Free The Problem of the Missing Miss by Roberta Rogow Page A

her.”
    â€œMary Ann?” Mr. Dodgson rose from his place. “The domestic sent with Miss Marbury to Brighton?”
    Lord Richard stared at his old tutor, as if suddenly remembering that he was in the room. “Yes. Mr. Dodgson, why are you here?” he repeated.
    â€œLord Richard, Miss Marbury did not meet me at Brighton Station,” Mr. Dodgson quavered out. “She seems to have been abducted. A most ingenious plot, sir; I was sent this letter,” he fumbled in his pockets for the document, “that left the time of her arrival ambiguous. I must have missed her by minutes. Have you received any communications, sir? Any ransom demands?”
    â€œRansom!” Lord Richard leaped from his chair. “Farnham!” he called out.
    The butler appeared, almost as if he had been waiting in the hall to be summoned.
    â€œIs there anything in the letterbox?” Lord Richard demanded.
    â€œWait!” Upshaw patted his pockets. “I thought someone in that crowd outside brushed up against me. Good Heavens!” He held up a folded piece of paper. “Someone must have thrust this into my pocket!” He began to unfold the paper.
    Lord Richard snatched it away, read it, then groaned. Dr. Doyle stepped forward and picked the offensive message up.
    â€œâ€˜Stop what you are doing or say adieu to your daughter. She will be returned to you when we read of your resignation in the Pall Mall Gazette ,’” Dr. Doyle read aloud. “I think, sir, it must refer to the Criminal Amendment Bill. I cannot think of anything else in which you are involved that would elicit such a response.”
    Lord Richard sat down heavily in his chair. “Then that was what Mrs. Jeffries meant. Somehow, she’s got Alicia. We’ve got to get her back!”
    â€œBut how would they know …” Mr. Dodgson began.
    â€œThe newspapers, of course,” Mr. Upshaw said. “I can draft a response, and you can send it out this afternoon. You can announce that you are accepting the Chiltern Hundreds and are resigning your seat, for reasons of health. Without your support, Lord Richard, the Bill will undoubtedly fail in its third reading, and so will be heard of no more.” He placed himself in front of the typewriter and inserted a sheet of paper from the pile that lay next to the dreaded machine. “Such sensational news will surely make the Sunday editions.”
    â€œNo!” Lord Richard snapped out. “Never! I will never give in to such tactics. If that woman thinks she can bludgeon me into withdrawing my support for a cause I truly believe in …”
    â€œRichard!” Lady Pat exclaimed. “We are talking about your only child! You must do anything they ask.”
    â€œI shall call in the police,” Lord Richard said firmly. “I know the Home Secretary, and the Commissioner.”
    â€œI have already been to the Brighton Police,” Mr. Dodgson said, in tones of deepest disgust. “They do not wish to pursue the matter.”
    â€œThe Brighton Police! Hah!” With the air of one who is about to do something totally daring, Lord Richard approached the typewriter himself, ousted Upshaw from his seat, and pecked away furiously for several minutes. He looked the result over, and handed the paper to Upshaw.
    â€œTake this to Scotland Yard, Upshaw. I want their best man, do you understand? Their very best man. And don’t come back without him!”
    Upshaw stood upright and nearly saluted. Then he asked, “May I just pop around to my lodgings, sir? I fear I have disarranged my clothing in my efforts on your behalf, and I would like to change my shirt. The Albany is not all that far.”
    â€œOf course, Upshaw. But be quick about it.”
    â€œI shall be back, Lord Richard. You know you can count on me.”
    â€œI always do,” Lord Richard said.
    Upshaw grabbed the note and departed, just as Farnham appeared with a tray