He took the card from Pendleton and looked at it thoughtfully.  Then he glanced up in a satisfied sort of way: 

“As you suggested, Miss Vale no doubt returned, recovered her gloves and read the message,” said he.  “As she had just warned him that his hiding place was discovered, it is only natural to suppose that his answer would have something to do with his future movements.”

“That seems likely enough,” said Pendleton.

“Look here; if we put a comma between the two words,” went on the investigator, taking out a pencil and doing so, “the thing takes on the appearance of a name and address.”

Once more he gave the card to Pendleton; then rising he went to the telephone stand and took up the directory.  Skimming rapidly through this he paused at a page and went down its columns carefully.  Then with a laugh he slapped it shut.

“We have it,” declared he.  “When we so desire, we can call at an apartment house known as the ‘Rangnow’ and inquire for Mr. Tobin.  And when we see that gentleman we shall be looking upon one in the confidence of Allan Morris.”

There was a long pause on the part of Pendleton.  Ashton-Kirk rang for Stumph and directed him to turn the water into his bath, and get him out some fresh linen.  It was after the man had gone that Pendleton spoke.

“When you came in, Kirk,” he said, “you said something which conveyed the notion that you would not be much astonished if the police took up the Hume matter with Edyth Vale.”

“It is only the fact that the newspapers were first in discovering her apparent connection with it, that has kept Osborne and his fellows from visiting her before this.  Jealousy, you know, does many strange things.”

Pendleton did not reply; he bent his head and covered his face with his hands.  Ashton-Kirk went on: 

“The reasonable thing for her to do would be to come forward and tell the plain truth.”

Pendleton roused himself.

“But don’t you see that that is the very thing that her brave nature will not do?  She’s protecting Morris; and she’ll go on protecting him, no matter what the consequence to herself.”

“In that event,” said the investigator slowly, “we can not be in too great a hurry in removing the cause that keeps Morris in hiding.”

“You’ll have a task in that,” said Pendleton.  “As far as I can see, the man is up to his eyes in the crime; and that’s why he is lying low.”

“I have warned you before now against jumping at conclusions,” said the other, quietly.  “Allan Morris may be a confederate of Locke’s, or he may not.  We have yet to establish the fact either way.  And now, pardon me while I take a plunge and get into something presentable.”

CHAPTER XIX

THE TWO REPORTS

After dinner the two young men settled themselves in the library:  Stumph served their coffee and they renewed their acquaintance with the Greek tobacco.  After a little time there came a knock upon the door.