The Sign of Silence

MP3 Audio CD. The Sign of Silence

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCES A GENTLEMAN.


"Then it's an entire mystery?"

"Yes, Phrida."

"But it's astounding! It really seems so utterly impossible," declared my
well-beloved, amazed at what I had just related.

"I've simply stated hard facts."

"But there's been nothing about this affair in the papers."

"For certain reasons the authorities are not exactly anxious for any
publicity. It is a very puzzling problem, and they do not care to own
themselves baffled," I replied.

"Really, it's the most extraordinary story of London life that I've ever
heard," Phrida Shand declared, leaning forward in her chair, clasping her
small white hands as, with her elbows upon the _table-à-deux_, she looked
at me with her wondrous dark eyes across the bowl of red tulips between
us.

We were lunching together at the Berkeley, in Piccadilly, one January day
last year, and had just arrived at the dessert.

"The whole thing is quite bewildering, Teddy--an utter enigma," she
exclaimed in a low, rather strained voice, her pretty, pointed chin
resting upon the back of her hand as she gazed upon me from beneath those
long, curved lashes.