CHAPTER 5
Mr Reeder’s housekeeper had, since his arrival, behaved with a certain secretiveness which could only mean that she had something important to communicate. It was after he had seen the girl to her house that he learned what the mystery was all about.
“The young gentleman who came to see you last night,” she said in a low voice. “I’ve put him in the waiting-room.”
“Mr Desboyne?”
“That’s the name,” she nodded. “He said he wouldn’t go until he’d seen you.”
In a few seconds Clive Desboyne was shown in.
“I’ve only just heard about Southers’ arrest—it’s monstrous! And I was being so beastly about him tonight. Mr Reeder, I’ll spend all the money you want to get this young man out of his trouble. My God, it’s awful for Anna!”
Mr Reeder pulled at his long nose and said he thought i
