"I want to talk to you
about something."
But when they reached the hotel, all thought of conversation was driven
out of Purdie's mind for the moment. The hall-porter handed him a note,
remarking that it had just come. Purdie's face flushed as he recognized
the handwriting: he turned sharply away and tore open the envelope.
Inside, on a half-sheet of notepaper, were a few lines--from the pretty
governess at Mr. Spencer Levendale's.
"Can you come here at once and ask for me? There is something seriously
wrong: I am much troubled and have no one in London I can consult."
With a hasty excuse to Melky, Purdie ran out of the hotel, and set off in
quick response to the note.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE PRIVATE LABORATORY
As he turned down Spring Street towards Sussex Square, Purdie hastily
reviewed his knowledge of Mr. Spencer Levendale and his family. He had met
them, only two months previously, at a remote and out-of-the-way place in
the Highlands, in a hotel where he and they were almost the only guests.
Under such circumstances, strangers are soon drawn together, and as
Levendale and Purdie had a common interest in fishing they were quickly on
good terms.
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