic tones, “I trust that we have made you comfortable in our humble way, and that you have no complaints to make as to our north-country hospitality?”

“I demand,” replied Violet with some dignity, “to be released at once.”

“Certainly,” he said, smiling at her. “You shall be released very shortly; but there are a few little formalities which will, I fear, have to be complied with before that no doubt desirable consummation can be achieved. Our conditions are, I assure you, the merest formality; but I think that I shall have to give you a little rest before I go on to discuss them with you.”

“Conditions?”

“That, my dear young lady, was the word that I have used.”

“What are they?”

“That, as I said a moment ago, will have to wait until you are just the wee-est bit more able to discuss matters of business.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well,” he explained, “you have gone through a somewhat difficult and trying experience; and I feel that I owe it to you to give you time to rest.”

“I want no rest,” snapped Violet. “I want to get out of here without delay. Tell me your conditions, and I will tell you if I can agree to them. I shouldn’t be able to rest in this dreadful room, anyhow.”

His eyebrows rose. “I see no reason for delay, my dear lady, if you do not,” he said. “Let us talk business.” He sat on the bed and faced her.

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVI

Revelations?

It took Shelley several seconds to recover from his astonishment when Moses Moss entered the room. They had decided that this man was the murderer, the kidnapper of Violet Arnell. And that kidnapper was quite certainly somewhere in the north of England at this very moment! But who could he be? Shelley racked his brains, but was totally unable to decide. However, it was obvious that the next move was to find out to what they owed this very unexpected visit.

“You wanted to speak to us about the Arnell case, Mr. Moss?” he asked, managing by a great effort of will to keep his voice level.

“Yes,” answered Moss, a quiet smile spreading over his somewhat sombre face. “I thought that it was time I gave you the ‘low-down’ on what has been happening—as far as I can, that is.”

Shelley was puzzled, and looked it. “Why did you decide to do this now, Mr. Moss?” he asked.

Again Moss smiled his almost inscrutable smile.