"
"Of course he would. The blind theory won't do. But the
incident is an admirable starting-point for an investigation.
After all, a bicycle is not an easy thing to conceal or to destroy.
One other question. Did anyone call to see the boy on the day
before he disappeared?"
"No."
"Did he get any letters?"
"Yes; one letter."
"From whom?"
"From his father."
"Do you open the boys' letters?"
"No."
"How do you know it was from the father?"
"The coat of arms was on the envelope, and it was addressed
in the Duke's peculiar stiff hand. Besides, the Duke remembers
having written."
"When had he a letter before that?"
"Not for several days."
"Had he ever one from France?"
"No; never.
"You see the point of my questions, of course. Either the
boy was carried off by force or he went of his own free will.
In the latter case you would expect that some prompting from
outside would be needed to make so young a lad do such a thing.
If he has had no visitors, that prompting must have come in
letters. Hence I try to find out who were his correspondents."
"I fear I cannot help you much.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197