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It was just possible that the vary loud banging on the door would have the opposite effect to the thing that Braybrooke dreaded. Ailsa should give him credit for not making such a wholly unnecessary noise. There was comfort in the idea, but uneasiness in another direction. It was plainly evident that Sir Charles had become possessed of some clue as to the whereabouts of the missing woman.
In the short time at his disposal Braybrooke racked his brain for some sound solution of the problem. How had that poor drink-sodden brain succeeded when the quick wit of Lady Altamont had absolutely failed? But there was no time to discuss this nice point, for Altamont was still loudly pounding on the panels, and declaring that he had discovered some secret. Lady Altamont watched him with contemptuous disgust. It was quite evident that she had regarded all this as the mere ravings of a drunken mind.