Anthony Cade, master of intrigue and
adventure, is caught up in a mysterious
web of assassination, blackmail and
double-cross.


Stolen love letters, a precious manuscript,
a terrorist organization and a fabulous
jewel make up the clues to a sinister
international conspiracy in which things
are not quite as they seem.


THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS


Anthony Cade, master of intrigue and adventure, is
caught up in a mysterious webb of assassination, black-mail
and double-cross.

Stolen love letters, a precious manuscript, a terrorist
organization and a fabulous jewel make up the clues to a
sinister international conspiracy in which things are not
quite as they seem.


BOOKS BY AGATHA CItRISTIE

The AB(; Murders
The Adventure of the
Christmas Pudding
After the Funeral
And Then There Were Nmw
Appointment with Death Ak Bertram's Hotel
The Big Four
The Body in the Library
By the Pricking of My Thumbs
Cards on the Table
A Caribbean Mystery
Cat Among the Pigeons
The Clocks
Crooked House
Curtain: Pnirot's l,ast Case
Dead Man's Folly
Death Comes as the End
Death in the Clouds Death on the Nile
Destinatinn Unknown
Dumb Witness
Elephants Can Remember Endless Night
Evil Under the Stnl
Five Little Pigs
4.50 tkom Paddington
Hallowe'en Party
Herculc Poirots Clristmas
Hickory l)ickory Dock
The Hollow
The Hound of Death
The [,al)ours uf Hercules
The 15sterdale Myswry
I,ord Edgware l)ies
The Man in the Bnwn Sui
The Mirror Crack'd from
Side tn Side
Miss Marph"s Final Cases
The Moving Finger
Mrs Mc(;imv's l)cad
The Murder at the Vicarage
Murder in Mesopotamia
Murder in fiw Mews
A Murder is Annoum'ed
Murder is l';as5
The Murder o1' Rngcr Ackrovd
Murder on the l,inks

Murder on the Orient Express
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
The Mysterious Mr Quin
The Mystery of the Blue Train
Nemesis
N or M?
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
Ordeal by Innocence
The Pate Horse
Parker Pyne Investigates
Partners in Crime
PassenRer to Franklhrt
Peril at End House
A Pocket Full of Rye
Poirot's Early Cases
Puirot Invesligatcs
Pnstern of Fate
Sad Cypress
The Secret Adversary
The Secrei of Ghinmcvs
The Seven l)ials Nlstcrv
The Sittatbrd Mystery
Sleeping Mm'der
Sparkling C5 anide
lktkeu at fiw Fluod
They Came Io Baghdad
They l)o h With Mimers
Tlfird Girl
The Thirteen Prohh'ms
Three-Act '['raged5
Tmvards Zero
Why I)idn't They Ask Evans?

,V0relmde; The ,%m de l'htme q/
'Mare II?tmacolt'
Absent in Spring
The Burden
A l)aughter's A Daughter
Giant's Bread
The Rose and the Yexx Tree
Unfiuishcd

Book un3r the name q]
Agatha Christie Alalloa'an
(:omc Tell Me Hmx You l,ixe
S(ar ()ver BethMn'm

Autohio,graplr
;gathit Christie: An Autnl)iograph


AGATHA CHRISTIE


The Secret

of Chimneys


COLI, INS

8 Grafton Street, London W1

1990


William Collins Sons and Cn Ltd
London ' Glasgow' Sydney · Auckland
Toronto ' Johannesburg


ISBN fl00 232137 8


l"irs i)nlfiished 1925
This reprim 199(l


C(l)yrighl ;\galha (:hristie
All rights reserved


lh'inlcd and I)ound in (h-cat Britain
I>y Billings 13ok Plan l,td, Worccstc


TO
MY NEPHEW

IN MFMORY OF AN IN.gCRIPTION AT COMPTON CAN'I'I.E AND
A DAY A'I 'THE ZOO


CHAPTER I

ANTHONY CADE SIGNS ON

'GENTLEMAN JOE!'
'Why, if it isn't old Jimmy McGrath.'
Castle's Select Tour, represented by seven depressed-looking
females and three 'perspiring males, looked on with considerable
interest. Evidently their Mr Cade had met an old
friend. They all admired Mr Cade so much, his tall lean figure,
his sun-tanned face, the light-hearted manner with which he
settled disputes and cajoled them all into good temper. This
friend of his now - surely rather a peculiar-looking man.
About the same height as Mr Cade, but thick-set and not
nearly so good-looking. The sort of man one read about in
books, who probably kept a saloon. Interesting though. After all , that was what one came abroad for - to see all these
peculiar things one read about in books. Up to now they had
been rather bored with Bulawayo. The sun was unbearably
hot, the hotel was uncomfortable, there seemed to be nowhere
particular to go until the moment should arrive to motor to the
Matoppos. Very fortunately, Mr Cade had suggested picture
postcards. There was an excellent supply of picture postcards.
Anthony Cade and his friend had stepped a little apart.
'What the hell are you doing with this pack of females?'
demanded McGrath. 'Starting a harem?'
'Not with this little lot,' grinned Anthony. 'Have you taken a
good look at them?'
'I have that. Thought maybe you were losing your ey-sight-'
'My eyesight's as good as ever it was. No, this is a Castle'8
Select Tour. I'm Castle - the local Castle, I mean.'
'What the hell made you take on a job like that?'
'A regrettable necessity for cash. I can assure you it doesn't
suit my temperament.'
Jimmy grinned.
'Never a hog for regular work, were you?'
Anthony ignored this aspersion.

7


'However, something will turn up soon, I expects' he remarked
hopefully. 'It usually does.'
Jimmy chuckled.
'If there's any trouble brewing, Anthony Cade is sure to be
in it sooner or later, I know that,' he said. 'You've an absolute
instinct for rows - and the n/ne lives of a cat. When can we
have a yarn together?'
Anthony sighed.
I've got to take these cackling hens to see Rhodes' grave.'
lVhat's the stuff,' said Jimmy approvingly. VI'hey'Il come
back bumped black and blue with the ruts in the road, and
clamouring for bed to rest the bruises on. Then you and I will
have a spot or two and exchange the new&
Riffht. So long, Jimmy.'
Anthony rejoined his flock of sheep. Miss Taylor, the
youngest and most skittish of the party, instantly attacked

'Oh, Mr Cade, was that an old friend of yours?'
'It was, Miss Taylor. One of the friends of my blameless
youth.'
Miss Taylor giggled.
'I thought he was such an interesting-looking man.'
'I'll tell him you said so.'
'Oh, Mr Cade, how can you be so naughtyl The very ideal
What was that name he called you?'
'Gentleman Joe?'
J/'es. Is your name Joe?'
'][ thought you knew it was Anthony, Miss Taylor.'
'Oh, go on with youl' cried Miss Taylor coquettishly.
Anthony had by now well mastered his duties. In addition to
making the necessary arrangements of travel, they included
soothing down irritable old gentlemen when their dignity was
ruffled, seeing that elderly matrons had ample opportunities to
buy picture postcards, and flirting with everything under a
catholic forty years of age. The last task was rendered easier
for him by the extreme readiness of the ladies in question to
read a tender meaning into his most innocent remarks.
Miss Taylor returned to the attack.
%Vhy does he call you Joe, then?'
'Oh, just because it isn't my name.'
'And why Gentleman Joe?'
8


'The same kind of reason.'
'Oh, Mr Cade,' protested Miss Taylor, much distressed, 'I'm
sure you shouldn't say that. Papa was only saying last night
what gentlemanly manners you had.'
'Very kind of your father, I'm sure, Miss Taylor.'
'And we are all agreed that you are quite the gentleman.'
'I'm overwhelmed.'
'No, really, I mean it.'
'Kind hearts are more than coronets,' said Anthony vaguely,
without a notion of what he meant by the remark, and wishing
fervently it was lunchtime.
'That's such a beautiful poem, I always think. Do you know
much poetry, Mr Cade?'
'I might recite "The boy stood on the burning deck" at a
pinch. "The boy stood on the burning deck, whence all but he
had fled." That's all I know, but I can do that bit with action if
you like. "The boy stood on the burning deck" - whoosh whoosh
- whoosh - (the flames, you see) "Whence all but he
had fled" - for that bit I run to and fro like a dog.'
Miss Taylor screamed with laughter.
'Oh, do look at Mr Cade! Isn't he funny?'
'Time for morning tea,' said Anthony briskly. 'Come this
way. There is an excellent caf in the next street.'
'I presume,' said Mrs Caldicott in her deep voice, 'that the
expense is included in the Tour?'
'Morning tea, Mrs Caldicott,' said Anthony, assuming his
professional manner, 'is an extra.'
'Disgraceful.'
'Life is full of trials, isn't it?' said Anthony cheerfully.
Mrs Caldicott's eyes gleamed, and she remarked with the air
of one springing a mine:
'I suspected as much, and in anticipation I poured off some
tea into a jug at breakfast this morning! I can heat that up on
the spirit-lamp. Cbme, Father.'
Mr and Mrs Caldicott sailed off triumphantly to the hotel,
the lady's back complacent with successful forethought.
'Oh, Lord,' muttered Anthony, 'what a lot of funny people it
does take to make a world.'
He marshalled the rest of the party in the direction of the
caf& Miss Taylor kept by his side, and resumed her catechism.
'Is it a long time since you saw your friend?'


'Just over seven years.'
'Was it in Africa you knew him?'
'Yes, not this part, though. The first time I ever saw Jimmy
McGrath he was all trussed up ready for the cooking pot.
Some of the tribes in the interior are cannibals, you know. We
got there just in time.'
'What happened?'
'Very nice little shindy. We potted some of the beggars, and
the rest took to their heels.'
'Oh, Mr Cade, what an adventurous life you must have
led?
'Very peaceful, I assure you.'
But it was dear that the lady did not believe him.

It was about ten o'clock that night when Anthony Cade
walked into the small room where Jimmy McGrath was busy
manipulating various bottles.
'Make it strong, James,' he implored. 'I can tell you, I need
it.'
'I should think you did, my boy. I wouldn't take on that job
of yours for anything.'
'Show me another, and I'll jump out of it fast enough.'
McGrath poured out his own drink, tossed it off with a
practised hand and mixed a second one. Then he said slowly:
'Are you in earnest about that, old son?'
'About what?'
'Chucking this job of yours if you could get another?'
'Why? You don't mean to say that you've got a job going
begging? Why don't you grab it yourself?'
'I have grabbed it - but I don't much fancy it, that's why I'm
trying to pass it on to you.'
Anthony became suspicious.
Vhat's wrong with it? They haven't engaged you to teach in
a Sunday school, have they?'
'Do you think anyone would choose me to teach in a Sunday
school?'
'Not if they knew you well, certainly.'
'It's a perfectly good job - nothing wrong with it what- 8eeVeF.
'Not in South America by any lucky chance? I've rather got
my eye on South America. There's a very tidy little revolution
coming off in one of those little republics soon.'
Io


McGrath grinned.

'You always were keen on revolutions - anything to be
mixed up in a really good row.'

'I feel my talents might be appreciated out there. I tell you,
Jimmy, I can be jolly useful in a revolution - to one side or the
other. It's better than making an honest living any day.'

'I think I've heard that sentiment from you before, my son.
No, the job isn't in South America - it's in England.'

'England? Return of hero to his native land after many long
years. They can't dun you for bills after seven years, can they,
Jimmy?'

'I don't think o. Well, are you on for hearing more about
it?'

'I'm on all right. The thing that worries me is why you're not
taking it on yourself.'

'I'll tell you. I'm after gold, Anthony - far up in the in-terior.'

Anthony whistled and looked at him.

'You've always been after gold, Jimmy, ever since I knew
you. It's your weak spot - your own particular little hobby.
You've followed up more wild-cat trails than anyone I
know.'

'And in the end I'll strike it. You'll see.'

'Well, every one his own hobby. Mine's rows, yours is
gold.'

'I'll tell you the whole story. I suppose you know all about
Herzoslovakia?'

Anthony looked up sharply.

'Herzoslovakia?' he ald, with a curious ring in his voice.
'Yes. Know anything about it?'

Therewa quite an appreciable pause before Anthony
answered. Then he said slowly:

'Only what everyone knows. It's one of the Balkan State,
isn't it? Principal rivers, unknown. Principal mountains, also
unknown, but fairly numerou& Capital, Ekarest. Population,
chiefly brigands. Hobby, assassinating kings and having revo-lutions.
Last king, Nicholas IV, assassinated about seven years
ago. Since then it's been a republic. Altogether a very likely
spot. You might have mentioned before that Herzoslovakia
came into it.'

'It doesn't except indirectly.'

Anthony gazed at him more in sorrow than in anger.


I!


	'You ou ht to do something about ts, J.a.es,' ,he.-aa

,
	g nondence course, or sometmng. It you
Take a correSr
	.
	. ,J x- 	,to,
you'd have been
	'
	' '
	00 OlO. .,it.s ,,--j-, j
	.
.story like ,ths..m tl-e,-g .- gastinadced or something equally

tung up oy me nccm ul, ,

unpleasant.'

Jimmy Pursued this course quite unmoved by these atrictureSer
heard of Count 8tylptitc.h?' ,
	---'re talkin" ' said Anmony. Many ppe wn.o. nave
	lOW you
	s,
	.
	.
	'
never heard of Herzoslovakia would brighten at me menuon

Count Stylptitch. The Grand Old Man of the Balkans. The

Greatest $tatemaan of Modem Time The biggest villain

unhung. The point of view all depends on which newspaper

membered long,utter .you anu -..*ar East for the last

Every' love an(l counter-move m ul--

hn a dictator aha a putout aha a aa-:--..-
-vs exactly what he has been, except that ne s oeen a
king of intrigue. Well, what about him?'
'He was Prime Minister of Herzoslovakia - that's why I
mentioned it first.'
rou've no sense of proportion, Jimmy. Herzoslovalda is
no importance at all compared to Stylptitch- It just provided
him with a birthplace and a post in public affairs. But I
thought he was dead?'
'So he is. He died in Paris about two months ago. What I'm
telling you about happened some year ago.
'The question is,' said Anthony, what are you telling .me
about?'
Jimmy accepted the feb .uke.?d. has.ten.ed-°..n-' ---ars ago, to be
'It was like this. I was m l-aris - !usotu
exact. I was walkinl along one night in rather a lonely part,
when I saw half a aVozen French toughs beating up a respect-able-looking
old gentleman. I hate a one-sided show, so I
promptly butted in and proceeded to beat up the toughs. I
guess they'd never been hit really hard before. They melted
like snow!'
'Good for you, James,' said Anthony softly. 'I'd like to have
	see, n that scr p.
	,
	Oh, it was nothing much, said Jimmy modestly. 'But the old

	boy was no end grateful. He'd had a couple, no doubt about


that, but he was sober enough to get my name and address out
of me, and he came along and thanked me next day. Did the
thing in style, too. It was then that I found out it wa Count
$tylptitch I'd rescued. He'd got a house up by the Bois.'
Anthony nodded.
¥es, Stylptitch went to llve in Paris after the assassination
of King Nicholas. They wanted him to come back and be president
later, but he wasn't taking any. He remained sound to his
monarchical principles, though he was reported to have his
finger in all the backstairs pies that went on in the Balkans.
Very deep, the late Count Stylptitch.'
'Nicholas IV was the man who had a funny taste in wives,
wasn't he?' said Jimmy suddenly.
nares,' said Anthony. 'And it did for him, too, poor beggar.
She was some little guttersnipe of a music-hall artiste in Paris not
even suitable for a morganatic alliance. But Nicholas had a
frightful crush on her, and she was all out for being a queen.
Sounds fantastic, but they managed it smehow. Called her the
Countess Popoffsky, or something, and pretended she had
Romanoff blood in her veins. Nicholas married her in the cathedral
at Ekarest with a couple of unwilling archbishops to do
the job, and she was crowned as Queen Varag*- Nicholas
squared his ministers, and I suppose he thought that was all
that mattered-but he forgot to reckon with the populace.
They're very aristocratic and reactionary in Herzodovakia.
They like their kings and queens to be the genuine article.
There were mutterings and discontent, and the usual ruthle.
suppressions, and the final uprising which stormed the palace,
murdered the King and Queen, and proclaimed a republic. It's
been a republic ever since - but things still manage to be pretty
lively there, so I've heard. They've at-nated, a preaident or
two, just to keep their hand in. But revenons a nos moutons. You had got to where Count Stylptitch was hailing you as his
preserver.'
'Yes. Well, that was the end of that busine. I came back to
Africa and never thought of it again until about two week ago
I got a queer-looking parcel which had been following me all
over the place for the Lord knows how long. I'd seen in a paper
that Count Stylptitch had recently died in Paris. Well, this
parcel contained his memoirs - or reminiscences, or whatever
you call the things. There was a note enclosed to the effect that
if I delivered the manuscript at a certain firm of publishers in

I3


London on or before October x3th, they were instructed to
hand me a thousand pounds.'
'A thousand pounds? Did you say a thousand pounds,
Jimmy?'
'I did, my son. I hope to God it's not a hoax. Put not your
trust in princes or politicians, as the saying goes. Well, there it
is. Owing to the way the manuscript had been following me
around, I had no time to lose. It was a pity, all the same. I'd
just fixed up this trip to the interior, and I'd set my heart on
going. I shan't get such a good chance again.'
'You're incurable, Jimmy. A thousand pounds in the hand is
worth a lot of mythical gold.'
'And supposing it's all a hoax? Anyway, here I am, passage
booked and everything, on the way to Cape Town - and then
you blow alongl'
Anthony got up and lit a cigarette.
'I begin to perceive your drift, James. You go gold-hunting
as planned, and I collect the thousand pounds for you. How
much do I get out of it?'
°vVhat do you say to a quarter?',
'Two hundred and fifty pounos free of income tax, as the
saying goes?'
'That's it.'
'Done, and just to make you gnash your teeth I'll tell you
that I would have gone for a hundred! Let me tell you, James
MeGrath, you won't die in your bed counting up your bank
balance.'
'Anyway, it's a deal?'
'It's a deal all right. I'm on. And confusion to Castle's Select
Tours.'
They drank the toast solemnly.

CHAPTER II

A LADY IN DISTRESS

'So that's that,' said Anthony, finishing off.his glass and replacing
it on the table. 'What boat were you going on?'
' Granarth Castle.'
'Passage booked in your name, I suppose, so I'd better travel
x4


as James McGrath. We've outgrown the passport business,
haven't we?'
'No odds either way. You and I are totally unlike, but we'd
probablyhave the same description on one of those blinking
things. Height six feet, hair brown, eyes blue, nose ordinary,
chin ordinaryw'
'Not so much of this "ordinary" stunt. Let me tell you that
Castle's selected me out of several applicants solely on account
of my pleasing appearance and nice manners.'
Jimmy grinned.
'I noticed your manner this morning.'
'The devil you did.'
Anthony rose and paced up and down the room. His brow
was slightly wrinkled, and it was ome minutes before he spoke.
'Jimmy,' he said at last. 'Sty. lptitch died in Paris. What's the
point of sending a manuscript from Paris to London via
Africa?'
Jimmy shook his head helplessly
'I don't know.'
'Why not do it up in a nice little parcel and send it by post?'
'Sounds a damn sight more sensible, I agree.'
'Of course,' continued Anthony, 'I know that kings and
queens and government officials are prevented by etiquette
from doing anything in a simple, straightforward fashion.
Hence King's Messengers and all that. In medieval days you
gave a fellow a signet ring as a sort of open sesame. "The
King's Ring! Pass, my lordl" And usually it was the other
fellow who had stolen it. I always wonder why some bright
lad never hit on the expedient of copying the ring- making a
dozen or so, and selling them at a hundred ducats apiece. They
eem to have had no initiative in the Middle Ages.'
Jimmy yawned.
'My remarks on the Middle Ages don't seem to amuse you.
Let us get back to Count Stylptitch. From France to England
via Africa seems a bit thick even for a diplomatic personage. If
he merely wanted to ensure that you should get a thousand
pounds he could have left it you in his will. Thank God neither
you nor I are too proud to accept a legacyl Stylptitch must
have been barmy.'
'You'd think so, wouldn't you?'
Anthony frowned and continued his pacing.
'Have you read the thing at all?' he asked suddenly.
x5


'Read what?'

q'he manuscript.'

'Good Lord, no. What do you think I want to read a thing of
that kind for?'

Anthony smiled.

'I just wondered, that's all. You know a lot of trotble has
been caused by memoirs. Indiscreet revelations, tha¢ sort of
thing. People who have been close as an oyster all their lives
seem pozitively to relish causing trouble when they themselves
shall be comfortably dead. It gives them a kind of naalicious
glee. Jimmy, what sort of a man was Count $tylptitc. h? You
met him and talked to him, and you're a pretty good judge of
raw human nature. Could you imagine him being a vindictive
old devil?'

Jimmy shook his head.

'It's difficult to tell. You see, that first night he was distinctly
canned, and the next day he was just a high-toned old 1ooy with
the most beautiful manners overwhelming me with com-pliments
till I didn't know where to look.'

'And he didn't say anything interesting when he was
drunk?'

Jimmy cast his mind back, wrinkling his brows as he did so.

'He said he knew where the Koh-i-noor was,' he volonteered
doubtfully.

'Oh, well,' said Anthony, 'we all know that. They keep it in
the Tower, don't they? Behind thick plate-glass and iron bars,
with a lot of gentlemen in fancy dress standing round to see
you don't pinch anything.'

'That's right,' agreed Jimmy.

'Did Stylptitch say anything else of the same kind? That he

knew which city the Wallace Collection was in, for instance?'
Jimmy shook his head.
'Hm!' said Anthony.

He lit another cigarette, and once more began pacing up and
down the room.

°lrou never read the papers, I suppose, you heathen?' he
threw out presently.

'Not very often,' said McGrath simply. 'They're not about
anything that interests me as a rule.'

'Thank heaven I'm more civilized. There have been several
mentions of Herzoslovakia lately. Hints at a royalist restor-ation.


16


'Nicholas IV didn't leave a son,' said Jimmy. 'But I don't
suppose for a minute that the Obolovitch dynasty is extinct
There are probably shoals of young 'uus knocking about,
cousins and second cousins and third cousins once removed.'
'So that there wouldn't be any difficulty in finding a king?'
'Not in the least, I should say,' replied Jimmy. 'You know, I
don't wonder at their getting tired of republican institutions. A
full-blooded, virile people like that must find it awfully tame to
pot at presidents after being used to kings. And talking of
kings, that reminds me of something else old Stylptitch let out
that night He said he knew the gang that was after him. They
were King Victor's people, he said.'
'What?' Anthony wheeled round suddenly.
A short grin widened on McGrath's face.
'Just a mite excited, aren't you, Gentleman 3oe?' he
drawled.
'Don't be an ass, Jimmy. You've just said something rather
important'
He went over to the window and stood there looking out.
'Who is this King Victor, anyway?' demanded Jimmy. 'Another Balkan monarch?'
'No,' said Anthony 8lowly. rite isn't that kind of a
ki'ithat'-' is he, then?'
There was a pause, and then Anthony spoke.
'3te's a crook, Jimmy. The most notorious jewel thief in the
world. A fantastic, daring fellow, not to be daunted by anything.
King Victor was the nickname he wa known by in Paris.
Paris was the headquartm of hia gang. The. caught him there
and put him away for seven years on a minor charge. They
couldn't prove the more important things against him- He'll be
out soon - or he may be out already.'
'Do you think Count 8tylptitch had anything to do with
putting him away? Wa that why the gang went for him? Out
of revenge?'
'I don't know,' said Anthony. 'It doesn't seem likely on the
face of it. King Victor never stole the crown jewels of Her-zoslovakia
as far as I've heard. But the whole thing us
rather suggestive, doesn't it? The death of Stylptitch, the
memoirs, and the rurnours in the paper - all vague but
interesting. And there's a further rumour to the effect that
they've found oil in Herzoslovakia. I've a feeling in my bones,
x7


James, that people are getting ready to be interested in that

unimportant little country.'

'What sort of people?'

'Hebraic people. Yellow-faced financiers in city offices.'
'What are you driving at with all this?'

'Trying to make an easy job difficult, that'8 all.'

'You can't pretend there'a going to be aqy difficulty in
handing over a simple manuscript at a publisher's office?'

'No,' said Anthony regretfully. 'I don't suppose there'll be
anything difficult about that. But shall I tell you, James, where

I propose to go with my two hundred and fifty pounds?'
'South America?'

'No, my lad, Herzoslovakia. I shall atand in with the repub-lic,
I think. Very probably I shall end up as president.'

qArhy not announce yourself az the principal Obolovitch and
be a king whilst you're about it?'

rNo, Jimmy. Kings are for life. Presidents only take on the
job for four years or so. It would quite amuse me to govern a
kingdom like Herzoslovakia for four years.'

'The average for kings is even less, I should say,' inter-polated
Jimmy.

'It will probably be a serious temptation to me to embezzle
your share of the thousand pounds. You won't want it, you
know, when you get back weighed down with nuggets. I'll
invest it for you in Herzoslovakian oil shares. You know,
James, the more I think of it, the more pleased I am with this
idea of yours. I should never have thought of Herzoslovakia if
you hadn't mentioned it. I shall spend one day in London,
collecting the booty, and then away by the Balkan Express?

'You won't get off quite' as fast as that. I didn't mention it

before, but I've got another little commission for you.'
Anthony sank into a chair and eyed him severely.

'I knew all along that you were keepir, g something dark.
This is where the catch comes in.'

'Not a bit. It' just something that's got to be done to help a
lady.'

'Once and for all, James, I refuse to be mixed up in your
beastly love affairs.'

'It's not a love affair. I've never seen the woman. I'll tell you
the whole story.'

'If I've got to listen to more of your long, rambling stories, I
shall have to have another drink.


His host complied hospitably with this demand, then began
the tale.
'It was when I was up in Uganda. There was a dago there
whose life I had saved--'
'If I were you, Jimmy, I should write a short book entitled
"Lives I Have Saved". This is the second I've heard of this
evening.'
'Oh, well, I lidn't really do anything this time. Just pulled
the dago out of the river. Like all dagos, he couldn't svim.'
'Wait a minute, has this story anything to do with the other
business?'
'Nothing whatever, though, oddly enough, now I remember
it, the man was a Herzoslovakian. We always called him Dutch
Pedro, though.'
Anthony nodded indifferently.
'Any name's good enough for a dago,' he remarked. 'Get on
with the good work, James.'
/qell, the fellow was ort of grateful about it. Hung around
like a dog. About six months later he died of fever. I was with
him. Last thing, just as he was pegging out, he beckoned me
and whispered ome excited jargon about a secret - a gold
mine, I thought he said. Shoved an oilskin packet into my hand
which he'd always worn next his skin. Well, I didn't think
much of it at the time. It wasn't until a week afterwards that I
opened the packet. Then I was curious, I must confess. I
shouldn't have thought that Dutch Pedro would have had the
sense to know a gold mine when he saw it - but there's no
accounting for luck--'
'And at the mere thought of gold, your heart beat pitter-pat
as always,' interrupted Anthony.
'I was never o disgusted in my life. Gold mine, indeed! I
dare say it may have been a gold mine to him, the dirty dog. Do
you know what it was? A woman's letters - yes, a woman's
letters, and an Englishwoman at that. The skunk had been
blackmailing her - and he had the impudence to pm on his
dirty bag of tricks to me.'
'I like to see your righteous heat, Jame,, but let me point out
to you that dagos will be dagos. He meant well. You had saved
his life, he bequeathed to you a profitable source of raising
money - your high-minded British ideals did not enter his horizon.'
'Well, what the hell was I to do with the things? Burn 'em,
x9


	that's what I thought at first. And then it occurred to me that
	t
	'
	'
	there would be that r)oor dam,. nO knowing they d been
	stroyed, and always li ing in a
	and a dread Jest that dago
	should turn up aga/n one day.'
	rou've more imagination ths I .gave yo credit for,

	Jimmy,' observed Anthony, lihtio, a cigarette. 'I admit that

	the case presented more difficti J. an were at rst apparent.
	·
	·
	e
	,
	What about just sending them to her' by post?
		·

,ike all women, she'd nut n, a,t and no address on most of

	the letters. There' was --i address on one-just one

	word. "Chimneys".'

	Anthony paused in the act of blo.ing out his match, and he

	dropped it with a quick jerk of fne wrist as it burned his

	finger.

	'Chimneys?' he said. Fhat's rathtr extraordinary.'

	5Nhy, do you know it?'
	o,, e, tely
	m.y
	A
	place where kings and queeus go fOr eeends, a 'plomat
	ista forgather and diplome.'

	'That's one of the reasons why I' so glad that you're going

	to England instead of me. You IrJ!.°w all' thee things,' said

	Jimmy simply. 'A josser like mrff from the backwoods of

	Canada would be making all o'ts of bloaer But someone

	like, you who's been to Eton and Harg°w.--.
	Only one o them,' said Anthony nooestly.
	- .
	Nill be able to carry it through, iArhy didn't I send them to

	her, you say? Well, it seemed to mda. gerous. From what I

	could make out. she seemed tn hva jealous husband. Sup	......
.ge
	d
pose he opened the letter by mst: · Where would the poor

dame be then? Or she migh*t b-'dd - the !etwrs looked as

though they'd been written some tilOe' As I figured it out, the

only thing was for someone to tak them to England and put

them into her own hands.'

Anthony threw awav his ci,arettt, and coming acro6s to his

friend, clapped him actionalv oo the back.

`you're a real knight-errant, 'uY,' he said. And the back
woods of Canada should be proud if you. I ahan't do the job

hal as prettily as you would.

'You'll take it on, then?'

O course.'
b McGrath rose, and going acrosS,t°, a, ,drawer, took out a
undle of letters and threw them on fne


'Here you are. You'd better have a look at them.'
'Is it necessary? On the whole, I'd rather not.'
'/ell, from what you say about this Chimneys place, she
may have been staying there only. We'd better look through
the letter and ee if there's any clue a to where really
hangs out.'
'I suppose you're right'
They went through the letter carefully, but without finding
what they had hoped to find. Anthony gathered them up gain
thoughtfully.
'Poor little devil,' he remarked. 'She wa scared stiff.'
Jimmy nodded.
'Do you think you'll be able to find her all right?' he ited
anxiously.
'I won't leave England till I have. You're very concerned
about this unknown lady, James?'
Jimmy ran his finger thoughtfully over the signature.
'It's a pretty name,' he aid apologeticafly. 'Virgini RL'

ANXIETY IN HIGH PLACES

'QuT£ so, my dear fellow, quite so,' said Lord Caterham.
He had used the same words three times already, each time
in the hope that they would end the interview and permit him
to escape. He disliked very much being forced to stand on the
steps of the exclusive London club to which he belonged and
listen to the interminable eloquence of the Hon George

Clement Edward Alistair Brent, ninth Marquis of Cater-ham,
was a small gentleman, shabbily dressed, and entirely
unlike the popular conception of a marquis. He had faded blue
eyes, a thin melancholy nose, and a vague but courteous
manner.
The principal misfortune of Lord Caterham's life wa t
have succeeded his brother, the eighth marquis, four year ago.
For the previous Lord Caterham had been a man of mark, a
household word all over England. At one time Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, he had always bulked largely in the

2!


counsels of the Empire, and his country seat, Chimneys, was
famous for its hospitality. Ably seconded by his wife, a 'daughter
of the Duke of Perth, history had been made and unmade at
informal weekend parties at Chimneys, and there was hardly
anyone of note in England - or indeed in Europe - who had
not, at one time or another, stayed there.
That was all very well. The ninth Marquis of Caterham had
the utmost respect and esteem for the memory of his brother.
Henry had done that kind of thing magnificently. What Lord
Caterham objected to was the assumption that Chimneys was a
national possession rather than a private country house. There was nothing that bored Lord Caterham more than politics unless
it was politicians. Hence his impatience under the continued
eloquence of George Lomax. A robust man, George
Lomax, inclined to embonpoint, with a red face and protuberant
eyes, and an immense sense of his own importance.
'You see the point, Caterham? We can't - we simply can't
afford a scandal of any kind just now. The position is one of
the utmost delicacy.'
'It always is,' said Lord Caterhsm, with a fiavour of irony.
rMy dear fellow, I'm in a position to knorr!'
'Oh, quite so, quite so,' said Lord Caterham, failing back
upon his previous line of defence.
'One slip over this Herzoslovakian business and we're done.
It is most important that the oil concessions should be granted
to a British company. You must see that?'
'Of course, of course.'
'Prince Michael Obolovitch arrives the end of the week, and
the whole thing can be carried through at Chimneys under the
guise of a shooting party.'
'I was thinking of going abroad this week,' said Lord Cater-ham.
'Nonsense, my dear Caterham, no one goes abroad in early
October.'
'My doctor seems to think I'm in rather a bad way,' said
Lord Caterham, longingly eyehg a taxi that was crawling
past.
He was quite unable to make a dash for liberty, however,
since Lomax had the unpleasant habit of retaining a hold upon
a person with whom he wu engeg! in serious conversation doubtless
the result of long experience. In this case, he had a
firm grip of the lapel of Lord Caterham's coat.

2


'My dear man, I put it to you imperially. In a moment of
national crisis, such as is fast approaching--'
Lord Caterham wriggled uneasily. He felt suddenly that he
would rather give any number of house parties th listen to
George Lomax quoting from one of his own speech,. He new
by experience that Lomax was quite capable of going on for
twenty minutes without a stop.
'All right,' he asid hastily, 'I'll do it. You'll arrange the whole
thing, I suppose'
'My dear fellow, there's nothing to arrange. Chimneys, quite
apart from its historic associations, is ideally situated. I shall be
at the Abbey, less than seven miles away. It wouldn't do, of
course, for me to be actually a member of the house party.'
'Of course not,' agreed Lord Caterham, who had no idea
why it would not do, and was not interested to learn.
'Perhaps you wouldn't mind having Bill Eversleigh, though.
He'd be useful to run messages.'
'Delighted,' said Lord Caterham, with a shade more animation.
'Bill's quite a decent shot, and Bundle likes him.'
'The shooting, of course, is not really important. It's only
the pretext, as it were.'
Lord Caterham looked depressed again.
'That will be all, then. The Prince, his suite, Bill Eversleigh,
Herman Isaacstein--'
'Who?'
'Herman Isaacstein. The representative of the syndicate I
spoke to you about.'
'The all-British syndicate?
'Yes. Why?'
'Nothing - nothing - I only wondered, that's all. Curious
names these people have.'
'Then, of course, there ought to be one or two outsiders just
to give the thing a bona fuie appearance. Lady Eileen
could see to that- young people, uncritical, and with no idea
of politics.'
'Bundle would attend to that all right, I'm sure.'
'I wonder now.' Lomax seemed gtruck by an idea. 'You remember
the matter I was speaking about just now?'
'You've been speaking about so many things.'
'No, no, I mean this unfortunate contretemps' - he lowered
his voice to a mysterious whisper- 'the memoirs-Count
Stylptitchs memoirs.'


'I think you're wrong about that,' said Lord Caterham, suppressing
a yawn. 'People like candal. Damn it all, I read reminiscences
myself- and enjoy 'em too.'
'The point is not whether people will read them or not -they'll
read them fast enough - but their publication at this
juncture might ruin everything - everything. The people of
Herzoslovakia wish to restore the monarchy, and are prepared
to offer the crown to Prince Michael, who has the support and
encouragement of His Majesty's Government--'
'And who is prepared to grant concessions to Mr Ikey Her-manatein
and Co in return for the loan of a million or so to et
him on the throne--'
'Caterham,. Caterharn,' implored Lomax in an agonized
whisper. 'Discretion, I beg of you. Above all things, discretion.'
'And the point is,' continued Lord Caterham, with some
relish, though he lowered his voice in obedience to the other's
appeal, that some of Stylptitch's reminiscences may upset the
apple-cart. Tyranny and misbehaviour of the Obolovitch
family generally, eh? Questions asked in the House. Why replace
the present broad-minded and democratic form of
government by an obsolete tyranny? Policy dictated by the
blood-sucking capitalists. Down with the Government. That
kind of thing - eh?'
Lomax nodded.
'And there might be worse atill,' he breathed. 'Suppose only
auppose that some reference should be made to - to that
unfortunate disappearance - you know what I mean.'
Lord Caterham stared at him.
'No, I don't. What disappearance?'
'You mut have heard of it? Why, it happened while they
were at Chimneys. Henry wu terribly upset about it. It almost
ruined his career.'
'You interest me enormously,' said Lord Caterham. 'Who or
what disappeared?'
Lomax leant forward and put his mouth to Lord Caterham's
ear. The latter withdrew it hastily.
'For God's aake, don't hiss at me.'
'You heard what I aid?'
`yes, I did,' said Lord Caterham reluctantly. 'I remember
now hearing something about it at the time. Very curious
affair. I wonder who did it. It was never recovered?'

24


'Never. Of course we had to go about the matter with the
utmost discretion. No hint of the loss could be allowed to leak
out. But Stylptitch was there at the time. He knew something.
Not all, but something. We were at loggerheads with him once
or twice over the Turkish question. Suppose that in sheer
malice he has set the whole thing down for the world to read.
Think of the scandal - of the far-reaching results. Everyone
would say - why was it hushed up?'
'Of course they would,' said Lord Caterham, with evident
enjoyment.
Lomax, whose' voice had rien to a high pitch, took a grip on

'I must keep calm,' he murmured. 'I must keep calm. But I
ask you this, my dear fellow. If he didn't mean mischief, why
did he send the manuscript to London in this roundabout
way?'
'It's odd, certainly. You are sure of your facts?'
'Absolutely. We - er - had our agents in Paris. The memoirs
were conveyed away secretly some weeks before his death.'
'Yes, it looks as though there's omething in it,' said Lord
Caterham, with the same relish he had displayed before.
'We have found out that they were sent to a man called
Jimmy, or James, McGrath, a Canadian at present in
Africa.'
'Quite an Imperial affair, isn't it?' aid Lord Caterham
cheerily.
'James McGrath is due to arrive by the Gremarth Gastte tomorrow - Thursday.'
'What are you going to do about it?'
'We shall, of course, approach him at once, point out the
possibly serious consequences, and beg him to defer publication
of the memoirs for at least a month, and in any case to
permit them to be judiciously - er - edited.'
'Supposing that. he says "No, sir," or "I'll goddarned well
see you in hell first," or something bright and breezy like that?'
suggested Lord Caterham;
'That's just what I'm afraid of,' said Lomax simply. 'That's
why it suddenly occurred to me that it might be a good thing to
ask him down to Chimneys as well. He'd be flattered, naturally,
at being asked to meet Prince Michael, and it might be easier to
handle him.'
'i'm not going to do it,' said Lord Caterham hastily. 'I don't

z5


get on with Canadians, never did - especially those that have
lived much in Africal'

'You'd probably find him a splendid fellow - a rough dia-mond,
you know.'

'No, Lomax. I put my foot down there absolutely. Some-body
else has got to tackle him.'

'it has occurred to me,' said Lomax, 'that a woman might be
very useful here. Told enough and not too much, you under-stand.
A woman could handle the whole thing delicately and
with tact - put the position before him, as it were, without
getting his back up. Not that I approve of women in politics -St
Stephen's is ruined, absolutely ruined, nowadays. But
woman in her own sphere can do wonders. Look at Henry's
wife and what she did for him. Marcia was magnificent
unique, a perfect political hostess.'

'You don't want to ask Marcia down for'this party, do you?'
asked Lord Caterham faintly, turning a little pale at the men-tion
of his redoubtable sister-in-law.

'No, no, you misunderstand me. I was speaking of the
influence of women in general. No, I suggest a young woman, a
woman of charm, beauty, intelligence?'

'Not Bundle? Bundle would be no use at all. She's a red-hot
Socialist if she's anything at all, and she'd simply scream with
laughter at the suggestion.'

'I was not thinking of Lady Eileen. Your daughter, Cater-ham,
is charming, simply charming, but quite a child. We need
some one with savolr [aire, poise, knowledge of the world-- Ah,
of course, the very person. My cousin Virginia.'

'Mrs Revel?' Lord Caterham brightened up. He began to
feel that he might possibly enjoy the party after all. 'A very
good suggestion of yours, Lomax. The most charming woman
in London.'

'She is well up in Herzoslovakian affairs too. Her husband
was at the Embassy there, you remember. And, as you say, a
woman of great personal charm.'

'A delightful creature,' murmured Lord Caterham.

'That is settled, then.'

Mr Lomax relaxed his hold on Lord Caterham's lapel, and
the latter was quick to avail himself of the chance.

'Bye-bye, Lomax, you'll make all the arrangements, won't
you?'

He dived into a taxi. As far as it is possible for one upright


Christian gentleman to dislike another upright Christian
gentleman, Lord Caterham disliked the Hon George Lomax.
He disliked his puffy red .face, his heavy breathing, and his
prominent earnest blue eyes. He thought of the coming weekend
and sighed. A nuisance, an abominable nuisance. Then he
thought of Virginia Revel and cheered up a little.
'A delightful creature, he murmured to himself. 'A most
delightful creature.'

CHAPTER

INTRODUCING A VERY CHARMING LADY

GEOR3U- LOMAX returned straightway to Whitehall. As he entered
the sumptuous apartment in which he transacted affairs
of State, there was a scuffling sound.
Mr Bill Eversleigh was assiduously filing letters, but a large
armchair near the window was still warm from contact wita a
human form.
A very likeable young man, Bill Eversleigh. Age at a guess,
twenty-five, big and rather ungainly in his movements, a
pleasantly ugly face, a splendid set of white teeth and a pair of
honest brown eyes.
'Richardson sent up that report yet?'
'No, sir. Shall I get on to him about it?'
'It doesn't matter. Any telephone messages?'
'Miss Oscar is dealing with most of them. Mr Issacstein
wants to know if you can lunch with him at the Savoy
tomorrow.'
'Tell Miss Oscar to look in my engagement Look. If I'm not
engaged, she can ring up and accept.'
'Yes, sir.'
'By the way, Eversleigh, you might ring up a number for me
now. Look it up in the book. Mrs Revel, 487 Pont Street.'
'Yes, sir.'
Bill seized the telephone book, ran an unseeing eye down a
column of M's, shut the book with a bang and moved to the
instrument on the desk. With his hand upon it, he paused, as
thoullh in sudden recollection.
'Oh, I say, sir, I've just remembered. Her line's out of order.

27


Mrs Revel's, I mean. I was trying to ring her up just now.'
George Lomax frowned.

'Annoying,' he said, 'distinctly annoying.' He tapped the
table undecidedly.

'If it's anything important, sir, perhaps I might go round
there now in a taxi. She is sure to be in at this time in the
morning.'

George Lomax hesitated, pondering the matter. Bill waited
expectantly, poised for instant flight, should the reply be
favourable.

'Perhaps that would be the best plan,' said Lomax at last.
'Very well, then, take a taxi there, and ask Mrs Revel if she will
be at home this afternoon at four o'clock as I am very anxious

to see her about an important matter.'

'Right, sir.'

Bill seized his hat and departed.

Ten minutes later, a taxi deposited him at 487 Pont Street
He rang the bell and executed a loud rat-tat on the knocker.
The door was opened by a grave functionary to whom Bill

nodded with the ease of long acquaintance.

'Morning, Chilvers, Mrs Revel in?'

'I believe, sir, that she is just going out.'

'Is that you, Bill?' called a voice over the banisters. 'I
thought I recognized that muscular knock. Come up and talk
to me.'

Bill looired up at the face that was laughing down on him,
and which was always inclined to reduce him - and not him
alone - to a state of babbling incoherency. He took the stairs
two at a time and clasped Virginia Revel's outstretched hands
tightly in hi.

'Hullo, Virginia!'

'Hullo, Bill!'

Charm is a very peculiar thing; hundreds of young women,
some of them more beautiful than Virginia Revel, might have
said 'Hullo, Bill,' with exactly the same intonation, and yet
have produced no effect whatever. But those two simple worda,
uttered by Virginia, had the mot intoxicating effect upon
Bill.

Virginia Revel was just twenty-seven. She was tall and of an
exquisite slimness - indeed, a poem might have been written to
her slimness, it was so exquisitely proportioned. Her hair was
of real bronze, with the Greenish tint in i gold; she had a

28


determined little chin, a lovely nose, slanting blue eyes that
showed a gleam of deepest cornflower between the half-closed
lids, and a delicious and quite indescribable mouth that tilted
ever so slightly at one corner in what is known as 'the signature
of Venus'.. It was a wonderfully expressive face, and there was
a sort of radiant vitality about her that always challenged
attention. It would have been quite impossible ever to ignore
Virginia Revel.

She drew Bill into the small drawing-room which was all
pale mauve and green and yellow, like crocuses surprised in a
meadow.

'Bill, darling,' said Virginia, 'isn't the Foreign Office missing

you? I thought they couldn't get on without you.'
'I've brought a message for you from Codders.'
Thus irreverently did Bill allude to his chief.

'And by the way, Virginia, in case he asks, remember that

your telephone was out of order this morning.'

'But it hasn't been.'

'I know that. But I said it was.'

'Why? Enlighten me as to this Foreign Office touch.' Bill
threw her a reproachful glance.

'$o that I could get here and see you, of course.'

'Oh, darling Bill, how dense of mel And how perfectly sweet
of you?

'Chilvers said you were going out.'

'So I was - to $1oane Street. There's a place there where

they've got a perfectly wonderful new hip band.'

'A hip band?'

'Yes, Bi!l, H-I-P hip, B-A-N-D band. A band to confine the
hips. You wear it next the skin.'

'I blush for you Virginia. You shouldn't describe your
underwear to a young man to whom you are not related. It isn't
delicate.'

'But, Bill dear, there's nothing indelicate about hips. We've
all got hips - although we poor women are trying awfully hard
to pretend we haven't. This hip band is made of red rubber
and comes to just above the knees, and it's simply impossible
to walk in it.'

'How awful!' said Bill. 'Why do you do it?'

'Oh, because it gives one such a noble feeling to suffer for
one's silhouette. But don't let's talk about my hip band. Give
me George's message.'


29


'He wants to know whether you'll be in at four o'clock this
afternoon.'

'I shan't. I shall be at Ranelagh. Why this sort of formal call?

Is he going to propose to me, do you think?'

'I shouldn't wonder.'

'Because, if so, you can tell him that I mttch prefer men who

propose on impulse.'

'Like me?'

'It's not an impulse with you, Bill. It's habit.'

'Virginia, won't you ever--'

'No, no, no, Bill. I won't have it in the morning before lunch.
Do try and think of me as a nice motherly person approaching

middle age who has your interests thoroughly at heart.'
'Virginia, I do love you so.'

'I know, Bill, I know. And I simply love being loved. Isn't it
wicked and dreadful of mt? I should like every nice man in the
world to be in love with me.'

'Most of them are, I expect,' said Bill gloomily.

'But I hope George isn't in love with me. I don't think he can

be. He's so wedded to his career. What else did he say?'

'Just that it was very important.'

'Bill, I'm getting intrigued. The things that Gebrge thinks
important are so awfully limited. I think I must chuck Ran-elagh.
After all, I can go to Ranelagh any day. Tell George that

I shall be awaiting him meekly at four o'clock.'

Bill looked at his wristwatch.

'It seems hardl/worthwhile to go back before lunch. Come
out and chew something, Virginia.'

'I'm going out to lunch somewhere or other.'

'That doesn't matter. Make a day of it, and chuck everything
all round.'

'It would be rather nice,' said Virginia, smiling at him.

'Virginia, you're a darling. Tell me, you do like me rather,
don't you? Better than other people.'

'Bill, I adore you. If I had to marry someone - simply had to
- I mean if it was in a book and a wicked mandarin said to me,
"Marry someone or die by slow torture," I should choose you
at once - I should indeed. I should say, "Give me little
Bill."'

'Well, then--'

'Yes, but I haven't got to marry anyone. I love being a
wicked widow.'


3°


'You could do all the same things still. Go about, and all
that. You'd hardly notice me about the house.'
'Bill, you don't understand. I'm the kind of person who
marries enthusiastically if they marry at alL'
Bill gave a hollow groan.
'I shall shoot myself one of these days, I expect,' he murmured
gloomily.
eno, you won't, Bill darling. You'll take a pretty girl out to
supper- like you did the night before last.'
Mr Eversleigh was momentarily confused.
'If you mean Dorothy Kirkpatrick, the girl who's in Hooks
and Eyes, I - well, dash it all, he's a thoroughly nice girl,
straight as they make 'em. There was no harm in it.'
'Bill darling, of course there wasn't. I love you to .enjoy
yourself. But don't pretend to be dying of a broken heart,
that's all.'
Mr Eversleigh recovered his dignity.
'You don't understand at all, Virginia,' he said severely. Then --'
'Are polygamous! I know they are. Sometimes I have a
shrewd suspicion that I am polyandrous. If you really love me,
Bill, take me out tolunch quickly.'

CHAPTER V

FIRST NIGHT IN LONDON

THERE is often a flaw in the best-laid plans. George Lomax had
made one mistake - there was a weak spot in his preparations.
The weak spot was Bill.
Bill Eversleigh was an extremely nice lad. He was a good
cricketer and a scratch golfer, he had pleasant manners, and an
amiable disposition, but his position in the Foreiln Office had
been gained, not by brains, but by good connexaons. For the
work he had to do he was quite suitable. He was more or less
George's dog. He did no responsible or brainy work. His part
was to be constantly at George's elbow, to interview unimportant
people whom George didn't want to see, to run
errands, and generally to make himself useful. All this Bill
carried out faithfully enough. When George was absent, Bill

31


stretched himself out in the biggest chair and read the sporting
news, and in so doing he was merely carrying out a time-honoured
tradition.

Being accustomed to send Bill on errands, George had dis-patched
him to the Union Castle offices to find out when the
Granarth Castle was due in. Now, in common with most well-educated
young Englishmen, Bill had a pleasant but quite in-audible
voice. Any elocution master would have found fault
with his pronunciation of the word Granarth. It might have
been anything. The clerk took it to be Carnfrae.

The Carn[rae Gastle was due in on the following Thursday.
He said so. Bill thanked him and went out. George Lomax
accepted the information and laid his plans accordingly. He
knew nothing about Union Castle liners, and took it for
granted that James McGrath would duly arrive on Thurs-day.

Therefore, at the moment he was buttonholing Lord Cater-ham
on the steps of the club on Wednesday morning, he would
have been greatly surprised to learn that the Granarth Gastle
had docked at Southampton the preceding afternoon. At two
o'clock that afternoon Anthony Cade, travelling under the
name of Jimmy McGrath, stepped out of the boat train at
Waterloo, hailed a taxi, and after a moment's hesitation,
ordered the driver to proceed to the Blitz Hotel.

One rmght as well be comfortable, smd Anthony to hunself
as he looked with some interest out of the taxi windows.

It was exactly fourteen years since he had been in London.
He arrived at the hotel, booked a room, and then went for a
short stroll along the Embankment. It was rather pleasant to be
back in London again. Everything was changed of course.
There had been a little restaurant there - just past B!ackfriars
Bridge - where he had dined fairly often, in company with
other earnest lads. He had been a Socialist then, and worn a
flowing red tie. Young - very young.

He retraced his steps back to the Blitz. Just as he was cross-ing
the road, a man jostled against him, nearly making him lose
his balance. They both recovered themselves, and the man
muttered an apology, his eyes scanning Anthony's face nar-rowly.
He was a short, thick-set man of the working classes,
with something foreign in his appearance.

Anthony went on into the hotel, wondering, as he did so,
what had inspired that searching glance. Nothing in it prob

3a


ably. The deep tan of his face was somewhat unusual looking
amongst these pallid Londoners and it had attracted the
fellow's attention. He went up to his room and, led by a sudden
impulse, crossed to the looking-glass and stood studying his
face in it. Of the few friends of the old days - just a chosen few
- was it likely that any of them would recognize him now if
they were to meet him face to face? He shook his head
slowly.
When he had left London he had been just eighteen - a fair,
slightly chubby boy, with a misleadingly seraphic expression.
Small chance that that boy would be recognized in the lean,
brown-faced man with the quizzical expression.
The telephone beside the bed rang, and Anthony crossed to
the receiver.
'Hullo!'
The voice of the desk clerk answered him.
'Mr James McGrath?'
'Speaking.'
'A gentleman has called to see you.'
Anthony was rather astonished.
'To see me?'
'Yes, sir, a foreign gentleman.'
'What's his name?'
There was a slight pause, and then the clerk said:
'I will send up a page-boy with his card.'
Anthony replaced the receiver and waited. In a few minutes
there was a knock on the door and a small page appeared bearing
a card upon a salver.
Anthony took it. The following was the name engraved upon
it.

Baron Lolopretjayl

He now fully appreciated the desk clerk's pause.
For a moment or two he stood studying the card, and then
made up his mind.
'Show the gentleman up.'
Very good, sir.'
In a few minutes the Baron Lolopretjzyl was ushered into
the room, a big man with an immense fan-like black beard and
a high, bald forehead.
He brought his heels together with a click, and bowed.

33


'Mr McGrath,' he said.

Anthony imitated his movements as nearly as possible.
'Baron,' he said. Then, drawing forward a chair, 'Pray sit
down. I have not, I think, had the pleasure of meeting you
before?'

'That is so,' agreed the Baron, seating himself. 'It is my
misfortune,' he added politely.

'And mine also,' responded Anthony, on the same note.

'Let us now to business come,' said the Baron. 'I represent in
London the Loyalist part)' of Herzoslovakia.'

'And represent it admirably, I am sure,' murmured
Anthony.

The Baron bowed in acknowledgement of the com-pliment.

'You are too kind,' he said stiffly. 'Mr McGrath, I will not
from you conceal anything. The moment has come for the
restoration of the monarchy, in abeyance since the martyrdom
of His Most Gracious Majesty King Nicholas IV of ble.ed
memory.'

'Amen,' murmured Anthony. 'I mean, hear, hear.'

'On the throne will be placed His Highness Prince Michael,
who the support of the British Government has.'

'Splendid,' said Anthony. 'It's very kind of you to tell me all
this.'

tEveryflg arranged is - when you come here to trouble
make.'

The Baron fixed him with a stem eye.
VlVIy dear Baron,' protested Anthony.

eYes, yes, I know what I am talking about. You have with

you the memoirs of the late Count Stylptitch.'

He fixed Anthony with an accusing eye.

'And if I have? What have the memoirs of Count Stylptitch
to do with Prince Michael?'

'They will cause scandals.'

'Most memoirs do that,' said Anthony sooth|ngly.

'Of many secrets he the knowledge had. Should he reveal

but the quarter of them, Europe into war plunged may be.'
'Come, come,' said Anthony. 'It can't be as bad as all that.'

'An unfavourable opinion of the Obolovitch will abroad be
spread. So democratic is the English spirit.'

'I can quite believe,' said Anthony, 'that the Obolovitch may
have been a trifle high-handed now and again. It runs in the


34


blood. But people in England expect that sort of thing from the
Balkans. I don't know why they should, but they do.'

'You do not understand,' said the Baron. 'You do not under-stand
at all. And my lips sealed are.' He sighed.

'What exactly are you afraid of?' asked Anthony.

'Until I have read the memoirs I do not know,' explained the
Baron simply. 'But there is sure to be something. These great
diplomats are always indiscreet. The apple-cart upset Will be,
as the saying goes.'

'Look here,' said Anthony kindly. 'I'm sure you're taking
altogether too pessimistic a view of the thing. I know all about
publishers - they sit on manuscripts and hatch 'em like eggs. It
will be at least a year before the thing is published.'

'Either a very deceitful or a very simple young man you are.
All is arranged for the memoirs in a Sunday newspaper to
come out immediately.'

'OhI' Anthony was somewhat taken aback. 'But you can

always deny everything,' he said hopefully.

The Baron shook his head sadly.

'No, no, through the hat you talk. Let us to business, come.
One thousand pounds you are to have, is it not so? You see, I
have the good information got.'

'I certainly congratulate the Intelligence Department of the
Loyalists.'

'Then I to you off r fifteen hundred.'

Anthony stared at him in amazement, then shook his head
ruefully.

'I'm afraid it.can't be done,' he said, with regret.

'Good. I to you offer two thousand.'

'You tempt me, Baron, you tempt me. But I still say it can't
be done.'

'Your own price name, then.'

'I'm afraid you don't understand the position. I'm perfectly
willing to believe that you are on the side of the angels, and
that these memoirs may damage your cause. Nevertheless, I've
undertaken the job, and I've got to carry it through. See? I
can't allow myself to be bought off by the other side. That kind
of thing isn't done.'

The Baron listened very attentively. At the end of Anthony's
speech he nodded his head several times.

'I see. Your honour as an Englishman it is?'

'Well, we don't put it that way ourselves,' said Anthony. 'But


35


I dare say, allowing for a difference in vocabulary, that we both
mean much the same thing.'
The Baron rose to his feet.
'For the English honour I much respect have,' he
nounced. 'We must another way try. I wish you good mom-hag.'
He drew his heels together, clicked, bowed and marched out
of the room, holding himself stiffly erect.
'Now I wonder what he meant by that,' mused Anthony.
'Was it a threat? Not that I'm in the least afraid of old Lollipop.
Rather a good name for him, that, by the way. I shall call
him Baron Lollipop.'
He took a mm or two up and down the room, undecided on
his next course of action. The date stipulated upon for delivering
the manuscript was a little over a week ahead. Today
was the 5th of October. Anthony had no intention of handing
it over before the last moment. Troth to tell, he was by now
feverishly anxious to read these memoirs. He had meant to do
so on the boat coming over, but had been hid Low with a touch
of fever, and not at all ha the mood for deciphering crabbed
and illegible handwriting, for none of the manuscript was
typed. He was now more than ever determined to see what all
the fuss was about.
There was the other job too.
On an impulse, he picked up the telephone book and looked
up the name of Revel. There were six Revels in the book:
Edward Henry Revel, surgeon, of Harley Street; and James
Revel and Co, saddlers; Lennox Revel of Abbotbury Mansions,
Hampstead; Miss Mary Revel with an address in Ealhag;
Hon Mrs Timothy Revel of 487 Pont Street; and Mrs Willis
Revel of 42 Cadogan Square. Eliminathag the saddlers and
Miss Mary Revel, that gave him four names to investigate and
there was no reason to suppose that the lady lived in
London at alll He shut up the book with a short shake of the
head.
For the moment I'll leave it to chance,' he said. *Something
usually turns up.'
The luck of the Anthony Cades of this world is perhaps in
some measure due to their own belief in it. Anthony found
what he was after not half an hour later, when he was turning
over the pages of an illustrated paper. It was a representation
of some tableaux organized by the Duchess of Perth. Below the
36


central figure a woman in Eastern dress, was the inscription:


The Hon Mrs 2'irnothy Revel as Cleopatra. Before her
marriage, Mrs Revel was the Hon Virginia Cawthron, a
daughter of Lord Edgbaston.


Anthony looked at the picture some time, slowly pursing up
his lips as though to whistle. Then he tore out the whole page,
folded it up and put it in his pocket. He went upstairs again,
unlocked his suitcase and took out the packet of letters. He
took out the folded page from his pocket and slipped it under
the string that held them together.

Then, at a sudden sound behind him, he wheeled round
sharply. A man was standing in the doorway, the kind of man
whom Anthony had fondly imagined existed only in the chorus
of a comic opera. A sinister-looking figure, with a squat brutal
head and lips drawn back in an evil grin.

'What the devil are you doing here?' asked Anthony. 'And
who let you come up?'

'I pass where I please,' said the stranger. His voice was
guttural and foreign, though his English was idiomatic
enough.

'Another dago,' thought Anthony.

'Well, get out, do you hear?' he went on aloud.

The man's eyes were fixed on the packet of letters which
Anthony had caught up.

'I will get out when you have given me what I have come
for.'

'And what's that, may I ask?'

The man took a step nearer.

'The memoirs of Count Stylptitch,' he hissed.

'It's impossible to take you seriously,' said Anthony. 'You're
so completely the stage villain. I like your get-up very much.
Who sent you here? Baron Lollipop?'

'Baron?--' The man jerked out a string of harsh-sounding
consonants.

'So that's how you pronounce it, is it? A cross between gar-gling
and barking like a dog. I don't think I could say it myself
- my throat's not made that way. I shall have to go on calling
him Lollipop. So he sent you, did he?'

But he received a vehement negative. His visitor went so far
as to spit upon the suggestion in a very realistic manner. Then

37


he drew from his pocket a sheet of paper which he threw upon
the table.

'Look,' he said. 'Look and tremble, accursed Englishman.'
Anthony looked with some interest, not troubling to fulfil
the latter part of the command. On the paper was traced the
crude design of a human hand in red.

'It looks like a hand,' he remarked. 'But, if you say so, I'm
quite prepared to admit that it's a Cubist picture of Sunset at
the North Pole.'

'It is the sign of the Comrades of the Red Hand. I am a
Comrade of the Red Hand.'

'You don't say so,' said Anthony, looking at him with much
interest. 'Are the others all like you? I don't know what the

Eugenic Society would have to say about it.'

The man snarled angrily.

'Dog,' he said. 'Worse than dog. Paid slave of an effete mon-archy.
Give me the memoirs, and you shall go unscathed. Such
is the clemency of the Brotherhood.'

'It's very kind of them, I'm sure,' said Anthony, 'but I'm
afraid that both they and you are labouring under a mis-apprehension.
My instructions are to deliver the manuscript
- not to your amiable society, but to a certain firm of pub-lishers.'

'Pah!' laughed the other. 'Do you think you will ever be
permitted to reach that office alive? Enough of this fool's talk.
Hand over the papers, or I shoot.'

He drew a revolver from his pocket and brandished it in the
air.

But there he misjudged his Anthony Cade. He was not used
to men who could act as quickly - or quicker than they could
think. Anthony did not wait to be covered by the revolver.
Almost as soon as the other got it out of his pocket, Anthony
had sprung forward and knocked it out of his hand. The force
of the blow sent the man swinging round, so that he presented
his back to his assailant.

The chance was too good to be missed. With one mighty,
well-directed kick, Anthony seht the man flying through the
doorway into the corridor, where he collapsed in a heap.

Anthony stepped out after him, but the doughty Comrade
of the Red Hand had had enough. He got nimbly to his feet
and fled down the passage. Anthony did not pursue him, but
went back into his own room.

38


'So much for the Comrades of the Red Hand,' he remarked. 'Picturesque appearance, but easily routed by direct action.
How the hell did that fellow get in, I wonder? There's one
thing that stands out pretty clearly - this isn't going to be quite
such a soft job as I thought. I've already fallen foul of both the
Loyalist and the Revolutionary parties. Soon, I suppose, the
Nationalists and the Independent Liberals will be sending up a
delegation. One thing's fixed. I start on that manuscript tonight.'
Looking at his watch, Anthony discovered that it was nearly
nine o'clock, and he decided to dine where he was. He did not
anticipate any more surprise visits, but he felt that it was up to
him to be on his guard. He had no intention of allowing his
suitcase to be rifled whilst he was downstairs in the Grill
Room. He rang the bell and asked for the menu, selected a
couple of dishes and ordered a bottle of Chambertin. The
waiter took the order and withdrew.
Whilst he was waiting for the meal to arrive, he got out the
package of manuscript and put it on the table with the
letters.
There was a knock at the door, and the walter entered with a
small table and the accessories of the meal Anthony had
strolled over to the mantelpiece. Standing there with his back
to the room, he was directly facing the mirror, and idly glancing
in it he noticed a curious thing.
The waiter's eyes were glued on the parcel of manuscript.
Shooting little glances sideways at Anthony's immovable back,
he moved softly round the table. His hands were twitching and
he kept passing his tongue over his dry lips. Anthony observed
him more closely. He was a tall man, supple like all waiters,
with a clean-shaven, mobile face. An Italian, Anthony thought,
not a Frenchman.
At the critical moment Anthony wheeled round abruptly.
The waiter started slightly, but pretended to be doing something
with the saltcellar.
'What's your name?' asked Anthony abruptly.
'Giuseppe, monsieur.'
'Italian, eh?'
'Yes, monsieur.'
Anthony spoke to him in that language, and the man
answered fluently enough. Finally Anthony dismissed him with
a nod, but all the while he was eating the excellent meal which

39


Giuseppe served to him, he was thinking rapidly.
Had he been mistaken? Was Giuseppe's interest in the parcel
just ordinary curiosity? It might be so, but remembering the
feverish intensity of me man's excitement, Anthony decided
against that theory. All the same, he was puzzled.
'Dash it all,' said Anthony to himself, 'everyone can't be
after the blasted manuscript. Perhaps I'm fancying things.'
Dinner concluded and cleared away, he applied himself to
the perusal of the memoirs. Owing to the illegibility of the late
Count's handwriting, the business was a slow one. Anthony's
yawns succeeded one another with suspicious rapidity. At the
end of the fourth chapter, he gave it up.
$o far, he had found the memoirs insufferably dull, with no
hint of scandal of any kind.
He gathered up the letters and the wrapping of the manuscript
which were lying in a heap together on the table and
locked them up in the suitcase. Then he locked the door, and as
an additional precaution put a chair against it. On the chair he
placed the water-bottle from the bathroom.
Surveying these preparations with some pride, he undressed
and got into bed. He had one more shot at the Count's memoirs,
but felt his eyelids drooping, and stuffing the manuscript
under his pillow, he switched out the light and fell asleep
almost immediately.
It must have been some four hours later that he awoke with
a start. What had awakened him he did not know - perhaps a
sound, perhaps only the consciousness of danger which in men
who have led an adventurous life is very fully developed.
For a moment he lay quite still, trying to focus his impressions.
He could hear a very stealthy rustle, and then he
became aware of a denser blackness somewhere between him
and the window - on the floor by the suitcase.
With a sudden spring, Anthony jumped out of bed, switching
the light on as he did so. A figure sprang up from where it
had been kneeling by the suitcase.
It was the waiter, Giuseppe. In his right hand gleamed a
long thin knife. He hurled himself straight upon Anthony, who
was by now fully conscious of his own danger. He was unarmed
and Giuseppe was evidently thoroughly at home with
his own weapon.
Anthony sprang to one side, and Giuseppe missed him with
the knife. The next minute the two men were rolling on the

4°


/loor together, locked in a close embrace. The whole of
,Anthony's faculties were centred on keeping a close grip of
Giuseppe's right arm so that he would be unable to use the
nife. He bent it slowly back. At the same time he felt the
Italian's other hand clutching at his windpipe, stifling hirn
v. hoking. And still, desperately, he bent the right arm back.
There was a sharp tinkle as the knife fell on the floor. At
the same time, the Italian extricated himself with a swift twist from Anthony's grasp. Anthony sprang up too, but made the
aistake of moving towards the door to cut off the other's rereat.
He saw, too late, that the chair and the water-bottle Were
,/ust as he had arranged them.
Giuseppe had entered by the wLndow, and it was the window
Ne made for now. In the instant's respite given him by
,Anthony's move towards the door, he had sprung out on the
Balcony, leaped over to the adjoining balcony and had disappeared
through the adjoining window.
Anthony knew well enough that it was of no use to pursue
im. His way of retreat was doubtless fully assured. Anthony
would merely get himself into trouble.
He walked over to the bed, thrusting his hand beneath the
illow and drawing out the memoirs. Lucky that they had been
here and not in the suitcase. He crossed over to the suitcase
hnd looked inside, meaning to take out the letters.
Then he swore softly under his breath.
The letters were gone.

THE
	GENTLE ART OF BLACKMAIL

]r was exactly five minutes to four when Virginia Revel, ren-ltd
punctual by a healthy curiosity, returned to the house in
Street. She opened the door with her latch-key, and
tepped into the hall to be immediately confronted by the im-lassive
Chilvers.
'I beg pardon, ma'am, but a - a person has called to see
OU--'.
For the moment, Virginia did not pay attention to the subtle
lhraseology whereby Chilvers cloaked his meaning.


'Mr Lomax? Where is he? In the drawing-room?'
'Oh, no, ma'am, not Mr Lomax.' Chilvers' tone was faintly
reproachful. 'A person - I was reluctant to let him in, but he
said his business was most important - connected with the late
Captain, I understood him to say. Thinking therefore that you
might wish to see him, I put him - er - in the study.'
Virginia stood thinking for a minute. She had been a widow
now for some years, and the fact that she rarely spoke of her
husband was taken by some to indicate that below her careless
demeanour was a still-aching wound. By others it was taken to
mean the exact opposite, that Virginia had never really cared
for Tim Revel, and that she found it insincere to profess a grief
she did/lot feel.
'I should have mentioned, ma'am,' continued Chilvers, 'that
the man appears to be some kind of foreigner.'
Virginia's interest heightened a little. Her husband had been
in the Diplomatic Service, and they had been together in Her-zoslovakia
just before the sensational murder of the King and
Queen. This man might probably be a Herzoslovakian, some
old servant who had fallen on evil days.
'You did quite right, Chilvers,' she said with a quick, approving
nod. 'Where did you say you put him? In the study?'
She crossed the hall with her light buoyant step, and opened
the door of the small room that flanked the dining-room.
The visitor was sitting in a chair by the fireplace. He rose on
her entrance and stood looking at her. Virginia had an excellent
memory for faces, and she was at once quite sure that she
had never seen the man before. He was tall and dark, supple in
figure, and quite unmistakably a foreigner; but she did not
think he was of Slavonic origin. She put him down as Italian or
possibly Spanish.
'You wish to see me?' she asked. 'I am Mrs Revel.'
The man did not answer for a minute or two. He was looking
her slowly over, as though appraising her narrowly. There was
a veiled insolence in his manner which she was quick to feel.
'Will you please state your business?' she said, with a touch
of impatience.
'You are Mrs Revel? Mrs Timothy Revel?'
'Yes. I told you so just now.'
Quite so. It is a good thing that you consented to see me,
Mrs Revel. Otherwise, as I told your butler, I should have been
compelled to do business with your husband.'


Virginia looked at him in astonishment, but some impulse quelled the retort that sprang to her lips. She contented herself
by remarking dryly:
'You might have found some difficulty in doing that.'
'I think not. I am very persistent. But I will come to the
point. Perhaps you recognize this?'
He flourished something in his hand. Virginia looked at it
without much interest.
'Can you tell me what it is, madame?'
'It appears to be a letter,' replied Virginia, who was by now
convinced that she had to do with a man who was mentally
unhinged.
'And perhaps you note to whom it is addressed,' said the
man significantly, holding it out to her.
'I can read,' Virginia informed him pleasantly. 'It is addressed
to a Captain O'Neill at Rue de Quenelles No $
Paris.'
The man seemed searching her face hungrily for something
he did not find.
'Will you read it, please?'
Virginia took the envelope from him, drew out the enclosure
and glanced at it, but almost immediately she stiffened and
held it out to him again.
'This is a private letter - certainly not meant for my
eyes.'
The man laughed sardonically.
'I congratulate you, Mrs Revel, on your admirable acting.
You play your part to perfection. Nevertheless, I think that
you will hardly be able to deny the signaturel'
'The signature?'
Virginia turned the letter over - and was struck dumb with
astonishment. The signature, written in a delicate slanting
hand, was Virginia Revel. Checking the exclamation of astonishment
that rose to her lips, she turned again to the beginning
of the letter and deliberately read the whole thing through.
Then she stood a minute lost in thought. The nature of the
letter made it clear enough what was in prospect.
'Well, madame?' said the man. Fhat is your name, is it
not?'
'Oh, yes,' said Virginia. 'It's my name.'
'But not my handwriting,' she might have added.
Instead she turned a dazzling smile upon her visitor.

43


'Supposing,' she said sweetly, 'we sit down and talk it
over?'

He was puzzled. Not so had he expected her to behave. His
instinct told him that she wa not afraid of him.

'First of all, I should like to know how you found me out?'
`That was easy.'

He took from his pock-t a page torn from an illustrated
paper, and handed it to her. Anthony Cade would have recog-nized
it.

She gave it back to him with a thoughtful little frown.

'I see,' she said. 'It was very easy.'

'Of course you understand, Mrs Revel, that that is not the
only letter. There are others.'

'Dear me,' said Virginia, 'I seem to have been frightfully
indiscreet.'

Again she could see that her light tone puzzled him. She was
by now thoroughly enjoying herself.

'At any rate,' she said, smiling sweetly at him, 'it's very kind
of you to call and give them back to me.'

There was a pause as he cleared his throat.

'I am a poor man, Mrs Revel,' he said at last, with a good
deal of significance in his manner.

'As such you will doubtless find it easier to enter the King-dom
of Heaven, or so I have always heard.'

I cannot afford to let you have these letters for nothing.'

'I think you are under a misapprehension. Those letters are
the property of the person who wrote them.'

'That may be the law, madame, but in this country you have
a saying "Possession is nine points of the law." And, in any
case, are you prepared to invoke the aid of the law?'

'The law is a severe one for blackmailers,' Virginia reminded
him.

'Come, Mrs Revel, I am not quite a fool. I have read these
letters - the letters of a woman to her lover, one and all breath-ing
dread of discovery by her husband. Do you want me to take
them to your husband?'

You have overlooked one possibility. Those letters were
written some years ago. Supposing that since then - I have
become a widow.'

He shook his head with confidence.

'In that case - if you had nothing to fear - you would not be
sitting here making terms with me.'


Virginia smiled.
What is your price?' she asked in a business-like manner.
'For one thousand pounds I will hand the whole packet over
to you. It is very little that I am asking there; but, you see, I do
not like the business.'
'I shouldn't dream of paying you a thousand pounds,' said
Virginia with decision.
'Madame, I never bargain. A thousand pounds, and I will
place the letters in your hands'
Virginia reflected.
'You must give me a little time to think it over. It will not b
easy for me to get such a sum together.'
'A few pounds on ac. count perhaps- say fifty - and I will car
again.'
Virginia looked up at the clock. It was five minutes past
four, and she fancied that she had heard the bell
'Very well,' she aid hurriedly. 'Come back tomorrow, but
later than this. AbOut six.'
She crossed over to a desk that stood against the wall, unlocked
one of the drawers, and took out an untidy handful of
notes.
'There is about forty pounds here.. That will have to do for
you.'
He snatched at it eagerly
'And now go at once, ple:;se,' said Virginia.
d--I-Ie ,l,e. ft.e rug?. obe,d, iently enough. Through the open
tn,r, wrgma caught a glimpse of George Lomax in the hall.
just being ushered upstairs by Chilver& As the front door:

closed, Virginia called to him

..oCo,me i, here, George. Cizilvers, bring u tea in here will
y u p/ease.
	,
	She flung open both windows, and George Lomax came into

	the room to find her standing erect with dancing eyes and

	wind-blown hair.

	'I'll shut .e,rn in a,m,nute, George, but I felt the room ought

	to be aired. a you tan over the blackmailer in the hall?'

	°I'he what?'

	'Blackmailer, George. B'L'A-C-K-M-A-I-L.E.R: black
	mailer. One who blackmails.'

	,My dear Vrgmia you can't be seriousl'

	Oh, but I am, George.'
	'

	'But who did he come here to blackmail?'

45


The, George.'
'But, my dear Virginia, what have you been doing?'
'Well, just for once, as it happens, I hadn't been doing anything.
The good gentleman mistook me for someone else.'
'You rang up the police, I suppose?'
'No, I didn't. I suppose you think I ought to have done
SO?
'Well--' George considered weightily. 'No, no, perhaps not perhaps
you acted wisely. You might be mixed up in some
unpleasant publicity in connexion with the case. You might
even have had to give evidence--'
'I should have liked that,' said Virginia. 'I would love to be
summoned, and I should like to see if judges really do make all
the rotten jokes you read about. It would be most exciting. I
was at Vine Street the other day to see about a diamond brooch
I had lost, and there was the most perfectly lovely inspector the
nicest man I ever met.'
George, as was his custom, let all irrelevancies pass.
'But what did you do about this scoundrel?'
q/qell, George, I'm afraid I let him do it.'
'Do what?'
'Blackmail me.'
George's face of horror was so poignant that Virginia had to
bite her under-lip.
'You mean - do I understand you to mean - that you did not
correct the misapprehension under which he was labouring?'
Virginia shook her head, shooting a sideways glance at
him.
'Good heavens, Virginia, you must be mad.'
'I suppose it would seem that way to you.'
'But why? In God's name, why?'
'Several reasons. To begin with, he was doing it so beautifully
- blackmailing me, I mean - I hate to interrupt an artist
when he's doing his job really well. And then, you ee, I'd
never been blackmailed--'
'I should hope not, indeed.'
'And I wanted to see what it felt like.'
'I am quite at a loss to comprehend you, Virginia.'
'I knew you wouldn't understand.'
tYou did not give him money, I hope?'
'Just a trifle,' said Virginia apologetically.
'How much?'
46


'Forty pounds.'
q/irginia I'
'My dear George, it's only what I p. ay for an evening dress.
It's just as exciting to buy a new experience as it is to buy a new
dress - more so, in fact.'
George Lomax merely shook his head, and Chilvers appearing
at that moment with the tea urn, he was saved from
having to express his outraged feelings. When tea had been
brought in, and Virginia's deft fingers were manipulating the
heavy silver teapot she spoke aain on the subject.
'I had another motive too, t./eorle - a brighter and better
one. We women are usually supposed to be cats, but at any rate
I'd done another woman a good turn this afternoon. This man
isn't likely to go off looking for another Virginia Revel. He
thinks he's found his bird allrighc Poor little devil, she was in
a blue funk when she wrote that letter. Mr Blackmailer would
have had the easiest job in his life there. Now, though he
doesn't know it, he's up against a tough proposition. Starting
with the great advantage of having led a blameless life, I shall
toy with him to his undoing - as they say in books. Guile,
George, lois of guile.'
George still shook his head.
'I don't like it,' he persisted. 'I don't like it.'
'Well, never mind, Goorge dear. You didn't come here to
talk about blackmailers. What did you come here for, by the
way? Correct answer: "To see you?' Accent on the you, and
press her hand with significance unless you happen to have
been eating heavily buttered muffin, in which case it must all be
done with the eyes.'
'I did come to see you,' replied George seriously. 'And I am
glad to find you alone.'
' "Oh, George, this is so sudden." Says she, swallowing a
CUrl'ant.
'I wanted to ask a [avour of you. I have always considered
you, Virginia, as a woman of considerable charm.'
'Oh, George!'
'And also as a woman of intelligence?
'Not really? How well the man knows me.'
'My dear Virginia, there is a young fellow arriving in England
tomorrow whom I should like you to meet.'
'All right, George, but it's your party - let that be clearly
understood.'

47


'You could, I feel sure, if you chose, exercise your considerable
charm.'
Virginia cocked her head a little on one side.
'George dear, I don't "charm" as a profession, you know.
Often I like people - and then, well, they like me. But I don't
think I could set out in cold blood to fascinate a helpless
stranger. That sort of thing isn't done, George, it really isn't.
There are professional sirens who would do it much better
than I should.'
'That is out of the question, Virginia. This young man, he is
a Canadian, by the way, of the name of McGrath--'
'"A Canadian of Scottish descent." Says she, deducing
brilliantly.'
'Is probably quite unused to the higher walks of English
society. I should like him to appreciate the charm and distinction
of a real English gentlewoman.'
Mea. ing me?'
'Exactly.'
'Why?'
'I beg your pardon?'
'I said why? You don't boom the real English gentlewoman
with every stray Canadian who sets foot upon our shores.
What is the deep idea, George? To put it vulgarly, what do you
get out of it?'
I cannot see that that concerns you, Virginia.'
'I couldn't possibly go out for an evening and fascinate
unless I knew all the why and wherefores.'
'You have a most extraordinary way of putting things, Virginia.
Anyone would think--'
'Wouldn't they? Come on, George, part with a little more
information.'
'My dear Virginia, matters are likely to be a little strained
shorfly in a certain Centrai European nation. It is important,
for reasons which are immaterial, that this - Mr - er -McGrath
should be brought to reaiize that the restoring of the
monarchy in Herzoslovakia is imperative to the peace of
Europe.'
'The part about the peace of Europe is all bosh,' said Virginia
calmly, 'but I'm all for monarchies every time, especially
for a picturesque people like the Herzoslovakians. So you're
running a king in the Herzoslovakian Stakes, are you? Who is
he?'


George was reluctant W answer, but did not see his way to
avoid the question. The interview was not going at all as he had
planned. He had foreseen Virginia as a willing, docile tool,
receiving his hints gratefully, and asking no awkward ques-tions.
This was far from being the case..She seemed deter-mined
to know all about it and this George, ever doubtful of
female discretion, was determined at all costs to avoid. He had
made a mistake. Virginia was not the woman for the part. She
might, indeed, cause serious trouble. Her account of her inter-view
with the blackmailer had caused him grave apprehension.
A most undependable creature, with no idea of treating serious
matters seriously.

'Prince Michael Obolovitch,' he replied, as Virginia was ob-viously
waiting for an answer to her question. 'But please let
that go no further.'

'Don't be absurd, George. There are all sorts of hints in the
papers already, and articles cracking up the Obolovitch dyn-asty
and talking about the murdered Nicholas IV as though he
were a cross between a dnt and a hero instead of a stupid little
man besotted by a third-rate actress.'

George winced. He was more than ever convinced that he
had made a mistake in enlisting Virginia's aid. He must stave
her of[ quickly.

`you are right, my dear Virginia,' he said hastily, as he rose
to his feet to bid her farewell. 'I should not have made the
suggestion I did to you. But we are anxious for the Dominions
to see eye to eye with us on this Herzoslovakian crisis, and
McOrath has, I believe, influence in journalistic circles. As an
ardent monarchist, and with your knowledge of the country, I

thought it a good plan for you to meet him.'

'So that's the explanation, is it?'

'Yes, but I dare say you wouldn't have cared for him.'
Virginia looked at him for a second and then she laughed.
George,' she said, ]ou're a rotten liar.'
Virginial'

'Rotten, absolutely rottenl If I had had your training, I could
have managed a better one than that - one that had a chance of
being believed. But I shall find out all about it, my poor
George. Rest assured of that. The Mystery of Mr McGrath. I
shouldn't wonder if I got a hint or two at Chimneys this week-end.'

'At Chimneys? You are going to Chimneys?'


George could not conceal his perturbation. He had hoped to
reach Lord Caterham in time for the invitation to remain unissued.
'Bundle rang up and asked me this morning.'
George made a last effort.
'Rather a dull party, I believe,' he said. 'Hardly in your line,
Virginia.'
'My poor George, why didn't you tell me the truth and trust
me? It's still not too late.'
George took her hand and dropped it again limply.
'I have told you the truth,' he said coldly, andhe said it
without a blush.
..,?hat's a better one,' said Virginia approvingly. 'But it's
suni not good enough. Cheer up, George, I shall be at Chimneys
all right, exerting my considerable charm - as you put it.
Life has become suddenly very much more amusing. First a
blackmailer, and then George in diplomatic difficulties. Will he
tell all to the beautiful woman who asks for his confidence so
pathetically? No, he will reveal nothing until the last chapter.
Goodbye, George. One last fond look before you go? No? Oh,
George, dear, don't be sulky about it!'
Virginia ran to the telephone as soon as George had departed
with a heavy gait through the front door.
She obtained the number she required and asked to speak to
Lady Eileen Brent.
'Is that you, Bundle? I'm coming to Chimneys. all right
tomorrow. What? Bore me? No, it won't. Bundle, wild horses
wouldn't keep me awayl So therel'

C"HAPTER VII

MR
	MCGRATH REFUSES AN INVITATION

TH letters were gonel
Having once made up his mind to the fact of their disappearance,
there was nothing to do but accept it. Anthony realized
very well that he could not pursue Giuseppe through the
corridors of the Blitz Hotel. To do so was to court undesired
publicity, and in all probability to fail in his object all the
$alue.


He came to the conclusion that Giuseppe had mistaken the packets of letters, enclosed as they were 'in the other wrappings,
for the memoirs themselves. Ii was likely therefore that when
he discovered his mistake he would make another attempt to
get hold of the memoirs. For this attempt Anthony intended to
be fully prepared.
Another plan that occurred to him was to advertise discreetly
for the return of the package of letters. Supposing Giuseppe
to be an emissary of the Comrades of the Red Hand, or,
which seemed to Anthony more probable, to be employed by
the Loyalist party, the letters could have no possible interest
for either employer and he would probably jump at the chance
of obtaining a small sum of money for their return.
Having thought out all this, Anthony returned to bed and
slept peacefully until morning. He did not fancy that Giuseppe
would be anxious for a second encounter that night.
Anthony got up with his plan of campaign fully thought out.
He had a good breakfast, glanced at the papers which were full
of the new discoveries of oil in Herzoslovakia, and then demanded
an interview with the manager and being Anthony
Cade, with a gift for getting his own way by means of quiet
determination he obtained what he asked for.
The manager, a Frenchman with an exquisitely suave
manner, received Him in his private office.
a/ou wished to see me, I understand, Mr - er -McGrath?'
I did. I arrived at your hotel yesterday afternoon and I had
dinner served to me in my own rooms by a waiter whose name
was Giuseppe.'
He paused.
'I dare say we have a waiter of that name,' agreed the manager
indifferently.
'I was struck by something unusual in the man's manner, but
thought nothing more of it at the time. Later, in the night, I
was awakened by the sound of someone moving softly about
the room. I switched on the light, and found this same Giuseppe
in the act of rifling my leather suitcase.'
The manager's indifference had completely disappeared
now.
But I have heard nothing of this,' he exclaimed. Nhy was I
not informed sooner?'
'The man and I had a brief struggle - he was armed with a
$x


knife, by the way. In the end he su---,-eeeded in m 'aking off by
way of the window.'
'What did you do then, Mr McGrath?'
'I examined the contents of my suit-c-ne.' 'Had anything been taken?'
'Nothing of - importance,' said Anthony *lowly.
The manager leaned back with a sigh.
'I am glad of that,' he remarked. 'But you will allow me to
say, Mr McGrath, that I do not quite understand your attitude
in the matter. You made no attempt to arouae the hotel? To
pursue the thief?'
Anthony shrugged his ahoulder.
'Nothing of value had been taken, a I tell you. I sin
aware, of course, that strictly eAling it ia a for the
police-'
He paused, and the man,,er murmured without any pr-ticular
enthusiam:
.'For the police - of courae--'
'In any case, I was fairly certain that the man would manag
to make good his ecape, and aine nothing was Udesa,
bother with the police?'
The manager miled a little.
'I see that you realize, lVlr McGrath, that I sin not t all
..qxioua to have the police called in From my point of view it ia
always disarou& If the newspape can get hold of anything
connected with a big fsshionable howl such as thi, they
run it for all it is worth, no matter how 'insignificant the real
subject may be.'
'Quite so,' agreed Anthony. 'Now I told you that nothing o
value had been taken, and that wa perfectly true ia a
Nothing of any v!ue to the thief was taken, but he got hold of
something which ia of .coderble value to me.'
'Ah?'
'Letter, you undertand.'
An expression of superhuman diacrtion, truly to be achieved
by a Frenchman, settled down upon the maner's face.
'I comprehend,' he murmured. 'But perfectly. NaturF, it
is not a matter for the police.'
'We are quite agreed upon that point. But you will umler-stand
that I have every intention of recovering thee iette. In the part of the world where I come from, people are umd to
doing things for thlve. What I require from you
Sa


fore is the fullest possible information you can give me about
this waiter, Giuseppe.'

'I see no objection to that,' said the manager after a moment
or two's pause. 'I cannot give you the information offhand, of
course, but if you will return in half an hour's time I will have
everything ready to lay before yo

'Thank you very much That will suit me admirably.'

In half an hour's time, Anthony returned to the office gain.
to find that the manager had been as good as his word. Jottea
down on a piece of paper were all the relevant fact known
about Giuseppe ManellL

'He came to tm, you ee, about three months ago. A ltilled
and experienced waiter. Has given complete satisfaction. He
has been in England about five years.'

Together the two men ran over a list of the hotels and res-taurants
where the Italian had worked. One fact ck
Anthony as being possibly of $!gnficance. At two of the hotels
in question there had been .nous robberies during the time
that Giuseppe was employed there, though no suspicion of any
kind had attached to him in either caae. Still, the fact w
significant.

Was Giuseppe merely a clever hotel thief? Had his earch of
Anthony's suitcase been only part of his habitual professional
tactics? He might just possibly have had the packet of letter in
his hand at the moment when Anthony atitched on the light,
and have shoved it into his pocket mechanically o as to have
his hands free. In that case, the thing was mere plain or gar-den
robbery.

Against that, there was to be put the man's excitement of the
evening before when he had caught sight of the papers lying on
the table. There had been no money or object of value there
such as would excite the cupidity of an ordinary thief.

No, Anthony felt convinced that Giuseppe had been acting
as a tool for me outide agency. With the information sup-plied
to him by the manager, it might be possible to learn
something about Giuseppe'8 private life and so finally track
him down. He gathered up the sheet of paper and rose.

VFhank you very much indeed. It's quite unnecessary to allk,

I suppose, whether Giuseppe is still in the hotel?'

The anager smiled.

'His bed was not slept in, and all his things have been left
behind. He must have rushed straight out after his attack upon


you. I don't think there is much chance of our seeing him
again.'

'I imagine not. Well, thank you very much indeed. I shall be
staying on here for the present.'

'I hope you will be successful in your task, but I confess that
I am rather doubtful.'

'I always hope for the best.'

One of Anthony's first proceedings was to question some of
the other waiters who had been friendly with Giuseppe, but he
obtained very little to go upon. He wrote out an advertisement
on the lines he had planned, and had it sent to five of the most
widely read newspapers. He was just about to go out and visit
the restaurant at which Giuseppe had been previously em-ployed
when the telephone rang. Anthony took up the re-ceiver.

'Hullo, what is it?'

A toneless voice replied.

'Am I speaking to Mr McGrath?'

V¥ou are. Who are you?'

'This is Messrs Baldefson and Hodgkins. Just a minute,
please. I will put you through to Mr Balderson.'

'Our worthy publishers,' thought Anthony. 'So they are get-ting
worried too, are they? They needn't. There's a week to run
still.'

A hearty voice struck suddenly upon his ear.
'Hullo[ That Mr McGrath?'
'Speaking.'

'I'm Mr Balderson of Balderson and Hodgkins. What
about that manuscript, Mr McGrath?'

'Well,' said Anthony, 'what about it?'

Everything about it. I understand, Mr McGrath, that you
have just arrived in this country from South Africa. That
being so, you can't possibly understand the position. There's
going to be trouble about that manuscript, Mr McGrath, big

trouble. Sometimes I wish we'd never said we'd handle it.'
'Indeed?'

'I assure you it's so. At present I'm anxious to get it into my
possession as quickly as possible, so as to have a couple of
copies made. Then, if the original is destroyed - well, no harm
will be done.'

'Dear me,' said Anthony.

'Yes, I expect it sounds absurd to you, Mr McGrath. But, I

54


assure you, you don't appreciate the situation. There's a determined
effort being made to prevent its ever reaching this office.
I say to you quite frankly and without humbug that if you
attempt to bring it yourself it's ten to one that you'll never get
here.'
'I doubt that,' said Anthony. 'When I want to get anywhere,
I usually do.'
'You're up against a very dangerous lot of people. I wouldn't
have believed it myself a month ago. I tell you, Mr McGrath,
we've been bribed and threatened and cajoled by one lot and
another until we don't know whether we're on our heads or our
heels. My suggestion is that you do not attempt to bring the
manuscript here. One of our people will call upon you at the
hotel and take possession of it.'
'And supposing the gang does him in?' asked Anthony.
'The responsibility would then be Ours - not yours. You
would have delivered it to our representative and obtained a
written discharge. The cheque for - er - a thousand pounds
which we are instructed to hand to you will not be available
until Wednesday next by the terms of our agreement with the
executors of the late - er - author - you know whom I mean,
but if you insist I will send my own cheque for that amount by
the messenger.'
Anthony reflected for a minute or two. He had intended to
keep the memoirs until the last day of grace, because he was
anxious to see for himself what all the fuss was about. Nevertheless,
he realized the force of the publisher's arguments.
'All right,' he aaid, with a little sigh. 'Have it your own way.
Send your man along. And if you don't mind sending that
cheque aa well I'd rather have it now, as I may be going out of
England before next Wednesday.'
'Certainly, Mr McGrath. Our representative will call upon
you first thing tomorrow morning. It will be wiser not to send
anyone direct from the office. Our Mr Holmes lives in South
London. He will call in on his way to us, and will give you a
receipt for the package. I suggt that tonight you should place
a dummy packet in the manager'a safe. Your enemies will get
to hear of this, and it will prevent any attack being made upon
your apartments tonight.'
'Very well, I will do as you direct.'
Anthony hung up the receiver with a thoughtful face.
Then he went on with his interrupted plan of seeking newa

55


of the slippery Giuseppe. He drew a complete blank, however.
Giuseppe had worked at the restaurant in question, but nobody
seemed to know anything of his private life or associates.

'But I'll get you, my lad,' murmured Anthony, between his
teeth. 'I'll get you yet. It's only a matter of time.'

His second night in London was entirely peaceful.

At nine o'clock the following morning, the card of Mr
Holmes from Messrs Balderson and Hodgkins was sent up,
and Mr Holmes followed it. A small, fair man with a quiet
manner. Anthony handed over the manuscript, and received in
exchange a cheque for a thousand pounds. Mr Holmes packed
up the manuscript in the small brown bag he carried, wished
Anthony good morning, and departed. The whole thing
seemed very tame.

'But perhaps he'll be murdered on the way there,' Anthony
murmured aloud, as he stared idly out of the window. 'I
wonder now - I very much wonder.'

He put the cheque in an envelope, enclosed a few lines of
writing with it, and sealed it up carefully. Jimmy, who had
been more or less in funds at the time of his encounter with
Anthony at Bulawayo, had advanced him a substantial sum of
money which was, as yet, practically untouched.

'If one job's done with, the other isn't,' said Anthony to
himself. 'Up to now, I've bungled it. But never say die. I think
that, suitably disguised, I shall go and have a look at 487 Pont
Street.'

He packed his belongings, went down and paid his bill, and
ordered his luggage to be put on a taxi. Suitably rewarding
those who stood in his path, most of whom had done nothing
whatever materially to add to his comfort, he was on the point
of being driven off, when a small boy rushed down the steps
with a letter.

'Just come for you, this very minute, sir.'

With a sigh, Anthony produced yet another shilling. The
taxi groaned heavily and jumped forward with a hideous crash-ing
of gears, and Anthony opened the letter.

It was rather a curious document. He had to read it four
times before he could be sure of what it was all about. Put in
plain English (the letter was not in plain English, but in the
peculiar involved style common to missives issued by govern-ment
officials) it presumed that Mr McGrath was arriving in
England from South Africa today - Thursday, it referred

56


obliquely to the memoirs of Count Stylptitch, and begged Mr
McGrath to do nothing in the matter until he had had a
confidential conversation with Mr George Lomax, and certain
other parties whose magnificence wire vaguely hinted at. It also
contained a definite invitation to go down to Chimneys as the
guest of Lord Caterham, on the following day, Friday.

A mysterious and thoroughly obscure communication.
Anthony enjoyed it very much.

'Dear old England,' he murmured affectionately. 'Two days
behind the times, as usual. Rather a pity. StiR, I can't go down
to Chimneys under false pretences. I wonder, though, if there's
an inn handy? Mr Anthony Cade might stay at the inn without
anyone being the wiser.'

He leaned out of the window, and gave new directions to the
taxi driver, who acknowledged them with a nort of con-tempt.

The taxi drew up before one of London's more obscure hos-telries.
The fare, however, was paid on a caie befitting its
point of departure.

Having booked a room in the name of Anthony Cade,
Anthony passed into a dingy writing-room, took out a sheet of
notepaper stamped with the legend Hotel Blitz, and wrote
rapidly.

He explained that hehad arrived on the preceding Tuesday,
that he had handed over the manuscript in question to Messrs
Balderson and Hodgkins, and he regretfull declined the kind
invitation of Lord Caterham as he was leavang England almost
immediately. He signed the letter 'Yours faithfully, James
McGrath.'

'And now,' said Anthony, as he aled the stamp to the
envelope. 'To business. Exit James McGrath, and Enter
Anthony Cade.'


¢I9, PTR 7Ill


A DEAD MAN


O8 that same Thursday afternoon Virginia Revel had been
playing tennis at Ranelagh. All the way back to Pont Street, as
she lay back in the long, luxurious limousine, a little smile


57


played upon her lips as she rehearsed her part in the forth-coming
interview. Of course it was within the bounds of pos-sibility
that the blackmailer might not reappear, but she felt
pretty certain that he would. She had shown herself an easy
prey. Well, perhaps this time there would be a little surprise
for himl

When the car drew up at the house, she turned to speak to
the chauffeur before going up the steps.

'How's your wife, Walton? I forgot to ask.'

'Better I think, ma'am. The doctor said he'd look in and
see her about haft past six. Will you be wanting the car
again?'

Virginia reflected for a minute.

'I shall be away for the weekend. I'm .going by the 6.40 from
Paddington, but I shan't need you again - a taxi will do for
that. I'd rather you saw the doctor. If he thinks it' would do
your wife good to go away for the weekend, take her some-where,
Walton. I'll stand the expense.'

Cutting short the man's thanks with an impatient nod of the
head, Virginia ran up the steps, delved into her bag in search
of her latch-key, remembered she hadn't got it with her, and
hastily rang the bell.

It was not answered at once, but as she waited there a young
man came up the steps. He was shabbily dressed, and carried in
his hand a sheaf of leaflets. He held one out to Virginia with
the legend on it plainly visible: 'Why Did I Serve My
Country?' In his left handhe held a collating box. , .

'I can't buy two of those awful poems in one day, smd Vir-ginia
pleadingly. 'I bought one this morning. I did, indeed,
honour bright.'

The young man threw back his head and laughed. Virginia
laughed with him. Running her eyes carelessly over him, she
thought him a more pleasing specimen than usual of London's
unemployed- She liked his brown face, and the lean hardness
of him. She went so far as to wish she had a job for him.

But at that moment the door opened, and immediately Vir-ginia
forgot all about the problem of the unemployed, for to
her astonishment the door was opened by her own maid, Elise.

'Where's Chilvers?' she demanded sharply, as she stepped
into the hall.

'But he is gone, madame, with the others.'

'What others? Gone where?'

58


'But to Datchet, madame - to the cottage, as your telegram
said.'
'My telegram?' said Virginia, utterly at sea.
'Did not madame send a telegram? Surely there can be no
mistake. It came but an hour ago.'
'I never sent any telegram. What did it say?'
'I believe it is still on the table/fi-bas.'
tlise retired, pouncing upon it, and brought it to her mistress
in triumph.
'lzo//a, madamel'
The telegram was addressed to Chilvers and ran as
follows:
'Please take household down to cottage at once, and make
preparations for weekend party there. Catch 5.49 train.'
There was nothing unusual about it, it was just the sort of
message she herself had frequently sent before, when she had
arranged a party at her riverside bungalow on the spur of the
moment. She always took the whole household down, leaving
an old woman as caretaker. Chilvers would not have seen anything
wrong with the message, and like a good servant had
carried out his orders faithfully enough.
The, I remained,' explained Elise, 'knowing that madame
would wish me to pack for her.'
'It's a silly hoax,' cried Virginia, flinging down the telegram
angrily. 'You know perfectly well, Elise, that I am going to
Chimneys. I told you so this morning.'
'I thought madame had changed her mind. Sometimes that
does happen, does it not, madame?'
Virginia admitted the truth of the accusation with a half-smile.
She was busy trying to find a reason for this extraordinary
practical joke. Elise put forward a suggestion.
'Mort Dieu? she cried, clasping her hands. 'If it should be
the malefactors, the thievesl They send the bogus telegram and
get the doraestiques all out of the house, and then they rob it.'
'I suppose that might be it,' said Virginia doubtfully.
'Yes, yes madame, that is without a doubt. Every day you
read in the papers of such things. Madame will ring up the
police at once - at once - before they arrive and cut our
throats.'
'Don't get so excited, Elise. They won't come and cut our
throats at six o'clock in the afternoon.'

59


'Madame, I implore you, let me run out and fetch a policeman
now, at once.'
'What on earth for? Don't be filly, Elise. Go up and pack my
things for Chimneys, if you haven't already done it. The new
Cailleaux evening dress, and the white cr&pe marocain, and yes,
the black velvet - black velvet is so political, is it not?'
'Madame looks ravishing in the eau de nil satin,' suggested
Elise, her professional instincts reasserting themselves.
'No, I won't take that. Hurry up, Elise, there's a good girl.
We've got very little time. I'll send a wire to Chilvers at Dat-chet,
and I'll speak to the policeman on the beat as we go out
and tell him to keep an eye on the place. Don't start rolling
your eyes again, Elise - if you get so frightened before anything
has happened, what would you do if a man jumped out
from some dark corner and stuck a knife into you?'
Elise gave vent to a shrill squeak, and beat a speedy retreat
up the stairs, darting nervous glances over her shoulder as she
went.
Virginia made a face at her retreating back, and crossed the
hall to the little study where the telephone was. Elise's suggestion
of ringing up the police station seemed to her a good
one, and she intended to act upon it without any further
delay.
She opened the study door and crossed to the telephone.
Then, with her hand on the receiver, she stopped. A man was
sitting in the big armchair, sitting in a curious huddled position.
In the stress of the moment, she had forgotten all about
her expected visitor. Apparently he had fallen asleep whilst
waiting for her.
She came right up to the chair, a slightly mischievous smile
upon her face. And then suddenly the smile faded.
The man was not asleep. He tas dead.
She knew it at once, knew it instinctively even before her
eyes had seen and noted the small shining pistol lying on the
floor, the little-singed hole just above the heart with the dark
stain round it, and the horrible dropped jaw.
She stood quite still, her hands pressed to her sides. In the
silence she heard Elise running down the stairs.
'Madame! Madamel'
vVell, what is it?'
She moved quickly to the door. Her whole instinct was to
conceal what had happened - for the moment anyway - from
60


Elise. Elise would promptly go into hysterics, she knew that
well enough, and she felt a great need for calm and quiet in
which to think things out. '
qVIadame, would it not be better if I should draw the chain
across the door? These malefactors, at any minute they may

res, if you like. Anything you like.' '
She heard the rattle of the chain, and then -Elise running
upstairs again, and drew a long breath of relief.
She looked at the man in the chair and then at the telephone.
Her course was quite clear, she must ring up the police at

But still she did not do so. She stood quite still, paralysed
with horror and with a host of conflicting ideas rushing
through her brain. The bogus telegraml Had it something to
do with this? Supposing Ellse had not stayed behind? She
would have let herself in - that is, presuming she had had her
latch-key with her as usual to find herself alone in the house
with a murdered man-a man whom she had permitted to
blackmail her on a former occasion. Of course she had an
planation of that; but thinking of that explanation she was not

ite easy her mind. She remembered how frankly incred~
e George had found it. Would other people think the same?
Those letters now-of course, she hadn't written them, but
would it be so easy to prove that?
She put her hands on her forehead, squeezing them tight
together.
'I must think,' said Virginia. if simply must think.'
Who had let the man in? Surely not Elise. If she had done
so, she would have been sure to have mentioned the fact at
once. The whole thing seemed more and more mysterious as
she thought about it. There was really only one thing to be
done - ring up the police.
She stretched out her hand to the telephone, and suddenly
she thought of George. A man - that was what she wanted - an
ordln, ary level-headed, unemotional. . man who would see things
an their proper proportaon and point out to her the best course to taste.
Then she shook her head. Tot George. The -rst thing George would think of would be his own position. He would
hate being mixed up in this kind of business. George wouldn't
do at all.
6x


Then her face softened. Bill, of course! Without more ado,
she rang up Bill.
She was informed that he had left half an hour ago for
Chimneys.
'Oh, damnl' cried Virginia, jamming down the receiver. It
was horrible to be shut up with a dead body and to have no one
to speak to.
And at that minute the front-door bell rang.
Virginia jumped. In a few minutes it rang again. IF. llse, she
knew, was upstairs packing and wouldn't hear it.
Virginia went out in the hall, drew back the chain, and undid all the bolts that Elise had fastened in her zeal. Then, with a
long breath, she threw open the door. On the steps was the
unemployed young man.
Virginia plunged headlong with a relief born of overstrung nel'ves.
'Come in,' she said. 'I think perhaps I've got a job for yOU.'
She took him into the dining-room, pulled forward a chair for him, sat herself facing him, and stared at him very at-tentlvely.
'Excuse me,' she said, but are you - I mean--'
"Eton and Oxford,' said the young man. 'That's what you
wanted to ask me, wasn't it?'
'Something of the kind,' admitted Virginia.
'Come down on the world entirely through my own incapacity
to stick to regular work. This isn't regular work you're
offering me, I hope?'
A smile hovered for a moment on her lips.
'It's very irre;ular.'
'Good,' said the young man in a tone of satisfaction.
Virginia noted his bronzed face and long lean body with
approval.
'You see,' she explained. 'I'm in rather a hole, and most of
my friends are - well, rather high up. They've all got something
to lose.'
'I've nothing whatever to lose. So go ahead. What's the
trouble?'
'There's a dead man in the next room,' said Virginia. Ie's
been murdered, and I don't know what to do about it.'
She blured out the words as simply as a child might have
done. The young man went up enormously in her estimation by
6z


the way he accepted her statement. He might have been used to
hearing a similar announcement made every, day of his life.
'Excellent,' he said, with a trace of enthusiasm. 'I've always
wanted to do a bit of amateur detective work. Shall we go and
view the body, or will you give me the facta first?'
'I think I'd better give you the facts.' She paused for a
moment to consider how best to condense her story, and then
began, speaking quietly and concisely:
'This man came to the house for the first time yesterday and
asked to see me. He had certain letter with him - love letters,
signed with my name--'
'But will. weren't written by you,' put in the young man
quietly.
Virginia looked at him in some astonishment.
'How did you know that?'
'Oh, I dduced it. But go on.'
'He wanted to blackmail me - and I - well, I don't know if
you'll understand, but I - let him.'
She looked at him appealingly, and he nodded his head reassuringly.
'Of course I understand. You wanted to see what it felt
like.'
'How frightfully clever of youl That's just what I did
feel.'
'I am clever,' said the young man modestly. 'But, mind you,
very few people would understand that point of view. Most
people, you see, haven't got any imagination.'
'I suppose that's so. I told this man to come back today - at
six o'clock. I arrived home from Ranelagh to find that a bogus
telegram had got all the servants except my maid out of the
house. Then I walked into the study and found the man
shot.'
'Who let him in?'
'I don't know. I think if my maid had done so she would
have told me.'
'Does she know what had happened?'
'I have told her nothing.'
The young man nodded, and rose to his feet.
'And now to view the body,' he said briskly. 'But I'll tell you
this - on the whole it's always best to tell the truth. One lie
involves you in such a lot of lies - and continuous lying is so
monotonous.'

63


VFhen you advise me to ring up the police?'
'Probably. But we'll just have a look at the fellow first.'
Virginia led the way out of the room. On the threshold she
paused, looking back at him.
'By the way,' she said, 'you haven't told me your name
yet?'
'My name? My name's Anthony Cade.'

ANTHONY DISPOSES OF A BODY

Armor followed Virginia out of the room, smiling a little to
himself. Events had taken quite an unexpected turn. But as he
bent over the figure in the chair he grew grave again.
'He's still warm,' he said sharply. 'He was killed less than
half an hour ago.'
'Just before I came in?'
'Exactly.'
He stood upright, drawing his brows together in a frown.
Then he asked a question of which Virginia did not at once see
the drift:
'Your maid's not been in this room, of course?'
go.'
'Does she know that you've been into it?'
'Why - ye I came to the door to speak to her.'
'After you'd found the body?'

'And you said nothing?'
Would it have been better if I had? I thought she would go
into hysterics - she's French, you know, and easily upset - I
wanted to think over the best thing to do.'
Anthony nodded, but did not speak.
'You think it a pity, I can see?'
vvVell, it was rather unfortunate, Mrs Revel. If you and the
maid had discovered the body together, immediately on your
return, it would have simplified matters very much. The man
would then definitely have been shot before your return to the
house.'
qNhilst now they might say he was shot a/ret - I see--'


He watched her taking in the idea, and was confirmed in his
first impression of her formed when she had spoken to him on
the steps out. side. Besid beauty, she posaed courage and
brain.

Virginia was so engrossed in the puzzle presented to her that
it did not occur to her to wonder at this strange man's ready
use of her name.

%Vhy didn't Elise hear the shot, I wonder?' she mur-mured.

Anthony pointed to the open window, as a loud backfire
came from a pasing car.

q'here you are. London's not the place to notice a pistol
shot.'

virginia turned with a little shudder to the body in the


rile looks like an Italian,' she remarked curiously.
q-Ie is an Italian,' said ,amthony. `i should say that his
regular profession was that of a waiter. He only did black-mailing
in his spare time. His name might very pozaibly be
Giuseppe.'

'Good heavensI' cried Virginia. 'Is this Sherlock Holmes?'
rNo,' said Anthony regretfully. 'I'm afraid it's just plain or
garden cheating. I'll tell you all about it presently. Now you say
this man showed you some lettera and aaked you for money.

Did you give him any?'
/'es, I did.'
'How much?'
Forty pounds.'

q'hat's bad,' said Anthony, but without manLting any
undue aurprise, enow let's have a look at the telegram.'

Virginia picked it up from the table and gave it to him: She

asw his face grow grave as he looked at it.

'Ill/hat's the matter?'

He held it out, pointing silently to the place of origin.

'Barnes,' he said. 'And you were at Ranelagh this afternoon.
What's to prevent you having sent it off yourself?'

V'u,ginia felt fascinated by his words. It was as though a net
was closing tighter and tighter round her. He was forcing her
to see all the thing which she had felt dimly at the back of her
mind.

Anthony took out his handkerchief and wound it round his
hand, then he picked up the pistol.


'We criminals have to be so careful,' he said apologetically.

Suddenly she saw his whole figure stiffen. His voice, when
he spoke, had altered. It was terse and curt.
'Mrs Revel,' he said, 'have you ever seen this pistol
before?'
	'No,' said Virginia wonderingly.

	'Are you sure of that?'

	'Quite sure.'
'Have you a pistol of your own?*

	'Have you ever had one?'
	rNo, llever.*
	'You are sure of that?'

He stared at her steadily for a minute, and Virginia stared

bgck in complete surprise at his tone.

Then, with a sigh, he relaxed.

'That's odd,' he said. 'How do you account for .this?' .

He held out the pistol It was a small, dainty article, almost a

toy -'though capable of doing deadly work. Engraved on it was

the name Virginia.

'Oh, it's hnpossible!' cried Virginia.

Her sstoolshment was so genuine that Anthony could but

believe in it.

'Sit down,' he said quietly, eFhere's more .in this. than.the, re,

seemed to be first go off. To begin with, what's our hypothemsr

There are only two possible ones. There is, of course, the real

Virginia of the letters. She may have somehow or other tracked

him down, shot him, dropped the pistol, stolen the letters, and

taken herself o?: That's (.luite possible, isn't it!'
	'I supixe so, said Virginia unwillingly. .
	..
elhd .her hypothesis is a good deal more mteresung. Who
ever wished to kill Giuseppe, wished also to incriminate you
in fact, that may have been their .main o.bject. Th could t

him easily enough anywhere, but they took extraorm.,ary .pains

and trouble to get him here, and--wh.cever they .mey .anew,

all about you, your cottage at Datchet, your usual nousenoo

arrangements, and the fact that you were at Ranelagh this

afternoon: It seems an absurd question, but have you any

enemies, Mrs Revel?'

'Of course I haven't- not that kind, anyway.'


'The question is,' said Anthony, what are we going to do
now? There are two courses open to ua- A: ring up the police,
tell the whole story, and tnmt to your unassailable position in
the world and your hitherto blameless life. B: an attempt on
my part to dispose suc--re--/ully of the body. Naturally my
private inclinations urge me to B. I've always wanted to see ii I
couldn't conceal a crime with the neceary cunning, but have
had a squeamish objection to shedding blood. On the whole, I
expect A's the soundest. Then here's a sort of bowdlerized A.
Ring up the police, etc, but suppress the pistol and the b]¢lt-mailing
letters - that is, if they are on him still.'
Anthony ran rapidly through the dead man's pockets.
'He's been stripped clean,' he announced. 'There's not a
thing on him. There'll be dirty work at the crossroads over
those letters yet. Hullo, what's this? Hole in the lining - something
got caught there, torn roughly out, and a scrap of paper
left behind.'
He drew out the scrap of paper a he spoke, and brought it
over to the light. Virginia joined him.
'Pity we haven't got the rest of it,' he muttered. 'Chimneys x x.45 Thursday.- Sounds like an appointment.'
'Chimneys?' cried Virginia. 'How extraordinary?
rhy extraordinary? Rather high-toned for such a Low
fellow?'
'I'm going to Chimneys this evening. At least I was.'
Anthony wheeled round on her.
%Vhat's that? Say that. again.'
'I was going to Chimneys this evening,' repeated Virginia.
Anthony stared at her.
'I begin to ee. At least, I may be wrong - but it's an idea.
Suppose someone wanted badly to prevent your going to
Chimneys?'
qVly cousin George Lomax does,' said Virginia with a smile.
'But I -an't seriously suspect George of murder.'
Anthony. did not -*mile. He wa lost in thought.
'If you ring up the police, it goodbye to any idea of getting
to Chimneys today - or even tomorrow. And I should like you
to go to Chimneys. I fancy it will disconcert our unknown
friends. Mrs Revel, will you put yourJf in my hands?'
'It's to be Plan B, then?'
'It's to be Plan B. The first thing is to get that maid of yours
out of the house. Can you manage that?'
67


Easily.'
Virginia went out in the hall and called up the stairs.

Iadame?'
Anthony heard s rapid colloquy, and then the front door
opened and shut. Virginia came back into the room.
'She's gone. I sent her for some special scent - told her the
shop in question was open until eight. It won't be, of course.
She's to follow after me by the next train without coming back
here.'
'Good,' said Anthony spprovlngly. We can now proceed to
the disposal of the body. It's a timeworn method, but I'm
afraid I shall have to ask you if there's such a thing in the
house as a trunk?'
'Of course there is. Come down to the basement and take
your choice.'
There was a variety of trunks in the basement. Anthony
selected a solid affair of suitable size.
'I'll attend to this part of it,' he said tactfully. 'You go upstairs
and get read), to start.'
V'trginia obeyed. She slipped out of her tenni kit, put on a
soft brown travelling dress and a delightful little orange hat,
and came down to fred Anthony waiting in the hall with a
neatly strapped trunk beside him.
ri should like to tell you the story of my life,' he remarked,
but it's going to be rather a busy evening. Now this ia what
you've got to do. Call a taxi, have your luggage put on it,
including the trunk. DHve to Paddington. There have the
trunk put in the Left Luggage Office. I shall be on the platform.
As you pass me, drop the cloakroom ticket. I will pick it
up and return it to you, but in reality I shah keep it. Go on to
Cblmneys, and leave the rest to me.'
'It's awfully good of you,' asid Virginia. tit's really dreadful
of me saddling a Perfect stranger with a dead body like this.'
'I ilke it,' returned Anthony nonchalantly. 'If one of my
friends, Jimmy McGrath, were here, he'd tell you that anything
of this kind suits me down to the grouncL'
Virginia was staring at him.
%Vhat name did you say? Jimmy McGrath?'
Anthony returned her glance keenly.
Yes. Why? Have you heard of him?'
'Yes - and quite lately. 'She paused irresolutely, and then


went on. rlVlr Cade, I must talk to you. Can't you come down to
Cblmneys?'
'You'll see me before very long, Mrs Revel - I'll tell you
that. Now, exit ConZpirator A by back door .'. gly. Exit
Conspirator B in blaze of glor by front door to taxi.' .
The plan went through wthout a hitch. Anthony, having
picked up a aecond taxi, was on the platform and duly retrieved
the fallen ticket. He then departed in search of a somewhat battered
second-hand Morris Cowley which he had acquired
earlier in the day in case it should [e n-----ssary- to his plans.
Returning to Paddington in this, he handed the ticket to the
porter, who got the trunk out of the cloakroom ,nd wedged it
securely at the back of the car. Anthony drove off.
His objective now was out of London- Through Notling
Hill, Shepherd's Bo-sb, dow.. Goldhawk Road, through Brent-ford
and Homslow till he came to the long stretch of road
midway between Hounslow and Staine It was a well-frequented
road, with motors pasdug continuously. No foom*rks or
tyremarks were likely to show. Anthony stopped the. car .at a
certain spot. Getting down, he fu'st obscured the number-plate
with mud. Then, waiting until he heard no car coming in either
direction, he opened the mmr heaved out Giuseppe-'s body,
and laid it neatly down by the aide of the road, on the inside of
a curve, so that the eadlights of passing motors would not
strike on it.
Then he entered tl:e car again and drove away-The whole
business had occupied exactly one minute and ahalf. He made
a detour to the right, returning to London by way of Burnham
Beeches. There again he halted the car, and choong a giant of
the forest he deliberately climbed the huge tree. It. was something
of a feat, even for Anthony. To one of the topmost
branches he afxed a small brown-paper parcel, concellng it in
a little niche close to the bole.
'A very clever way of disposing of the pistol,' said Anthony
to himself with same approval. Everybody hunts about on the
ground, and drags ponds. But there are very few people in
England who could climb that tree.'
Next, back to London and Paddington Station. Here he left
the trunk - at the other cloakroom this time, the one on the
Arrival side. He thought longingly of such things as good rump
steaks, juicy chops, and large masses of fried potatce But he
shook his head ruefully, glancing at his wristwatch. He fed the


Morris with a fresh supply of petrol, and then took the road
once more. North this time.
It was just alter half past eleven that he brought the. car to
rest in the road adjoining the park of Chimneys. Iumpmg out
he scaled the wall easily enough, and set out. towar .d. e
house. It took blm longer than he thought, and presenuy ne
broke into a nm. A great grey mass loomed up out of the darkness-
the venerable pile of Chimneys. In the distance a stable
clock chimed the three-quarters.
x x.45 - the time mentioned on the scrap of paper. Anthony
was on the terrace now, looking up at the house. Everything
seemed dark and quiet.
They go to bed early, these politicians,' he murmured to
himself.
And suddenly a sound smote upon his ears - the sound of a
shot. Anthony spun round quickly. The sound had come from
within the house - he was sure of that. He waited a minute, but
everything was still as death. Finally he went up to one of the
long french windows from where he judged the sound that had
startled him had come. He tried the handle. It was locked. He
tried some of the other windows, listening intently all the
while. But the silence remained unbroken.
In the end he told himself that he must have imagined the
sound, or perhaps mistaken a stray shot coming from a poa cer
in the woods. He turned and retraced his steps across the
park, vaguely dissatisfied and uneasy.
He looled back at the house, and whilst he looked a light
sprang up in one of the windows on the first floor. In another
minute it went out again, and the whole place was in darkness
once more.

CHAPTER X

CHIMNEYS

INSPECTOR BADGWORTHY in his office. Time, 8.30 AM. A tall
portly man, Inspector Badgworthy, with a heavy regulation
tread. Inclined to breathe hard in moments of professional
strain. In attendance Constable Johnson, very new to the
Force, with a downy unfledged look about him, like a human
chicken.

7°


The telephone on the table rang sharply, and the inspector
took it up with his usual portentous gravity of action.
'Yes. Police station Market Basing. Inspector Badgworthy speking. What?'
Slight alteration in'the inspector's manner. As he is greater than Johnson, so others are greater than Inspector Badg-worthy.
'Speaking, my lord. I beg your pardon, my lord? I didn't
quite hear what you said?'
Long pause, during which the inspector listens, quite a variety
of expressions passing over his usually impassive countenance.
Finally he lays down the receiver, after a brief 'At
once, my lord.'
He turned to Johnson, seeming visibly swelled with import-

'From his lordship - at Chimneys- murder.'
'lVlurder,' echoed Johnson, suitably impressed.
Murder it is,' said the inspector, with great satisfaction.
%Vhy, there's never been a murder here - not that I've ever
heard of - except the time that Torn Pearse shot his
sweetheart.'
'And that, in a manner of speaking, wasn't murder at all, but
drink,' said the inspector, deprecatingly.
'He weren't hanged for it,' agreed Johnson gloomily. 'But
this is the real thing, is it, sir?'
'It is, Johnson. One of his lordship's guests, a foreign
gentleman, discovered shot. Open window, and footprintz
outside.'
'I'm sorry it were a foreigner,' said Johnson, with some
regret.
It made the murder seem less real. Foreigners, Johnson felt,
were liable to be shot.
'His lordship's in a rare taking,' continued the inspector.
%Ve'll get hold of Dr Cartwright and take him up with us right
away. I hope to goodness no one will get messing with those
footprints.'
Badgworthy was in a seventh heaven. A murder! At Chimneysl
Inspector Badgworthy in charge of the case. The police
have a clue. Sensational arrest. Promotion and kudos for the
aforementioned inspector.
'That is,' said Inspector Badgworthy to himself, 'if Scotland
Yard doesn't come butting in.'
7


The thought damped him momentarily. It seemed so extremely
likely to happen under the circumstances.
They stopped at Dr Caxtw,ighfs, and the doctor, who was a
comparatively young man, displayed a keen interest. His attitude
was almoat exactly that of Johnson.
vVhy, bless my soul,' he excl*imed. 'We haven't had a
murder here since the time of Torn Pearse.'
All three of them got into the doctor's little car, nad started
of[ briskly for Cimaeys. As they passed the local inn, the Jolly
Cricketers, the doctor noticed a man standing in the doorway.
'Stranger,' he remarked. 'Rather a nice-looking fellow.
Wonder how long he's been here, and what he's doing staying
at the Cricketers? I haven't seem him about at all He must
have arrived last night.'
-Ie didn't come by train,' sand Johnson.
Johnson's brother was the local railway porter, and Johnn
was therefore always well up in arrivals and departure.
qNho was here for Chimneys yesterday?' naked the inspector.
'Lady Eileen, she come down by the 3.4o, and two gentlemen
with her, an American .n.t and a young Army chap- neither
of them with valets. Hi lorda-hlp come down with a foreign gentleman, the one that'8 been ahot as likely as not, by the 5.4o,
and the foreign gentle-rnn's valet. Mrs Eversleigh come by the
same train. Mrs Revel came by the 7.z5, and another foreign-looking
gentleman came by it too, one with a bald head and a
hook nose. Mrs Revel's maid came by the 8.$6.'

Johnson paused, out of breath.
'And there was no one for the Cricketers?'
Johnson hook hi head.
'He mut have come by car then,' aid the inspector. 'Johnson,
mke a note to institute inquirie at the Cricketers on
your way back. We want to know all about any atrangers. He
was very sunburnt, that gentleman, l.lkely an not, he's come
from foreign parts too.'
The inspector nodded his head with great sagacity, as
though to imply that that was the sort of wide-awake man he
was - not to be caught napFing under any consideration.
The car passed in through the park gates of ChlmneyDescriptions
of that historic place can be found in any guidebook.
It is also No 3 in Historic Home: of England, price 2x:. On


Thursday, coaches come over from Middlingham and view
those portions of it which are open to the public. In view of all
these facilities, to describe Chimneys would be superfluous.
They were .received at the door by a white-headed butler
whose demeanour was perfect.
'We are not accustomed,' it seemed to say, 'to having murder
committed within them walls. But these are evil days. Let us
meet disaster with perfect calm, and pretend with our dying
breath that nothing out of the usual has occurred.'
'His lordahip,' said the butler, 'is expecting you. This way, if
you please.'
He led them to a raall cosy room which was Lord Cater-ham's
refuge from the magnificence elsewhere, and announced
them.
'The police, my lord, and Dr Cartwright.'
Lord Caterham was pacing up and down in a visibly agitated
state.
'Hal Inspector, you've turned up at last. I'm thankful for
that. How are you, Cat, right? This is the very devil of'a
business, you know. The very devil of a busine.'
And Lord Caterham, running his hands through his hair in a
frenzied fashion until it stood upright in little tufts, looked
even less like a peer of the realm than usual.
'Where's the body?' asked the doctor, in curt businesslike
fashion.
Lord Caterham turned to him as though relieved at being
sked a direct question.
'In the Council Chamber - just where it was found - I
wouldn't have it touched. I believed - er - that that was the
correct thing to do.'
'Quite right, my lord,' said the inspector approvingly.
lie produced a notebook and pencil.
'And who discovered the body? Did you?'
'Good Lord, n,' said Lord Caterham. 'You don't think I
usually get up at this unearthly hour in the morning, do you? No, a housemaid found it. She screamed a good deal, I believe.
I didn't hear her myself. Then they came to me about'it, and of
course I got up and came down - and there it was, you
know.'
'You recognized the body as that of one of your guests?'
'That's right, Inspector.'
'By name?'
73


This perfectly simple question seemed to upset Lord Cater-ham.
He opened his mouth once or twice, and then shut it
an. Finally he asked feebly:
° Do you mean - do you mean - what was his name?'

	.,-..Ls..,;,,, to tin inspiration. 'His name,was - l snomu

	as m.?ugs, ..-t,.---l!v so- Count Stanislaus.' -- . , ,

	say It was- yc,,,..-T, ffz . odd about Lord taterna, s.

	There was somemm, g ov , --..--:s --ncil and starea at
mo.,,.r that the insoector ceasea uml -- t
	--J -
h"'m'"ad.
But at th- at moment a diversion occurrcu
	ed hi hi welcome to the embarrasse.d peer. - ....
seem
	g Y - - - '	;*
the room. one was
	The
door openea ana a I/U,.-,-
:.,o .......
	d dark with an attractive ooyisn race, ana
a vc,
slim
an
	,	·
	commonl known
	mined manner. This was Lady Eileen.Bre.nt,
- ntoded to
	as Bundle,
Lord Caterham's eldest daughter, one
	the others,
and addressed her father directly.
	'I've
got him,' she announce& ......
		a moment the inslSector was
on
the point of starting
.	.... J--.'e ira-re.ion that
the young la.a.y.h, aa. cap
[orwa
cl tllzucs a r' · '
'
tured the murderer red-handed, but almost
unmecuazy ne alized that her meaning
was quite different.
	-oe's a ocd job. What
clicl
ne say
	-I''
' comin'-- 'over at once. We are to "use the utmost

	discretion".'
	Her f.,ather made a sound of annoyance.
	'That s just the
sort of
idiotic thing George Lomax would
	say. However, once he comes.
I shall wash my hands of the
	whole affair.'
	He
appeared to cheer
up a little at the prospect.
	'And the name
of the murdered man was Count Stanislaus?'

	queried the doctor.
	A lighth'mg glance
passed
between father and daughter, and
	then the former said ith
some dignity:
	'Certainly. I said so just now.'	..
	'I asked anse
Ifou didn't seem qtute
sure about it before,'
	explained cartwriht.
	There was
a
faint
twinkle
in
his
eye,
and
Lord
Caterham

	looked
at
him
reproachfully.

	'I'll
take
you
to
the
Co ncll
Chamber,' be
said
mom

	briskly.


They followed him, the inspector bringing up the' rear, and
darting sharp glances all around him as he went, much as
though he expected to find a clue in a picture frame, or behind
a door.
Lord Caterham took a key from his pocket and unlocked a
door, flinging it open. They all passed into a big room panelled
in oak, with three french windows giving on the terrace. There
was a long refectory table and a good many oak chests, and
some beautiful old chairs. On the wails were various paintings
of dead and gone Caterhams and others.
Near the left-hand wall, about halfway between the door
and the window, a man was lying on his back, his arms flung
wide.
Dr Cartwright went over and knelt down by the body. The
inspector strode across to the windows, and examined them in
turn. The centre one was closed, but not fastened. On the steps
outside were footprint leading up to the window, and a second
set going away again.
'Clear enough,' said the inspector, with a nod. 'But there
ought to be footprints on the inside as well They'd show up
plain on this parquet floor.'
'I think I can explain that,' interposed Bundle. Fhe housemaid
had polished half the floor this morning before she saw
the body. You see, it was dark when she came in here. She went
straight across to the windows, drew the curtains, and began
on the floor, and naturally didn't see the body which is hidden
from that side of the room by the table. She didn't see it until
she came right on top of it.'
The inspector nodded.
'Well,' said Lord Caterham, eager to escape. 'I'll leave you
here, Inspector. You'll be able to find me if you - er - want me.
But Mr George Lomax is coming over from Wyverne Abbey
shortly, and he'll be able to tell you far more than I could. It's
his business really. I can't explain, but he will when he comes.'
Lord Caterham beat a precipitate retreat without waiting for
a reply.
'Too bad of Lomax,' he complained. 'Letting me in for this. What's the matter, Tredwell?'
The white-haired butler was hovering deferentially at his
elbow.
'I have taken the liberty, my lord, of advancing the breakfast
75


hour as far as you are concerned. Everything is ready in the
dining-room.'
'I don't suppose for a minute I can eat anything,' said Lord
Caterham gloomily, turning his footsteps in that direction.
'Not .tot a momenL
Bundle slipped her hand through his arm, and they entered
the dining-room together. On the sideboard were half a score
of heavy silver dishes, ingeniously kept hot by patent arrangements.
'Omelet,' said Lord Caterham, lifting each lid in turn.
and bacon, kidneys, devilled bird, haddock, cold hem, cold
pheasant. I don't like any of these things, TredwelL Ask the
cook to poach me an egg, will you?'
Osrery good, mi; lord.'
Tredwell withdrew. Lord Caterhem, in an absentminded
fashion, helped himself plentifully to kidneys and bacon,
poured himsel out a cup of coffee, and sat down at the long
table. Bundle was already busy with a plateful of eggs and
bacon.
'I'm damned hungry,' said Bundle with her mouth full.
must be the excitement.'
'It's all very well for you,' complained her father. irou
young people like excitement. But I'm in a very delicate state
of health. Avoid all worry, that's what Sir Abner Willis said avoid
all worry. So easy for a man sitting in his consulting-room
in Harley Street to say that. How can I avoid worry
when that as.s Lomax lands me with a thing like this? I ought
to have been firm at the time. I ought to have put my foot
down.'
With a sad shaie of the head, Lord C. aterhem roe and
carved himself a plate of ham.
'Codder has certainly done it this time,' observed Bundle
cheerfully, rile was almost incoherent over the telephone. He'll
be here in a minute or tWO, spluttering nineteen to the dozen
about discretion and hushing it up.'
Lord Caterhem groaned at the prospect.
is he up?' he asked.
FIe told me,' replied Bundle, 'that he had been up and dlctaring
letters and memoranda ever since seven o'clock.'
'Proud of it, too,' remarked her father. 'Extraordinarily
selfish, these public men. They make their wretched secretaries
get up at the most unearthly hours in order to dictate rubbish
76


to them. If a law was passed compelling them to stop in bed
until eleven, what a benefit it would be to the nationl I
wouldn't mind so much if they didn't talk uch balderdash.
Lomax is always talking to me of my "position". As if I had
any. Who wants to be a peer nowadays?'
'Nobody,' said Bundle. They'd much rather keep a prosperous
pubhc-house.'
Tredwell reappeared silen/ly with two poached eggs in a
little silver dish which he placed on the table in front of Lord
Caterham.
What's that Tredwell?' said the latter, looking at them with
faint distaste.
rPoached eggs, my lord.'
I hate poached eggs,' said Lord Caterham peevishly.
'They're so insipid. I don't like to look at them even. Take
them away, will you, Tredwell?'
rery good, my lord.'
Tredwell and the poached eggs withdrew as silently as they
came.
'Thank God no one gets up early in this house,' remarked
Lord Caterham devoutly, tWe shall have to break this to them
when they do, I suppose.'
He sighed.
'I wonder who murdered him,' said Bundle. rand why?'
h `That's not our business, thank goodness,' said Lord Cater-arm
'That's for the police to find out. Not that Badgworthy
will ever find anything. On the whole I rather hope it was
Nosystein.'
'Meaning--'
'The all-British syndicate.'
Why should Mr Isaac. stein murder him when he'd come
down here on purpose to meet him?'
'High finance,' said Lord Caterham vaguely, rand that
reminds me, I shouldn't be at all surprised if Isaacstein wasn't
an early riser. He may blow in upon us at any minute. It's a
habit in the city. I believe that, however rich you are, you
always catch the 9. x7.'
The sound of a motor being driven at great speed was heard
through the open window.
'Codders,' cried Bundle.
Father and daughter leaned out of the window and hailed
the occupant of the car as it drew up before the entrance.


'In here, my dear fellow, in here,' cried Lord Caterham,
hastily swallowing his mouthful of hang
George had no intention of climbing in through the window.
He disappeared through the front door, and reappeared
ushered in by Tredwell, who withdrew at once.
'Have some breakfast,' said Lord Caterham, shaking 'him. by
the hand. 'What about a kidney?'
George waved the kidney aside impatiently.
'This is a terrible calamity, terrible, terrible.
'It is indeed. Some haddock?'
No, no. It must be hushed up - at all costs it must be hushed
up.'
As Bundle had prophesied, George began to splutter.
'I understand your feelings,' said Lord Caterham sympathetically.
'Try an egg and bacon, or some haddock.'
'A totally unforeseen contingency - national calamity - concessions
jeopardized--'
'Take time,' said Lord Caterharn. 'And take some food.
What you need is some food, to pull you together. Poached
eggs now? There were some poached eggs here a minute or two
ago.'
'I don't want any food,' said George. 'I've had breakfast, and
even if I hadn't had any I shouldn't want it. We must think
what is to be done. You have told no one as yet?'
°Well, there's Bundle and myself. And the local police. And
Cartwright. And all the servants of course.'
George groaned.
'Pull yourself together, my dear fellow,' said Lord Caterham
kindly.(i'I wish yoU'd have some breakfast.) You don't seem to
realize that you can't hush up a dead body. It's got to be buried
and all that sort of thing. Very unfortunate, but there it is.'
George became suddenly calm.
You are right, Caterham. You have called in the local police,
you say? That will not do. We must have Battle.'
'Battle, murder and sudden death,' inquired Lord Caterham,
with a puzzled fac
'No, no, you misunderstand me. I referred to Superintendent
Battle of Scotland Yard. A man of the utmost discretion.
He woed with' us in that deplorable business of the
Party funds.'
'What was that?' asked Lord Caterham, with some
interest.
78


But George's eye had fallen upon Bundle, as she sat half in
and half out of the window, and he remembered discretion just
in time. He rose.
We must waste no time., I must send of[ some wires at
once.s
'If you write them out, Bundle will send them through the
telephone.'
George pulled out a fountain pen and began to w,lte with
incredible rapidity. He handed he first one to Bundle, who
read it with a great deal of interest.
'Godl what a name,' she r,,mnrked. 'Baron How Much' 'Baron LolopretjzyL'
Bundle blinked.
'I've got it, but it will take some conveying to the post
or,ce,s
George continued to write. Then he handed his labours to
Bundle and addressed the master of the house:
'The best thing that you can do, Caterham--'
Yes,' said Lord Caterham apprehensively.
Is to leave everything in my hands.'
'Certainly,' said Lorc] Coterham, with alacrity. 'Just what I
was thinking myself. You'll find the police and Dr Carw,lght
in the Council Chamber. With the - er - with the body, you
know. My dear Lomax, I place Cimneys unreservedly at your
disposal. Do anything you like.'
'Thank you,' said George. 'If I should want to consult
you--'
But Lord Caterham had faded unobtrusively through the
farther door. Bundle had observed his retreat with a grim
mile.
'I'll send of those telegrams at once,she said. 'You know
your way to the Council Chamber'
'Thank you, Lady Eileen.'
George hurried from the room.


SUPERINTENDENT BA'YFLE ARRIVES


So apprehensive was Lord Caterham of being consulted by
George that he spent the whole morninl mldng a tour of his
estate. Only the pangs of hunger drew him homeward. He also
reflected that by now the worst would surely be over.

He sneaked into the house quietly by a small side door. From
there he slipped neatly into his sancOm. He flattered himself
that his entrance had not been observed, but there he was
mistaken. The watchful Tredwell let nothing escape him. He
presented himself at the door.

`you'll excuse me, my lord--'
'What is it, Tredwell?'

qVir Lomax, my lord, is anxious to see you in the library as
soon as you return.'

By this delicate method Tredwell conveyed that Lord Cater
ham
had not yet returned unle. he chose to say so.

Lord Caterham sighed, and then rose.

'I suppose it will have to be done sooner or later. In the

library, you say?'

'Yes, my lord.'

Sighing again, Lord Caterham crowed the wide spaces of his
ancestral, home, and reached the library door. The door was
locked. As he rattled the handle, it was unlocked from inside,
opened a little way, and the face of George Lomax appeared,
peering out suspiciously.

His face changed when he saw who it was.

'Ah, Caterham, come in. We were just wondering what had
become of you.'

Murmuring something vague about duties on the estate,
repairs for tenants, Lord Caterham sidled in apologetically.
There were two other men in the room. One was Colonel Mel-rose,
the chief constable. The other was a squarely built
middle-aged man with a face so singularly devoid of expression
as to be quite remarkable.

'Superintendent Battle arrived half an hour ago,' explained
George. 'He has been round with Inspector Badgworthy,.and
seen Dr Cartwright. He now wants a few facts from us.'

80


They all sat down, after Lord Caterham had greeted Melrose
and acknowledged his introduction to Superintendent
Battle.
'I need hardly tell you, Battle,' said George, 'that this is a
case in which we must use the utmost discretion-'
The superintendent nodded in an offhand manner that
rather took Lord Caterham's fancy.
'That will be all right, Mr Lomax. But no concealments
from us. I understand that the dead gentleman was called
Count Stanislans - at least, that that is the name by which the
household knew him- Now was that his real name?'
'It was not.'
q/chat was his real name?'
"Prince Michael of Herzoslovalda.'
Battle's eyes opened just a trifle, otherwise he gave no
sin.
'And what, if I may 1 the question, was the purpose of his
visit here? Just pleasure?'
'There was a further object, Battle. All this in the strictest
confidence, of course.'
/'es, yes, Mr Lomax.'
Colonel Melrose?'
Oi course.'
Well, then, Prince Miehael was here for the express purpose
of meeting Mr Herman Isaacstein. A loan was to be arranged
on ceriain terms.'
5Vhich were?'
ri do tot know the exact details. Indeed, they had not yet
been arranged. But in the event of coming to the throne, Prince
Michael pledged himself to grant certain oil concessions to
those companies in which Mr Isaac. stein is interested. The
British Goveent was p.repared to support the clslm of
Prince Michael to the throne in view of his pronounced British
sympathies.'
'Well,' said Superintendent Battle, ri don't suppose I need
go further into it than that. Prince Michael wanted the money,
Mr Isaacstein wanted oil, and the British Government was
ready to do the heavy father. Just one question. Was anyone
else alter those concessions?'
ri believe an American group of financiers had made overtures
to His Highness'
'And been turned down, eh?'
8x


But George refused to be drawn.

'Prince Michael's sympathies were entirely' pro-British,' he
repeated.

Superintendent Battle did not pre the point.

'Lord Caterham, I understand that this is what occurred
yesterday. You met Prince Michael in town and journeyed
down here in company with him; The Prince was accompanied
by his valet, a Herzoslovakian named Boris Anchoukoff, but
his equerry, Captain Andrassy, remained in town. The Prince,
on arriving, declared himself greatly fatigued, and retired to
the apa, tments set aside for him. Dinner was served to him
there, and he did not meet the other members of the house

paW]. Is that correct?'

CQuite correct.'

'This morning a housemaid discovered the body at approxi-mately
7.45 A. Dr Cartwiight examined the dead man and
found that death was the result of a bullet fired from a re-volvez.
No revolver was found, and no one in the house seems
to have heard the shot. On the other hand the dead man's
wristwatch was smashed by the fall, and marks the crime as
having been committed at exactly a quarter to twelve. Now
what time did you retire to bed last night?'

5Ve went early. Somehow or other the party didn't seem to
"go", if you know what I mean, Superintendent. We went up
about half past ten, I should say.'

'Thank you. Now I will ask you, Lord Caterham, to give me
a description of all the people staying in the house.'

'But, excuse me, I thought the fellow who did it came from
outside?'

Superintendent Battle smiled.

'I dare say he did. I dare say he did. But all the same I've
got to know who was in the house. Matter of routine, you

know?

'Well, there was Prince Michael and his valet and Mr
Herman Isaacstein. You know all about them. Then there wa
Mr Eversleigh--'

'Who works in my department,' put in George con-descendingly.

'And who was acquainted with the real reason of Prince
Michael's being here?'

'No, I should not say that,' replied George weightily.
rDoubtless he realized that something was in the wind, but I


did not think it necessary to take him fully into my

confidence.'

'I see. Will you go on, Lord Caterham ?'

'et me see, there was Mr H/ram FiAh'

%Vho is Mr Hiram Fish?'

qVlr Fish is an American. He brought over a letter of intro
duction from Mr Lucius Gott - you've heard of Lucius

Gott?'

Superintendent Battle -miled acknowledgement. Who had

not heard of Lucius C. Gott, the multimillionaire?

'He was specially anxious to see my editions. Mr. Gott's

collection is, of course, unequalled but i've got several treas
ures mysel/. This Mr Fish was an enthusiast. Mr Lomax had

suggested that I ask one or two extra people down here this

weekend to make things seem more natural, so I took the op
portunlty
of askin£ Mr Fish. That finishes the men. As for the

ladies, there is only Mrs Revel - and I expect she brought a

maid or something like that. Then there was my daughter, and

of course the children and their muses and governesses and all

the servants.'

Lord Caterhsm paused and took a breath.

`Thank you,' said the detective. .'A mere matter of routine,

but necessary as such.'

'There is no doubt, I suppose,' asked George ponderously,

'that the murderer entered by the window?' --
Battle
paused for a rinute before replying slowly.

'There were footsteps leading up to the window, and foot
steps leading away from it. A car stopped outs/de the park at

I 1.4o last night. At twelve o'clock a young man arrived at the

Jolly Cricketers in a car, and engaged a room. He put his boots

outside to be cleaned-they were very wetand muddy, as
	.
	·
	.'
	though he had been walking through the long grass m the par

	George leant forward eagerly.

	'Could not the boots be compared with the footprints?'

	'They were.'

	'Well?'

	I'hey exactly correspond.'
hat settles it,' cried George. 'We have the murderer. This
young man - what is his name, by the way?'
'At the inn he gave the name of Anthony Cade.'
'This Anthony Cade must be pursued at once, and
rested.'


'You won't need to pursue him,' said
Battle.
5Vhy?'
'Because he's still there.
'/hat?'
'Curious, isn't it)'
Colonel Melrose ered him keenly.
vVhat s in your mind, Battle? Out with it.
ri. just say it's curious, that's all Here's a young man who
ought, to cut and nm, but he doesn't cut and nm. He stays here
and gves us every facility for comparing footmarks.'
'What do you think, then?'
I don't know what to think. And that's a, very disturbing
state of mind.'
-.'D°you imagine-.' began Colonel Melrose, but broke off as
a discreet knock came at e door.
George rose and went to it. TredwelI, inwardly suffering
from having to knock st doors in this low fashion, stood
dignified upon the threshold, and addressed his master.
'Excuse me, my lord, but a gentleman wishes to see you on
urgent and important business, connected, I understand, with
this morning's trav.'
	'What's his nan,?' tsked Battle suddenly.
name, sir, is Mr Anthony Cade, b he said it wouldn't
convey anything to anybody,'
T. It .sem. ed to convelF son- ething to the four men present.
ney all sat up in varying degrees of astonishment.
	Lord Caterham began to chuckle.

	'I'm really beginng to enjoy myself Show him in, Tred-
well. Show him in at once.'
	'

Superintendent

ANTHONY TELLS HIS STORY

'Run Amowr Ctos,' announced Treclwell. 'Enter suspicious
stranger from village inn,' said Anthony.
He made his way towards Lord Caterhnm with a kind of
instinct rare in strangers. At the same time he summed up the
other three men in his own mind thus: 'x, Scotland Yard. z,


local dignitary - probably chief constable. 3, harassed gentle-man
on the verge of apoplexy - poibly connected with the
Government.'

'I must apologize,' continued Anthony, still addressing Lord
Caterham. 'For forcing my way in like this, I mean. But it was
rumoured round the Jolly Dog, or whatever the name of your
local pub may be, that you had had a murder up here, and as I
thought I might be able to throw some light upon it I came
along.'

For a moment or two, no one spoke. Superintendent Battle
because he was a man of ripe experience who knew how
infinitely better it was to let everyone else speak if they could
be persuaded upon to do so, Colonel Melrose because he was
habitually taciturn, George because he was in the habit of
having notice given him of the question, Lord Caterham be-cause
he had not the least idea of what to say. The silence of
the other three, however, and the fact that he had been directly
addressed, finally forced speech upon the last-named.

'Er- quite so- quite so,' he said nervously. qon't- you-er
- sit down'

°I'hank you,' said Anthony.

George cleared his throat portentously.

'Er - when you say you can throw light upon this matter,
you mean?--'

'I mean,' said Anthony, 'that I was trespassing upon Lord
Caterham's property (for which I hope he will forgive me) last
night at about xx.4$, and that I actually heard the shot fired. I
can at any rate fix the time of the crime for you.'

He looked round at the three in turn, his eyes resting longest
on Superintendent Battle, the impassivity of whose face he
seemed to appreciate.

'But I hardly think that that's news to you,' he added gently.
'Meaning by that, Mr Cade?' asked Battle.

'Just this. I put on shoes when I got up Chis morning. Later,
when I saked for my boots, I couldn't have them. Some nice
young constable had called round for them. So I naturally put
two and two together, and hurried up here to clear my charac-ter
if possible.'

'A very sensible move,' said Battle noncommittally.
Anthony'8 eyes twinkled a little.

'I appreciate your reticence, Inspector. It is Inspector, isn't
it?'


85


Lord Caterham interpoeed. He wa beginning to taste a
faney to Anthony.
'Super/ntendent Battle of Scotland Yard. Thi i Colonel
Melroee, our chief constable, and Mr Lomaxff
Anthony looked sharply at C, oorge.
Mr George

or r.oCerVmg a le.tter.from you yesterday.
rge stared at him-
'I
thin not,' he id coldly.
But he wihad that Mi Oar were here. Miu Ocar wrote
all his letter for hlm and remembered who they were to and
what they were about. A great man like George could not po
ib.l-y remember all thee annoying details.
u think, Mr Cade,' he hinted, 'that you were about to give - er - explanation of what you were doing in the ground
last night at
His tone said'lainly: CAnd whatever it may be, we are not
likely to believe it.'
'Yes, Mr Cade, what were you doing?' said Lord Caterham
with lively interest.
'Well,' said Anthony regretfully, 'I'm araid it's rather a long
story.'
He drew out his cigarette cae.

Caterham nodded, and Anthony lit a cigarette, and
braced himlf for the ordeal
He was aware, none better, of the peril in which he stood. In
the bort pace of twenty-four hour, he had become embroiled
in two eparate crlme. His actions in connexion with the first
would not bear looking into for a econd. After deliberately
dimg of one body, and o defeating the aims of justice, he
had arrived upon the cene of the econd crime at the exact
moment when it was being committed. For a voun m looiing
for trouble, he could hardly kave done beter. °
'South America,' thought Anthony to himmig, 'mply isn't
in it with this!'
He had already decided upon hi cour of action. He wa,
oing to tell the truth - with one trifling alteration, and one
grave suppre3aion.
'The story begin' ,aid Anthony, *abont three weeJ ago - in


Bulawayo. Mr Lomax, of course, knows where that is - outpost
of the Empire - "What do we know of England who only
England know?" all that sort of thing. I was conversing with a
friend of mine, a Mr James McGrath--'
He brought out the nam6 slowly, with a thoughtful eye on
George. George bounded in his seat and repr¢--sed an exclamarion
with difficulty.
'The upshot of our conversation was that I came to England
to carry out a little commission for Mr McGrath, who was
unable to go himself. Since the passage was booked in his
name, I travelled as James McGrath. I don't know what particular
kind of offence that was - the superintendent can tell
me, I dare say, and nm me in for so many months' hard if
necessary.'
'We'll get on with the story, i/you pleasedr,' said Battle,
but his eyes twinkled a i/ttle.
'On arrival in London I went to the Blitz Hotel, still as
]ames McGrath. My business in London was to deliver a certain
manuscript to a/rm of publishers, but lmost immediately
I received deputations from the representat/ves of two political
parties of a foreign kingdom. The methods of one were strictly
constitutional, the methods of the other were not. I dealt with
them both aceordingly. But my troubles were not over. That
night m, room was broken into, and an attempt at burglary
was maae by one of the wa/ters at the hotel.'
*That was not reported to the police, I think?' said Superintendent
Battle.
t¥ou are right. It was not. Nothing was taken, you see. But I
did report the occurrence to the manager of the hotel, and he
will con.firm my story, and tell you that the waiter in question
decamped rather abruptly in the middle of the night. The next
day, the publishers rang me up, and suggested that one of their
representatives would call upon me and receive the manuscript. I agreed to this, and the arrangement was duly carried out on
the following morning. Since I have heard nothing further, I
presume the manusenpt reached them safely. Yesterday, still
as James McGrath, I received a letter from Mr Lomax--'
Anthony paused. He was by now beginning to enjoy himself.
George shifted uneasily.
'I remember,' he murmured. 'Such s large correspondence.
The name, of course, being different, I could not be expected
to know. And I may say,' George's voice rose a little, firm in
87


assurance of moral stability, 'that I consider this - this masquerading
as another man in the highest degree improper.
I have no doubt, ,no doubt whatever that you have incurred a
severe legal penalty.'
'In this letter,' continued Anthony, unmoved, Mr Lomax
made various suggestions concerning the manuscript in my
charge. He also extended an invitation to me from Lord Cater-ham
to join the house party here.'
'Delighted to see you, my dear fellow,' said the nobleman.
Better late than never - eh?'
George frowned at him.
Superintendent Battle bent an unmoved eye upon
Anthony.
'And is that your explanation of your presence here last
night, sir?' he asked.
'Certainly not,' said Anthony warmly. %Vhen I am asked to
stay at a country house, I don't scale the wall late at night,
tramp acro the park, and try the downstairs windows. I drive
up to the front door, ring the bell and wipe my feet on the mat.
I will proceed. I replied to Mr Lomax's letter, explaining that
the manuscript had pazd out of my keeping, and therefore
regretfully declining Lord Caterham's kind invitation. But
after I had done so, I remembered something which had up till
then escaped my memory.' He paused. The moment had come
for skating over thin ice. 'I must tell you that in my struggle
with the waiter Giuseppe, I had wrested from him a small bit
of paper with some words scribbled on it. They had conveyed
nothing to me at the time, but I still had them, and the mention
of Chimneys recalled them to me. I got the torn scrap out and
looked at it. It was as I had thought. Here is the piece of paper,
gentlemen, you can see for yourselves. The words on it are "Ghimney$ i x.45 Thursday".'
Battle examined the paper attentively.
eof course,' continued Anthony, 'the word Chinmeys might
have nothing whatever to do with this house. On the other
hand, it might And undoubtedly this Giuseppe was a thieving
rascal. I made up my mind to motor down here last night,
satisfy myself that all was as it should be, put up at the inn, and
call upon Lord Caterham in the morning and put him on his
guard in case some mischief should be intended during the
weekend.'
'Quite so,' said Lord Caterham encouragingly. 'Quite so.'
88


'I was late getting here - had not allowed enough time.
Consequently I stopped the car climbed over the wall and ran
across the park. When I arrived on the terrace, the whole house
was dark and silent. I was just turning away when I heard a
shot I fancied that it came from inside the house, and I ran
back, crossed the terrace, and tried the windows. But they were
fastened, and there was no sound of any kind fra inside the
house. I waited a while, but the whole place was as still as the
grave, so I made up my mind that I had made a mistake, and
that what I had heard was a stray poacher - quite natural
conclusion to come to under the circmstances, I think.'

'Quite natural,' said Superintendent Battle expression-ls!y.

'I went on to the inn, put up as I said - and heard the news
this morning. I realized, of course, that I was a suspicious
character - bound to he under the circmtanees, and came up
here to tell my story, hoping it wasn't going to he handcuffs for

One.'

There was a pause. Colonel Melrose looked sideway at
Superintendent Battle.

'I think the story seems clear enough,' he remarked.

`yes,' said Battle. q don't think we'll he handing out any
handcuffs this morning.'

'Any questions, Battle?'

'There's one thing I'd like to know. What was this manu-script?'

He looked acro at George, and the latter replied with a
trace of unwillingness:

`The memoirs of the late Count Stylptitch. You see--'

'You needn't say anything more,' said Battle. 'I see per-fectly.'

He turned to Anthony.

'Do you know who it was that was shot, Mr Cade?'

'At the Jolly Dog it was understood to be a Count Stanislau

or some allch name,'

'Tell him? said Battle laconically to George Lomax.

George was clearly reluctant, but he was forced to speak:

'The gentleman who was staying here in 'to Count

Stanislaus was His Higtmeas Prince viiCiae as

of Her
zoslovakia.'

Anthony
whistled.

'That must be deuced awkward,' he remarked.

89


Superintendent Battle, who had been watching Anthony
closely, gave a short grunt as though astisfied of something,
and rose abruptly to his feet.
'There are one or two questions I'd like to ask Mr Cade,' he
announced. 'I'll take him into the Council Chamber with me if
I may.'
'Certainly, certainly,' said Lord Caterham. 'Take him anywhere
you like.'
Anthony and the detective went out together.
The body had been removed from the scene of the tragedy.
There was a dark stain on the floor where it had lain, but
otherwise there was nothing to suggest that a tragedy had ever
occurred. The sun poured in through the three windows,
flooding the room with light, and bringing out the mellow tone
of the old panelling. Anthony looked around him with approval
'Very nice,' he commented. 'Nothing much to beat old England,
is there?'
'Did it seem to you at first that it was in this room the shot
was fired?' asked the superintendent, not replying to Anthony's
eulogium.
%et me see.'
Anthony opened the window and went out on the terrace,
looking up at the house.
'Yes, that's the room all right,' he said. 'It'S built out, and
occupies all the corner. If the shot had been fired anywhere
else, it would have sounded from the le[t, but this was from
behind me or to the right if anything. That's why I thought of
poachers. It's at the extremity of the wing, you see.'
He stepped back across the threshold, and asked suddenly,
as though the idea had just struck him:
'But why do you ask? You know he was shot here, don't
you?'
'Ah!' said the superintendent. We never know as much as
we'd like to know. But, yes, he was shot here all right. Now you
aid something about trying the windows, didn't you?'
'Yes. They were fastened from the inside.'
'How many of them did you try?'
'All three of them.'
'Sure of that, sir?'
'I'm in the habit of being sure. Why do you ask?'
'That's a funny thing,' said the superintendent.
9°


q/qhat's a funny thing?'
'When the crime was discovered this morning, the middle
one was open - not latched, that is to say.'
'Whewl' said Anthony, sinking down on the window-seat,
and tnitlng out his cigarette case. VI'hat's rather a blow. That
opens up quite a different aspect of the case. It leaves us two
alternatives. Either he was killed by someone in the house, and
that someone unlatched the window after I had gone to make it
look like an outside job - incidentally with me as Little Willie or
else, not to mince matters, I'm lying. I dare say you incline
to the second pozsibility, but, upon my honour, you're
wrong.'
rNobody's going to leave this house until I'm thrmgh
with them, I can tell you that,' said Superintendent Battle
grony looked at him keenly.
'How long have you had the idea that it might be an inside
job?' he asked.
Battle smiled.
'I've had a notion that way all along. Your trail was a bit too - flaring, if I may put it that way. As soon as your boots fitted
the footmarks, I began to have my doubts.'
'I congratulate Scotland Yard,' said Anthony lightly.
But at that moment, the moment when Battle apparently
stlmltted Anthony's complete absence of complicity in the
crime, Anthony felt more than ever the need of being upon his
guard. Superintendent Battle was a very astute officer. It
would not do to make any slip with Superintendent Battle
about.
'That's where it happened, I suppose?' said Anthony, nodding
towards the dark patch upon the floor.

q/ghat was he shot with - a revolver?'
ryes, but we shan't know what make until they get the bullet
out at the autopsy.'
'It wasn't found, then?'
VNo, it wasn't found.'
eno clues of any kind?'
'Well, we've got this.'
Rather after the manner of a conjurer, Superintendent
Battle produced a haft-sheet of notepaper. And, as he did so,
he again watched Anthony closely without seeming to do so.

9I


But Anthony recoffnized the design upon it without any sign of consternation-
CAbal Comrades of the Red Hand again. If they're going to
scatter this sort of thin about, they ought to have it !itho-graphed.
It must be a frightful nuisance doing every one separately.
Where was t! found?'
'Underneath the body. You've seen it before, sir?'
Anthony recounted to him in detail his short encounter with
that public-spirited association.
The idea is, I suppose, that the Comrades did him in.
'Do you thi,xk it likely, sir?'
'Well, it would be in keeping with their propaganda. But I've
always found that those who tlk most about blood have never
actually seen it nm. I shouldn't have said the Comrades had
the guts myself. And they're such picturesque people too. I
don't see one of them disguising himself as a suitable guest for
a country house. Still, one never knows.'
'Quite right, Mr Cade. One never knows.'
Anthony looked suddenly amused.
'I see the big idea now. Open window, trail of footprints,
suspicious stranger at village-inn. But I can assure you, my
dear Superintendent, that whatever I am, I am not the local
agent of the Red Hand.'
Superintendent Battle smiled a little. Then he played his last
card.
'Would you have any objection to seeing the body?' he shot
out suddenly.
'None whatever,' rejoined Anthony.
Battle took a key from his pocket, and preceding Anthony
down the corridor, paused at a door and unlocked it. It was one
of the smaller drawing-rooms. The body lay on a table covered

Superintendent Battle waited until Anthony was beside him,
and then whisked away the sheet suddenly.
An eager light sprang into his eyes at the half-uttered exclamation
and the start of surprise which the other gave.
'So you do recognize him, Mr Cadet he said, in a voice that he strove to render devoid of triumph.
'I've seen him before, yes,' said Anthony, recovering hirrelf.
rBut not as Prince Michael Obolovitch. He purported to come
from Messrs Balderson and Hodgkins, and he called himself
Mr Holmes.'

92


THE AMERICAN VISITOR

SUPLI!INTEIrr BATTLB replaced the sheet with the slightly
crestfallen air of a man whose best point has fallen flat
Anthony stood with his hands in pockets lost in thought.
'So that's what old Lollipop meant when he talked about
Uother means",' he murmured at lag.
'I beg your pardon, Mr Cade?' .
'Nothing, Superintendent. Forgve m -stractlon. You ee, I.- or rather my friend, Jmmy McGrath, has been very neatly
done out of a thousand pounds.'
'A thousand pounds is a nice sum of money,' said Battle.
'It isn't the thousand pounds so much.' said Anthony,
khou-h I agree with you that it's a nice sum of money. It's being
done that maddens me. I handed over ,hat manus'ipt like
little woony lamb. It hurts, Superinten.,ent, indeed it hurts.'
The detective said nothing.
'Well, well,' said Anthony.uegre'R ts are vain, and all may
of dear old Stylptitch',
remuuscence between now and next Wednesday and all will
be gas and gaiters.'
'Would y-o,u- mind coming back to the Council Chamber, Mr
Cads? There s one little thing I want to point out to you.'
Back in the Council Chamber, the detective strle over at
once to the middle window.
'I've been thinking, Mr Cade. This particular window is
very stiff; very indeed. YOu might havebeen mistaken in
tinli,g thatk was fastened. It might just have stuck. I'm sure
- y-es, I'm bcet sure, that you were mistaken.'
Anthony eyed him keenly.
'And.supposing I say that I'm quite sure I was not?'
Don't you think you could have been?' said Battle, looking
at him very steadily.
'Well, to oblige you, Superintendent. yes.'
Battle smiled in a satisfied fashion. ' --
°lrou're quick in the uptake, sir. And you'H have no objection
to saying so, careless like, at a suitable moment?'
'one whatever. I--'

93


He paused, as Battle gripped his arm. The superintendent
was bent forward, listening.
Enjoining silence on Anthony with a gesture, he tiptoed
noiselessly to the door, and flung it suddenly open.
On the threshold stood a tall man with black hair neatly
parted in the middle, china-blue eyes with a particularly innocent
expression, and a large placid face.
/'our pardon, gentlemen,' he said in a slow drawling voice
with a pronounced transatlantic accent. 'But is it permitted to
inspect the scene of the crime? I take it that you are both
gentlemen from Scotland Yard?'
'I have not that honour,' said Anthony. ri]ut this gentleman
is Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard.'
'Is that sol' said the American gentleman, with a great ap.pearance
of interest. 'Pleased to meet you, sir. My name is
Hiram P. Fish, of New York City.'
'What was it you wanted to see, Mr Fish?' asked the detective.
The American walked gently into the room, and looked with
much interest at the dark patch on the floor.
'I am interested in crime, Mr Battle. It is one of my hobbies.
I have contributed a monograph to one of our weekly periodicals
on the subject "Degeneracy and the Criminal".'
As he spoke, his eyes went gently round the room, seeming
to note everything in it. They rested just a shade longer on the
window.
I'he body,' said Superhtendent Battle, stating a. self-evident
fact, 'has been removed.'
'Surely,' said Mr Fish. His eyes went on to the panelled
walls. 'Some remarkable pictures in this room, gentlemen. A
Holbein, two Van Dycks, and, if I am not mistaken, a Vel-azquez.
I am interested in pictures - and likewise in first editions.
It was to see his first editions that Lord Caterham was so
kind as to invite me down here.'
He sighed gently.
'I guess that's all off now. It would show a proper feeling, I
suppose, for the guests to return to town immediately?'
'I'm afraid that can't be done, sir,' said Superintendent
Battle. 'Nobody must leave the house until after the inquest.'
'Is that so? And when is the inquest?'
qVlay be tomorrow, may not be until Monday. We've got to
arrange for the autopsy and see the coroner.


'I get you,' said Mr Fish. 'Under the circumstances, though,
it will be a melancholy party.'
Battle led the way to the door.
'We'd best get out of here,' he said. 'We're keeping it locked
still.'
He waited for the other two to pass through, and then
turned the key and removed it.
'I ophoe,' said Mr Fish, 'that you are seeking for fmger-prints?'
'Maybe,' said the superintendent laconically.
'I should say too, that, on a night such as last night,
an intruder would have left footprints on the hardwood
floor.'
'None inside, plenty outside.'
'Mine,' explained Anthony cheerfully.
The innocent eyes of Mr Fish swept over him..
'Young man,' he said, 'you surprise me.'
They turned a corner, and came out into the big wide hall,
panelled like the Council Chamber in old oak, and with a wide
gallery above it. Two other figures came into sight at the far
end.
'Ahal' said Mr Fish. 'Our genial host.'
This was such a ludicrous description of Lord Caterham
that Anthony had to turn his head away to conceal a smile.
'And with him,' continued the American, 'is a lady whose
name I did not catch last night. But she is bright - she is very
bright.'
With Lord Caterham was Virginia Revel.
Anthoay had been anticipating this meefng all along. He
had no idea how to act. He must leave it to Virginia. Although
he had figl confidence in her presence of mind, he had not the
slightest idea what line she would take. He was not long left in
doubt.
qN'ny, ifs Mr Cade,' said Virginia. She held out both hands
to him. 'So you found you could come down after all?'
'My dear Mrs Revel, I had no idea Mr Cade was a friend of
yours,' said Lord Caterbam.
q-Ie'a a very old friend,' said Virginia, miling at Anthony,
with a mischievous glint in her eye. 'I ran aero him in London
unexpectedly yesterday, and told him I was coming down
her'
Anthory was quick to give her her pointer.
95


'I explained to Mrs Revel,' he said, 'that I had been forced to
refuse your kind invitation-since it had really been ex-tended
to quite a different man. And I couldn't very well foist a
perfect stranger on you under false pretences.'

'Well, well, my dear fellow,' said Lord Caterham, 'that's all
over and done with now. I'll send down to the Cricketers for
your bag.'

'It's very kind of you, Lord Caterham, but--'

'Nonsense, of course you must come to C, bimtleys. Horrible
place, the Cr/cketers - to stay in, I mean.'

'Of course you must come, Mr Cade,' said Virginia softly.
Anthony realized the altered tone of his surroundings.
Already Virginia had done much for him. He was no longer an
ambiguous stranger. Her position was so assured and unas-sailable
that anyone for whom she vouched was accepted as a
matter of course. He thought of the pistol in the tree at Bum-ham
Beeches, and miled inwardly.

'I'll send for your traps,' todd Lord Caterham to Anthony. ri

suppose, in the circumstance.s, we can't have any shooting.

	A

pity. But there it ia. And I don't know what the devil to do with
Isaac. stein. It's all very unfortunate.'

The depressed peer sighed heavily.

'Fhat's settled, then,' said Virginia. 'You can begin to be
useful right away, Mr Cade, and take me out on the lake. It's
very peaceful there and far from crime and all that sort of
thing. Isn't it awful for poor Lord Caterham having a murder
done in his house? But it's George's fault really. This ia
George's party, you know.'

'Ahl' said Lord Caterham. But I should never have listened
to him!'

He assumed the air of a strong man betrayed by a single
weakness.

'One can't help listening to George,' said 3Fu'ginia. He
always holds you so that you can't get away. I'm thinking of
patenting a detachable lapel.'

'I wish you would,' chuckled her host. 'I'm glad you're
coming to us, Cade. I need support.'

'I appreciate your kindness very much, Lord Caterham,'
said Anthony. 'Especially,' he added, when I'm such a suspi-cious
character. But my staying here makes it easier for
Battle.'

'In what way, sir?' asked the superintendent.

96


'It won't be so difficult to keep an eye on me,' explained
Anthony gently.

And by the momentary flicker of the superintendent's
eyelids he knew that his shot had gone home.


MAINLY POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL


Exc pounds for that involuntary twitch of the eyelich, Super-intendent
Battle's impasaivity was unimpaired. If he had been
surprised at Virginia's recognition of Anthony, he did not show
it. He 'and Lord Caterham stood together and watched those
two go out through the garden door. Mr Fish also watched
them.

'Nice young fellow, that,' aid Lord Caterham.

'¥urry nice for Mrs Revel to meet an old friend,' murmured
the American. 'They have been acquainted so, ne time, pre-soomably?'

'Seems so,' said Lord Caterbnm- 'But I've never heard her
mention him before. Oh, by the way, Battle, Mr Lomax has

been asking for you. He's in the Blue Morning-room.'
'ery good, Lord Caterham. I'll go there at once.'

Battle found his way to the Blue Morning-room without
difficulty. He was already familiar with the geography of the
house.

'Ah, there you are, Battle,' said Lomax.

He was striding impatiently up and down the carpet. There
was one other person in the room, a big man sitting in a chair
by the fireplace. He was dre.sed in very correct English shoot-ing
clothes which nevertheless sat strangely upon him. He had
a fat yellow face, and black eyes, as impenetrable as t.ose of a
cobra. There was a generous curve to the big nose and power
in the square lines of the vast jaw.

'Come in, Battle,' said Lomax irritably. 'And shut the door

behind you. This is Mr Herman Isaac. stein.'

Battle inclined his head respectfully.

He knew all about Mr Herman Isaac. stein, and though the
great financier sat there silent, whilst Lomax strode up and
down and talked, he knew who was the real power in the room.


97


vVe can speak more freely now,' said Lomax. 'Before Lord
Caterham and Colonel Melrose, I was anxious not to say too
much. You understand, Battle? These things mustn't get
about'
'Ah!' said Battle. 'But they always do, more's the pity.'
Just for a second he saw a trace of a -mile on the fat yellow
face. It disappeared as suddenly as it had come.
'Now, what do you really think of this young fellow - this
Anthony Cade?' continued George. rDo you still assume him to
be innocent?'
Battle shrugged his shoulders very slightly.
'He tells a straight sWry. Part of it we shall be able to verify.
On the face of it, it accounts for his presence here last night I
shall cable to South Africa, of course, for information about
his antecedents.
'Then you regard him as cleared of all complicity?'
Battle raised a large square hand.
'Not so fast, sir. I never said that'
%Vhat is your idea about the crime, Superintendent Battle?'
asked Isaacstein, Speaking for the first time.
His voice was deep and r/ch, and had a certain compelling
quality about it It had stood him in good stead at board meetings
in his younger days.
'It's rather too soon to have ideas, Mr Isaacsteim I've not
got beyond asking myself the first questiom'
°vVhat is that?'
'Oh, it's always the same. Motive. Who benefits by the death
of Prince Michael? We've got to answer that before we can get
anywhere.'
'The Revolutionary party of Herzoslovakia--' began
George.
Superintendent Battle waved Iim aside with something less
than his usual respect.
'It wasn't the Comrades of the Red Hand, sir, if you're
thinking of them?
'But the paper- with the scarlet hand on it?
rPut there to suggest the obvious solutiom'
George's dignity was a little ruffled.
'Really, Battle, I don't see how you can be so sure of that?
'Bless you, Mr Lomax, we know all about the Comrades oi
the Red Hand. We've had our eye on them ever since Prince
Michael landed in England. That sort of thing is the elemen-
98


tary work of the department. They'd never be allowed to get
within a mile of him.'

'I agree with Superintendent Battle,' said Isaac. stein. 'We
must look elsewhere.'

'You see, sir,' said Battle, encouraged by this support, %ye do
know a little about the case. If we don't know who gains by his

death, we do know who loses by it.'

'Meaning?' said Isaac. stein.

His black eyes were bent upon the detective.. More than
ever, he reminded Battle of a hooded cobra.

'You and Mr Lomax, not to mention the Loyalist party of
Herzoslovakia. If you'll pardon the expression,' sir, you're in
the soup.

'Really, Battle,' interposed George, shocked to the core.

'Go-on, Battle,' said Isaac. stein. 'In the soup describes the
situation very accurately. You're an intelligent man.'

'You've got to have a king. You've lost your king -'like that!'
He snapped his large fingers. 'You've got to find another in a
hurry, and that's not an easy job. No, I don't want to know the
details of your scheme, the bare outline is enough for me, but,
I take it, it's a big deal?'

Isaacstein bent his head slowly.

'It's a very big deal.'

'That's brings me to my second question. Who is the next
heir to the throne of Herzoslovakia?'

Isaac. stein looked across at Lomax. The latter answered the
question, with a certain reluctance, and a good deal of hesi-tation:

'That would be - I should say - yes, in all probability Princ
Nicholas would be the next heir.'

'Ah!' said Battle. 'And who is Prince Nicholas?'

'A first cousin of Prince Michael's.'

'Ahl' said Battle. 'I should like to hear all about Princ Nic-holas,
especially where he is ,t present.'

'Nothing much is known of him,' said Lomx. 'As a young
man, he was most peculiar in his ideas, consorted with Social-ists
and Republicans, and acted in a way highly unbecoming to
his position. He was sent down from Oxford, I believe, for
some wild escapade. There w-s a rumour of his death two years
later in the Congo, but it was only a rumour. He turned up a
few months ago when news of the royalist reaction got about.'

'Indeed?' said Battle. 'Where did he turn up?'


99


'In America.'
'Americal'
Battle turned to Isaacteln with one laconic word:
'Oil?'
The financier nodded.
'He rep -re-nted that if the Herzaalovakians chose a king,
they would prefer him to Prince Michael as being more in
sympathy with modern enlightened ideas, and he drew attention
to his early democratic views and his sympathy with Republican
ideal In return for tnancial support, he was
prepared to grant concesmio to a certain group of .m.rican

Superintendent Battle so far forgot is habitual
as to give vent to a prolonged whitle
'So that i it,' he muttered. 'In the meantime, the LoyA!ht
party supported Prince Michael, and you felt sure you'd come
out on top. And then happensl'
`you surely don't thhtk--' began George.
'It was a big deal,' said Battle. Mr Isactn says so. And I
should say that what he calla a big deal/. a big deaL'
I'here are nlway unscrupulous tools to be got hold of,' said Isaac. stein quietly. 'For the moment, Wall Street wins. But
they've not done with me yet. Find out who killed Prince
Michael, Superintendent Battle, if you want to do your

'One thing strikes me us highly suspicious,' put in George.
%Vhy did the equerry, C.otain Andrassy, not came down with
the Prince yesterday?'
'I've inquired into that,' said Battle. 'It's perfectly
He stayed in town to make arrangements with a certain lady,
on behalf of Prince Michael, for next weekend. The Baro=
rather frowned on such things, thlnlting them injudicious at
the present stage of affairs, so His Highneas had to go about
them in a hole-and-corner manner. He was, if I may sy so,
inclined to be a rather- er- dissipated young man.'
'I'm afraid so,' asid George Ponderously. 'Yes, I'm afraid

Fhers one other point we ought to take into account, I
think,' said Battle, spending with a certain amount of heal-tation,
qing Victor's supposed to be in England.'

Lomnx frowned in an effort at recollection.


rNotorlous French crook, sir. We've had a warning from the
Sarell in Paris.'
'Of course,' said George. 'I remember now. Jewel thief, isn't
he? Why, thafs the man--'
He broke off ahmptly. Iasacstein, who had been frowning
abstractedly at the fn'eplaee, looked up just too late to catch the
warning glance telegraphed from Superintendent Battle to the
other. But being a run sensitive to vibrations in the atmosphere,
he was conscious of a sense of strain.
'You don't want me any longer, do you, Lomax?' he inquire&
	'No, thank you, my dear fellow.'
'Would it upset your plans if I returned to London,
Superintendent Battle?'
'I'm-afraid so, sir,' said the superintendent civilly. 'You see,
if you go, ther will be others who'll want to go also. And that
would never do.'

The great financier left the room, closing the door behind
him.
'Splendid fellow, Isaacstein,' murmured George Lcmax per-functorillr.
	'Very
	powerful personality,' agreed
	Superintendent
Battle.
	George began to pace up and do,,,, gain.
'What you say disturbs me greatly/he began. 'King Vic'tort
I thought he was in prison?'
'Came out a few months ago. French police meant to keep on
his heels, but he mannged to giw them the slip straight away.
He would too. One of the coolest customers that evtu' !iwd.
For seane reason or other, they believe he's in England, and
have notified us to that effect.'
	'But what should he be doing in England?'
	rhat's for you to say, sir,' said Battle significantly.
'You mean?-- You think?-- You know the story, of course-ah,
yes, I can see you do. I was not in oflic, of course, at the
time, but I heard the whole story from the late Lord Caterbm,-An
unparalleled catastrophe.'
	q'he Koh-i-noor,' said Battle reflectively.
'Hush, Battlel' George glanced suspiciously round him. ri
beg of you, mention no names. Much better not. If you must
speak of it, call it the K.'

lOX


The superintendent looked wooden again.
'You don't connect King Victor with this crime, do you,
Battle?'
'It's just a possibility, that's all. If you cast your mind back,
sir, you'll remember that there were four places where a - er certain
royal visitor might have concealed the jewel. Cblmreys
was one of them. King Victor was arrested in Paris three daya
after the - disappearance, if I may call it that, of the lC It was
always hoped that he would some day lead ua to the jeweL'
'But Chimneys has been ransacked and overhauled a dozen times.'
'Yes,' said Battle sapiently. 'But it's never much good looking
when you don't know where to look. Only suppose now,
that this King Victor came here to look for the thing, was
surprised by Prince Michael, and shot him.'
'It's possible,' said George. A most likely solution of the
crime.'
'I wouldn't go as far as that. It's possible, but not much more.'
'Why is that?'
'Because King Victor has never been known to take a life,'
said Battle seriously.
'Oh, but a man like that - a dangerous criminal--'
But Battle shook his head in a dissatisfied manner.
'Criminals always act true to type, Mr Lomax. It's surprising.
All the same--'
'Yes?
'I'd rather like to question the Prince's servant. I've left him
purposely to the last. We'll have him in here, sir, if you don't
mind.'
George signified his assent. The superintendent rang the
bell. Tredwell answered it, and departed with his instructions.
He returned shortly accompanied by a tall fair man with
high cheekbones, and very deep-set blue eyes, and an impassivity
of countenance, which almost rivalled Battle'&
'Boris Anchoukoff?'

'You were valet to Prince Michael?'
'I was His Highness' valet, yes.'
The man spoke good English, though with a markedly harsh
foreign accent.

I02


`you know that your master was murdered last night?'

A deep snarl, like the snarl of a wild beast, was the man's
only answer. It alarmed George, who withdrew prudently
towards the window.

'When did you see your master last?'

'His Iighness retired to bed at half past ten. I slept, as
always, in the anteroom next to him. He must have gone down
to the room down,stairs by the other door, the door that gave
on the corridor. I did not hear him go. It may be that I was
drugged. I have been an unfaithful servant, I slept while my
master woke. I am accursed.'

George gazed at birn fascinated.

'You loved your master, eh/' said Baltic, watching the man
closely.

Boris' features contracted painfully. He swallowed twice.
Then his voice came, harsh with emotion.

'I say this to you, English policeman, I would have died for
himl And since he is dead, and I still live, my eyes shall not
know sleep, or my heart rest, until I have avenged him Like a
do§ will I nose out his murderer and when I have discovered
him-- Ahl' His eyes lit Ulx Suddenly he drew an immense knife
from beneath his coat and brandished it aloft. 'Not all at once
will I kill him - oh nol - first I will slit his nose, and cut off his
ears and put out his eyes, and then - then, into his black heart,
I will thrust this knife.'

Swiftly he replaced the knife, and turning, left the room.
George Lomax, his eyes always protuberant, but now §ogling
almost out of his head, stared at the dosed door.

'Pure-bred Herzoslovakian, of course,' he muttered. 'Most
uncivilized people. A race of brigands.'

Superintendent Battle rose alertly to his feet.

Either that man's sincere,' he remarked, 'or he's the best
bluffer I've ever seen. And if it's the former, God help Princ
Michael's murderer when that human bloodhound gets hold of
him.'


xo3


THE FRENCH STRANGER

Vmomvt and Anthony walked side by side down the path
which led to the lake. For some minutes after leaving the house
they were silent. It was Virginia who broke the silence at last
with a little laugh.
'Oh, dear,' she said, 'isn't it dreadful? Here I am so bursting with the things I want to tell you, and the things I want to
know, that I simply don't know where to begin. First of all' she
lowered her voice - 'What have you done rzith the body? How awful it sounds, doesn't it! I never dreamt that I should
be so steeped in crime.'
'I suppose it's quite a novel sensation for you,' agreed
Anthony.
'But not for you?'
%Yell, I've never disposed of a corpse before, certalnly.'
VI'ell me about it.'
Briefly and succinctly, Anthony ran over the steps he had taken on the previous night. Virginia listened attentively.
'I think you were very clever,' she said approvingly when he
had finished. 'I can pick up the trunk again when I go back to
Paddlngton. The only diflicuity thai might arise is if you had
to give an account of where you were yesterday evening.'
'I can't see that that can arise. The body can't have been
found until late last night- or possibly this morning. Otherwise
there would have been something about it in this mom-ing's
papers. And whatever you may im.a.gine from reading
detective stories, doctors aren't such magcians that they can
tell you exactly how many hours a man has been dead. The
exact time of his death will be pretty vague. An alibi for last
night would be far more to the point.'
'I know. Lord Caterham was telling me all about it. But the
Scotland Yard man is quite convinced of your innocence now,
isn't he?'
Anthony did not reply at once.
'He doesn't look particularly astute,' continued Virginia.
'I don't know about that,' said Anthony slowly. 'I've an impression
that there are no flies on Superintendent Battle. He


appears to be convinced of my innocence - but I'm not sure.
He's stumped at present by my apparent lack oi motive.'
'Apparent?' cried Virginia. But what posib!: reason could
you have for murdering an unknown foreig count'
Anthony darted a sharp glance at her.
`you were at one time or other in Herzolovakia, weren't
you?' he asked.
'Yes. I was there with my husband, for two years, at the
Embassy.'
'That was just before the assassination of the King
and Queen. Did you ever run across Prince Michael
Obolovitch?'
'Michael? Of course I did. Horrid little wretch! He suggested,
I remember, that I should m,try him morganatically.'
Did he really? And what did he suggest you should do
about your existing husband?'
'Oh, ho had a sort of David and Uriah scheme all made
OUT
'And how did you respond to this amiable offer?'
%Veil,' said Virginia, 'unfortunately one had to be diplomatic.
So poor little Michael didn't get it as straight from the
shoulder as he might have done. But he retired hurt all the
same. Why all this interest about Michael?'
'Something I'm getting at in my own blundering fashion. I
take it that you didn't meet the murdered man?'
No. To put it like a book he "retired to his own apartments
immediately on arrival".'
'And of course you haven't seen the body?'
Virginia, eyeing him with a good deal of interest, hook her
head.
'Could you get to see it, do you think?'
'By means of influence in high places - meaning Lord Cater-ham
- I dare say I,could. Why? Is it an order?'
'Good Lord, no,' said Anthony, horrified. Have I been ss
dictatorial ss all that? No, it's simply this. Count Stanislaus
was the incognito of Prince Michael of Herzoalovlia'
Virginia's eyes opened very wide.
'I see.' Suddenly her face broke into its fascinating one-sided
smile. 'I hope you don't suggest that Michael went to his rooms
simply to avoid seeing me?'
'Something of the kind,' admitted Anthony. 'You see, if I'm


right in my idea that someone wanted to prevent your coming
to Chimneys, the reason seems to lie in your knowing Her-zoslovalda.
Do you realize that you're the only person here
who knew Prince Michael by sight?'
'Do you mean that this man who was murdered was an im-poster?'
asked Virginia abruptly.
'That is the possibility that crossed my mind. If you can get
Lord Caterham to show you the body, we can clear up that
point at once.'
'He was shot at x 1.45,' said Virginia thoughtfully. VI'he time
mentioned on that scrap of paper. The whole thing'a horribly
mysterious.'
'That reminds me. Is that your window up there? The
second from the end over the Council Chamber?'
'No, my room is in the Elizabethan wing, the other side.
Why?'
'Simply because as I walked away last night, after thinking I
heard a shot, the light went up in that room.'
'How curiousl I don't know who has that room, but I can
find out by asking Bundle. Phaps they heard the shot?'
'If so, they haven't come forward to say so. I understood
from Battle that nobody in the house heard the shot fired. It's
the only clue of any kind that I've got, and I dare say it's a
pretty rotten one, but I mean to follow it up for what it's
worth.'
'It's curious, certainly,' said Virginia thoughtfully.
They had arrived at the boathouse by the lake, and had been
leaning against it as they talked.
'And now for the whole story,' said Anthony. We'll paddle
gently about on the lake, secure from the prying ears of cotland
Yard, American visitors, and curious housemaids.'
'I've heard something from Lord Caterham,' said Virginia.
'But not nearly enough. To begin with, which are you really,
Anthony Cade or Jimmy McGrsth?'
For the second time that morning, Anthony unfolded the
history of the last six weeks of his life- with this difference,
that the account given to Virginia needed no editing. He finished
up with his own astonished recognition of 'Mr Holmes'.
'By the way, Mrs Revel,' he ended, 'I've never thanked you
for imperilling your mortal soul by saying that I was an ld
friend of yours.'
'Of course you're an old friend,' cried Virginia. 'You don't


suppose I'd lumber you with a corpse, and then pretend you

were a mere acquaintance next time I met you? lo, indeed?
She paused.

'Do you know one thing that strikes me about all this?' she
went on. 'That there's some extra mystery about those memoirs
that we haven't fathomed yet.'

'I think you're right,' agreed Anthony. 'There's one thing I'd

like you to tell me,' he continued.
'What's that?'
tWhy did you seem so surprised when I mentioned the name
of Jimmy McGrath to you yesterday at Pont Street? Had you
heard it before?'

'I had, Sherlock Holmes. George - my cousin, George
Lomax, you know - came to see me the other day, and sug-gested
a lot of frightfully filly things. His idea was that I
should come down here and make myself agreeable to this man,
McGrath, and Delilah the memoirs out of him somehow. He
didn't put it like that, of course. He talked a lot of nonsense
about English gentlewomen, and things like that, but his real
meaning was never obscure for a moment. It was just the sort
of rotten thing poor old George would think of. And then I
wanted to know too much, and he tried to put me off with Lies
that wouldn't have deceived a child of two.'

'Well, his plan seems to have succeeded, anyhow,' observed
Anthony. 'Here am I, the Jame McGrath he had in mind, and
here are you being agreeable to me.'

But, alas, for poor old George, no memoirs! Now I've got a
question for you. When I asid I hadn't written those letters,
you said you knew I hadn't-you couldn't know any such
thing?'

'Oh, yes, I could,' said Anthony, *roiling. 'I've got a good
working knowledge of psychology.'

i'ou mean your belief in the sterling worth of my moral
character was such that--'

But Anthony was shaking his head vigorously.

'Not at all. I don't know anything about your moral character:.
You might have a lover, and you might write to him. But you'd
never lie down to be blackmailed. The Virginia Revel of those
letters was scared stiff. You'd have fought.'

'I wonder who the real Virginia Revel is - where she is, I
mean. It makes me feel as though I hat a double somewhere.'

Anthony lit a cigarette.


xo7


roll know that one of the letters was written from Chhnneys?'
he asked at last.
%Vhat2' Virginia was clearly startled. 'When was k written?'
	'It wasn't dated. But it's odd, isn't it?'
'I'm perfectly certain no other V'unia Revel has ever stayed at Chimnevs. Bundle or Lord Caterham would have
said something aDout the coincidence of the nmne if she
had.'
res. It's rather queer. Do you know, Mrs Revel, I am he-ginning
to dishelieve profoundly in this other Virginia
ReveL'
	'She's very clus/ve,' runia.
'xtraordnarily elumve. I am beginning to think that ,the
person who wrote those letters deliberately used your name.
'But why/' cried Virginia- °vVhy should they do such a
thing?*
*Ah, that's just the question. There's the devil of a lot to find
out about everything.'
5Who do you really thik killed Michael?' asked Virginia
suddenly, eIne Comrades of the Red Hand?'
ri suppose they might have done so,' said Anthony in a dlsastified
voice. Pointless illlng would he rather characteristic
of them.'
et's get to work,' said Virginia. ri see Lord Caterham and Bundle strollintertoRether'te The first thing to do is to find out
definitely wheth
	dead man is Michael or not.'
	Anthony paddled to shore and a few moments later they had

	jo/ned Lord Caterham and his .da.uhter.

	Lunch is late,' said his lordship m a depressed voice.

	rBattle has insulted the cook, I expect.'

	VFhis is a friend of mine, Bundle,' said Virginia. 'Be nice to

	him.'

	Bundle looked earnestly at Anthony for some minutes, and

	then addressed a -remark to V'iglnia as though he had not been

	there.

	V'here do you pick up these nice-looking men, V'trginia?

	I-Iow do you do it?" says she enviously.'

	roll can have him,' said Virginia generously, ri want Lord

She smiled upon the flattered peer, slipped her hand through
his arm and they moved off together.


rDo you talk?' asked Bundle. 'Or are you just strong and silent?'
eralk?' said Anthony. ri babble. I murmur. I burble - like
the running brook, you know. Sometimes I even ask questibns.'
'As, for instance?'
'Who occupies the second room on the left from the end?'
He pointed to it as he spoke.
'What an extraordinary question!' said Bundle. irou intrigue
me greatly. Let me see - yes - that's Mademoiselle Brun's
room. The French governess. She endeavours to keep my
young sisters in order. Dulcie and Daisy- like the song, you
know. I dare say they'd have called the next one Dorothy May.
But mother got tired of having nothing but girls and died.
Thought scmeone else could take on the job of providing an
heir.'
VIademoiselle Bran,' said Anthony thoughtfully. 'How long
has she been with you?'
VI'wo months. She came to us when we were in Scotland.'
'Hal' said Anthony. 'I smell a rat.'
ri wish I could smell some lunch/said Bundle. CDo I ask the
Scotland Yard man to have lunch with us, Mr Cade? You're a

man of the world, you know about the etiquette of such things.
We've never had a murder in the house before. Exciting, isn't it.

I'm sorry your character was so cempletely cleared this mom-lng.
I've always wanted to meet a murderer and see for myseif
if they're as genial and ,-Arm,g as the Sunday papers always
say they are. Godl what's that?'
VFhat' seemed to be a tn,4 approh-g the house. Its two
occupants were a tall man with a bald head and a black beard,
and a smaller and younger man with a black moustache.
Anthony recognized the former, and guessed that it was he rather
than the vehicle which contained him - that had wrung

the exclamation of asto, lshment frn his cnpanion's lips.
"Unless I much mhtake,' he r.mrited, 'that is my old friend,
Baron Lollipop.'
aron what?'
ri call him Lollipop for co!lvnence. The pronouncing of his
own name tends to harden the nrterie'
'It nearly wrecked the telephone this morning,' remnrlted
Bundle. 'So that's the Baron, is it? I foresee he'll be turned on
to me this afternoon - and I've had Isaacstein all the morning.

xo9


Let George do his own dirty work, say I, and to hell with politics. Excuse me leaving you, lVlr Cade, but I must stand by
poor old Father.'
Bundle retreated rapidly to the house.
Anthony stood looking after her for a minute or two and
thoughtfully lighted a cigarette. As he did so, his ear was
caught by a stealthy soundquite near him. He was standing by
the boathouse, and the sound seemed to come from just round
the corner. The mental picture conveyed to him was that of a
man vainly trying to stifle a sudden sneeze.
'Now I wonder - I very much wonder who's behind the
boathouse; said Anthony to hlmlf. We'd better see, I

Suiting the action to the word, he threw away the match he
had just blown out, and ran lightly and noiselessly round the corner of the boathouse.
He came upon a man who had evidently been kneeling on
the ground and was just struggling to rise to his feet. He was
tall, wore a light-coloured overcoat and glasses, and for the
rest, had a short pointed black beard and slightly foppish
manner. He was between thirty and forty years of age, and
altogether of a most respectable appearance.
Nhat are you doing here?asked Anthony.
He was pretty certain that the man was not one of Lord
Caterham's guests.
'I ask your pardon,' said the stranger, with a marked foreign
accent and what was meant to be an engaging smile. 'It is that I
'wish to return to the Jolly Cricketers, and I have lost my way.
Would Monsieur be so good as to direct me?'
'Certainly,' said Anthony. 'But you don't go there by water,
you know.'
'Eh?' said the stranger, with the air of one at a 1o
'I said,' repeated Anthony, with a meaning glance at the
boathouse, 'that you won't get there by water. There's a right
of way across the park - some distance away, but all this is the
private part. You're trespassing.'
'I am most sorry,' said the stranger. 'I lost my direction
entirely. I thought I would come up here and inquire.'
Anthony refrained from pointing out that kneeling behind a
boathouse was a somewhat peculiar manner of prosecuting inquiries.
He took the stranger kindly by the arm.
/'ou go this way,' he said. 'Right round the lake and straight

No


on - you can't miss the path. When you get on it, turn to the
left, and it will lead you to the village. You're staying at the
Cricketers, I suppose?'

'I am, monsieur. Since this morning. Many thanks for your
kindness in directing me.'

Don't mention it,' said Anthony.. 'I hope you haven't caught
cold.'

'Eh?' said the stranger.

'From kneeling on the damp ground, I mean,' explained
Anthony. 'I fancied I heard you sneezing.'

'I may have sneezed,' admitted the other.

'Quite so,' said Anthony. 'But you shouldn't suppress a
sneeze, you know. One of the most eminent doctors said so
only the other day. It's frightfully dangerous. I don't remem-ber
exactly what it does to you - whether it's an inhibition or
whether it hardens your arteries, but you must never do it.
Good morning.'

'Good morning, and thank you, monsieur, for setting me on
the right road.'

'Second suspicious stranger from village inn,' murmured
Anthony to himself, as he watched the other's retreating form.
'And one that I can't place, either. Appearance that of a
French commercial traveller. I don't quite see him as a Com-rade
of the Red Hand. Does he represent yet a third party in
the harassed state of Herzoslovakia? The French governess has
the second window from the end. A.mysterious Frenchman is
found slinking round the grounds, listening to conversations
that are not meant for his ears. I'll bet my hat there's some-thing
in

Musing thus, Anthony retraced his steps to the house. On the
terrace he encountered Lord Caterham, looking suitably de-pressed,
and two new arrivals. He brightened a little at the sight
of Anthony.

'Ah, there you are,' he remarked. 'Let me introduce you to

Baron - er - er - and Captain Andrassy. Mr Anthony Cade.'
The Baron stared at Anthony with growing suspicion.
'Mr Cade?' he said stiffly. 'I think not.'

'A word alone with you, Baron,' said Anthony. 'I can explain
everything.'

The Baron bowed, and the two men walked down the terrace
together.

'Baron,' said Anthony. 'I must throw myself upon your


III


Let George do his own dirty work, say I, and to hell with politic. Excuse me leaving you, Mr Cade, but I must stand by
poor old Father.'
Bundle retreated rapidly to the house.
Anthony stood looking alter her for a minute or two snd
thoughtfully lighted a cigarette. As he did so, his ear was
caught by a stealthy soundquite near him. He was standing by
the boathouse, and the sound seemed to come from just round
the corner. The men,si picture conveyed to him was that of a
man vainly trying to stifle a sudden sneeze.
'Now I wonder - I very much wonder who's behind the
boathouse; said Anthony to himself. Ve'd better see, I

Sultingthe action to the word, he threw away the match he
had justblown out, and ran lightly and noiseleasly round the corner of the boathouse.
He came upon a man who had evidently been kneeling on
the ground and was just struggling to rise to his feet. He was
tall, wore a light-coloured overcoat and glasses, and for the
rest, had a short pointed black beard and slightly foppish
manner. He was between thirty and forty years of age, and
altogether of a most respectable appearance.
'What are you doing here?' asked Anthony.
He was pretty certain that the man was not one of Lord
Caterham's guests.
'I ask your pardon,' said the stranger, with a marked foreign
accent and what was meant to be an engaging smile. 'It is that I
'wish to return to the Jolly Cricketers, and I have lost my way.
Would Monsieur be so good as to direct me?'
'Certainly,' said Anthony. 'But you don't go there by water,
you know.'
'Eh?' said the stranger, with the air of one at a 1o
'I said,' repeated Anthony, with a meaning glance at the
boathouse, 'that you won't get there by water. There's a right
of way acro the park - some distance away, but all this is the
private part. You're trespassing.'
'I am mo sorry,' said the stranger. 'I lost my direction
entirely. I thought I would come up here and inquire'
Anthony refrained from pointing out that kneeling behind a
boathouse was a somewhat peculiar manner of prosecuting inquiries.
He took the stranger kindly by the arm.
ou go this way,' he said. 'Right round the lake and straight
No


on - you can't miss the path. When you get on it, turn to the
left, and it will lead you to the village. You're staying at the
Cricketers, I suppose?'

'I am, monsieur. Since this morning. Many thanks for your
kindness in directing me.'

'Don't mention it,' said Anthoay 'I hope you haven't caught
cold.'

'Eh?' said the stranger.

'From kneeling on the danp ground, I mean,' explained
Anthony. 'I fancied I heard you sneezing.'

'I may have sneezed,' admitted the other.

CQuite so,' said Anthony. CBut you shouldn't suppress a
sneeze, you know. One of the most eminent doctors said so
only the other day. It's frightfully dangerous. I don't remem-ber
exactly what it does to you - whether it's an inhibition or
whether it hardens your arteries, but you must never do it.
Good morning.'

'Good morning, and thank you, monsieur, for setting me on
the right road.'

'Second suspicious stranger from village inn,' murmured
Anthony to himself, as he watched the other's retreating form.
'And one that I can't place, either. Appearance that of a
French commercial traveller. I don't quite see him as a Com-rade
of the Red Hand. Does he represent yet a third party in
the harassed state of Herzoslovakia? The French governess has
the second window from the end. A.mysterious Frenchman is
found slinking round the grounds, listening to conversations
that are not meant for his ears. I'll bet my hat there's some-thing
in it.'

Musing thus, Anthony retraced his steps to the house. On the
terrace he encountered Lord Caterham, looking suitably de-pressed,
and two new arrivals. He brightened a little at the sight
of Anthony.

'Ah, there you are,' he remarked. %et me introduce you to

Baron - er - er - and Captain Andrassy. Mr Anthony Cade.'
The Baron stared at Anthony with growing suspicion.
'Mr Cade?' he said stiffly. 'I think not.'

SA word alone with you, Baron,' said Anthony. 'I can explain
everything.'

The Baron bowed, and the two men walked down the terrace
together.

'Baron,' said Anthony. 'I must throw myself upon your


III


mercy. I have so far strained the honour of an English gentle-man
as to travel to this country under an assumed name. I
represented myself to you as Mr James McGrath - but you
must see for yourself that the deception involved was
infufi,,;maL You are doubtless acquainted with the works of
Shakespeare, and his remarks about the -nlmportance of the
nomenclature of res? This case is the same. The man you
wanted to see was the man in posleion of the memoirs. I was
that m,,. As you know only too well, I am no longer in pos-session
of them. A neat trick, Baron, a very neat trick Who
thought of it, you or your principal?'

this Highness' own idea it was. And/or anyone but him
carry it out he would not permit.'

rile did it jolly well,' said Anthony, with approval, ri never
tookhlm for anything but an Englishman.'

'he education of an English gentleman did the Prince
ceive,' explained the Baron. °Fhe custom of Herzoalovakia it
is.'

'No profosjonal could have pinched those papers better,
said Anthony. 'May I ask, without in 'discretion, what has


'You are too kind, Baron,' murmured Anthony. ri'ye never
been caned a gentleman so often as I have in the last forty

eight
houm'

'I to you say this - I believe them to be burnt.'

'You believe, but you don't know, ch? Is that it?'


poze it was to read them and then by the fire deztroy them.'

ri see,' aid Anthony. 'All the same, they are not the kind of
light literature you'd skim through in half an hour.'

'Among the effects of my martyred master they have not
discovered been. It is clear, therefore, that burnt they am.'


'Hml' said Anthony. ri wonder?'

He was silent for a mnute or two and then went on.


ri have asked you these questions, Baron, because, ss you
may have heard, I myself have been implicated in the crime. I
must clear myself absolutely, so that no suspicion attach to


me.'

rUndoubtedly,' said the Baron. 'Your honour d-re,rids it.'

'Exactly,' said Anthony. 'You put these things so well I
haven't got the knack of it. To continue, I can only clear myse


by discovering the real murderer, and to do that I must have all
the facts. This question of the memoirs is very important. It
seems to me possible that to gain possession of them might be
the motive of the crime. Tell me, Baron, is that a very farfetched
idea?'
The Baron hesitated for a moment or two.
tYou yourself the memoirs have read?' he asked cautiously at

'I think I am answered,' said Anthony, smiling.. Cllow,
Baron, there's just one thing more. I should like to give you
fair warning that it is still my intention to deliver that manuscript
to the publishers on Wednesday next the x3th of
Octoben
The Baron stared at him.
rButyou have no longer got it?
'On Wednesday next, I said. Today is Friday. That gives me
five days to get hold of it again.'
But if it is burnt?'
I don't think it is burnt. I have good reasons for not believing
so.'
As he spoke they turned the corner of the terrace. A massive
figure was advancing towards them. Anthony, who had not yet
seen the great Mr Herman Isaac. stein, looked at him with
considerable interest.
Ah, Baron,' said Isaacstein, waving a big black cigar he was
smoking, 'this is a bad business - a very bad business.'
qVly good friend, Mr Isaacstein, it is indeed,' cried the
Baron. CAll our noble edifice in ruins is.'
Anthony tactfully left the two gentlemen to their lamentatlons,
and retraced his steps along the terrace.
Suddenly he came to a halt. A thin spiral of smoke was rising
into the air apparently from the very centre of the yew
hedge.
tit must be hollow in the middle,' reflected Anthony ri'ye
heard of such things before.'
He looked swiftly to right and left of him. Lord Caterham
was at the farther end of the terrace with Captain Andrassy.
Their backs were towards him. Anthony bent down and
wriggled his way through the massive yew.
He had been quite right in his supposition. The yew hedge
was really not one, but two, a narrow passage divided them.
The entrance to this was about halfway up, on the side of the

xx3


house. There was no mystery about it, but no one seeing the
yew hedge from the front wquld have guessed at the prob-ability.

Anthony looked down the narrow vista. About halfway
down, a man was reclining in a basket chair. A half-smoked
cigar rested on the arm of the chair, and the gentleman himself
appeared to be asleep.

'Hm!' said Anthony to himself, eEvidently Mr Hiram Fish
prefers sitting in the shade.'


TEA
	IN THE SCHOOLROOM


/u, rmoregained the terrace with the feeling uppermost in
his mind that the only safe place for private conversations was
the middle of the lake.

The resonant boom of a gong sounded from the house, and

Tredwell appeared in a stately fashion from a side door.
%uncheon is served, my lord.'

'Ah!' said Lord Caterham, brisking up a little. %unchl'

At that moment two e-hildren burst out of the house. They
were high-spirited young women of twelve and ten, and though
their names might be Dulcie and Daisy, as Bundle had
affumed, they appeared to be more generally known as Guggle
and Winkle. They executed a kind of war dance, interspersed

with shrill whoops till Bundle emerged and quelled them.
'Where's Mademoiselle?' she demanded.

'She's got th migraine, the migraine, the migrainel' chanted
Winkle.

'HurrahI' said Guggle, joining in.

Lord Caterham had succeeded in shepherding most of his
guests into the house. Now he laid a restraining hand on
Antony's arm.

'Come to my study,' he breathed. 'I've got something rather
special there.'

Slinking down the hall, far more like a thief than like the
master of the house, Lord Caterhsm gained the shelter of his
sanctum. Here he unlocked a cupboard and produced various
bottles.


`Talking to foreigners always makes me so thirsty,' he explained
apologetically. 'I don't know why it is.'
There was a knock on the door, and Virginia popped her
head round the corner of it.
'Got a special cocktail for me?' she demanded.
'Of course,' said Lord Caterham hozpitably. 'Come in.'
The next few minlltes were taken up with serious rites.
'I needed that,' said Lord Caterham with a sigh, as he replaced
his glass on the table. 'As I said just now, I find talking
to foreigners particularly fatiguing. I think it's because they're
so polite. Come along. Let's have some lunch.'
He led the way to the dining-room. Virginia put her hand on
Anthony's arm, and drew him back a little.
'I've done my good deed for the day,' she whispered. 'I got
Lord Caterham to take me to see the body.'
CWell?' demanded Anthony eagerly.
One theory of his was to be proved or disproved.
Virginia was shaking her head.
irou were wrong,' she whispered, tit's Prince Michael all
right.'
'Obi' Anthony was deeply chagrined.
'And Mademoiselle had the migraine,' he added aloud, in a
dissatisfied tone.
'What has that got to do with it'
'Probably nothing, but I wanted to see her. You see, I've
found out that Mademoiselle has the second room from the
end - the one where I saw the light go up last night.'
'That's interesting.'
'Probably there's nothing in it. All the same, I mean to sec
Mademoiselle before the day is out.'
Lunch was somewhat of an ordeal. Even the cheerful impartiality
of Bundle failed to reconcile the heterogeneous assembly.
The Baron and Andrassy were correct, formal, full of
etiquette, and had the air of attending a meal in a mausoleum.
Lord Caterham was lethargic and depressed. Bill Eversleigh
stared longingly at Virginia. George, very mindful of the
trying position in which he found himself, conversed weightily
with the Baron and Mr Iasacstein. Guggle and Winkle, completely
beside themselves with joy at having a murder in the
house, had to be continually checked and kept under, whilst Mr
Hiram Fish slowly masticated his food, and drawled out dry
remarks L. LL wn. 9culiar i ]7 Superintendent Battle had


considerately vanished, and nobody knew what had become of
him.

`Thank God that's over,' murmured Bundle to Anthony, ss
they left the table. 'And George is tbi. the foreign con-tingent
over to the Abbey this aftemoo to discuss State

secrets.'

'That will possibly reliev the atmosphere,' agreed
Anthony.

'I don't mind the American so much,' continued Bundle, 'He
and Father can ta fut editions together quite happily in
some secluded spot. Mr Fish' - as the object of their con-versation
drew near - 'I'm planning a peaceful afternoon for

yOU.'

The American bowed.

'That's too kind of you, Lady Eileen.'

Fish,' said Anthony, had quite a veaceful mornin
Mr Fish shot a quic lzlance at him.

'Ah, you observed me' then, in my secluded retreat2 There
are momeats, dr, whon far fra the madding crowd is the only
motto for a man of quiet tastes.,

Bundle had drifted on, and the American and Anthony were
left together. The former dropped his voice a little,

'I oFine,' he said, 'that there is considerable mystery about
this little dust-upi'

'My amount of it,' said Anthony.

'That guy with the bald head was perhaps a family con=
nexion?'

'Something of the kind.'

`These Central European natlom bet the band,' dechred
Mr Fish. 'It's kind of being rumoured around that the de-ceased
gentleman wss a Royal Highne Is that so, do you


H wss

eVo staying here as Count Stanislaus,' replied Anthony
Mr Fi& or,red no further rjoinder thaa th

somewhat cryptic:

'Oh, boy.


After wlch he relapsed iato aHonee fro- some moments,
wh`This 1. lice captain of yours,' he observed at last. 'Bttle, or

atever his name is, is he the goods aH rinht'

'Scotland Yard think so,' replied AnthOny dryly.

'He seems kind of hidebound to me,' minuted Mr Fish. 'No


hustle to him. This big idea of his, letting no one leave the
house, what is there to it?'
He darted a very sharp look at Anthony ss he spoke. 'Everyone's got to atlmd the inquest tomorrow morning, you

Fhet's the idea is it? No more to it than that No question
of Lord Caterham's guests being suspected?'
'My dear Mr Fishl'
I was getting a mite uueasy - being a stranger in this
country. But of course it was au outside job - I remember now.
Window found unfastened, wasn't it?'
tit was,' said Anthony, looking straight in front of blm.
Mt Fish sighed. After a minute or two he said in a plaintive
tone:
Young man, do you know how they get the water out of a
mine?'

'By pumping - but it's nlm;ghty hard work! I observe the
figure of my genial host detaching itseN from the group over
yonder. I must join him.'
Mt Fish walked gently away, and Bundle drifted back

'Funny Fish, isn't he?' she remarked.

You were. I don't know how she does it. It isn't what she

up, I don't ewn believe it's what she looks. But, oh, boyl she
gets there every time. Anyway, she's on duty elsewhere for the
time. She told me to be nice to you, and I'm going to be nice to
you - by for if necessary.'
tNo force required,' Anthony assured her. 'But, if it's all the
same to you, I'd rather you were nice to me on the water, in a boat.'
'It's not a bad idea,' said Bundle meditatively.
They slrolled down to the lake together.
'There's just one question I'd like to salt you,' said Anthony
ss he paddled gently out from the shore, °odore we turn to
really interesting topics. Business before pleasure.'
%Vhose bedroom do you want to know about now?' asked Bundle with weary patience.
'Nobody's bedroom for the moment. But I would like to


know where you got your French governess from.'
'The man's bewitched,' said Bundle. 'I got her from an
agency, and I pay her a hundred pounds a year, and her
Christian name is Genevieve. Anything more you want to
know?'
%Ve'll assume the agency,' said Anthony. vVhat about her
references?'
'Oh, glowing[ She'd lived for ten years with the Countess of
What 1Nlot.'
What Hot being?-.
'The Comtesse de Breteuil, Chateau de Breteuil,
Dinard.'
roll didn't actually see the Comtesae yourself? It was all
done by letter?'
qxactly.'
q-Ira!' said Anthony.
/'ou intrigue me,' said Bundle. irou intrigue me enormously.
Is it love or crime?'
Probably sheer idiocy on my part. Let's forget it.'
'"Let's forget it," says he negligently, having extracted all
the information he wants. Mr Cade, who do you suspect? I
rather suspect Virginia aa being the most unlikely person. Or
possibly Bill.'
%Vhat about you?'
qVlember of the aristocracy joins in secret the Comrades of
the Red Hand. It would create a sensation all right.'
Anthony laughed. He liked Bundle, though he was a little
afraid of the shrewd penetration of her sharp grey eyes.
roll must be proud of all this,' he said suddenly, waving his
hand towards the great house in the distance.
Bundle screwed up her eyes and tilted her head on one
aide.
Yes - it means something, I suppose. But one's too used to
een
t. Anyway, we're not here very much - too deadly dull. We've
at Cowes and Deauville all the summer after town, and
then up to Scotland. Chimneys haa been swathed in dust-sheets
for about five months. Once a wee they take the dust-sheets
off and coaches full of tourists come and gape and listen to
Tredwell. "On your right is the portrait of the fourth Marchioness
of Caterham, painll by Sir Joshua Reynolds," etc,
and Ed or Bert, the humorist of the party, nudges his girl and
says, "Ehl Gladys, they've got two pennyworth of pictures


here, fight enough." And then they go and look at more pictures
and yawn and shuffle their feet and wish it was time to go
home.'
`yet history has been made here once or twice, by all
counts.'
'You've been listening to George,'. said Bundle shnrply.
'That's the kind of thing he's always sa)qng.'
But Anthony had raised himself on his elbow, and was star-lng
at the shore.
'Is that a third suspicious stranger I see standing disconsolately
by the boathouse? Or is it one of the house pa-ty?'
Bundle lifted her head from the scarlet cushion"It's
Bill,' she said.
'He seems to be looking for something.'
rtie's probably looking for me,' said Bundle, without
enthusiasm.
'Shall we row quickly in the opposite direction?'
'That's quite the fight answer, but it should be delivered
with more enthusiasm.'
'I shall row with double vigour after that rebuke.'
SNot at all,' said Bundle. 'I have my pride. Row me to where
that young ass is waiting. $omebody's got to look after him,
suppose- Virginia must have given him the slip. One of the
days, inconceivable as it seems, I might want to marry George,
so I might as well practise being "one of our we!l-known political
hostesses".'
Anthony pulled obediently towards the shor
'And what's to become of me, I should like to know?' he
complained. 'I refuse to be the unwanted third. Is that the
children I see in the distance?'
`yes. Be careful, or they'll rope you in.'
'I'm rather fond of children,' said Anthony. 'I might teach
them some nice quiet intellectual game.'
%Yell, don't say I didn't warn you.'
Having relinquished Bundle to the care of the disconsolate
Bill, Anthony strolled of[ to where various shrill cries disturbed
the peace of the afternoon. He was received with acclamarion.
'Are you any good at playing Red Indians?' asked Guggle
sternly.
'Rather,' said Anthony. e¥ou should hear the noise I make
when I'm being scalped. Like this.' He illustrated.


'Not so bad,' said Winkle grudgingly. 'Now do the scalper's
yell.'

,Anthony obliged with a blood-curdling noise. In another
minute the game of Red Indians was in full swing.

About an hour later, Anthony wiped his forehead, and ven-tured
to inquire after Mademoiselle's migraine. He was pleased
to hear that that lady had entirely r-ored. So popular had
he become that he was urgently invited to ex.ne and have tea in
the schoolroom.

'And then you can tell us about the man you saw hung,'
urged Guggle.

'Did you say you'd got a bit of the rope with you?' asked
Winkle.

'It's in my suitcase,' said Anthony solemnly. You shall each
have a piece of it.'

Winkle immediately let out a wild Indian yell of satisfac-tion,

"We'll have to go and get washed, I suppose,' said Guggle

o

loomily. ffou will come to tea, won't you? You won't
rget?'

Anthony swore solemnly that nothing should prevent him
keeping the engagement. Satisfied, the youthful pair beat a



treat towards the house. Anthony stood for a minute looking
ter them, and, as he did so, he became aware of a man leaving
the other side of a little copse of trees and hurrying away
across the park. He felt -lmoet sure that it was the same
black-bearded stranger he had encountered that morning.
Whilst he was hesitating whether to go after him or not
the trees just' ahead of him were parted and Mr Hiram
Fish stepped into the open. He started slightly when he saw
Anthony.

'A peaceful afternoon, Mr Fish?' inquired the latter.

ri thank you, yes.'

Mr Fish did not look as peaceful as usual, however. His face
was flushed, and he was breathing hard as though he had been
running. He drew out his watch and consulted it.

ri guess,' he said softly, 'it's just about time for your British
institution of afternoon tea.'

Closing his watch with a snap, Mr Fish ambled gently away
in the direction of the house.

Anthony stood in a brown study and awoke with a start to the
fact that Superintendent Battle was standing be. side him. Not

I20


the faintest sound had heralded his approach, and he seemed
literally to have materialized from space.

qNhere did you spring from?' asked Anthony irritably.

With a slight jerk of his head, Battle indicated the little
copse of trees behind them.

'It seems a popular pot this afternoon,' remarked
Anthony.

'You were very lost in thought, Mr Cade?'

'I was indeed. Do you know what I wss doing, Battle? I was
trying to put two and one and five and three together o as to
make four. And it can't be done, Battle, it .iply can't be
done.'

'There's difficulties that way,' agreed the detective.

'But you're just the man I wanted to Battle, I want to go
away. Can it be done?'

True to his creed, Superintendent Battle showed neither

emotion nor surprise. His reply was easy and matter of face
'That depends, sir, as to where you want to go.'

'I'll tell you exactly, Battle. I'll lay my cards upon the table. I
want to go Dinard, to the chateau of Madame la Comtesse de
Breteuil. Can it be done?'

'When do you want to go, Mr Cade?'

'Say tomorrow after the inquest. I could be back here by
Sunday evening.'

'I see,' said the superintendent, with peculiar solidity.
'Well, what about it?'

'I've no objection, provided you go where you say you're
going, and come straight back here.'

'You're a man in a thousand, Battle. Either you have taken
an extraordinary fancy to me or else you're extraordinarily
deep. Which is it?'

Superintendent Battle smiled a little, but did not answer.
'Well, well,' said Anthony, 'I expect you'll take your pre-cautions.
Discreet minions of the law will follow my suspicious
footsteps. So be it. But I do wish I knew what it was all
about.'

'I don't get you, Mr Cade.'

rhe memoirs - what all the fuss is about. Were they only

memoirs? Or have you got something up your sleeve?'

Battle smiled again.

Fake it like this. I'm doing you a favour because you've
made a favourable impression on me, Mr Cade. I'd like you to


work in with me over this case. The amateur and the pro-fessional,
they go well together. The one has the intimacy, so to
speak, and the other the experience.'

'Well,' said Anthony slowly, 'I don't mind admitting that
I've always wanted to try my hand at unravelling a murder
mystery.'

'Any ideas about the case at all, Mr Cade?'

Plenty of them,' said Anthony. 'But they're mostly ques-tions.'

'As, for instance?'

'Who steps into the murdered Michael's shoes? It seems to
me that that is important?'

A rather wry smile came over Superintendent Battle's face.

'I wondered if you'd think of that, sir. Prince Nicholas Ob-olovitch
is the next heir - first cousin of this gentleman.'

'And where is he at the present moment?' asked Anthony,
turning away to light a cigarette. 'Don't tell me you don't know,
Battle, because I shan't believe you.'

'We've reason to believe that he's in the United States. He
was until quite lately, at all events. Raising money on his ex-pectations.'

Anthony gave vent to a surprised whistle.

'I get you,' said Anthony. 'Michael was backed by England,
Nicholas by America. In both countries a group of financiers
are anxious to obtain the oil concessions. The Loyalist party
adopted Michael as their candidate - now they'll have to look
elsewhere. Gnashing of teeth on the part of Isaac. stein and Co
and Mr George Lomax. Rejoicings in Wall Street. Am I
right?'

'You're not far off,' said Superintendent Battle.

· Iml' said Anthony. 'I almost dare swear that I know what
you were doing in that copse.'

The detective smiled, but made no reply.

'International politics are very fascinating,' said Anthony,
'but I fear I must leave you. I have an appointment in the
schoolroom.'

He strode briskly away towards the house. Inquiries of the
dignified Tredwell showed him the way to the schoolroom. He
tapped on the door and entered, to be greeted by squeals of

joy.

Guggle and Winkle immediately rushed at him and bore him
in triumph to be introduced to Mademoiselle.


122


For the first time, Anthony felt a qualm. Mademoiselle Brun
was a small, middle-aged woman with a sallow face, pepper-and-salt
hair, and a budding moustachel
As the notorious foreign adventuress she did not fit into the
picture at all.
'I believe,' said Anthony to himself, 'I'm making the most
utter fool of myself. Never mind, I must go through with it
I1OW?
He was extremely pleasant to Mademoiselle, and she, on her
part, was evidently delighted to have a good-looking young
man invade her schoolroom. The meal was a great success.
But that evening, alone in the charming bedchamber that
had been allotted to him, Anthony shook his head several

'I'm wrong,' he said to himself "For the second time, I'm
wrong. Somehow or other, I can't get the hang of this thing.'
He stopped in his pacing of the floor.
'What the devil--' began Anthony.
The door was being softly opened. In another minute a man
had slipped into the room, and stood deferentially by the
door.
He was a big fair man, squarely built, with high Slavonic
cheekbones, and dreamy fanatic eyes.
'Who the devil are you?' asked Anthony, staring at him.
l
he man replied in perfect English.
am Boris Anchoukoff.'
Prince Michael's servant, eh?'
'That is so. I served my master. He is dead. Now I serve
yOU.'
'It's very kind of you,' said Anthony. 'But I don't happen to
want a vaieL'
tYou are my master now. I will erve you faithfully.'
/'es - but - look - here - I don't need a valet. I can't af[ord
one?
Boris Anchoukof[ looked at him with a touch of scorn.
'I do not ask for money. I served my master. So will I serve
you - to the death['
Stepping quickly forward, he dropped on one knee, caught
Anthony's hand and placed it on his forehead. Then he rose
swiftly and left the room as suddenly as he hd come.
Anthony stared after him, his face a picture of astonish-menL


'That's damned odd,' he said to himself. 'A faithful sort of
dog. Curious the instincts these fellows have.'
He rose and paced up and down.
AN the same,' he muttered, 'it's awkward - damned awkward
- just at present.'

A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE

inquest took place on the following morning. It was extraordinarily
unlike the inquests as pictured in sensational fiction.
It satisfied even George Imax in its rigid suppression of all
interesting details. Superintendent Battle and the coroner
working together with the support of the chief constable, had
reduced the proceedings to the lowest level of boredom.
l,mecl/ately after the inquest, Anthony took an unostentatious
departure.
His departure was the one bright spot in the day for Bill
Everleigh. George Lomax, obses with the fear that something
damaging to his department might leak out, had been
exceedly trying. Miss Oscar and Bill had been in constant
attendance. Everything useful and interesting had been done

by Mi Oscar. Bill's part had been to run to and fro with
countless messages, to decode telegr,A, and to listen by the
hour to Georges repeating himself.
It was a completely exhausted young man who retired to bed
on Saturday night. He had had practically no chance to talk to
Virginia all day, owing to George's exactions, and he felt injured
and Ri-used. Thank goodness, that Colonial fellow had
taken himself off. He had monopolized far too much of Virginia's
society, anyway. And of course if George Lcmax went
on making an ass of himself like this-- His mind seething with
resentment, Bill fell asleep. And, ia dreams, came consolatiom
For he dreamt of Vhginia.
It was an heroic dream, a dream of burning timbers in which
he played the part of the gallant rescuer. He brought down
Virginia from the topmost storey in his arms. She was unconscious.
He hid her on the gr*- Then he went off to find s
packet of mmdwiches. It was most important that he should find


that packet of sandwiche George had it but instead of giving
it up to Bill, he began to dictate telegrams. They were now in
the vestry of a church, and any minut Virginia might arrive to
be married to him. Horror! He was wearing pyjama He must
get home at once and find his proper clothes. He rushed out to
the car. The c. ar would not start. No petrol in the tankl He was
getting desperate. And then a big General bu drew up and
Virginia got out of it on the arm of the bald-headed Baron. 8he
was deliciously cool, and exqui,itely dressed in grey. She came

Veer .hi,m,.and sh,oo him by the shoulders playfully. 'Bill,'
sakL Oh, Bill. She shook him harder. 'Bi!l,' she said.
'Wake up. Oh, do wake up!'
Very dazed, Bill woke up. He was in his bedroom at Chimneys.But
part of the dream was with him still Virginia was ]eanillg over hims and was repeang the same words with vail-

'Wake up, Bill. Oh, do wake upl BilL'
rHullol' said Bi!l, sitting up in bed. 'W.h. at's the matter?'
Virginia gave a sigh of relief.
qhank good---. I thought you'd never .wake up. I've
been shaking you and Ahklng yOU. Are yotl properly awake
now?'
'I think 8o,' said Bill doubtfully.
Iou great lump,' said V'uginia. `The trouble I've had l My
arms are aching.'
'These insults are mac. ailed for,' said Bill, with dignity. 'Let
me say, Virginia, that I consider your conduct most unbecoming.
Not at all that of a pure young widow.'
'Don't be an idiot, Bill Things arehappening.'
'What kind of things?'
'Queer things. In the Council Chamber. I thought I heard a
door bang somewhere, and I came down to see. And then I saw
a light in the Council Chamber. I crept along the passage, and
peeped through the crack of the door. I couldn't see much, but
what I could see was so extraordinary that I felt I must see
more. And then, all of a sudden, I felt that I should like a nice,
big strong man with me. And you were the nicest and biggest
and strongest man I could think of, so I came in and tried to
wake you up quietly. But I've been ages doing it.'
'I see,' said Bill. 'And what do you want me to do now? Get
up and tackle the burglars?'
Virginia wrinkled her brows.


'I'm not sure that they are burglars. Bill, it's very queer--

But don't let's waste time talking. Get up.'

Bill slipped obediently out of bed.

'Wait while I don a pair of boots - the big ones with nails in
them. However big and strong I am. I'm not going to tackle
hardened criminals with bare feet.'

q like your pyjamas, Bill,' said Virginia dresmily. 'Bright-ness
without vulgarity.'

'While we're on the subject,' remarked Bill, reaching for his
second boot, 'I Uke that thingmmybob of yours. It's a pretty
shade of green. What do you call it? It's not just a dressing-gown,
is it?'

'It's a negligi,' said Virginia. 'I'm glad you've led such a pure
life, Bill.'

'I haven't,' said Bill indignantly.

'You've just betrayed the fact. You're very nice, Bill, and I
like you. I dare say that tomorrow morning - say about ten
o'clock, a good safe hour for not unduly exciting the emotions
- I might even kiss you.'

'I always think these things are best carried out on the spur
of the moment,' suggested Bill.

qNe've other fish to fry,' said Virginia. 'If you don't want to

put on a gasmask and a shirt of chain-mail, shall we start?'
'I'm ready,' said Bill.

He wriggled into a lurid silk dressing-gown, and picked up a
poker.

'The orthodox weapon,' he observed.

'Come on,' said Virginia, 'and don't make a noise.'

They crept out of the room and along the corridor, and then
down the wide double staircase. Virginia frowned as they
reached the bottom of it.

I'hose boots of yours aren't exactly domes of silence, are
they, Bill?'

'Nails will be nails,' said Bill. 'I'm doing my best.'
'You'll have to take them off,' said Virginia fumly.
Bill groaned.

'You can carry them in your hand. I want to see if you can
make out what's going on in the Council Chamber. Bill, it's
awfully mysterious. Why should burglars take a man in armour
to pieces?'

%Veil, I suppose they can't take him away whole very well.
They disarticulate him, and pack him neatly.'

i26


Virginia shook her head, dissatisfied.

'What should they want to steal a mouldy old suit of armour
for? Why, Chimneys is full of treasures that are much easier to
take away.'

Bill shook his head.

'How many of them are there?' he asked, taking a firmer grip
of his poker.

'I couldn't see properly. You know what a keyhole is. And
they only had a flashlight.'

'I expect they've gone by now,' said Bill hopefully.

He sat down on the bottom stair and drew off his boots. Then,
holding them in his hand, he crept along the passage that led to
the Council Chamber, Virginia close behind him. They halted
outside the massive oak door. All wa silent within, but sud-denly.
Virginia pressed his arm, and he nodded. A bright light
had shown for a minute through the keyhole.

Bill went down on his knees, and applied his eye to the orifice.
What he saw was confusing in the extreme. The scene of the
drama that was being enacted inside was evidently just to the
left, out of his line of vision. A subdued chink every now and
then seemed to point to the fact that the invaders were still
dealing with the figure in armour. There were two of these, Bill
remembered. They stood together by the wall just under the
Holbein port. raiL The light of the electric torch was evidently
being directed upon the operations in progress. It left the rest
of the room nearly in darkness. Once a figure flitted across
Bill's line of vision, but there was not sufficient light to dis-tinguish
anything about it. It might have been that of a man or
a woman. In a minute or two it flitted back again and then the
subdued chinking sounded again. Presently there came a new

sound, a faint tap-tap as of knuckles on wood.
Bill sat back on his heels suddenly.
NThat is it?' whispered Virginia.
qothing. It's no good going on like this. We can't see any-thi.n.
, and we can't guess what they're up to. I must go in and
tackle them.'

He drew on his boots and stood up.
rNow, Virginia, listen to me. We'll open the door as softly
as possible. You know where the switch of the electric light
is?'

es, just by the door.'

'I don't think there are more than two of them. There may


xz7


be only one. I want to get well into the room. Then, when I say "Go" I want you to switch on the lights. Do you understand?'
'Perfectly.'
'And don't scream or faint or anything. I won't let anyone
hurt you.'
'My heroID murmured Virginia.
Bill peered at her suspiciously through the darkness. He
heard a faint sound which'might have been either a sob or a
laugh. Then he grasped the poker firmly and rose to hi feet.
He felt that he was fully alive to the situation.
Very softly, he turned the handle of the door. It yielded and
$wung gently inwards. Bill felt Virginia close beside birn.
Together they moved noiselessly into the room.
At the farther end of the room, the torch was playinguponthe
Holbein picture. Silhouetted against it was the figure of a man,
standing on a chair and gently tapping on the panelling. His
back, of course, was to them, and he merely loomed up as a
monstrotm shadow.
What more they might have seen cannot be told, for at that
moment Bill's nails queaked upon the parquet floor. The man
swung round, directing the powerful torch full upon them and
almost dazzling them with the sudden glare.
Bill did not hesitate.
'Go,' he roared to Virginia, and sprang for his man, as she
obediently pressed down the switch of the electric lights.
The big chandelier should have been flooded with light; but,
instead, all that happened was the click of the switch. The
room remained in darkness.
Virginia heard Bill curse freely. The next minute the air
was filled with panting, scuffling sounds. The torch kad fallen
to the ground and extinguished itself in the fall. There was the
sound of a desperate struggle going on in the darkness, but as
to who was getting the better of it, and indeed as to who was
taking part in it, Virginia had no idea. Had there been anyone
else in the room besides the man who was tapping the panelling?
There might have been. Their glimpse had been only a
momentary one.
Virginia felt paralysed. She hardly knew what to do. She
dared not try and join in the struggle. To do so might hamper
and not aid Bill. Her one idea was to stay in the doorway, so that
mayone trying to escape should not leave the room that way. At
x28


the same time, she disobeyed Bill's express trctions and
screamed loudly and repeatedly for help.
	dde
	She heard doors opening upstairs, and a - .'

	light from the hall and the big staircase. If onlylill 'n gleam or

	1 could hold

	For the first time, she left her post, and ms.w ......

		at the w dow. But the . dow w,
The
intruder had no need to stop and fumble {0.r L,V ..mu
	.
out and raced away down the terrace and ,od tericSmPerrano

the house. Virginia raced after him. She wa youxa, d th

letic, and she turned the corner of the terrace 0t m.g an a
after her quarry
	xany seconas
	But there she ran headlong into the arms of a m
	,
emerging from a small side oor. It was Mr liraanwn.°,was
Mrs Revel I took you for one of the thugs ttu,. .p,m ,o, ,
q-Ie's just passed this way,' cried Virgi0is reathlessly.
CCan't we catch him?'
	But, even as she spoke, she knew it was t00.1a,

no moon. She retraced her steps to the CounCil ..s
Fish by her side, discoursing in a soothln m00Otamoer, l.r

wide experience.
	Lord Caterham, Bundle and various frighter.
		were

standing in the doorway of the Council -Ccva. ,ea servants

	°vVhat the devil's the matter?' asked Bundlt :l't ;ur lars?

	What are you and Mr Fish doing, Virlrinia? Tmk r]gl! .
stroll?'

	I a midnight
	Virginia explained the events of the evening, 'l

	ri-Iow frightfully exciting,' commented Ba
	ipto You don't

	usually get a murder and a burglary crowded g.hel?ne weekend.
What's the matter with the lights in here?
	"re all right
everywhere else.'
	That mystery was soon explained. The b01b

		had shnply


been removed and laid in a row against the wall. Mounted on a
pair of steps, the dignified Tredwell, dignified even in undress,
restored illumination to the stricken apartment.

'If I am not mistaken,' said Lord Caterham in his sad voic
as he looked around him, 'this room has recently been the
centre of somewhat violent activity.'

There was some justice in the remark. Everything that could
have been knocked over had been knocked over. The floor
was littered with splintered chairs, broken china, and frag-ments
of armour.

'How many of them were there?' asked Bundle. 'It seems to
have been a desperate fight'

'Only one, I thinly,' aid .rginia. But, even as she spoke she
hesitated a lime. CcrtaiMy only one person - a man - had
passed out through the window. But as she had rushed after
him, she had a vague impression of a rustle somewhere close at
hand, If so, the second occupant of the room could have es-caped
through the door. Perhaps, though, the rustle had been
an effect of her own imagination.

Bill appeared suddenly at the window. He was out of breath
and panting hard.

'D*mn the fellowl' he exclA;med wrathfully. 'He's escaped.
I've been hunting all over the place. Not a sign of him.'

'Cheer up, Bill,' said Virginia, qaetter luck next time.'

%Vell,' said Lord Caterham, 'what do you think we'd better
do now? Go back to bed? I can't get hold of Badgworthy at this
time of night. Tredwell, you know the sort of thing that's

necessary. Just see to it, will you?'

`very good, my lord.'

With a sigh of relief, Lord Caterham prepared to retreat.
That beggar, IasaesteM, sleeps soundly,' he remarked, with
a touch of envy. C¥'ou'd have thought all this row would have
brought him down.' He looked across at Mr Fish. erou found
time to dress, I see,' he added.

'I flung on a few articles of clothing, yes,' admitted the
American.

'Very sensible of you,' said Lord Caterham. Damned chilly
things, pyjamas.'

He yawned. In a rather depressed mood, the house party
retired to bed.


SECOND MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE

Tts first person that Anthony aw us he alighted from his tram
on the following fternoon was Superintendent Battle. Hi. face broke into a .mile.
'I've returned according to contract,' he remarked. 'Did you
come down here to aure yourself of the fact?'
Battle shook hi head.
'I wsaa't worrying about that, Mr Cade. I happen to be
going to London, that's alL'
'You have such a trustful nature, Battle.'
Do you think o, sir?'
'No. I think you're deep - very deep. Still waters, you Know,
and all that sort of thing. So you're going to London?'
'I am, Mr Cnde.
'I wonder why.'
The detective did not reply.
eYou're so chatty,' remarked Anthony. 'That's what I like about yotl.'
A (ar-of[ twinkle showed in Battle's eyes.
'What about your own little job, Mr C. ade?' he inquired.
'How did that gG off?'
'I've drawn blank, Battle. For the second time I've been
proved hopelely wrong. Galling, ian't it?'
'What was the idea, ir, if I may halt?'
'I suspected the French goveme, Battle. A: upon the
grounds of her being the mot unlikely person, according to the
canons of the best fiction. B: because there was a light in her
room on the night of the tragedy.'
'That wasn't much to go upon.'
'You are quite right. It wnn not. But I discovered that she
hsd only been here a short time, and I also found a suspicious
Frenchman spying round the place. You know all about him, I
suppose?'
'You mean the man who calls himself, M. Chelle? Staying
at the Cricketers? A traveller in 8ilk.'
'That's it, i it? What about him? What does Scotland Yard
think?'


'His actions have been auspicious,' said Superintendent
Battle expressionL,ss!y.

Very suspicious, I ,hould say. Well, I put two and two
together. French governess in the house, French stranger out-sic]e.
I decided that they were in league together, and I hurried
off to interview the lady with whom Mademoiselle Brun had
lived for the It m years. I was fully prepared to find that she
had never bemxl of auy mw.h person ss Mademoiselle Brun, but

I was wrong, Battle. Mademoiselle is the genuine article.'
Battle nodded.

'I mut mlmit,' Anthmy, tthat as soon as I spoke to her
had an mam comtim that I was barking up the wrong tree.

She seemed so dohIy the goveamess.'

Again Battle nodded.

'All the same, Nix C. ade, you can't always go by that. Women
especially can do a lot with make-up. I've seen quite a pretty
girl with the colour of her hair altered, a sallow complexion
stain, slightly reddened eyelids and, most efficacious of all,
dowdy clothes, who would fail to be identified by nine people
out of ten who had seen her in her former character. Men
haven't got quite the same pull You can do something with the
eyebrows, and of course dierent sets of false teeth alter the
whole expression. But there are always the ears - there's an
extraordinary lot of character in ears, Mr Cade?

Don't look so hard at mine, Battle,' complained Anthony.
eirou make me quite nervous.'

I'm not talking of false beards and grease-paint,' continued
the superintendent. Fhat's only for booi No, there are ery
few men who can escape identification and put it over on you.
In fact there's only one man I know who has a positive genius
for impersonation. King Victor. Ever heard of King Victor, Mr
Cade?'

There was something so sharp and sudden about the way the
detective put the question that Anthony checked the words
that were 'ming to hi, lip.

'King Victor?' he said reflectively instead. 'Somehow, I seem
to have heard the name.'

tone of the most celebrated jewel thieves in the world. Irish
father, French mother. Can speak five languages at least. He's
been serving a sentence, but his time was up a few months

ag'eally? And where is he supposed to be now?'


%Veil, Mr Cade, that's what we'd rather like to know.'
Fhe plot thickens,' said Anthony lightly. 'No chance of his
turning up here, is there? But I suppose he wouldn't be
interested in political memoirs- only in jewels.'
eI'here's no saying,' said Superintendent Battle. For all we
know, he may be here already.'
'Disguised as the second footman? Splendid. You'll recognize
him by his ears and cover yourself with glory.'
'Quite fond of your little joke, aren't you, Mr Cade? By the
way, what do you think of that curious business at Staines?'
'Staines?' said Anthony. 'What's been happening at
Staines?'
'It was in Saturday's papers. I thought you might have seen
about it. lVlan found by* the roadside shot. A foreigner. It was
in the paper again today, of course.'
'I did see 8omethlng about it,' said Anthony carelessly. Not
suicide, apparently.'
No. There was no weapon. As yet the man hasn't been
idcnted.'
'You seem very interested,' said Anthony, nillng. 'o connexion
with Prince Michael's death, is there?'
His hand was quite steady. So were his o/es. Was it his fancy
that Superintendent Battle was looking at lim with pecuiiar

'Seems to be quite an epidemic of that sort of thing,' said
Battle. CBut, well, I dare say there's nothing in it.'
He turned away, beckoning to a l)orter as the London train
came thlndering in. Anthony drew a faint aigh of relief.
He strolled acro the park in an unus,lly thoughtful mood.
He pl cho to alroach the house from the same
direction sa that from which he had come on the fateful Thursday
night, and as he drew near to it he looked up at the window9
cudgelling 1 brains to make 8ure of the one where he had seen
the light. Was he quite sure that it was the second from the
end
And, doing 8o, he made a discovery. There was an angle at
the corner of the house in which was a window t farther
back. Standin§ on. one spot, you counted this window as the
first, and the first one built out over the Council Chamber as
the second, but move a few yards to the right and the part built
out over the Council Chamber appeared to be the end of the
house. The first window was invisible, and the two windows

x33


of the rooms over the Council Chamber would have appeared the first and second from the end. Where exactly had he been
standing when he had seen the light flash up?
Anthony found the question very hard to determine. A
matter of a yard or o made all the difference. But one point
was made abundantly clear. It was quite possible that he had
been mistaken in de.xibing the light as occurring in the second
room from the end. It might equally well have been the third.
Now who occupied the third room? Anthony was determined
to find that out as soon as possible. Fortune favoured
him. In the hall Tredwell had just set the masaive ailver urn in
its place on the tea-tray. Nobody else was there.
'Hullo, Tredwell,' said Anthony. 'I wanted to ask you something.
Who has the third room from the end on the west aide?
Over the Council Chamber, I mean.'
Tredweli reflected for a minute or two.
VI'hat would be the American gentleman's room, sir. Mr
Fish.'
'Oh, is it? Thank you.'
rNot at all, sir.'
Tredwell prepared to depart, then paused. The desire to be
the fu-st to impart news makes even pontifical buffers human.
'Perhaps you have heard, sir, of what occurred last hi§bt?'
rNot a word,' said Anthony. %What did occur last night?'
'An attempt at robbery, air!'
qTot really? Was anything taken?'
"No, sir. The thieves were dismantling the suits of armour in
the Council Chamber when they were surprised and forced to
flee. Unfortunately they got clear away.'
'That's very extraordinary,' said Anthony. Vlne Council
Chamber again. Did they break in that way?'
'It is supposed, sir, that they forced the window.'
Satisfied with the interest his /nformation had aroused,
TredweH resumed his retreat, but brought up short with a
dignified apology.
'I beg your pardon, sir. I didn't hear you come in, and I
didn't know you were standing just behind me.'
Mr Isaacstein, who had been the victim of the impact, waved
his hand in a friendly fashion.
'No harm done, my good fellow. I assure you no harm done.'

x34


Tredwell retired looking contemptuous, and Isaac. stein came
forward and dropped into an easy-chair.

'Hullo, Cade, so you're back again. Been hearing all about
last night's little show?'

'Yes,' said Anthony. 'Rather an exciting weekend, isn't it?'

'I should imagine that last night was the work of local men,'
said Isaac.stein. 'It seenm a clumsy, amateurish affair.'

'Is there anyone about here who collects armour?' asked
Anthony. 'It seems a curious thing to elect.'

'Very curious,' agreed Mr Isaacstein. He paused a minute,
and then said alowly: rhe whole position here is very un-fortunate.'

There was ,nething almost menacing in his tone.

`i don't quite understand,' said Anthony.

'Why are we all being kept here in this way? The inquest was
over yesterday. The Prince's body will be removed to London,
where it is being given out that he died of heart failure. And
still nobody is allowed to leave the house. Mr Lomax knows no
more than I do. He refers me to Superintendent Battle.'

'Superintendent Battle has something up his sleeve,' said
Anthony thoughtfully. 'And it x. ms the essence of his plan
that nobody should leave.'

'But, excuse me, Mr Cade, you have been away.'

5;ith a string tied to my leg. I've no doubt that I was shad-owed
the whole time. I shouldn't have been given a chance of
disposing of the revolver or anything of that kind.'

'Ah, the revolver,' said Isaatein thoughtfully, vi'hat has

not yet been found, I think?'

'Not yet.'

'Possibly thrown into the lake in passing.'

'Very ptmsibly.'

'Where is Superintendent Battle? I have not seen him this
afternoon.'

'He's gone to London. I met him at the station.'

'Gone to London? Really? Did he say when he would be
back?'

'Early tomorrow, so I understand.'

Virginia came in with Lord Caterham and Mr Fish. She
miled a welcome at Anthony.

'So you're back, Mr Cade. Have you heard all about our
adventures last night?'

'Why, trooly, Mr Cade,' said Hiram Fish. 'It was a night of


I35


strenuous excitement. Did yOU hear that I mistook Mr Revel
for one of the thugs?'
'And in the meantime,' said Anthony, 'the thug?--'
'Got dear away,' said Mr Fish mournfully.
"Do pour out,' said Lord Caterham to lFu-ginia, ri don't know where Bundle is.'
V'trginia offated. Then she came and sat down near
Anthony.
'Come to the boathouse after tea,' she said in a low voice.
'Bill and I have got a lot to tell you.'
Then she joined lightly in the general conversation.
The meeting at the boathouse was duly held.
Virginia and Bill were bubbling over with their news. They
agreed that a boat in the middle of the lake was the only safe
place for confidential conversation. Having paddled out a
sulEcient distance, the full story of last night's adventure was
related to Anthony. Bill looked a little sulky. He wished Virginia
would not insist on bringing this Colonial fellow into it.
'It's very odd,' said Anthony, when the story was finished.
'What doyou make of itP he asked Virginia.
'I think they were looking for something,' she returned promptly. 'The burglar idea is absurd.'
'They thought the scething, whatever it was, might be concealed
in the suits of armour, that's clear enough. But why tap
the panelling? That looks more as though they were looking for
a secret staircase, or something of that kind.'
'There's a priest's hole at Cimneys, I know,' said Virginia.
'And I believe there's a secret staircase as well. Lord Caterham
would tell us all about it. Wnat I want to know is, what can
they have been looking for?'
'It can't be the memoirs,' said Anthony. 'They're a great
bulky package. It must have been something sail.'
'George knows, I expect,' said Vh'glnia. 'I wonder whether I
could get it out of him- All along I've felt there was something

CY'ou say there was only one man,' pursued Anthony, 'but that
there might possibly be another, as you thought you heard
someone going towards the door as you sprang to the
window.'
'The sound was very slight,' said Virginia. 'It might have
been just my imagination.'
'That's quite possible, but in case it wasn't your imagination
x36


the rond person must have been an inmate of the house. I
wonder now--'

'What are you wondering at?' asked Vhginla.

Vl'he thoroughness of Mr Hiram Fish, who dresses himself
completely when he hears screnm* for help downstairs.'

'There's something in that,' agreed Virgmm.' ' 'And then
there's Isaacstein, who sleeps through it all That's suspicious
too. Surely he couldn't?'

'There's that fellow Boris,' suggested Bill tile looks an un-mitigated
ruffian. Michael's servant, I mean.'

.himneys is full of suspicious characters,' said V'uginia. ri
dare say the others are just ss suspicious of us. I wish Super-in,dent
Battle hadn't gone to London. I think it's rather
stupid of him. By the way, Mr Cade, I've seen that PeCuliar-looking
Frenchman about once or twice, spying round the
parl-'

'It's a mix-up,' confessed Anthony. ri'ye been away on a
wild-goe chase. Made a thorough ass of myself. Look here, to
me the whole question seems to resolve itself into this: did the
men fred what they were looking for last night?'

'Supposing they didn't?' snidVirginia. 'I'm pretty sure they
didn't, as a matter of fact.'

'Just this, I believe they'll come again. They know, or they
soon will .know, that Battle's in London. They'll take the risk
and come again tonight.'

'Do you really think soP'

'It's a chance. Now we three will form a little syndicate..
Eversleigh and I will conceal ourselves with due precautions in
the Council Chamber--'

vVhat about me?' interrupted V'trglnia. Don't .think you're
going to leave me out of it.'

rListen to me, Virginia,' said Bill. 'This is men's work--'
CDon't be an idiot, Bill. I'm in on this. Don't you make
any mistake about it. The syndicate will keep watch
tonight.'

It was settled thus, and the details of the plan were laid.
After the party had retired to bed, first one and then another of
the syndicate crept down. They were all armed with powerful
electric torches, and in the pocket of Anthony's coat lay a
revolver.

Anthony had said that he believed another attempt to
resume the search would be made. Nevertheless, he did not


x37


expect that the attempt would be made from outside. He be-lieved
that Virginia had been correct in her guess that someone
had passed her in the dark the night before, and as he stood in
the shadow of an old oak dreer it was towards the door and
not the window that his eyes were directed. Virginia was
crouching behind a figure in armour on the opposite wall, and
Bill was by the window.

The minutes passed, at interminable length. One o'clock
chimed, then the half-hour, then two, then half-hour. Anthony
felt stiff and cramped. He was coming slowly to the conclusion
that he had been wrong, llo attempt would be made tonight.

And then he stiffened suddenly, all his senses on the alert.
He had heard a footstep on the terrace outside. Silence again,
and then a low scratching noise at the window. Suddenly it
ceased, and the window swung open. A man stepped across the
sill into the room.

He stood quite still for a moment, peering round as though
listening. After a minute or two, seemingly satisfied, he
switched on a torch he carried, and turned it rapidly round the
room. Apparently he saw nothing unusual The three watchers
held their breath.

He went over to the same bit of panelled wall he had been
examining the night before.

And then a terrible knowledge smote Bill. He was going to
aneezel The wild race through the dew-laden park the night
before had given him a chill. All day he had sneezed inter-mittently.
A sneeze was due now, and nothing on earth would
atop it.

He adopted all the remedies he could think of. He pressed
his upper lip, swallowed hard, threw back his head and looked
at the ceiling. As a last resort he held his nose and pinched it
violently. It was of no avail. He sneezed.

A stifled, checked, emasculated sneeze, but a startling sound
in the deadly quiet of the room.

The stranger sprang round, and in the same minute,
Anthony acted. He flashed on his torch, and jumped full for the
stranger. In another minute they were down on the floor
together.

'Lights,' shouted Anthony.

Virginia was ready at the switch. The lights came on true
and full tonight. Anthony was on top of his man. Bill leant
down to give him a hand.

x38


'And now,' said Anthony, 'let's see who you are, my fine
fellow.'

He rolled his victim over. It wu the neat, dark-bearded
stranger from the Cricketers.

q/'ery nice indeed,' said an approving voice.

They all looked up startled. The bulky form of Super-intendent
Battle was standing in the open doorway.

'I thought you were in London, Superintendent Battle,' said
Anthony.

BaV. le' eyes twinkled.

'Did you sir?' he said. Well, I thought it would be a good
thing if I was thought to be going.'

'And it has been,' agreed Anthony, looking down at his pros-trate
foe.

To his surprise there was a slight smile on the stranger's


'May I get up, gentlemen?' he inquired. You are three to

Olle.'

Anthony kindly hauled him on to his legs. The stranger
settled his coat, pulled up his collar, and directed a keen look at
Baffle.

'I demand pardon,' he said, 'but do I understand that you

are a representative from Scotland Yard'

'That's right,' said BaNe.

hen I will present to you my credentials.' He smiled rather
ruefully. 'I would have been wise to do so before.'

He took some papers from his pocket and handed em to
the Scotland Yard detective. At the same time, he turned back
the lapel of his coat and showed something pinned there.

Battle gave an exclamation of astonishment. He looked
through the papers and handed them back with a little bow.

'I'm sorry you've been man-handled, monsieur,' he said, 'but
you brought it on yourself, you know.'

He smiled, noting the astonished expression on the faces of
the others.

Fhis is a colleague we have been expecting for some time,'
he said. 'M. Lemoine, of the Silrett in Paris.'


x39


CHAPTER XIX

SECRET HISTORY

TE¥ all stared at the French detective, who smiled back at
them.
'But yes,' he said, tit is true.'
There was a pause for a general readjusting of ideas. Then
Virginia turned to BaRie.
'Do you know what I think, Superintendent Battle?'
tWhat do you think, Mrs Revel?'
'I think the time has come to enlighten us a little.'
'Fo enlighten you? I don't quite understand, Mrs ReveL'
'Superintendent Battle, you understand perfectly. -I dare say.
Mr Lomax has hedged you about with recommend, aaons, of
secrecy - George would, but surely it's better to tell us man
have us stumbling on the secret all by ourselves, and perhaps
doing untold harm. M. Lemoine, don't you agree with me?'
'Madame, I agree withyou entirely.'
'You can't go on keeping things dark for ever,' said Battle,
'I've told Mr Lomax o. Mr Eversleigh is Mr Lomax'$ secretary,
there's no objection to his knowing what there is to
know. As for Mr Cade, he's been brought into the thing willy-hilly,
and I consider he's a right to know where he stand. But--'
Battle paused.
ri know,' said Virginia. %Vomen are so indiscreetl I've often
heard George say so.'
Lemoine had been.studying Virginia attentively. How he
tamed to the Scotland Yard man.
Did I hear you just now address Madame by the name of
Revel?'
'That is my name,' said Virginia.
'Your husband was in the Diplomatic Service, was he. not?
And you were with him in Her'zoslovakia just before the assassination
of the late King and Queen.'

Lemoine turned again.
'I think Madame has a right to hear the story. She is indirectly
concerned. Moreover' - his eyes twinkled a little -
x4o


']VIadame's reputation/or discretion 8rands very high in diplomati
circles.'
'I'm glad they give me a good chnracter,' said Virginia,
lauihin. 'And I'm lad I'm not going to be left out of it.'
/'ha about refrshmenta?' said Anthony. Where does the
conference take place? Here?'
'If you please, sir,' said Baffle, `i've a fancy for not leaving
this room until mormng. You 11 see why when you ye heard the
story.'
hen I'll go and forage,' said Anthony.
Bill went with hlrn and they returned with a tray of glasses,
siphons and other necessaries of life.
The augmented syndicate established itself cnmfortably in
the corner by the window, being grouped round a long oak

table.
'It's understood, of course,' said Battle, 'that anything that's
said here is said in strict confidence. There must be no leakage.
I've always felt it would came out one of these days. Gentlemen
like Mr Lcmnx who want everything hushed up take
bigger ri than they think-The start of this.business was just

over seven years ago. There was a lot of what they call reconstruction
going on - especially in the Near East. There was. a.
good deal going on in England, strictly on the (IT with that Old gentleman, Count Stylptiw. h, pulling the strings. All the
Balkan States were interested parties, and there were a lot of
royal personages in England just then. I'm not going into
details, but Something disappeared - disappeared in a way th. at
seemed incredible unless you -nAmltted two things - that the
thief was n royal personage and that at the same time it was the
work of a high-class professional. 1VL Lemoine here will tell you
how that well might be.' '
The Frenchman bowed courteously and took up the

'It is possible that you in-Engiand may not even have heard
of our famous and fantastic Kin Victor. What his real name
	a lllan O!

is, no one knows, but he is
		singular courage and daring,
one who speaks five languages and is unequalled in the art of
disguise. Though his father is known to have been either English
or Irish, he himself has worked chiefly in Paris. It was
there, nearly eight years ago, that he was carrying out a daring
series of robberies and living under the name of Captain
O'NeilL'

14!


A faint exclamation escaped Virginia. M. Lemoine darted a
keen glance at her.
'I think I understand what agitates Madame.. You will see in
a minute. Now we of the Sfirett had our suspicions that this
Captain O'Neill was none other than 'qing Victor'', but w
could not obtain the necessary proof. There was also in Paris at
the time a clever young actress, Angle Mory, of the Folies
Bergres. For some time we had suspected that she was associated
with the operations of IGng Victor. But again no proof
was forthcoming.
'About that time, Paris was preparing for the visit of., the
young King Nicholas IV of Herzoalovakia. At the Stlrete we
were given special instructions as to the course to be adopted to
ensure the safety of His Majesty. In particular we were warned
to superintend the activities of a certain Revolutionary organization
which called itself the Comrades of the Red Hand. It is
fairly certain now that the Comrades approached Anle Mory
and offered her a huge sum if she would aid them in their
plans. Her part was to infatuate the young King, and decoy
him to some spot upon with them. Angle Mory accepted
the bribe and prnmi-! to perform her part.
'But the young lady was cleverer and more ambitious than
her ployers suspected. She succeeded in captivating the
King who fell desperately in low with her and loaded her with
'.wels. It was then that she conceived the idea of being - not a
s mistress, but a queenl As every one knows, she re!ied
her ambition. She was introduced into Herzoslovakia as the
Countess Varaga Popoleffsky, an offshoot of the Romanoffs,
and became eventually Queen Varaga of Herzoslovakia. Not
bad for a little Parisian actressl I have always heard that she
o
layed the part extrtmely well But her triumph was not to be
ng-lived. The Comrades of the Red Hand, furious at her
betrayal, twice attempted her life. Finally they worked up the
country to such a pitch that a revolution broke out in which
both the King and Queen perished. Their bodies, horribly mutilated
and hardly recognizable, were recovered, attesting to
the fury of the populace against the low-bom foreign

'Now, in all this, it seems certain that Queen Varage still
kept in with her confederate, King Victor. It is possible that
the bold plan was his all along. What is known is that she
continued to correspond with hlm in a secret code, from the


Court of Herzoslovakia. For safety the letters were written in
English, and signed with the name of an English lady then at
the Embassy. If any inquiry had been made, and the lady in
question had denied her signature, it is possible that she would
not have been believed, for the letters were those of a guilty
woman to her lover. It was your name she used, Mrs Revel.'

'I know,' said Virginia. Her colour was coming and going
unevenly. '15o that is the truth of the lettersl I have wondered
and wondered.'

I/hat a blackguardly trick,' cried Bill indignantly.

'The letters were addree-d to Captain O'Neill at his rooms
in Paris, and their principal purpose may have light shed upon
it by a curious fact which came to light later. After the as-saasination
of the King and Queen, many of the crown jewels
which had fallen, of course, into the hands of the mob, found
their way to Paris, and it was discovered that in nine cases out
of ten the principal stones had been replaced by paste - and
mind you, there were some very famous stones among the
jewels of Herzoslovakia. So as a queen, Angle Mory still prac-tised
her former activities.

'You see now where we have arrive& Nicholas IV and
Queen Varaga came to England and were the guests of the late
Marquis of Caterham, then Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs. Herzoslovakia is a small country, but it could not be
left out. Queen Varaga was n,ssarily received. And there we
have a royal personage and at the same time an expert thief.
There is also no doubt that the - er - substitute which was so
wonder/ul as to deceive anyone but an expert could only have
been fashioned by King Victor, and indeed the whole plan, in

its daring and audacity, pointed to him as the author.'

%Vhat happened?' asked V'uginia.

'Hushed up,' said Superintendent Battle laconically. 'Not a
mention of it's ever been made public to this day. We did all
that could be done on the quiet - and that was a good deal
more than you'd ever imagine, by the way. We've got methods
of our own that would surprise. That jewel didn't leave Eng-land
with the Queen of Herzozlovakia - I can tell you that
much. No, Her Majesty hid it somewhere - but where we've
never been able to discover. But I shouldn't wonder' - Super-intendent
Battle let his ,eyes wander gently round - 'if it wasn't
somewhere in this room.

Anthony leapt to his feet


'What? After all these years?' he cried incredulously. 'Impossible.'
'You do not know the peculiar circumstances, monsieur,'
said the Frenchman quickly. 'Only a fortnight later, the revolution
in Herzoslovakia broke out, and the King and Queen
were murdered. Also, Captain O'Neill was arrested in Paris
and sentenced on a minor charge. We hoped to find the packet
of code letters in his house, but it appears that this hsd been
stolen by soe Herzoelovakian go-between. The man turned
up in Her-zoalovakia just before the revolution, and then diasppeared
completely.'
'He probably went abroad,' said Anthony thoughiully. "Fo
Arica as likely as not. And you bet he hung on to that packet.
I.t was as good as a gold mine to him. It's odd how things come
about. They probably called him Dutch Pedro or something
like that out there.'
He caught Superintendent Battle's expreionless glance
bent upon him, and smiled.
'It's not really clairvoyance, Battle,' he said, 'though it
sounds like it. I'll you presently.'
There is one thing that you have not explained,' said Vira
lln%Vhere does this link up with the memoirs? There must
, surely?'
'Madame is very quick,' said Lemoine approvingly. 'Yes,
there is a link. Count Stylptitch was also staying at Chimneys
at the time.'
'So that he might have known about it2'
'Paraitement.'
'And, of course,' said Battle, if he's blurted it out in his
precious memoirs, the fat will be in the e. Especially s/ter the
way the whole thing was hushed up.'
Anthony lit a cigarette.
eFhere's no poasibt of there being a clue in the memoirs
ss to where the stone was hidden?' he asked.
'Very unlikely,' said Battle decisively. 'He was never in with
the Queen - opposed the marriage tooth and nail. She's not
likely to have taken him into her confidence.'
'I wasn't suggesting such a thing for a minute,' said
Anthony. 'But by all accounts he was a cunning old boy. Unknown
to her, he may have discovered where she hid the jewel.
In that case, what would he have done, do you think?' 'Sat
tight,' said Battle, after a moment's reflection.

x44


'I agree,' said the Frenchman. 'It was a ticklish moment, you
see.. To return the stone anonymously would have presented
g.reat difficulties. Also, the knowledge of its whereabouts would
give him great power - and he liked power, that strange old
man. Not only did he hold the Queen in the hollow of his hand,
but he had a powerful weapon to negotiata with at any time. It
was not the only secret he possessed - oh, nol - he collected
secrets like some men collect rare pieces of china. It is said that,
once or twice before his death, he boasted to people of the
things he could make public if the fancy took him. And once at
least he declared that he intended to make some startling revel-ations
in his memoir Hence' - the Frenchman smiled rather
dryly - 'the general anxiety to get hold of them. Our own
secret police intended to seize them, but the Count took
the precaution to have them conveyed away before his
death.'

'Still, there's no real reason to believe that he knew this
particular secret,' said Battle.

'I beg your pardon,' said Anthony quietly. rhere are his

own words?

tWhat?'

Both detectives stared at him as though unable to believe
their ears.

Nhen Mr McGrath gave me that manuscript to bring to
England, he told me the circ-mstances of his one meeting with
Count Stylptitch. It was in Paris. At some considerable risk to
himself, Mr McGrath rescued the Count from a band of
Apaches. He was, I understand - shall we say a trifle - exhilar-ated?
Being in that condition, he made two rather interesting
remarks. One of them was to the effect that he knew where the
Koh-i-noor was - a statement to which my friend paid very
little attention. He also said that the gang in question were
King Victor's men. Taken together, those two remarks are very
significant.'

'Good Lord,' ejaculated Superintendent Battle, 'I should say
they were. Even the murder of Prince Michael wears a
different aspecL'
mindClinedg Victor has never taken a life,' the Frenchman re
him.

'Supposing
he were surprised when he was searching for the
jewel?'

'Is he in England, then?' asked Anthony sharply. You say

x45


that he was released a few months ago. Didn't you keep track
of him?

A rather rueful smile overspread the French detective's
face.

'We tried to, monsieur. But he is a devil, that man. He gave
us the slip at once - at once. We thought, of course, that he
would make straight for England. But no. He went - where do
you think?'


He was staring intently at the Frenchman, and ab
sent-mindediy
fingers played with a box of matches.
'Fo America. To the United $tate'
'What?'

There was sheer amazement in Anthony's tone.

Wes, and what do you think he called himself? What part do



ou think he played over there? The part of Prince Nicholas of
erzcelovakia.'

The matchbox fell from Anthony's hand, but his amazement

was fully equalled by that of Battle.

'Impossible.'

Not so, my friend. You, too, will get the news in the morn-ing.
It has been the most colossal bluff. As you know, Prince
Nicholas was rumoured to have died in the Congo years ago.
Our friend, King Victor, seizes on that - t to prove a
death of that kind. He resurrects Prince Nicholas, and plays
him to such purpose that he gets away with a tremendous haul
of American dollars - all on account of the supposed oil con-cessions.
But by a mere accident, he was unmasked, and had to
leave the country hurriedly. This time he did ccme to England.
And that is why I naa here. Sooner or later he will come to

Chimnay That is, if he is not already herel'

°You think - that?'

I think he was here the night Prince Michael died, and again
last night.'

'It was another a-:tempt, eh?' said Battle.

'It was another attempt.'

What has bothered me,' continued Battle, was wondering
what had become of M. Lemoine here. I'd had word from
Paris that he was on his way over to work with me, and
couldn't make out why he hadn't turned up.'

'I. must indeed apologize,' said Lemoine. °You see, I arrived
on the morning after the murder. It occurred to me at once that


it would be as well for me to study things from an unofficial
standpoint without appearing officially as your colleague. I
thought that great possibilities lay that way. I was, of course,
aware that I was bound to be an object of suspicion, but that in
a way furthered my plan since it would not put the people I
was after on their guard. I can aure you that I have en a
good deal that is interesting on the last two days.'

'But .look here,' said Bill, 'what really did happen last
night?'

'I am afraid,' said M. Lemoine, 'that I gave you rather vio-lent
exercise.'

'It was you I chased, then?'

"ires. I will recount things to you. I came up here to watch,
convinced that the cret had to do with this room since the
Prince had been killed here. I stood outside on the terrace.
Presently I became aware that someone was moving about in
this room. I could see the flash of a torch now and again. I tried
the middle window and found it unlatched. Whether the man
had entered that way earlier, or whether he had left it so as a
blind in case he was disturbed, I do not know. Very gently, I
pushed it back and slipped inside the room. Step by step I felt
my way until I was in a spot where I could watch operations
without likelihood of being discovered myself. The man himself
I could not see clearly. His back was to me, of course, and he
was silhouetted against the light of the torch so that his outline
only could be seen. But his actions filled me with surprise. He
took to pieces first one and then the other of those two suits of
armour, examining each one piece by piece. When he had con-vinced
himself that what he sought was not there, he began
tapping the panelling of the wall under that picture. What he
would have done next, I do not know. The interruption came.
You burst in--' He looked at Bill.

'Our well-meant interference was really rather a pity,' said
Virginia thoughtfully.

'In a sense, madame, it was. The man switched out his torch,
and I, who had no wish as yet to be forced to reveal my ident-ity,
sprang for the window. I collided with the other twO' in the
dark, and fell headlong. I sprang up and out through the
window. Mr Eversleigh, taking me for his assailant, fol-lowed.'

'I followed you first,' said Virginia. 'Bill was only second in
the race.'


I47


'And the other fellow had the sense to stay still and sneak out
through the door. I wonder he didn't meet the rescuing
crowd.'
'That would present no difficulties,' said Lemoine. I-Ie
would be a rescuer in advance of the rest, that was all.'
'Do you really think this Arne Lupin fellow is actually
among the household now?' asked Bill, his eyes sparkling.
%Vhy not?' said Lemoine. rile could pass perfectly as a servant.
For all we may know, he m.a}r be Boris Anchoukoff, the
trusted servant of the late Prince MichaeL'
'He is an odd-looking bloke,' agreed Bill
But Anthony was smiling.
'That's hardly worthy of you, M. Lemoine,' he said
gently.
The Frenchman smiled too.
rou've taken him on as your valet now, haven't you, Mr
Cade?' asked Superintendent Battle.
'Battle, I take off my hat to you. You know everything. But
just as a matter of detail, he's taken me on, not I him.'
%Vhy was that, I wonder, Mr Cade?'
'I don't know,' said Anthony lightly, rit's a curious taste,
but perhdps he may have liknd my face. Or he may think I
murdered his master and wish to establish himself in a handy
position for executing revenge upon me.'
He rose and went over to the windows, pulling the cur-

'Daylight,' he said, with a slight yawn. 'There won't be any
more excitements now.'
Lemoine rose also.
ri will leave you,' he said. %Ve shall perhaps meet again later
in the day.'
With a graceful bow to V'u,inia, he stepped out of the
window.
'Bed,' said Virginia, yawning. 'It's all been very exciting.
Come on, Bill, go to bed like a good little boy. The breakfast-table
will see us not, I fear.'
Anthony stayed at the window looking after the retreating
form of M. Lemoine.
roll wouldn't think it,' said Battle behind him, but that's
supposed to be the cleverest detective in France.'
'I don't know that I wouldn't,' said Anthony thoughtfully, ri
rather think I would.'

x48


'Well,' said Battle, 'he was right about the excitement of
this night being over. By the way, do you remember my telling

you about that man they'd found dot near Stained?'

'Ye. Why?'

'Nothing. They've identified hlmthat's all. It eems he wu
called Giuseppe ManuellL He wa a waiter at the Blitz in
London. Curious, ian't it?'


BATTLE AND ANTHONY CONFER


ANTHOr-r said nothing. He continued to stare out of the
window. Superintendent Battle looked for me time at his
motionle back.

'Well, goodnight, ir,' he aid at lut, and moved to the
door.

Anthony stirred.

'Wait a minute, Battle.'

The superintendent halted obediently. Anthony left the
window. He drew out a cigarette from his cae and lighted it.
Then, between two puffs ofnoke, he said:

'You m very interested in th busine at Stalnes?'

'I wouldn't go a far as that, ir. It's unusual, that's


rDo you think the man was hot where he was found, or do
you think he was killed elsewhere and the body brought to that


'I think he was hot somewhere ele, and the body brought
there in a car.'

'I think o too,' said Anthony.

Something in the emphaai of hia tone made the detective
look up gaarply.

'Any ideas of your own, sir? Do you know who brought him
filere?'

'Yes,' said Anthony. 'I did.'

He was a little annoyed at the absolutely unruffled calm pre-erved
by the other.

'I must asy you take them hock very well, Battle,' he re-marked.


149


' "Never display emotion". That was a rule that was given to
me once, and I've found it very useful.'

'You live up to it, certainly,' said Anthony. 'I can't say I've
ever seen you ruff]ed. Well, do you want to hear the whole
story?'

'if you please, Mr Cade.'

Anthony pulled up two of the chairs, both men sat down,
snd Anthony recounted the event of the preceding Thursday
night.

Battle listened immovably. There was a far-off twinkle in his
eyes as Anthony finished.

'You know, sir,' he said, 'you'll get into trouble one of these
days.'

'Then, for the second time, I'm not to be taken into cus-tody?'

'We always like to give a man plenty of rope,' said Super-intendent
Battle.

'Very delicately put,' said Anthony. 'Without unduly stress-ing
the end of the proverb.'

'What I can't quite make out, sir,' said Battle, 'is why you
decided to come across with this now?'

'It's rather difficult to explain,' said Anthony. `you see,
Battle, I've come to have really a very high opinion of your
abilities. When the moment comes, you're always there. Look at
tonight. And it occurred to me that, in withholding this know-ledge
of mine, I was seriously cramping your style. You de-serve
to have access to all the facts. I've done what I could, and
up to now I've made a mess of things. Until tonight, I couldn't
speak for Mrs Revel's sake. But now that those letters have
been definitely proved to have nothing whatever to do with
her, any idea of her complicity becomes absurd. Perhaps I
advised her badly in the first place, but it struck me that her
statement of having paid this man money to suppress the
letters, simply as a whim, might take a bit of believing.'

'It might, by a jury,' agreed Battle. 'Juries never have any
imagination.'

'But you accept it quite easily?' said Anthony, looking curi-ously
at him.

'Well, you see, Mr Cade, most of my work has lain amongst
these people. What they call the upper classes, I mean. You see,
the majority of people are always wondering what the neigh-hours
will think. But tramps and aristocrats don't - they just


zSO


do the first thing that comes into their heads, and they don't

bother to think what anyone thinks of them. I'm not meaning

just the idle rich, the people who give big partie, and so on.

	bred in them for gener-
mean those that have had it born and
	I've
ations that nobody else's opinion counts but their own.
	aiwa s found the upper classes the same - fearless, truthful,

	and sometimes extraordinarily foolish.

	'This is a very interesting lecture, Battle. I Suppose you'll be

	writing your reminiscences one of these days· They ought to be

	worth reading ....

	The detective acknowledged the suggestion with a -rmle, but

	said nothing.

	'I'd like rather to ask you one question,' continued Anthony.

	ri)id you connect me at all with the Stines affair? I fancied,
from your manner, that you did:.'
	...
	'Quite right. I had a hunch that way.,t nothing definite to

	t,o uton. Your manner was 'very gooo, I may say so, Mr

	Cade. You never overdid the

	'I'm lad of that,' said Anthony. 'I've s feeling that ever
· - °	'ye
been lavin'little traps for me. On
the
mnce t me
you y,,.	'- -"r:'
' - them but the strain
whole
I've managed to
avmcl tatlmg tutu
	,
has
been acute.'
	Battle
-nmiled grimly.	·	him on the
	'That's
how you
a cr.oos .tn.me sr.	,:. nerve
run, to and fro,
turning and twisting, ooonex or
la
r,
	, and you've got him.'	.
	g°e ou're a cheefful fellow, Battle. When
will
you get me,
	wonder?'
	'Plenty of rope, nit; quoted the
superintendent,
'plenty
	rope.'
	tin the
meantime,' aid Anthony. ti am still
the amateur
	assistant?'
	`Tlnat's it, Mr Cade.'
	%Vatson
toyou. Sherlock, in.,fa?-?'
-----' said Battle unem	qb
tective stones are mo
uy ...... ter-
otionaily. 'But. the. y
nm.us,
peo .t.e,thoueht.
'And meg're useful someumes..
	'I
what way?' mked
Anthony
curiously.
	cour
the universal idea that the police are
	'They en age	.
	,
	stupid.
When
we
get
an
amateur

	·
d.'

	very
useful
mdee
.
	.
	.
.
	Anthony
looked
at
him
for
some
minutes
m
silence.
Battle
sat
xSx


quite still, blinking now and then, with no expression whatsoever
on his square placid face. Presently he rose.
got much good going to bed now,' he observed. 'As soon as
he's up, I want tO have a few words with his lordship. Anyone
who wants to leave the house can do so now. At the same time I
should be much obliged to his lordship if he'll extend an infor-mai
invitation to his guests to stay from You'll accept it, sir, if you
please, and Mrs Revel also.'
q-lave you ever found the revolver?' asked Anthony suddenly.
'You mean the one Prince Michael was shot with? No, I
haven't. Yet it must be in the house or grounds. I'll take a hint
from you, Mr Cade, and send me boys up bird's-nesting. If I
could get hold of the revolver, we might get forward a bit.
That, and the bundle of letter You say that a letter with the heading "Chlmney' was nmongst them? Depend upon it that
was the last one written. The instructions for finding the diamond
are written in code in that letter.'
'What's your theory of the killing of Giuseppe?' naked
Anthony.
'I should say he was a regular thief, and that he was got hold
of, either by King Victor or by the rades of the Red Hand,
and employed by them. I shouldn't wonder at all if the Comrades
and King Victor aren't woing together. The organization
has plenty of money and power, but it isn't very strong
in brains. Giuseppe's t-k was tO steal the memoirs - they
couldn't have known that you had the letters - it's a very odd
coincidence that you should have, by the way.'
'I know,' said Anthony. 'It's amazing when you come tO
think of it.'
'Giuseppe gets hold of the letters instead. Is at first vastly
chagrined. Then sees the cutting from the paper and has the
brilliant idea of turning them to account on his own by blackmailing
the lady. He has, of course, no idea of their real
signiticanee. The Comrades find out what he is doing, believe
that he is deliberately double-crossing them, and decree his
death. They're very fond of executing traitOr. It has a pie-turesque
dement which seems tO appeal to them. What I can't
quite make out is the revolver with "Virginia" engraved upon
it. There's too much finease about that for the Comrades. As a
rule, they enjoy plastering their Red Hand sign about - in
order to strike terror into other would-be-traitOrs. No, it looks


to me as though King Victor had stepped in there. But what his
motive was, I don't know. It looks like a very deliberate at-tempt
to addle Revel with the murder, and, on the sur-face,
there doesn't seem any particular point ia that.'

'I had a theory,' aid Anthony. 'But it didn't work out ac-cording
to plan.'

He told Battle of V'rginia's recognition of Michael Battle
nodded his head.

Oh, yes, no doubt as to his identity. By the way, that old
Baron ha a very high opinion of you. He speaks of you in most
enthusiastic terms.'

VIhat's very kind of him,'/id Anthony. 'F.vecially as I've
given him fxdi warning that I mean to do my utmost to get hold

of the miing memoirs before Wedneay next.'

'You'll have a job to do that,' said Battle.

'Y-es. You think so? I suppose King Victor and Co have got
the letters.'

Battle nodded.

Pinched them off Giuseppe that day in Pont Street. Prettily
planned piece of work, that. Yes, they've got 'em all right, and


Both men were on the point of pang out of the room.
*In here?' aid Anthony, jerking hi head bck.

Exactly, in here. But they haven't found the prize yet, and
they're going to run a pretty riak trying to get it.'

'I suppose,' said Anthony, Cthat you've got a plan in that
subtle head of yours?'

Battle returned no answer. He looed particularly stolid and

unintelligent. Then, very lowly, he winked.

%Vant my help?' asked Anthony.

*I do. And I ,hall want neone ele'&'

'Who i, that?'

Revel'& You may have noticed it, Mr Cade, but she's a

lady who has a particularly beguiling way with her.'
'I've noticed it all right,' said Anthony.
He glanced at hh watch.

'I'm inclined to agree with you about bed, Battle. A dip
in the lake and a hearty break/est will be far more to the


He ran lightly upstairs to his bedroom. Whistling to himself,
he disearded his evening clothes, and picked up a dressing-gown
and a bath wwel.


x53


Then suddenly he stopped dead in front of the dressing-table,
staring at the object that reposed demurely in front of the
looking-glass.
For a moment he could not believe hs eyes. He took it up,
examined it closely. Yes, there was no mistake.
It was the bundle of letters signed Virginia Revel They were
intact. Not one missing.
Anthony dropped into a chair, the letters in his hand.
'My brain must be cracking,' he murmured. 'I can't understand
a quarter of what is going on in this house. Why should
the letters reappear like a damned conjuring trick? Who put
them on my dressing-table? Why?'
And to all these very pertinent questins he could fred no
satisfactory reply.

MR ISAACSTEIN'S SUITCASE

AT ten o'clock that morning, Lord Caterham and his daughter
were breakfasting. Bundle was looking very thoughtful.
'Father,' she aid at last.
Lord Caterham absorbed in Th Times, did not reply.
'Father,' said Bundle gain, more sharply.
Lord Caterham, torn from his interested perusal of forthcoming
sales of rare books, looked up absentmindedly.
'Eh?' he aaidl 'Did you speak?'
`ye. Who ia it who's had breakfast?'
She nodded towards a place that had evidently been occupied.
The rest were all expectant.
'Oh, what'shis-name.'
'Fat Iky?'
Bundle and her father had enough sympathy between them
to comprehend each other's somewhat misleading observations.
Fhat's it.'
fi)id I ee you talking to the detective this morning before
breiffast?'
Lord Caterham sighed.
'Yes, he buttonholed me in the hall. I do think the hours

I54


before breakfast should be sacred. I shall have .to go abroad.
The strain on my nervea--'
Bundle interrupted unceremoniously.
that did he say?'
'Said everyone who wanted to could dear out'
'Well,' said Bundle., 'that's all right. That's what you've been
wanting.'
'I know. But he didn't leave it at that. He went on to say that
nevertheless he wanted me to ask everyone to stay on.'
'I don't understand,' said Bundle, wriklirg her nose.
'So confusing and contradictory,' complained Lord Cater-
ham. 'And Before brealdast too.'
'What did you say?'
'Oh, I agreed, of course. It's never any good arguing with
these people. Especially before breakfast,' continued Lord
Caterham, reverting to his principal grievance.
%Vho have you asked so far?'
'Cade. He was up very early this moring. He's going to stop
on. I don't mind that. I can't quite make the fellow out; but I
like him - I like blm very much.'
'So does Virginia,' said Bundle, drawing a pattern on the
table with her forir-
'Eh?'
'And so do I. But that doesn't seem to matter.'
'And I asked Is!-,tein,' continued Lord CaterhAm'We!l?'
'But fortunately he's got to go back to town. Don't forget to
order the car for the xo.$o, by the way.'
'All right.'
'Now // I can only get rid of llsh too,' continued Lord
Caterham, his spirits rising.
'I thought you liked talking to him about your mouldy old
books.'
'So I do, so I do. So I did, rather. But it gets monotonous
when one finds that one is always doing all the ts!irlng. Fish is
very interested, but he never volunteers any statements of Iris

'It's better than doing all the listening,' said Bundle. 'Lille
one does with George Lomax.'
Lord Caterham shuddered at the remembrance.
'George is all very well on platforms,' said Bundle. 'I've
clapped him myself, though of course I know all the time that


he's talking balderdash. And anyway, I'm a Socialist--'

'I know, my dear, I know,' said Lord Caterham hastily.

'It's all right,' said Bundle. 'I'm not going to bring politics
into the home. That's what George does - public speaking in

private life. It ought to be abolished by Act of Parliament.'
'Quite so,' said Lord Caterham.

'What about Virginia?' asked Bundle. ris she to be asked to
stop on?'

'Battle said everybody.'

'Says he fumlyl Have you aslmd her to be my stepma yet?
ri don't think it would be any good,' id Lord Caterham
mournfully. 'Although she did call me a darling last night. But
that's the worst of these attractive young women with
affectionate dispositions. They'll say anything, and they mean
absolutely nothing by it.'

'No,' agreed Bundle. 'It would have been much more hope-fid
if she'd thrown a boot at you or tried to bite you.'

'You modern young people seem to have such unpleasant
ideas about love-making,' said Lord Caterham plaintively.

'It comes from reading Th $heik' said Bundle. 'Desert
love. Throw her about, etc.'

'What is Th Sheik?' asked Lord Caterham simply. 'Is it a
poem?'

Bundle looked at him with commiserating pity. Then she
roe and kissed the top of his head.

'Dear old Daddy,' she remarked, and sprang lightly out of
the window.

Lord Caterham went back to the salerooms.

He jumped when addressed suddenly by Mr Hiram Fish,

who had made his usual noiseless entry.

'Good morning, Lord Caterham.'

'Oh, good morning,' said Lord Caterham. 'Good morning.
Nice day.'

'The weather is delightful,' said Mr Fisli.

He helped himself to coffee. By way of food, he took a piece
of dry toast.

'Do I hear correctly that the embargo is removed?' he asked
after a minute or two. qhat we are all free to depart?'

'Yes - er - yes,' said Lord Caterham 'As a matter of fact, I
hoped, I mean, that I shall be delighted - his conscience
drove him on - 'only too delighted if you will stay on for a


'x56


'Why, Lord Caterham--'

'It's been a beasdy visit, I know,' Lord Caterham hurried or
TOO bad. Shan't blame you for wanting to run away.'

'You misjudge me, Lord Caterham. The associations have
been painful, no one could deny that point. But the English
country life, as lived in the mansions of the great, has a power-ful
attraction for me. I am interested in the study of those
conditions. It is a thing we lack completely in America. I shall
be only too delighted to accept your vurry kind invitation and
stay off.'

'Oh, well,' said Lord Caterham, 'that's that. Absolutely de-lighted,
my dear fellow, absolutely delighted.'

Spurring himself on to a false geniality of manner, Lord
Caterham murmured something about having to see his bailiff
and escaped from the room.

In the hall, he saw Virginia just descending the staircase.

'Shall I take you in to breakfast?' asked Lord Caterham ten-derly.

'I've had it in bed, thank you, I was frightfully sleepy this
morning.'

She yawned.

rttad a bad night, perhaps?'

'Not exactly a bad night. From one point of view decidedly a
good night. Oh, Lord Caterham' - she slipped her hand inside
his arm and gave it a squeeze - 'I am enjoying myself. You
were a darling to ask me down.'

'You'll stop on for a bit then, won't you? Battle is lifting the
- the embargo, but I want you to stay particularly. $o does
Bundle.'

'Of course I'll stay. It's sweet of you to ask me.'
'Alii' said Lord Caterharm
He sighed.

/hat is your secret sorrow?' asked Virginia. Ias anyone
bitten you?'

'That's just it,' said Lord Caterham mournfully.

Virginia looked puzzled.

'You don't feel, by any chance, that you want to throw a
boot at me? 11o, I can see you don't. Oh, well, it's of no conse-quence.'

Lord Caterham drifted sadly away, and Virginia passed out
through a side door into the garden.

She stood there for a moment, breathing in the crisp


October air which was infinitely refreshing to one in her
slightly jaded state.
She started a little to find Superintendent Battle at her
elbow. The man seemed to have an extraordinary knack of
appearing out of pace without the least warning.
'Good morning, Mrs Revel. Not too tired, I hope?'
Virginia shook her head-
'It wa, a mozt exciting night,' she said. %Vell worth the 1o
of a little leep. The only thing is, today a trifle dull after
it.'
'There's a nice shady place down under that cedar tree,'
remarked the superintendent. 'Shall I take a chair down to it
for you?'
'If you think it's the best thing for me to do,' said Virginia
solemnly.
'You're very quick, Mrs Revel Yes, it's quite true, I do want
a word with you.'
He picked up a long wicker chair and carried it down the
lawn. Virginia followed him with a cuxion under her arm.
'Very dangerou place, that terrace,' remarked the detective.
'That is, if you want to have a private conversatiom'
'I'm getting excited again, Superintendent Battle.'
'Oh, it's nothing important.' He took out a big watch and
glanced at it. 'Half past ten. I'm starting for Wyvern Abbey in
ten minutes to report to Mr Lomax Plenty of time. I only
wanted to know if you could tell me a little more about Mx Cade.'
'About Mr Cade?'
Virginia was startled.
'Yes, where you first met him, and how long you've known
him and so forth.'
Battle's manner was easy and pleasant enough. He even refrained
from looking at her and the fact that he did so made her
vaguely uneasy.
'It's more cliffit than you think,' she said at last. -Ie did
me a great service once--'
Battle interrupted her.
'Before you go any further, Mrs Revel, I'd just like to say
something. Last night, after you and Mr Eversleigh had gone
to bed, Mr Cade told me all about the letters and the man who
was killed in your house.'
'He did?' gasped Virginia.
x58


res, and very wisely too. It clears up a lot of misunderstanding.
There's only one thing he didn't tell me - how
long he had know, you. Now I've a little idea of my own about
that. You shall tell me ii I'm right or wrong. I think that the
day he came to your house in Pont Street was the first time you
had ever seen him. Ahl I see I'm right. Itwas so.'
Virginia said nothing. For the first time she felt a/raid of this
stolid man with the expressionless face. She understood what
Anthony had meant when he said there were no flies on Superintendent
Battle.
'Has he ever told you anything about his life?' the detective
continued. 'Before he was in South Africa, I mean. Canada? Or
before that, the Sudan? Or about his boyhood?'
Virginia merely shook her head.
*And yet I'd bet he's got something worth telling. You can't
mistake the face of a man who's led a life of daring and adventure.
He could tell you some interesting tales ii he cared to.'
'If you want to know about his past life, why don't you cable
to that friend of his, Mr McGrath? Virginia asked.
'Oh, we have. But it seems he's up-country samewhere. Still,
there's no doubt Mr Cade was in Bulawayo when he said he
was. But I wondered what he'd been doing before he came to
South Africa. He'd only had that job with Castle's about a
month.' He took out his watch again-I must be off. The car
will be waiting.'
Virginia watched hlm retreat to the house. But she did not
move from her chair. She hoped that Anthony might appear
and join her. Instead came Bill Eversleigh, with a prodigious
yawn.
Fhank God, I've got a chance to speak to you at last, lF!rginia,'
he complained.
'Well, speak to me very gently, Bill darling, or I shall burst
into tears.
q-las someone been bullying you?'
'Not exactly bullying me. Getting inside m} mind and turning
it inside out. I feel as though I'd been lumped on by an
elephant.'
CNot Battle?'
"ires, Battle. He's a terrible man really.'
'Well, never mind Battle I say, Virginia, I do love you so
awfully--'
'Not this morning, Bill. I'm not strong enough. Anyway, I've

I59


alw,,ays told you, the best ople don't propose before lunch.'
Good Lord, said Bill I could propose to you before breakfast'
Virginia shuddered.
'Bi!l, be sensible and intelligent for a minute. I want to ask
your advice.'
'If you'd once make up your mind to it, and say you'd marry
me, you'd feel miles better, I'm sure. Happier, you know, and
more settled down.'
'Listen to me, Bill. Proposing to me is your/dde fi,e. All
men prOpese when they're bored and can't think of anything to
say. Remember my age and my widowed state, and go and
make love to a pure young girl.'
'My darling Virginia-- Oh, blastl here's that French idiot
bearing down on us.'
It wsa indeed M. Lemoine, black-bearded and correct of
demeanour as ever.
Good morning, madame. You are not fatigued, I trusl2'
rNot in the least.'
Fhat is excellent. Good morning, Mr Everaleigh.'
`How would it be if we promenaded ourselve a little, the
three of us?' suggested the Frenchman.
'How about it, Bill?' said Virglni.
'Oh, all fight,' said the unwilling young gentleman by her
side.
He heaved himself up from the gra, and the three of them
walked slowly along. Virginia between the two men. She was
sensible at once of a strange undercurrent of excitement in the
Frenchman, though she had no clue a to what cused it.
Soon, with her usual skill, she was putting him at hiz ease,
sking him questions, listening to his answer, and gradually
drawing him out. Presently he was telling them anecdotes of the
famous King Victor. He talked well, albeit with a certain bit-temess,
as he described the various ways in which the detective
bureau had been outwitted.
But all the time, despite the real absorption of Lemoine in
his own narrative, Virginia had a feeling that he had rae
other object in view. Moreover, she judged that Lemoine,
under cover of his story, was deliberately striking out his own course across the park. They were not jug strolling idly. He
was deliberately guiding them in a certain direction.
Suddenly, he broke off his story and looked round. They
16o


	tandin "Just where the drive intersected the park before

were s g
		- -'---- of trees Lemoine was
	· an abm t corner vy a cump
	·
	.
turn. rug . -:-	achin
them from the direcuon of he
staring at a ¥cctc lJFv

hou
	Virginia's eyes followe, d .his..,
'Ifs the luggage cart,' she sma, 'taking Isaacstein's luggage
and his valet to the station.'

	, .
	meant- such carmmg
here than I
	.
	' to the viii ?'
,ou think, that X m,ght ha. a?.

° He stepped out on to the onve ana
--o,,ation Lemoine climbed m behin
o''.' vi,oiuia, and drove of.
		e other two stood and watched the cart disappe, m. S with

		:
--. i,,, ,s the cart swunl round tlze tenl, a
suitcase fell off into the drive. The cart went on.
'Come on,' said Virginia to Bill. e're going to see some-thi,
n, Ngobodyinteresting. That suitcase was thrown out.'
's noticed it,' said Bill.
	ran down the drive towards the fallen piece of luggage.
	- They--
	- :- ·-ine came round the corner of the
	lust as mey reacneu t,

	bend on foot. lie was hot from walking fast.

	'I was obliged to descend,' he said pleasantly. 'I found that I

	had left something behind.'

	rhis?' said Bill, indicating the suitcase.

	It was a handsome case of heavy pigskin, with the initials

	H.I. on it.

	nat a pity!' said Lemolne tently·rh must have fallen out.

	Shall we lift it from the road?'
		ithout waiing for a reply, he picked up the suitcase, and

	W..
- Ilt of trees. He stooped
over it, some	thing
flashed in .his. hand, and t
.-e. llv
{
Pe;tik and com	He
8poke and l!la
voice was
	manding.
	'The car will
be
here
in a minute,' he said. 'Is it in sight?'
	Virginia looked
back towards the house.
	{NO.'
	'Good.'
	With deft fingers
he
tossed
the
things
out
of
the
suitcase.

	Gold-topped
bottle,
silk
pyjamas,
a
variety
of
socks.
Suddenly


his whole figure stiffened. He caught up what appeared to be a
bundle of silk underwear, and unrolled it rapidly.
A slight exclamation broke from Bill. In the centre of the
bundle was a heavy revolver.
cI hear the horn,' said Virginia.
Like lightning, Lemoine repacked the suitcase. The revolver
he wrapped in a silk handkerchief of his own, and
slipped into his pocket. He snapped the locks of the suitcase,
and turned quickly to Bill.
'Take it. Madame will be with you. Stop the car, sad explain
that it fell of the luggage cart. Do not mention me.'
Bill stepped .quickly down to the drive just as the big Lan-chester
limousine with Isaac. stein inside it came round the
corner. The chauffeur slowed down, and Bill swung the suitcase
up to him.
'Fell off the luggage cart,' he explained. 'We happened to see
it.'
He caught a momentary glimpse of a startled yellow face as the financier stared at him, and then the car swept on again.
They went back to Lemoine. He was standing with the revolver
in his hand, and a look of gloating satisfaction in his face.
'A long shot,' he said. A very long shot. But it came off.'

CHA'i-ga zxil

THE RED SIGNAL

SW,Lmnrr BAv'rrt was standing in the library at
Wyvern Abbey.
George Lomax, seated before a desk overflowing with
papers, was frowning portentously.
Superintendent Battle had opened proceedings by making a
brief and business-like report. Since then, the conversation had
Jain s!most entirely with George, and Battle had contented
himself with making brief and usually monosyllabic replies to
the other's questions.
On the desk, in front of George, was the packet of letters
Anthony had found on his dressing-table.
'I can't understand it at all,' said George irritably, as he
x6


picked up the packet. 'They're in code, you say?'
'Just so, Mr Lomax.'
'And where does he say he found them - on his dressing-table?'
Battle repeated, word for word, Anthony Cade's account of
how he had come to regain possession of the letters.
'And he brought them at once to you? That was quite proper - quite proper. But who could have placed them in his
room?'
Battle shook his head.
'That's the sort of thing you ought to know,' complained
George. 'It sounds to me very fishy - very fishy indeed. What
do we know about this man Cade, anyway? He appears in a
most mysterious manner - under highly suspicious circumstances
- and we know nothing whatever about him. I may say
that I, personally, don't care for his manner at all. You've made
inquiries about him, I suppose?'
Superintendent Battle permitted hlmsel a patient smile.
'We wired at once to South Africa, and his story has been
confirmed on all points. He was in Bulawayo with Mr
McGrath at the time he stated. Previous to their meeting, he
was employed by Messrs Castle, the tourist agent.'
'Just what I should have expected,' said George. 'He has the
kind of cheap assurance that succeeds in a certain type of employment.
But about these letters - steps must be taken at once
-- t once--'
The great man puffed himself out and swelled importantly.

Superintendent Battle opened his mouth, but George forestalled
hlrn.
'There must be no delay. Tbee letters must be decoded
without any lo of time. Let me see, who ia the man? There is a
man - connected with the British Museum. Knows all there is
to know about ciphers. Ran the department for us during the
war. Where is Miss Oscar? She will know. Name something
like Win - Win--'
rProfessor Wynwood,' said Battle.
tExactly. I remember perfectly now. He must be wired to
immediately.'
'I have done so, Mr Lomax, an hour ago. He will arrive by
the xz.xo.'
'Oh, very good, very good. Thank heaven, something is off
x63


my mind. I shall have to be in town today. You can get along
without me, I supposei'
'I think so, sir.'
qVe!l, do your best, Battle, do your best. I am terribly rushed
just at present.'
'Just so, sir.'
'By the way, why did not Mr Eversleigh come over with
you?'
'He was still asleep, sir. We've been up all night, as I told
you.'
'Oh, quite so. I sin frequently up nearly the whole night
myselL To do the work of thirty-six hours in twenty-four, that
is my constant task! Send Mr Eversieigh over at oace when
you get back, will you, Battle'
'I will give him your message, sir.'
'Thank you, Battle. I realize perfectly that you had to repose
a certain amount of confidence in him. But do you think it was
strictly necessary to take my cousin, Mrs Revel, into your
confidence also?'
'In view of the name signed to those letters, I do, Mr

'An amazing piece of effrontery,' murmured George, his
brow darkened as he looked at the bundle of letters. 'I remember
the late King of Herzoslovakia. A charming fellow, but
weak - deplorably weak. A tool in the hands of an unscrupulous
woman. Have you any theory as to how these letters
came to be restored to Mr Cade?'
'It's my opinion,' said Battle, 'that if people can't get a thing
one way - they try another.'
'I don't quite follow you,' said George.
rhis crook, this Kin{l Victor, he's well aware by now that
the Council Chamber ts watched. So he'll let us have the
letters, and let us do the decoding, and let us find the hiding-place.
And then - troublel But l.noine and I between us will
attend to that.'
'You've got a plan, eh?'
'I wouldn't go so far as to say I've got a plan. But I've got an
idea. It's avery useful thing sometimes, an idea.'
Thereupon Superintendent Battle took his departure.
He hadno intention of taking George any further, into his
confidence.
On the way back, he passed Anthony on the road and


stopped. 'Going to give me a lift back to the house?' asked
Anthony. 'That's good.'
qgqhere have you been, Mr Cade?'
'Down to the station to inquire about trains.'
Battle raised his eyebrows.
Thinking of leaving us again?' he inqired.
'Not just at present,' laughed Anthony. 'By the way, what's
upset Isaacstein? He arrived in the car just as I left, and he
looked as though omething had given him a naty jolt.'
'Mr Isaac. stein?'

'I can't say, I'm sure. I fancy it would take a good deal to jolt

'So do I,' agreed Anthony. 'He's quite one of the strong
silent yellow men of finance.'
Suddenly Battle leant forward and touched the chauffeur on
the shoulder.
'Stop , willyoou? And wait for me here.
He jumped out of the car, much to Anthony's surpie. But in
a minute or two, the latter perceived M. Lemoine advancing to
meet the English detective, and gathered that k wa a signal
from him which had attracted Battle's attention.
There was a rapid colloquy between them, and then the
superintendent returned to the car and jumped in again, bid-dinl.ithe
chauffeur drive on.
s expression had completely changed.
VFhey've found the revolver,' he said suddenly and
curtly.
'What?'
Anthony gazed at him in great surprise.
'Where?'
tin Isaacstein's suitcase.'
'Oh, impossiblel'
qlothing's impossible,' said Battle. 'I ought to have remembered
that.'
He sat perfectly still, tapping his knee with his hand.
q?qho found it?'
Battle jerked his head over his shoulder.
%emoine. Clever chap. They think no end of him at the
Sfiret&'
But doesn't this upset all your ideas?'
'llo,' said Superintendent Battle very slowly. 'I can't say it


fit in
does. It was a bit of a surprise, I admit, at first. But it

very well with one idea of mine.'
	ent
	Vhich is?' ..
	But the superintendent branched off on to a totally dF, ir?
subject.
	.
	ff]';. to
	'I wonder if you'd mind finding Mr Eversle,gh for
There's a message for him from Mr LomaS. He's to go '/at

the Abbey at once.'

'All right,' said Anthony. The car had just drawn up ,,
great door. 'He's probably in bed still.'
	//"
'I think not,' said the detective. 'If you'll look, you'll s/ $id

walking under the trees there with Mrs Revel.'

'Wonderful eyes you have, haven't you, Battle?/o.
Anthony as he departed on his errand.
	t'she
	He delivered the message to Bill, who was duly disgust
'Damn it all,' grumbled Bill to himself, as he strode offa' do

house, 'why can't Codders sometimes leave me alone?

can't these blasted Colonials stay in their Colonies? WI

they want to come over here for, and pick out all the best ,.,.ah
I'm
fed up to the teeth with everything.'

'Have you heard about the revolver?' asked Virginia bgain
lessly, as Bill left them.
	' :51st
'Battle told me. Rather staggering, isn't !t?. Isaa.cst.ein .onas

a frightful state yesterday to get away, but! mougnt t w/.tjng

nerves. He's about the one person I'd have pitched

being above suspicion. Can you see any motive for his w/
Prince Michael out of the way?'
	/1-, 'I
'It certainly doesn't fit in,' areed Virginia thoughtfully/ Yth,

tNothng fits m anywhere,' said Anthony discontente2..ch

rather fancied myself as an amateur detective to.b.gin../e''

and so far all I've done is to clear the chgacter of the

governess at vast trouble and some little expense.'

Is that what you went to France for?' iqaired Virginia/

*Yes, I went to Dinard and had an inteiew with the

tesse de Breteuil, awfully pleased with my0vn cleverness iisd to
fully expecting to be told that no such prs0a as Mademoi ,eh of
Brun had ever been heard of. Instead of hich I was girl tfe
understand that the lady in question had bn the mainst
the household for the last seven years. So, aaless the Corn o e
is also a crook, that ingenious theory of mine falls td
ground.'
	Virginia shook her head.
66


	'Madame de Breteuil is quite above suspicion. I know her

	quite well, and I fancy I must have come across Mademoiselle

	at the chateau. I certainly knew her face quite well - in that

	vague way one does know governesses and companions and

	people one sits opposite to in trains. It's awful, but I never

	really look at them properly. Do you?'

	'Only if they're exceptionally beautiful,' admitted

	Anthony.

	tqell, in this ease--' she broke off. Vhat's the matter?'

	Anthony was staring at a.fi.gure w.h! ,c, de.tac.hed..itself,.fvo

	the clump of trees and stood tere ngiaiy a atxenuon, is w

	the Herzo&ovakian, Boris.

	rExcuse me,' said Anthony to Virginia, 'I must just speak to

	my dog a minute.'

	He went acrcms to where Boris was standing.

	e/hat's the matter? What do you want?'

	rMaster,' said Boris, bowing.

	eyes, that's all very well, but you mustn't keep following me

	about like this. It looks odd.'

	Without a word, Boris produced a soiled scrap of paper,

	evidently torn from a letter, and handed it to Anthony.

	°vVhat's this?' said Anthony.

	There was an address scrawled on the paper, nothing

	else.

	'He dropped it,' said Bori& if bring it to the master.'

	%Vho dropped it?'

	VI'he foreign gentleman.'

	'But why bring it to me?'
	Boris looked at blm reproachfully. .
	,-, . ,
	%Veil, anyway, go away now,' said Anthony. I mousy.

	Boris saluted, turned sharply on his heel, and marched away.

Anthony rejoined Virginia, thrusting the piece of paper into

his pocket.

	°What did he want?' she asked curiously. 'And why do you

call him yo.r dog?'

	'Because he acts like one,' said Anthony, answering the last

question first. 'He must have been a retriever in his last incar
nation, I think. He's just brought me a piece of a letter which

he says the foreign gentleman dropped. I suppose he means

Lemoine.'

	'I suppose so,' acquiesced Virginia.

	'He's always following me round,' continued Anthony. 'Just

		x67


like a dog. Says next to nothing. Just looks at me with his big
round eyes. I can't make him out.'
'Perhaps he meant Isaacstein,' suggested Virginia. 'Isaac-stein
looks foreign enough, heaven knows.'
'Isaac. stein,' muttered Anthony impatiently. 'Where the devil
does he come in?'
'Are you ever sorry that you've mixed yourself up in all
this?' asked Virginia suddenly.
'Sorry? Good Lord, no. I love it. I've spent most of my life
looking for trouble, you know. Perhaps, this time, I've got a
tittle more than I bargained for.'
'But you're well out of the wood now,' said Virginia, a little
surprised by the unusual gravity of his tone.
'Not quite.'
They strolled on for a minute or two in silence.
'There are some people,' said Anthony, breaking the silence,
'who don't conform to the signals. An ordinary well-regulated
locomotive slows down or pulls up when it sees the red light
hoisted against it. Perhaps I was born colour-blind. When I see
the red signal - I can't help forging ahead. And in the end, you
know, that spells disaster. Bound to. And quite right really.
That sort of thing is bad for traffic generally.'
He still spoke very seriously.
'I suppose,' said Virginia, 'that you have taken a good many
risks in your life?'
'Pretty nearly every one there is - except marriage.'
'That's rather cynical.'
'It wasn't meant to be. Marriage, the kind of marriage I

mean, would be the biggest adventure of the lot.'
'I like that,' said Virginia, flushing eagerly.
'There's only one kind of woman I'd want to marry - the

kind who is worlds removed from my type of life. What would
we do about it? Is she to lead my life, or am I to lead hers?'
'If she loved you--'
'Sentimentality, Mrs Revel. You know it is. Love isn't a drug
that you take to blind you to your surroundings - you can
make it that, yes, but it's a pity - love can be a lot more than
that. What do you think the King and his beggarmaid thought
of married life after they'd been married a year or two? Didn't
she regret her rags and her bare feet and her carefree life? You
bet she did. Would it have been any good his renouncing his
crown for her sake? Not a bit of good, either. He'd have made a
x68


damned bad beggar, I'm sure. And no woman respects a
man when he's doing a thing thoroughly badly.'
'Have you fallen in love with a !ggarmaid, Mr Cade?' inquired
Virginia softly.
'It's the other way about with me, but the principle's the
Bame.'
'And there's o way out?' asked Virginia.
'There's always a way out,' said Anthony gloomily. 'I've got
s theory that one can always get anythin!; one wants if one will
pay the price. And do you know what the price is, nine times
out of ten? Compromise. A beastly thing, compromise, but it
steals upon you as you near middle age. It's stealing upon me
ow. To get the woman I want I'd -- I'd evea take up regular work.'
Virginia laughed.
'I was brought up to a trade, you know,' continued
Anthony.
'And you absndoned it'
lres.,

'A matter of principle.'
'Ohl'
`you're a vry unusual woman,' said Anthony suddenly,
turning and looking at her.
'Why?'
'You can refrain from asking queztionL'
'You mean that I haven't as[eR you what your trade was?'
'Just that'
Again they walked on in silence. They were nearing the
house now, passing close by the scented weetne o the rose
garden.
'You understand well enough, I dare say,' said Anthony,
breaking the ailrtce. 'You know whe a man's in love with you.
I don't suppo you care a hang for me - or for anyone else but,
by (}ed, I'd like to make yocar.'
'Do you think you could?' asked Vrginia, in a low voice.
'Probably not, but I'd have a damoedgood try.'
'Are you sorry you ever met me?' she said suddenly.
'Lord, no. It's the red signal again. When I first saw you that
day in Pont Street, I knew I was up against something that
was going to hurt like fun. Your face did that to me - just your
face. There's magic in you from head to foot - some women are


like that, but I've never known a woman who had so much of it
as you have. You'll marry someone respectable and prosperous,
I suppose, and I shall return to my disreputable life, but I'll
kiss you once before I go- I swear I will.'
'You can't do it now,' said Virginia softly. 'Superintendent
Battle is watching us out of the library wdow.'
Anthony looked at her.
'You're rather a devil, Virginia,' he said dispassionately. 'But
rather a dear too.'
Then he waved his hand airily to Superintendent Battle.
'Caught any criminals this morning, Battle?'
VNot as yet, Mr Cade.'
'That sound hopeful.'
Battle, with an agility surprising in so stolid a man, vaulted
out of the library window and joined them on the terrace.
'I've got Professor Wynwood down here,' he announced in a
whisper. 'Just this minute arrived. He's decoding the letter
now. Would you like to see him at work?'
His tone suggested that of the showman speaking of some
pet exhibit. Receiving a reply in the affirmative, he led them up
to the window and invited them to peep inside.
8eared at a table, the letters spread out in front of him and
writing busily on a big sheet of paper, was a nall red-haired
man of middle age. He grunted irritably to himself sa he wrote,
and every now and then rubbed his nose violently until its hue
almost rivalled that of his hah'.
Presently he looked up.
'Thatyou, Battle? What you want me down here to unravel
this tomfoolery for? A child in arms could do it. A baby of two
could do it on its head. Call this thing a cipher? It leaps to the
eye, man.'
'I'm glad of that, Professor,' said Battle mildly. 'But we're
not all so clever as you are, you know.'
'It doesn't need cleverness,' snapped the professor. 'It's routine
work. Do you want the whole bundle done? It's a long
business, you know - requires diligent application and close
attention, and absolutely no intelligence. I've done the one
dated "Chimneys" which you said was important. I might as
well take the rest back to London and hand 'em over to one of
my assistants. I really can't afford the time myself. I've come
away now from a real teaser, and I want to get back to it.'
His eyes glistened a little.

to


'Very well, Professor,' assented Battle. I'm sorry we're such
small fry. I'll explain to Mr Lomax. It's just this one letter that
all the hurry is about. Lord C. aterham is expecting you to stay
for lunch, I believe.'
'Never have lunch,' said the professor. 'Bad habit, lunch. A
banana and a water biscuit is all any sane and healthy man
should need in the middle of the day.'
He seized his overcoat, which lay across the back of a chair.
Battle went round to the front of the house, and a few minutes
later Anthony and Virginia heard the sound of a car driving
away.
Battle rejoined them, carryin in his hand the half-sheet of
paper which the Professor had nven him.
'He's always like that,' said ]att/e, referring to the departed
professor. 'In the very deuce of a hurry. Clever man, though.
Well, here's the kernel of Hex Majesty's letter. Care to have a
look at it?'
Virgins stretched out a hand, and Anthony read it over her
shoulder. It had been, he remembered, a long epistle, breathing
mingled passion and despair. The genius of Professor Wyn-wood
had transformed it into an essentially business-like c. om-munication.

Operations carried out uccess[ully, but fl. double-crossed
us. Has removed stone/rom hiding-place. Not in his room. I
have searched. Found/ollowing memorandum tohich I think
re/ers to it: RIco Sv,/SrIOI/T ElcaRT Lr THa

'S.?' said Anthony. 'Stylptitch, of course. Cunning old dog.
He changed the hiding-place.'
'Richmond,' said rir/ginia thoughtfully. 'Is the diamond
concealed somewhere at Richmond, I wonder?'
'It's a favourite spot for royalties,' agreed Anthony.
Battle shook his head.
'I still think it's a reference to something in this house.'
I know,' cried Virginia suddenly.
Both men turned to look at her.
The Holbein portrait in the Council Chamber. They were
tapping on the wall just below it. And it's a portrait of the Earl
of Richmond!'
'You've got it,' said Battle, and slapped his leg.


He spoke with an animation quite unwonted.

Fhat's the starting-point, the picture, and the crooks know
no more than we do what the figures refer to. Those two men
in armour stand directly underneath the picture, and their first
idea was that the diamond was hidden in one of them. The
measurements might have been inches. That failed, and their
next idea was a secret passage or stairway, or a sliding panel

Do you know of any such thing, Mrs Revel?'
Virginia shook her head.
qhere's a priest's hole, and at least one secret passage,
I know,' she said. 'I believe I've been shown them once, but I
can't remember much about them now. Here's Bundle, she'll
know.'

Bundle was coming quickly along the terrace towards


'I'm taking the Panhard up to town after lunch,' she re-marked.
'Anyone want a lift? Wouldn't you like to come, Mr
Cade? We'll be back by dinnertime.'

"No, thanks,' said Anthony. 'I'm quite happy and busy down

here.s

q'he man fears me,' said Bundle. "Either my driving or my
fatal fascination! Which is it?'

VI'he latter,' said Anthony. Every time.'

'Bundle, dear,' said Virginia, 'is there any secret passage
leading out of the Council Chamber?'

'Rather. But it's only a mouldlr one. Supposed to lead from
Chimneys to Wyvem Abbey. So it did in the old, old days, but
it's all blocked up now. You can only get along it for about a
hundred yards from this end. The one upstairs in the White
Gallery ia ever so much more amusing, and the priest's hole
isn't half bad.'

'We're not regarding them from an artistic standpoint,' ex-plained
Virginia. 'It's business. How do you get into the
Council Chamber one?'

l-Iinged panel. I'll show it you after lunch if you like.'

°rhank you,' said Superintendent Battle. 'Shall we say at
2.3o?

Bundle looked at him with lifted eyebrows.
'Crook .stuff?' she inquired.
Tredwell appeared on the terrace.
'Luncheon is served, my lady,' he announced.


72


ENCOUNTER IN THE ROSE GARDEN


Ar z.3o a little party met together in the Council Chamber:
Bundle, Virginia, Superintendent Battle, M. Lemoine and
Anthony Cade.

'No good waiting until we can get hold of Mr Lomax,' said
Battle. 'This ia the kind of business one wants to get on with
quickly.'

'If you've got any idea that Prince Michael was murdered by
someone who got in this way, you're wrong,' said Bundle. 'It
can't be done. The other end's blocked comIetely.'

'There is no question of that, milady,' said Lemoine quickly.
'It is quite a different search that we make.'

'Looking for something, are you?' asked Bundle quickly.

qIot the historic what-not, by any chance?'
Lemoine looked puzzled.

rExplain yourself, Bundle,' said Virginia encouragingly.
You can when you try.'

'The thingummybob,' said Bundle. I'he historic diamond of
purple princes that was pinched in the dark ages before I grew
to year of discretion.'

%Vho told you this, Lady Eilcen?' asked Battle.

'I've always known. One of the footmen told me when I was
twelve years old.'

'A footman,' said Battle. Lordl I'd like'Mr Lomax to have
heard thatl'

'Is it one of George's closely guarded secrets?' asked Bundle.
q'Iow perfectly screamingl I never really thought it was tree.
George always was an ass - he must know that servants know
everything.'

She went across to the Holbein portrait, touched a spring
concealed somewhere at the side of it, and immediately, with a
creaking noise, a section of the panelling swung inwards, re-vealing
a dark opening.

'Entrez, messieurs et ne$danes,' said Bundle dramatically.
%Valk up, walk up, walk up, dearies. Best show of the season,
and only a tanner.'

Both Lemoine and Battle were provided with torches. They


entered the dark aperture first, the others dose on their
heels.

'Air's nice and fresh,' remarked Battle. 'Must be ventilated
somehow.'

He walked on ahead. The floor was rough uneven stone, but
the walls were bricked. As Bundle had said, the passage ex-tended
for a bare hundred yards. Then it came to an abrupt
end with a fallen heap of masonry. Battle satisfied himself that
there was no way of egress beyond, and then spoke over his
shoulder.

'We'll go back, if you please. I wanted just to spy out the
land, so to'peak.'

In a few minutes they were back again at the panelled en-trance.

%Ve'll start from here,' said Battle. 'Seven straight, eight
left, three right. Take the first as paces.'

He paced seven steps carefully, and bending down exam-ined
the ground.

'About right, I should fancy. At one time or another, there's
been a chalk mark made here. Now then, eight left. That's not
paces, the passage is only wide enough to go Indian file,
anyway.'

'Say it in bricks,' suggested Anthony.

'Quite right, Mr Cade. Eight bricks from the bottom or the
top on the left-hand aide. Try from the bottom first - it's
easier.'

He counted up eight bricks.

enow three to .the right of that. One, two, three - Hullo--Hullo,
what's this?'

'I shall scream in a minute,' said Bune, 'I know I shall
What is it?'

Superintendent Battle was working at the brick with the
point of his knife. His practised eye had quickly seen that this
particular brick was different from the rest A minute or two's
work, and he was able to pull it right out. Behind was a amah
dark cavity. Battle thrust in his hand.

Everyone waited in breathless expectancy.

Battle drew out his hand again.

He uttered an exclamation of surprise and anger.

The others crowded'round and stared uncomprehendingly
at the three articles he held. For a moment it seemed as though
their eyes must have deceived them.


174


A card of small pearl buttons, a square of coarse knitting,
and a piece of paper on which were inscribed a row of capital

'Well,' said Battle. 'I'm - I'm danged. What's the meaning of
this?'
'Mon Dieu,' muttered the Frenchman. ''a, c' est ua peu trop

'But what does it mean?' cried trginia, bewildered.
'Mean?' said Anthony. Fhere's only one thing it can mean.
The late Count Stylptitch must have had a ense of humourl
This is an example of that burnout. I may say that I don't
consider it particularly funny myself.'
'Do you mind explaining your meaning a little more clearly,
sir?' said the Superintendent Battle.
'Certainly. Thi was the Count's little joke He must have
suspected that his memorandum had been read. When the
crooks came to recover the jewel, they were to find instead this
extremely clever conundrm It's the ort of thing you pin on
to yourff at Book Teas, when people have to gue what you
are.'
'It ha a meaning, then?'
'I hould say, undoubtedly. If the Count had meant to be
merely offensive, he would have put a placard with "Sold"
on it, or a picture of a donkey or something crude like that.'
'A bit of knitting, some capital E's, and a lot of buttons,'
muttered Battle discontentedly.
'C est inou; said Lemoine angrily.
'Cipher No 2,' said Anthony. 'I wondee whether Professor
Wynwood would be any good at this one?'
'When was this ps, age last used, milady?' asked the Frenchman
of Bundle.
Bundle reflected.
'I don't believe anyone's been into it for over two year. The
priest's hole is the show exhibit for Americans *nd tourists
generally.'
'Curious,' murmured the Frenchman.
'Why curious?'
Lemoine stooped and picked up a small object from the
floor.
'Because of this,' he saicL 'This match has not lain here for
two years - not even two days.'


'Any of you ladies or gentlemen drop this, by any chance?'
he asked.
He received a negative all round.
%Veil, then,' said Superintendent Battle, 'we've seen all there
is to see. We might as well get out of here.'
The proposal was assented to by all The panel had swung
to, but Bundle showed them how it was fastened from the
inside. She unlatched it, swung it noiselessly open, and sprang
through the opening, aiighting in the Council Chamber with a
resounding thud.
Drna!' said Lord Caterham, springing up from an armchair
in which he appeared to have been taking forty
winks.
?opt old .Father,' said Bundle. 'Did I startle you?'
I c.an't ...thin.,' said .L.rd Caterham, 'why no[xly nowadays
ever sts still ater a mal. It's a lost art. God knows Chimneys
is big enough but even here there doesn't seem to be. a single
room where I can be sure of a little peace. Good Lord, how
many of you are there? Reminds me of the pantomimes I used
to go to as a boy when hordes of demons used to pop up out
of trspdoom'
'Demon No 7,' said Virginia, approaching him, and patting
him on the head. 'Don't be cross. We're just exploring secret
passages, that's all.'
rhere seems to be a positive boom in secret passages today,'
[gr, .bled Lord Caterham, not yet completely mollified 'I've
had to show that fellow Fish round them all this morningi'
%Vhen was that?' asked Battle quickly.
'Just before lunch. It seems he'd heard Of the one in here. I
showed him that, and then took him up to the White Gailery,
and we finished up with the priest's hole. But his enthusiasm
was waning by that time. He looked bored to death. But I made
him b,o through with it.' Lord Caterham chuckled at the re-
nlFnorance.
Anthony put a hand on Lemoine's arm.
.C, ome outside,' he said softly. I want to speak to you.'
., Th.e ?o men wen-.t out to. ther through the window. When
mey naa gone a sumcient distance from the house, Anthony
drew from his pocket the scrap of paper that Boris had given
him that morning.
%ook here,' he said. 'Did you drop this?'
Lemoine took it and examined it with some interest.


'No,' he said. 'I have never seen it before. Why?'
'Quite sure?'
'Absolutely sure, monsieur.'
'That's very odd.'
He repeated to Lemoine what Boris had said. The other
listened with close attention.
'No, I did not drop it. You say he found it in that dump of
trees?'
'Well, I assumed so, but he did not actually say so.'
'It is just possible-that it might have fluttered out of M.
Isaacstein's suitcase. Question Boris again.' He handed the
paper back to Anthony. After a minute or two he said: 'What
exactly do you know of this man Boris?'
Anthony shrugged his shoulders.
'I understood he was the late Prince Michael's trusted servant.'
'It may be so, but make it your business to find out. Ask
someone who knows, such as the Baron Lolopretjzyl. Perhaps
this man was engaged but a few weeks ago. For myself, I have
believed him honest. But who knows? King Victor is quite
capable of making himself into a trusted servant at a moment's
notice.'
'Do you really think--'
Lemoine interrupted him.
'I will be quite frank. With me, King Victor is an obsession. I see him everywhere. At this moment even I ask myself - this
man who is talking to me, M. Cade, is he, perhapS, King
Victor?'
'Good Lord,' said Anthony, you have got it badly.'
'What do I care for the diamond? For the discovery of the
murderer of Prince Michael? I leave those affairs to my colleague
of Scotland Yard whose business it is. Me, I nm in
England for one purpose, and one purpose only, to capture
King Victor and capture him red-handed. Nothing else
matters.'
'Think you'll do it?' asked Anthony, lighting a cigarette.
'How should I know?' said Lemoine, with sudden despondency.
'Hm I' said Anthony.
They had regained the terrace. Superintendent Battle was
standing near the french window in a wooden attitude.
'Look at poor old Battle,'. said Anthony. 'Let's go and cheer

x77


him up.' He paused a minute, and said, 'You know, you're an

odd fish in me ways, M. Lemoine.'

'In what ways, M. Cade?'

'Well,' said Anthony, 'in your place, I should have been in-clined
to note down that addre. that I showed you. It may be
of no importance - quite conceivably. On the other hand, it
might be very important indeed.'

Lemoine looked at him for a minute or two steadily. Then,
with a slight smile, he drew back the cuff of his left coat-sleeve.
Pencilled on the white shirt-cuff beneath were the words'Hurst-mere,
Langly Road, Dover'.

'I apologize,' said Anthony. 'And I retire worsted.'

He joined Superintendent Battle.

'You look very pensive, Battle,' he remarked.
'I've got a lot to think about, Mr Cade.'
'Yes, I expect you have.'

'Things aren't dovetailing. They're not dovetailing at all.'
'rery trying,' sympathized Anthony. 'Never mind, Battle, if
the worst comes to the worst, you can always arrest me. You've

got my guilty footprints to fall back upon, remember.'

But the superintendent did not smile.

'Got any enemies here that you know of, Mr Cade?' he
asked.

'I've an idea that the third footman doesn't like ne,' replied
Anthony lightly. 'He does his best to forget to hand me the
choicest vegetables. WhyP

'I've been getting anonymous letters,' said Superintendent

Battle. Or rather an anonymous letter, I should say.'

'About me?' o

Without answer Battle took a folded sheet of cheap note-paper
from his pocket, and handed it to Anthony. Scrawled on
it in an illiterate handwriting were the words:


Look out for Mr Cade. He isn't toot he seems.


Anthony handed it back with a light laugh.

'That all? Cheer up, Battle. I'm really a king in disguise, you
know.'

He went into the house, whistling lightly as he walked along.
But as he entered his bedroom and shut the door behind him,
his face changed. It grew set and stern. He sat down on the
edge of the bed and stared moodily at the floor.

278


'Things are getting serious,' said Anthony to himself. 'Something
must be done about it. It's all damned awkward...'
He sat there for a minute or two, then strolled to the
window. For a moment or two he stood looking out aimlessly
and then his eyes became suddenly focused on a certain spot,
and his face lightened.
'Of course,' he said. 'The rose garden[ That's it! The rose
garden.'
He hurried downstairs again and out into the garden by a
side door. He approached the rose garden by a circuitous
route. It had a little gate at either end. He entered by the far
one, and walked up to the sundial which was on a raised hillock
in the exact centre of the garden.
Just as Anthony reached it, he stopped dead and stared at
another occupant of the rose garden who seemed equally surprised
to see him.
'I didn't know that you were interested in roses, Mr Fish,'
aid Anthony gently.
'Sir,' said Mr Fish, 'I am considerably interested in roses.'
They looked at each other warily, as antagonists seek to
measure their opponents' strength.
'So am I,' said Anthony.
ils that so?'
'In fact, I dote upon roses,' said Anthony airily.
A very slight smile hovered upon Mr Fish's lips, and at
the same time Anthony also smiled. The tension seemed to relax.
'Look at this beauty now,' said Mr Fish, stooping to point
out a particularly fine bloom. 'Madame Abel Chatenay, I
pressoom it to be. Yes, I am right. This white rose, before the
war, was known as Frau Carl Drusky. They have, I believe,
renamed it. Over-sensitive, perhaps, but truly patriotic. The La
France is always popular. Do you care for red roses at all, Mr
Cade? A bright scarlet rose now--'
Mr Fish's slow, drawling voice, was interrupted. Bundle was
leaning out of a first-floor window.
'Care for a spin to town, Mr Fish? I'm just off.'
'Thank you, Lady Eileen, but I am vurry happy here.'
'Sure you won t change your mind, Mr Cade?
Anthony laughed and shook his head. Bundle disappeared.
'Sleep is more in my line,' said Anthony, with a wide yawn.
x79


'A good after-luncheon napl' He took out a cigarette. 'You
haven't got a match, have you?'
Mr Fish handed him a matchbox. Anthony helped himself,
and handed back the box with a word of thanks.
'Roses,' said Anthony, 'are all very well. But I don't feel
particularly horticultural this afternoon.'
With a disarming .,mile, he nodded cheerfully.
A thundering noise sounded from just outside the house.
rPretty powerful engine she's got in that car of hers,' remarked
Anthony. 'There, off she goe.'
	They had a view of the car speeding down the long drive.

	Anthony yawned again, and strolled towards the house.
He passed in through the door. Once inside, he seemed as
though changed to quicksilver. He raced across the hall, out
through one of the windows on the farther side, and across the
park. Bundle, he knew, had to make a big detour by the lodge
gates, and through the village.
He ran desperately. It was a race against time. He reached
the park wall just as he heard the car outside. He swung himself
up and dropped into the road.
	rli!' cried Anthony.
In her astonishment, Bundle swerved half across the road.
She managed to pull up without accident. Anthony ran after
the car, opened the door, and jumped in beside Bundle.
'I'm coming to London with you,' he said. 'I meant to all
along.'
'Extraordinary person,' said Bundle. %Vhat'a that you've got
in your hand?'
	'Only a match,' said Anthony.
	·
	He regarded it thoughtfully. It was pink, with a yellow head.

	He threw away hia unlighted cigarette, and put the match care
	fully into hia pocket.

THE HOUSE AT DOVER

'You don't mind, I suppose,said Bundle ater a minute or two,
'if I drive rather fast? I started later than I meant to do.'
It had seemed to Anthony that they were proceeding at a
I8o


terrific speed already, but he soon saw that that was nothing
compared to what Bundle could get out of the Panhard if she
tried.
"Some people,' said Bundle, as she slowed down mtmaentarily
to pa,, through a '..,re t rr . .d .of .my dr.h , Poor old
Father, for instance. Noth-xg wouio mouce mm come up
with me in this old bus.'
Privately, Anthony thought Lord Caterham. was, e.nti.re!y
justified. Driving with Bundle was not a sport to oe inouigea in ]by nervous, middle-aged gentlemen.
'But you don't seem nervous a bit,' continued Bundle approvingly,
as she swept round a corner on two wheels.
'I'm in nrettv good training, you see,' explained Anthony
grav]. 'i--A;g-:added, as an afterthought, 'I'm rather ma
hurry myself.
'Shall I speed her up a bit more?' asked Bundle kindly.
'Good Lord, no,' said Anthony hastily. %Ve're averaging
about fifty as it is.'
'I'm burning with curiosity to know the reason for this
sudden departure,' said Bundle, after executing a fanfare upon
the klaxon which must temporarily have deafened' the neighbourhood.
'But I suppose I mustn't ask? You're not escaping
from justice, are you?'
'I'm not quite sure,' said Anthony. ti shall know soon.'
VI'hat Scotland Yard man isn't as much of a rabbit as I
thought,' said Bundle thoughtfully.
'Battle's a good man,' agreed Anthony.
'You. ought to have been in diplomacy,' remarked Bundle.
'You don't part with much information, do you?
'I was under the impression that I babbled.'
'Obi Boyl You're not eloping with Mademoiselle Brun, by
any chance?'
'Not guilty!' said Anthony with fervour.
There was a pause of some minutes during which Bundle
caught up and passed three other cars. Then she asked suddenly:
q-Iow long have you known Virginia?'
VI'hat's a difficult question to answer,' said Anthony, with
perfect truth. 'I haven't actually met her very often, and yet I
seem to have known her a long time.'
Bundle nodded.
'Virginia's got brains,' she remarked abruptly. 'She's always


talking nonsense, but she's got brains all right. She was fright-fully
good out in Herzoslovakia, I believe. If Tim Revel had
lived he'd have had a fine career - and mostly owing to Vir-ginia.
She worked for him tooth and nail. She did everything in
the world she could for him - and I know why, too.'

'Because she eared for him?' Anthony sat looking very
straight ahead of him.

'No, because she didn't. Don't you see? She didn't love him
- she never loved him, and so she did everything on earth she
could to make up. That's Virginia all over. But don't you make
any mistake about it. Virginia was never in love with Tim
Revel.'

'You seem very positive,' said Anthony, turning to look at
her.

Bundle's little hands were clenched on the steering wheel,
and her chin was stuck out in a determined manner.

'I know a thing or two. I was only a kid at the time of her
marriage, but I heard one or two things, and knowing Virginia
I can put them together easily enough. Tim Revel was bowled
over by Virginia - he was Irish, you know, and most attractive,
with a genius for expressing himself well. Virginia was quite
young - eighteen. She couldn't go anywhere without seeing
Tim in a state of picturesque misery, vowing he'd shoot himself
or take to drink if she didn't marry him. Girls believe these
things - or used to - we've advanced a lot in the last eight
years. Virginia was carried away by the feeling she thought
she'd inspired. She married him - and she was an angel to him
always. She wouldn't have been half as much of an angel if
she'd loved him. There's a lot of the devil irsVirginia. But I can
tell you one thing - she enjoys her freedom. And anyone will
have a hard time persuading her to give it up.'

'I wonder why you tell me all this?' said Anthony slowly.

'It's interesting to know about people, isn't it? Some people,
that is.'

'I've wanted to know,' he acknowledged.

'And you'd never have heard from Virginia. But you can
trust me for an inside tip from the stables. Virginia's a darling.
Even women like her because she isn't a bit of a cat. And
anyway,' Bundle ended, somewhat obscurely, 'one must be a
sport, mustn't one?'

'Oh, certainly,' Anthony agreed. But he was still puzzled. He
had no idea what had prompted Bundle to give him so much

I82


information unasked. That he was glad of it, he did not
deny.
'Here are the trams,' said Bundle, with a sigh. 'Now, I suppose,
I shall have to drive carefully.'
'It might be as well,' agreed Anthony.
His ideas and Bundle's on the subject of careful driving
hardly coincided. Leaving indignant suburbs behind them they
finally emerged into Oxford Street
'Not bad going, eh?' said Bundle, glancing at her wristwatch.
Anthony assented fervently.
'Where do you want to be dropped?'
'Anywhere. Which way are you going?'
'Knightsbridge way.'
'All right, drop me at Hyde Park Corner.'
'GoodBye,' said Bundle, as she drew up at the place indicated.
'What about the return journey?'
'I'11/ind my own way back, thanks very much.'
'I have scared him,' remarked Bundle.
'I shouldn't recommend driving with you as a tonic for
nervous old ladies, but personally I've enjoyed it. The last time
I was in equal danger was when I was charged by a herd of
wild elephants.'
'I think you're extremely rode,' remarked Bundle. `we've
not even had one bump today.'
'I'm sorry if you've been holding yourself in on my account,'
retorted Anthony.
'I don't think men are really very brave,' said Bundle.
rhat's a nasty one,' said Anthony. 'I.retire, humiliated.'
Bundle nodded and drove on. Anthony hailed a passing taxi.
'Victoria Station,' he said to the driver as he got in.
When he got to Victoria he paid o{[ the taxi and inquired for
the next train to Dover. Unfortunately he had just missed
°nesigning himself to a wait of something over an hour,
Anthony paced up and down, his brows knit. Once or twice he
shook his head impatiently.
The journey to Dover was unevent/ul. Arrived there,
Anthony passed quickly out of the station, and then, as though
suddenly remembering, he turned back again. There was a
slight smile on his lips as he asked to be directed to Hurstmere,
Langly Road.
x83


TI road in question was a long me, leading right of o the town. According to the porter's instruc6ons, Hurstrnere was
the last house. Anthony trudged along steadily. The little
pucker had reappeared between his eyes. Nevertheless there
was a new elation in his manner, as always when danger was
near at hand.
Hurstmere was, as the porter had said, the las house in
Langly Road. It stood well back, enclosed in its own grounds,
which were ragged and overgrown. The place, Anthony
judged, must have been empty for many years. A large iron
gate swung rustily on its hingea, and the name on the gatepost
was half obliterated.
'A lonely spot,' muttered Anthony to himself, 'and a good
one to choose.'
He hesitated a minute or two, glanced quickly up and down
the road - which was quite deserted - and then slipped quietly
.past .the creakinggate into the overgrown drive. He walked up
it a little way, and then tood listening. He was still ne distance
from the house. Not a ound could be heard anywhere.
Some fast-yellowing leaves detached themselves from one of
the trees overhead and fell with a oft rustling sound that
almost sinister in the tillness. Anthony started; then smiled.
'Nerves,' he murmured to himself. 'Never knew I had such
things before.'
He went o.n up the drive. Presently, as the drive curved, h
slipped into the shrubbery and o continued his way unseen
from the house- Suddenly he stood still, peering out through
the leaves. Some distance away a dog was ¥rking, but it was a
sound nearer at hand that had aRracted Anthony's attention.
His keen hearing had not been mistaken. A man came
rapidly round the corner of the house, a short square, thickset
man, foreign in appeazance. He did not pause but walked
steadily on, circling the house and disappearing again.
Anthony nodded to himself.
'Sentry,' he murmurtl. 'They do the thing quite well.'
As soon as he had passed, Anthony went on, diverging to the
left, and so following in the footsteps of the sentry.
His own footsteps were quite noiseless.
The wall of the house was on his right, and presently he
corne to where a broad blur of light fell on the gravelled walk.
The sc,,nd of several men talking together was clearly
eudibl,'

I84


'My Godl what double-dyed idiots,' murmured Anthony to
himself. 'It would serve them right to be given a fright.'
He stole up to the window, stooping a little so that he should
not be seen. Presently he lifted his head very carefully to the
level of the sill and looked in.
Half a dozen men were sprawling round a table. Four of
them were big thick-set men, with high cheekbones, and eyes
set in Magyar slanting fashion. The other two were rat-like
little men with quick gestures. The language that was being
spoken was French, but the four big men spoke it with uncertainty
and a hoarse guttural intonation.
'The boss?' growled one of these, qNhen will he be here?'
One of the smaller men shrugged his shoulders.
CAny time now.'
CAbout time, too,' growled the first man. 'I have never seen
him, this' boss of yours, but, oh, what great and glorious work
might we not have accomplished in these days of idle waiting!'
'Fool,' said the other little man bitingly. 'Getting nabbed by
the police is all the great and glorious work you and your
precious lot would have been likely to accomplish. A lot of
blundering gorillas?
Ahal' roared another big thick-set fellow. 'You insult the
Comrades? I will soon set the sign of the Red Hand round your
throat'
He hal rose, glaring ferociously at the Frenchman, but one
of his companions pulled him back again.
No quarrelling,' he grunted %Ve're to work together. From
all I heard, this King Victor doesn't slsmd for being disobeyed.'
In the darkness, Anthony heard the footsteps of the sentry
coming his round again, and he drew back behind a bush.
'Who's that?' saldone of the men inside.
'Carlo - going his rounds.'
'Oh What about the prisoner?'
'He's all right - coming round pretty fast now. He's recovered
well from the crack on the head we gave him.'
Anthony moved gently away.
'Godl what a lot,' he muttered. 'They discuss their affairs
with an open window, and that fool 'Carlo goes his round with
the tread of an elephant - and the eyes of a bat. And to crown
all, the Herz0slovakians and the French are on the point of


coming to blows. King Victor's headquarters seem to be in a
parlous condition. It would amuse me, it would amuse me very
much, to teach them a leson.'
He stood irresolute for a minute, smiling to himself.
From somewhere above his head came a stfled groan.
Anthony looked up. The groan came again.
Anthony glan. ced quickly from left to fight. Carlo was not
due round
		just

	again
		yet. He grasped the heavy virginia
creeper and climbed nimbly till he reached the sill of a window.
The window was hut, but with a tool from his pocket he soon
succeeded in forcing up the catch.
He paused a minute to listen, then sprang lightly inside the
room. There was a bed in the far corner and on that bed a man
was lying, his figure barely discernible in the gloom.
Anthony went over to the bed, and flashed his pocket torch
on the man's face. It was a foreign face, pale and emaciated,
and the head was swathed in heavy bandages.
The man was bound hand and foot. He stared up at
Anthony like one dazed.
Anthony bent over him, and as he did so he heard a sound
behind him and swung round, his hand travelling to his coat
pocket.
But a laarp command arrted him.
'Hands up, sonny. You didn't expect to see me here, but I
happened to catch the same train as you at Victoria.'
It was Mr Hiram Fish who was standing in the doorway. He
was milling and in his hand was a big blue automatic.

TUESDAY NIGHT AT CHIMNEYS

LORD CAT£RHAM, Virginia and Bundle were sitting in the library
after dinner. It was Tuesday evening. Some thirty hours
had elapsed since Anthony'8 rather dramatic departure.
For at least the seventh time Bundle repeated Anthony's
parting words, as poken at Hyde Park Corner.
'I'll find my own way back,' echoed Virginia thoughtfully. that doesn't look as though he expected to be away aa long'aa
this. And he's left all his things here.'
x86


'He didn't tell you where he was going?'
'No,' said Virginia, looking straight in front of her. 'He told
be nothing.'
After this, there was a silence for a minute or two. Lord
2aterham wa the first to break it.
'On the whole,' he said, 'keeping an hotel has some advankages
over keeping a country house.'
'Meaning?.-'
'That little notice they always hang up in your room. Visi-
ors intending departure must give notice before twelve
%'clock.'
Virginia smiled.
'I dare say,' he continued, 'that I am old-fashioned and un-

easonable. It's the fashion, I know, to pop in and out of a
ouse. Same idea a an hotel - perfect freedom of action, and
o bill at the end!'
'You are an old grouser,' said Bundle. rou've had Virginia
nd me. What more do you want?'
'Nothing more, nothing more,' Lord Caterham assured them
astily. 'That's not it at all. It's the principle of the thing. It
hives one such a restless feeling. I'm quite willing to admit that
Vs been an almost ideal twenty-four hours. Peace - perfect
geace. No burglaries or other crimes of violence, no detectives,
o Americans. What I complain of is that I should have enyed
it all so much more if I'd felt really secure. As it is, all the
me, I've been saying to myself, "One or other of them is
ound to turn up in a minute." And that spoilt the whole thing.'


'Well, nobody has turned up,' said Bundle. 'We've been left
verely alone - neglected, in fact. It's odd the way Fish disap-eared.
Didn't he say anything?'
d 'Not a word. Last time I saw hn he was pacing up and

wn the rose garden yesterday afternoon, smoking one of
se unpleasant cigars of his. After that he seems to have just
elted into the landscape..' if . 'Somebody must have kidnapped him,' said Bundle hope-
Œ:ly.
'I
d- n another day or two, I expect we shall have Scotland Yard
g'agging the lake to find his dead body,' said her father
gOomily. 'It serves me right- At my time of life, I ought to have
l'..'ne quietly abroad and taken care of my health, ,and not al.c..wed
myself to be drawn into George Lomax s wildcat
--hemes.

187


He was interrupted by Tredwell.
Well,' said Lord Caterham, irritably, 'what is it?'
q'he French detective ia here, my lord, and would be glad if you could spare him a few minutes.'
What did I tell you?' aid Lord Caterham. 'I knew it was too
good to last. Depend upon it, they've found Fish's dead body
doubled up in the goldfish pond.'
Tredwe!l, in a strictly respectful manner, steered him back
to the point at issue.
'Am I to say that you will see him, my lord?'
'Yes, yes. Bring him in here.'
Tredwell departed. He returned a minute or two later announcing
in a lugubrious voice:
'Monsieur Lemoine.'
The Frenchman came in with a quick, light step. His walk,
more than his face, betrayed the fact that he was excited about
aething.
'Good evening, Lemoine,' said Lord Caterham. 'Have a
drink, won't you?'
'I thank you, no.' He bowed punctiliously to the ladies. 'At
last I make progress. As things are, I felt that you should be
acquainted with the discoveries - the very grave discoveries
that I have made in the course of the last twenty-four hours.'
'I thought there must be something important going on
mewhere,' said Lord Caterham.
'My lord, yesterday afternoon one of your guest, left this
house in a curious manner. From the beginning, I must tell
you, I have had my suspicions. Here is a man who comes from
the wilds. Two months ago he was in South Africa. Before that - where?'
Virginia drew a sharp breath. For a moment the Frenchman's
eyes rested on her doubtfully. Then he went on:
Before that - where? None can say. And he is just such a
one as the man I am looking for - gay, audacious, recidess, one
who would dare anything. I end cable after cable, but I can
get no word as to his past life. Ten years ago he was in Canada,
yes, but since them - silence. My suspicions grow stronger.
Then I pick up one day a scrap of paper where he has lately
paed along. It bears an address - the address of a house in
Dover. Later, as though by chance, I drop that same piece of
paper. Out of the tail of my eye, I see this Boris, the Her-zolovakian,
pick it up and take it to his master. All along I
88


have been sure that this Boris is an emissary of the Comrades
of the Red Hand. We know that the Comrades are working in
with King Victor over this affair. If Boris recognized his chief
in Mr Anthony Cade, would he not do just what he has done transferred
his allegiance? Why should he attach himself
otherwise to an insignificant stranger? It was suspicious, I tell
you, very suspicious.
'But almost I am disarmed, for Anthony Cade brings this
same paper to me at once and asks me if I have dropped it. As I
say, almost I am disarmed - but not quitel For it may mean
that he is innocent, or it may mean that he is very, very clever.
I deny, of course, that it is mine or that I dropped it. But in the
meantime I have set inquiries on foot. Only today I have news.
The house at Dover has been precipitately abandoned, but up
till yesterday afternoon it was occupied by a body of foreigners.
Not a doubt but that it was King Victor's headquarters.
Now see the significance of these points. Yesterday afternoon,
Mr Cade clears out from here precipitately. Ever since he
dropped that paper, he must know that the game is up. He
reaches Dover and immediately the gang is disbanded. What
the next move will be, I do not know. What is quite certain is
that Mr Anthony Cade will not return here. But knowing King
Victor, as I do, I am certain that he will not abandon the game
without having one more try for the jewel And that is when I
shall get him!'
Virginia stood up suddenly. She walked across to the mantelpiece
and spoke in a voice that rang cold like steel.
`you are leaving one thing out of account, I think, M. Lemoine,'
she said. qVIr Cade is not the only guest who disappeared
yesterday in a suspicious manner.'
'You mean, madame?--'
VI'hat all you have said applies equally well to another
person. What about Mr Hiram Fish?'
'Oh, Mr Fish?
'Yes, Mr Fish. Did you not tell us that first night that King
Victor had lately come to England from America? So has Mr
Fish come to England from America. It is true that he brought
a letter of introduction from a very well-known man, but
surely that would be a simple thing for a man like King Victor
to manage. He is certainly not what he pretends to be. Lord
Caterham has commented on the fact that when it is a question
of the first editions he is supposed to have come here to see he
x89


is always the listener, never the talker. And there are several
suspicious facts against him. There was a light in his window
the night of the murder. Then take that evening in the Council
Chamber. When I met him on the terrace he was fully dressed. He could have dropped the paper. You didn't actually see Mr
Cade do so. Mr Cade may have gone to Dover. If he did it was
simply to investigate. He may have been kidnapped there. I say
that there is far more suspicion attaching to Mr Fish's actions
than to Mr Cade's.'
The Frenchman's voice rang out sharply:
'From your point of view, that well may be, madame. I do
not dispute it. And I agree that Mr Fish is not what he seems.'
'Well, then?'
'But that makes no difference. You see, madame, Mr Fish is
a Pinkerton's man.'
qNhat?' cried Lord C. aterharn.
'Yes, Lord Caterham. He came over here to trail King
Victor. Superintendent Battle and I have known this for some
time.'
Virginia said nothing. Very slowly she sat down again. With
those few words the structure that she had built up so carefully
was scattered in ruins about her feet.
'You see,' Lemoine was continuing, 'we have all known that
eventually King Victor would come to Chimneys. It was the
one place we were sure of catching him.'
Virginia looked up with an odd light in her eyes, and suddenly
she laughed.
'You've not caught him yet,' she said.
Lemoine looked at her curiously.
'No, madame. But I shall.'
'He's supposed to be rather famous for outwitting people,
isn't he?'
The Frenchman's face darkened with anger.
'This time, it will be different,' he said between his teeth.
'He's a very attractive fellow,' said Lord Caterham. 'Very
attractive. But surely - why, you said he was an old friend of
yours, Virginia?'
'That is why,' said Virginia composedly, 'I think M. Lemoine
must be making a mistake.'
And her eyes met the detective's steadily, but he appeared in
no wise discomfited.

x9o


'Time will show, madame,' he said.
'Do you pretend that it was he who hot Prince Michael?'
she asked presently.

But Virginia shook her head.
'Oh, nol' she said. 'Oh, nol That is one thing I am quite sure
of. Anthony Cade never killed Prince MichaeL'
Lemoine was watching her intently.
I'here is a possibility that you are right, madame,' he said
slowly. 'A possibility, that is all It may have been the Her- zoslovakian, Boris, who exceeded his order and fired that shot.
Who knows, Prince Michael may have done him some great
wrong, and the man sought revenge.'
'He looks a murderous sort of fellow,' agreed Lord Cater- hnm. I'he housemaids, I believe, scream when he passes them in the passages.'
'Well,' said Lemoine. 'I must be going now. I felt it was due
to you, my lord, to know exactly how things stand.'
'Very kind of you, I'm sure,' said Lord Caterham. 'Quite
certain you won't have a drink? All right, then. Goodnight.'
'I hate that man with his prim little black beard and his
eyeglasses,' said Bundle, as soon as the door had shut behind
him. 'I hope Anthony does snoo him. I'd love to see him dancing
with rage. What do you think about it all Virginia?'
'I don't know,' said Virginia. 'I'm tired. I shall go up to
bed.'
'Not a bad idea,' said Lord Caterhnm- ;It's half past
eleven.'
Az V'ginia was crowing the wide hall, she caught sight of a
broad back that seemed familiar to her discreetly vanishing
through a side door.
'Superintendent Battle,' she called imperiotmly.
The superintendent, for it was-indeed he, retraced his steps
with a shade of unwillingness.
'Ye, Mr Revel?'
'M. Lemoine has been here. He says-- Tell me, is it true,
really true, that Mr Fish is an American detective?'
Superintendent Battle nodded.
'That's right'
You have known it all along?'
Again Superintendent Battle nodded.
Virginia turaed away towards the staircase.

x9x


'I see,' she said. 'Thank you.'

Until that minute she had refused to believe.
And now?
Sitting
down before her dressing-table in her own room, she
faced the question squarely. Every word that Anthony had said
came back to her fraught with a new significance.
Was this the 'trade' that he had spoken of?
The trade that he had given up. But then--An
unusual sound disturbed the even tenor of her medi-tations.
She lifted her head with a start. Her little gold clock
showed the hour to be after one. Nearly two hours she had sat
here thinking.

Again the sound was repeated. A sharp tap on the window-pane.
Virginia went to the window and opened it. Below on the
pathway was a tall figure which even as she looked stooped for
another handful of gravel.

For a moment Virginia's heart beat faster- then she recog-nized
the maive strength and square-cut outline of the
Herzoslovakian, Boris.

`yes,' she said in a low voice. %Vhat is it?'

At the moment it did not strike her as. trange that Boris
should be throwing gravel at her window at tl hour of the
night.

%Vhat is it?' she repeated impatiently.

'I come from the master,' said Boris in a low tone which
nevertheless carried perfectly. 'He has sent for you.'

He made the statement in a perfectly matter-of-fact tone.
'Sent for me?'

'Yes, I am to bring you to him. There is a note. I will throw
it up to you.'

Virginia stood back a little, and a slip of paper, weighted
with a stone, fell accurately at her feet. She unfolded it and
read:


My dear (Anthony had written) - I'm in a tight place, but
I mean to tvin through. Will you trust me and come to me?


For quite two minutes Virginia stood there, immovable,
reading those few words over again and again.

She raised her head, looking round the well-appointed
luxury of the bedroom as though she saw it with new eyes.

Then she leaned out of the window again.


fiVhat am I to do?' she asked.
'The detectives are the other side of the house, outside the
Council Chamber. Come down and out through the side door.
I will be there. I have a car waiting outside in the road.'
Virginia nodded. Quickly she changed her dress for one of
fawn tricot, and pulled on a little fawn leather hat.
Then, miling a little, she wrote a short note, addressed it to
Bundle and pinned it to the pincushion.
She stole quietly downstairs and undid the bolts of the side
door. Just a moment she paused, then, with a little gallant toss
of the head, the same to of the head with which her ancestors
had gone into action in the Crusade, she passed through.

THE 13TH OF OCTOBER

Aa' ten o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, the x3th of
October, Anthony Cade walked into Harridge's Hotel and
asked for Baron Lolopretjzyl who was occupying n suite
there.
After suitable and imposing delay, Anthony was taken to the
suite in question. The Baron was standing on the hearthrug in
a correct and stiff fashion. Little C. aptam Andrassy, equally
correct as to demeanour, but with a slightly hoatile attitude,
was also present.
The usual bows, clicking of heels, and other formal greetings
of etiquette took place. Anthony was, by now, thoroughly conversant
with the routine.
roll will forgive this early call I trust, Baron,' he said cheerfully,
laying down his hat and stick on the table. 'As a matter of
fact, I have a little business proposition to make to you.'
'Hal Is that so?' said the Baron.
Captain Andrassy, who had never overcome his initial distrust
of Anthony, looked suspicious.
'Business,' said Anthony, 'is based on the well-known principle
of supply and demand. You want something, the other
man has it. The only thing left to settle ;.s the price.'
The Baron looked at him attentively, but said nothing.
'Between a Herzoslovakian nobleman and an English

x93


gentleman the terms should be easily arranged,' said Anthony
rapidly.
He blushed a little as he said it. Such words do not rise easily
to an Englishman's llps, but he had observed on previous occasions
the enormous effect of such phraseology upon the
Baron's mentality. True enough, the charm worked.
'That is so,' said the Baron approvingly, nodding his head.
'That is entirely o.'
Even Captain Andray appeared to unbend a little, and
nodded his head also.
'Very good,' said Anthony. 'I won't beat about the bush any
mor--
'What is that, you say?' interrupted the Baron. 'To beat
about the bush? I do not comprehend?'
'A mere figure of peech, Baron. To speak in plain English, you want the goods, toe have tbeml The ship is all very well,
but it lacks a figurehead. By the ship, I mean the Loyalist party
of Herzoslovakia. At the present minute you lack the principal
plank of your political programme. You are minus a prince!
Now supposing - only supposing, that I could supply you with
a prince?'
The baron stared.
'I do not comprehend you in the least,' he declared.
'Sir,' said Captain Andrassy, twirling his moustache fiercely,
'you are insulting?
qlot at all,' said Anthony. q'm trying to be helpful. Supply
and demand, you understand. It's all perfectly fair and square.
No princes supplied unless genuine - see trademark. If we
come to terms, you'll nd it's quite all right. I'm offering you
the real ;'nuine article - out o the bottom drawer.'
'Not in the least,' the Baron declared again, do I comprehend
you.'
'It doesn't really matter,' said Anthony kindly. 'I just want
you to get used to the idea. To put it vulgarly, I've got something
up my sleeve. Just get hold of this. You want a prince.
Under certain conditions, I will undertake to supply you with

The Baron and Andrassy stared at him. Anthony took up his
hat and stick again and prepared to depart.
'Just think it over. Now, Baron, there is one thing further.
You must come down to Chimneys this evening - Captain An'drassy
also. Several very curious things are likely to happen
x94


there. Shall we make an appointment? Say in fhe Counil

Chamber at nine o'clock? Thank you, gentlemen, I may rff

upon you to be there?'

The Baron took a step forward and looked searchingly ia

Anthony's face.

'Mr Cade,' he said, not without dignity, 'it is not, I hOl,

that you wish to make fun of me?'

Anthony returned his gaze steadily.

'Baron,' he said, and there was a curious note in his void,

when *his e"e ting is over, I think you will be the first to admit

that there is more earnest than jest about this business.'

Bowing to both men, he left the room.

His next call was in the City where he sent in his card to IMf

Herman Isaac. stein.

After some delay, Anthony was received by a pale and

quisitely dressed underling with an engaging manner, and

military title.

'You wanted to see Mr Isaacstein, didn't you?' said th

young man. 'I'm afraid he's most awfully busy this morning

board meetings and all that sort of thing, you know. Is it any'

thing that I can do?'

'I must see him personally,' said Anthony, and added care

lessly, 'Ive just come up from Chtmneys.
	.

	The young man was slightly staggered by the mention

	Chimneys.

	'Ohl' he said doubtfully. 'Well, I'll see.'

	'Tell him it's important,' said Anthony.

	'Message from Lord Caterham?' suggested the young


'Something of the kind,' said Anthony, 'but it's imperative
that I should see Mr Isaacstein at once.'

Two minutes later Anthony was conducted into a sumptuous
inner sanctum where he was principally impressed by the im-mense
size and roomy depths of the leather-covered arm-chairs.

Mr Isaacstein rose to greet him.

'You must forgive my looking you up like this,' said
Anthony. 'I know that you're a busy man, and I'm not going to
waste more of your time than I can help. It's just a little matter
of business that I want to put before you.'

Isaacstein looked at him attentively for a minute or two out
of his beady black eyes.

x95


'Have a cigar,' he said unexpectedly, holding out an open

box.

'Thank you,' said Anthony. 'I don't mind if I do.'

He helped hinmelL

'It's about this Herzoslovaldan business,' continued
Anthony as he accepted a match. He noted the momentary
flickering of the other's steady gaze. 'The murder of Princo
Michael must have rather up.et the applecart.'

Mr Isaacstein raii one eyebrow, murmured 'Ah?' in-terrogatively
and transferred his gaze to the ceiling.

'Oil,' said Anthony, thoughtfully surveying the polished sur-face
of the desk. 'Wonderful thing, oiL'

He felt the slight start the financier gave.

'Do you mind coming to the point, Mr Cade?'

'Not at all I imagine, Mr Isaacstein, that if those oil
concessions are granted to another company you won't be
exactly pleased about it?'

'What's the proposition?' asked the other, looking straight at
him.

'A suitable claimant to the throne, full of pro-British sym-pathies.'

'Where have you got him?'

'That's my business.'

Isstein acknowledged the retort by a slight ile, his
glance had grown hard and keen.

'The genuine article? I can't stand for any funny
business?'

'The absolute genuine article.'
'Straight?'
'Straight.'

'I'n take your word for it.'

'You don't seem to take much convincing?' said Anthony,
looking curiously at

Herman Isaacstein *roiled.

'I shouldn't be where I am now if I hadn't learnt to know
whether a man is speaking the truth or not,' he replied simply.
'What terms do you want?'

'The same loan, on the same conditions, that you offered to
Prince Michael.'

'What about yourself?'

'For the moment, nothing, except that I want you to come
down to Chimneys tonight.'

x96


lo,' said Isaacstein, with some decision. 'I can't do that.'
%Vhy?'
'Dining out - rather an important dinner.'
'All the same, I'm afraid you'll have to cut it out - for your
own sake?
%Vhat do you mean?'
Anthony looked at him for a full minute before he said
slowly:
'Do you know that they've found the revolver, the one
Michael was shot with? Do you know where they found it? In
your suitcase.'
'What?'
Isaacstein almost leapt from his chair. His face was frenzied.
%Vhat are you saying? What do you mean?'
'I'll tell you.'
Very obligingly, Anthony narrated the occurrences in connexion
with the finding of the revolver. As he spoke the other's
face assumed a greyish tinge of absolute terror.
'But it's false,' he screamed out as Anthony finished. 'I never
put it there. I know nothing about it. It is a plot.'
'Don't excite yourself,' said Anthony soothingly. 'If that's
the case you'll easily be able to prove it.'
'Prove it? How can I prove it?'
'If I were you,' said Anthony gently, 'I'd come to Chimneys
tonight.'
Isaacstein looked at him doubtfully.
'You advise it?'
Anthony leant forward and whispered to him. The financier
fell back in amazement, staring at him.
'You actually mean--'
'Come and see,' said Anthony.

CHAPTER XXVI!

THE 13TH OF OCTOBER (costd)

Ta£ clock in the Council Chamber struck nine.
'Well,' said Lord Caterham, with a deep sigh. 'Here they all
are, just like little Bo-Peep's flock, back again and wagging
their tails behind them.'

I97


He looked sadly round the room.

'Organ grinder complete with monkey,' he murmured, fixing
the Baron with his eye.. 'Nosy Parker of Throgmorton
Street--'

'I think you're rather unkind to the Baron,' proteted
Bundle, to whom these confidences were being poured out. 'He
told me that he considered you the perfect example of English
hospitality among the haute noblesse.'

'I dare say,' said Lord C. aterham. 'He's always saying things
like that. It makes him most fatiguing to talk to. But I can tell
you I'm not nearly as much of the hospitable English gentle-man
as I was. As soon as I can I shall let Chimneys to an
enterprising American, and go and live in an hotel. There, if
anyone worries you, you can just ask for your bill and go.'

'Cheer up,' said Bundle. 'We seem to have lost Mr Fish for
good.'

'I always found him rather amusing,' said Lord Caterham,
who was in a contradictory temper. 'It's that precious young
man of yours who has let me in for this. Why should I have this
board meeting called in my house? Why doesn't he rent The
Larches or Eimhurst, or some nice villa residence like that at

Streatham, and hold his company meetings there?'
'Wrong atmosphere,' said Bundle.
eno one is going to play any tricks on us, I hope?' said her
father nervously. 'I don't trust that French fellow, Lemoine.
The French police are up to all sorts of dodges. Put india-rubber
bands round your arm, and then reconstruct the crime
and make you jump, and it's registered on a thermometer. I
know that when they c. aH out "Who killed Prince Michael?" I
shall register a hundred and twenty-two or something perfectly

frightful, and they'll haul me off to jail at once.'
The door opened and Tredwell announced:
'Mr George Lomax. Mr Eversleigh.'

'Enter Codders, followed by faithful dog,' murmured
Bundle.

Bill made a beeline for her, whilst George greeted Lord
Caterham in the genial manner he assumed for public oc-casions.

'My dear Caterham,' said George, shaking him by the hand,
'I got your message and came over, of course.'

'Very good of you, my dear fellow, very good of you. De-lighted
to see you.' Lord Caterham's conscience always drove

x98


him on to an excess of geniality when he was conscious of
feeling none. 'Not that it was my message, but that doesn't
matter at alL'
In the meantime Bill was attsl, ing Bundle in an undertone.
'I say. What's it all about? What's this I hear about Virginia
bolting off in the middle of the night? She's not been kidnapped,
has she?'
'Oh, no,' said Bundle. 'She left a note pinned to the pincushion
in the orthodox fashion.'
'She's not gone off with anyone, has she? Not with that
Colonial Johnny? I never liked the fellow, and, from all
I hear, there seems to be an idea floating around that he hira-self
is the super-crook. But I don't quite see how that can

'Why not?'
'ell, this King Victor was a French fellow, and Cade's
English enough.'
'You don't happen to have heard that King Victor was an
accomplished linguist, and, moreover, was half Irish?'
'Oh, Lordl Then that's why he's made himself scarce, is
it?'I' don't know about his making himself scarce. He disappeared
the day before yesterday, as you know. But this morning
we got a wire from him saying he would be down here at 9
PM tonight, and suggesting that Codders should be asked over.
All these other people have turned up as well - asked by Mr
Cade.'
'It is a gathering,' said Bill, looking round, tone French
detective by window, one English ditto by fireplace. Strong
foreign element The Stars and Stripes don't seem to be rep-rented?'
Bundle shook her head.
'Mr Fish has disappeared into the blue. Virginia's not here
either. But everyone else is assembled, and I have a feeling in
my bones, Bill, that we are drawing very near to the moment
when somebody says "James, the footman", and everything is
revealed. We're only waiting now for Anthony Cade to

'He'll never show up,' said Bill.
°rhen why call this company meeting, as Father calls it?'
SAh, there's some deep idea behind that Depend upon it.

199


Wants us all here while he's somewhere else -you know the
sort of thing.'
'You don't think he'll come, then?'
'No fear. Run his head into the lion's mouth? Why, the
room's bristling with detectives and high offcials.'
'You don't know much about King Victor, if you think that
would deter him. By all accounts, it's the kind of situation he
loves above all, and he always manages to come out on top.'
Mr Eversleigh shook his head doubtfully.
'That would take some doing - with the dice loaded against
him. He'll never--'
The door opened aga and Tredwell announced:
'Mr Cade.'
Anthony came straight across to his host.
'Lord Caterham,' he said, 'I'm giving you a frightful lot of
trouble, and I'm awfully sorry about it. But I really do think
that tonight will see the clearing up of the mystery.'
Lord Caterham looked mollified. He had always had a secret
liking for Anthony.
'No trouble at all,' he said heartily.
'It's very kind of you,' said Anthony. NVe're all here, I see.
Then I can get on with the good work.'
'I don't understand,' said George Lomax weightily. 'I don't
understand in the least. This is all very irregular. Mr Cade has
no standing - no standing whatever. The position is a very
difficult and delicate one. I am strongly of the opinion--'
George's flood of eloquence was arrested. Moving unobtrusively
to the great man's side, Superintendent Battle whispered
a few words in his ear. George looked perplexed and
baffled.
'Very well, if you say so,' he remarked grudgingly. Then
added in a louder tone, 'I'm sure we are all willing to listen to
what Mr Cade has to say.'
Anthony ignored the palpable condescension of the other's
tone.
'It's just a little idea of mine, that's all,' he said cheerfully.
'Probably all of you know that we got hold of a certain message
in cipher the other day. There was a reference to Richmond,
and some numbers.' He paused. 'Well, we had a shot at solving
it - and we failed. Now in the late Count Stylptitch's memoirs
(which I happen to have read) there is a reference to a certain
dinner - a "flower" dinner which everyone attended wearing a

200


badge representing a flower. The Count himself wore the exact
duplicate of that curious device we found in the cavity in the
secret passage. It represented a roee. If you remember, it was .1 rozos of thing - button, letter IF, and fmaily row of Imitting.
Now, gentlemen, what is there in this house that i arranged
in rows? Books, isn't that o? Add to that, that in the
catalogue of Lord Caterham's library there is a book called The Li[e o! the Earl o! Richmond, and I think you will get a
very fair idea of the hiding-place. Starting at the volume in
question, and uaing the numbers to denote shelves and books, I
think you will findthat the - er - object of our search is con-ceaied
in a dreamy book, or in a cavity behind a particular
book.'
Anthony looked round modestly, obviously waiting for applause.
'Upon my word, that's very ingenious,' said Lord Cater-hain.
'Q.nite ingenious,' adm;tted George condescendingly. 'But it
remains to be seen--'
Anthony laughed.
ri'he proof of the pudding's in the eating - eh? Well, I'll
soon settle that for you.' He sprang to his feet. 'I'll go to the
library--'
He got no farther. M. Lemoine moved forward from the
window.
'Just one moment, Mr Cade. You permit, Lord Cater-hain?'
He wept to the writinl-table, and hurriedly scribbled a few
lines. He sealed them up tn an envelope, and then rang the bell.
Tredwell appeared in answer to it Lemoine handed him the note.
'See that that is delivered at once, if you please.'
'Very good, sir,' said Tredwel!.
With his usual dignified tread he withdrew.
Anthony, who had been standing, irresolute, sat down
again.
'What's the big idea, Lemoine?' he asked gently.
There was a sudden sense of strain in the atmosphere.
'If the jewel is where you say it is - well, it has been there for
over seven years - a quarter of an hour more does not matter.'
'Go on,' said Anthony. 'That wasn't all you wanted to
say?'


'No, it was not. At this juncture it is - unwise to permit any
one person to leave the room. Especially i that person has
rather questionable antecedents.'
Anthony raised his eyebrows and lighted a cigarette.
'I suppose a vagabond life is not very respectable,' he
mused.
Two months ago, Mr Cade, you were in South Africa- That
is admitted. Where were you .before that?'
Anthony leaned back in his chair, idly bowing smoke rings.
'Canada. Wild Northwest.'
'Are you sure you were not in prison? A French prison?'
Automatically, Superintendent Battle moved a step nearer
the door, as if to cut off a retreat that way, but Anthony
showed no signs of doing anything dramatic.
Instead, he stared at the French detective, and then burst out
laughing.
'My poor Lemoine. It is s monomania with you! You do
indeed see King Victor everywhere. So you fancy that I sin
that interesting gentleman?'
'Do you deny it?'
Anthony brushed a fleck of ash from his coat-sleev
'I never deny anything that amuses me,' he said lightly.
CBut the accusation is really too ridiculous.'
'Ahl ou think so?' The Frenchman leant forward. His face
was twitching painfully, and yet he seemed perplexed and
baffled - as though something in Anthony's manner puzzled him. %Vhat if I tell you, monsieur, that this time - this time - I run out to get King Victor, and nothing shall stop me!'
'Very laudable,' was Anthony's comment. 'You've been out
to get him before, though, haven't you, Lemoine? And he's got
the better of you. Aren't you afraid that that may happen
again? He's a slippery fellow, by all accounts.'
The conversation had developed into a duel between the
detective and Anthony. Everyone else in the room was con-w.
iota of the tension. It was a fight to a finish between the
Frenchman, painfully in earnest, and the man who smoked so
calmly and whose words seemed to show that he had not a care
in the world.
'If I were you, Lemoine,' continued Anthony, 'I should be
very, very careful Watch your step, and all that sort of
thing.'
'This time,' said Lemoine grimly, 'there will be no mistake.'

2O2


You seem very sure about, it all,.' said Anthony. But there s
such a thing as evidence, you know.'
tract Anthony's attention, tie sat up aha

cigarette.
	,
--- note I wrote lust now?' said the Fren

. -.-- ,T 	tO mY ,,nle al; tile run. xesteraay'l
rccc,vs

or I
11¥1cor - ui
for them to be sent
up to me here. In a
few mlnutes we shall
Aowhether you
are the
man!'
Anthony stared steadily at blm. Then a little
smile crt over
his ce.
You're really rather
clever, Inolne. I nver thought of

that. The documents will arrive, you will induce me to
dip my
finers
in'
the
ink, or sometlgng equally unpleasant, and
you
wi measure my ears and look for
my distinvishin marks.
And d th y
ane		,

	Anthony leaned forward in his
chair.
	What then?'
The
detective
seemeu ac abacL 'But 	Bu

for the first time, a snaa oI uncenam crcp
m,an
n r: .,, ---tless b s
o,-.at atisfactlo
to you; said
	·	o te w"
	oinSto	I'm.
	not admitting anything, but supposing,. }u.
st
for. th.e
	argument, that I was Irslng Victor- I might be trying
to repenq
	you know.'
	'Repent?'
	eFhat's the ide Put
yourself in lrng Victor's place, Leto-
	··
·	' ' t come out of rison.
	oine.
Use your unagination..Y.,ou .mm !u.s - . .	p
	You're getting on
in life. You we lost the nrst rme rapture
	the
adventurous life. Say,
even that you meet a
beautiful
	girl. You think of marrying and settling
down
somewher in
	the
country where you can grow vegetable marrows
You

	decide
from
henceforth
to
lead
a
blameless
life.
Put
yourself
in

	x :..
xri tor's
nlace
C n't
you
imagine
feeling
l'. e
.th.a .
	-- ,,s-- .
'
	like
that'
saia
t,emome

	'I
do
not
think
that
I
should
feel
		,
	with
a
sardonic
smile.
'Perhaps
you
wouldn't,'
admitted
Anthony.
'But
then
you're
zo3


not King Victor, are you? You can't possibly know what he feels like.'
'But it is nonsense, what you are saying there,' spluttered the
Frenchman.
'Oh, no, it isn't. Come now, Lemoine, if I'm King Victor,
what have you against me after all? You could never get the
necessary evidence in the old, old days, remember. I've served
my sentence, and that's all there is to it. I suppose you could
arrest me for the French equivalent of "Loitering with intent
to commit a felony', but that would be poor satisfaction,
wouldn't it?'
d'ou forget,' said Lemoine. 'Amerlcal How about this
business of obtaining money under false pretences, and passing
yourself of[ as Prince Nicholas Obolovitch?'
'No good, Lemoine,' said Anthony, 'I was nowhere near America
at the time. And I can prove that easily enough. If King
Victor impersonated Prince Nicholas in America, then I'm not
King Victor. You're sure he was impersonated? That it wasn't
the man himself?'
Superintendent Battle suddenly interposed.
The man was an impostor all right, Mr Cade.'
'I wouldn't contradict you, Battle,' said Anthony. You have
such a habit of being always right. Are you equally sure that
Prince Nicholas died in the Congo?'
Battle looked at him curiously.
'I wouldn't swear to that, sir. But it's generally believed.'
'Careful man. What's your motto? Plenty of rope, ch? I've
taken a lea/out of your book. I've given M. Lemoine plenty of
rope. I've not denied his accusation. But, all the same, I'm afraid he's going to be disappointed. You see I always believe in having something up one's sleeve. Anticipating that so, ne
little unplessanmeas might arise here, I took the precaution to
brin a trump card along with me. It - or rather he - is upstairs.'
'Upstairs?' said Lord Caterhang very interested.
'Yes, he's been having rather a trying time of it lately, poor
fellow. Got a nasty bump on the head from someone. I've been
looking after him.'
Suddenly the deep voice of Mr Isaacstein broke in: 'Can we
guess who he is?'
'If you like,' said Anthony, %ut--'
Lemoine interrupted with sudden ferocity:


'All this is foolery. You think to outwit me yet again. It may
be true what you say - that you were not in Amer/c& You are
too clever to say it i/it were not true. But there is something
else. Murderl Yes, murder. The murder of Prince Michael He
interfered with you that night as you were looking for the
jeweL'
'Lemoine, have you ever known King Victor do murder?'
Anthony's voice rang out sharply. `you know as well - better
than I do, that he has never shed blood.'
%Vho else but you could have murdered him?' cried Lemoine.
Fell me thatl'
The last word died on his tips, as a shrill whistle sounded
from the terrace outside. Anthony sprang up, all his assumed
nonchalance laid aside.
'You ask me who murdered Prince Michael?' he cried. I
won't tell you - I'll show you. That whistle was the signal I've
been waiting for. The murderer of Prince Michael isin the
library now.'
He sprang out through the window, and the others followed
him as he led the way round the terrace, until they came to the
library window. He pushed the window, and it yielded to his
touch.
Very softly he held aside the thick curtain, so that they could
look into the room.
Standing by the bookcase was a dark figure, hurriedly pulling
out and replacing volumes, so absorbed in the task that no
outside sound was heeded.
And then, as they watching, trying to recognize the
figure that was vaguely ilhouetted against the light of the electric
torch it carried, someone sprang past them with a sound
like the roar of a wild beast.
The torch fell to the ground, was extinguished, and the
sounds of a terri struggle fried the room. Lord Caterham
groped his way to the light and witched them on.
Two figures were swaying together. And as they looked the
end came. The short sharp crack of a pistol shot, and the rnall
figure crumbled up and fell. The other figure turned and faced
them - it was Boris, his ey alight with rage.
	'
	'She killed my master,' he growled. 'Now she tries to shoot

	me. I would have taken the pistol from her and shot her, but it

	went off in the struggle. St Michael directed it. The evil

	woman is dead.'

2o5


'A woman?' cried George Lomax.
They drew nearer. On the floor, the pistol still clasped in her
hand, and an expression of deadly malignity on her face, lay Mademoiselle
Brun.

C/LAPTER XXVIII

KING VICTOR

I susrcT her from the first,' explained Anthony. 'There
was a light in her room on the night of the murder. Afterwards,
Iwavered. I made inquiries about her in Brittany, and came
back satisfied that she was what she represented herself to be. I
was a fool. Because the Comtesse de Breteuil had employed a
Mademoiselle Brun and spoke highly of her, it never occurred
to me that the real Mademoiselle Brun might have been kidnapped
on her way to her new post, and that it might be a
substitute taking her place. Instead I shifted my suspicions to
Mr Fish. It was not until he had followed me to Dover, and we
had had a mutual explanation, that I began to see dearly. Once
I knew that he was a Pinkerton's man, trailing King Victor, my
suspicions swung back again to their original object.
`The thing that worried me most was that Mrs Revel had
definitely recognized the woman. Then I remembered that it
was only after I had mentioned her being Madame de Breteuil's
governess. And all she had said was that that accounted
for the fact that the woman's face was familiar to her. Superintendent
Battle will tell you that a deliberate plot was formed
to keep Mrs Revel from coming to Chimneys. Nothing more
nor less than a dead body, in fact. And though the murder was
the work of the Comrades of the Red Hand, punishing supposed
treachery on the part of the victim, the staging of it, and
the absence of the Comrade's sign-manual, pointed to some
abler intelligence directing operations. From the first, I suspectod
some connexion with Herzoslovakia. Mrs Revel was the
only member of the house party who had been to the country. I
suspected at first that someone was impersonating Prince
Michael, but that proved to be a totally erroneous idea. When I
realized the possibility of Mademoiselle Brun's being an ira-postor,
and added to that the fact that her face was familiar to
2o6


Mrs Revel, I began to see daylight. It was evidently very important
that she should not be recognized, and Mrs Revel was
the only person likely to do so.'
'But who was she?' said Lord Caterham. 'Someone Mrs
Revel had known in Herzoslovakia?'
'I think the Baron might be able to tell us,' said Anthony.
'I?' The Baron stared at him, then down at the motionleas
figure.
'Look well,' said Anthony. 'Don't be put off by the makeup.
She was an 'actress once, remember.'
The Baron stared again. Suddenly he started.
'God in heaven,' he breathed, 'i: is not possible.'
'What is not possible?' -sled Georg:. %Vho is the lady? You
recognize her, Baron?'
'No, no, it is not possible.' The Baron continued to mutter.
'She was killed. They were both killed. On the steps of the
palace. Her body was recovered.'
'Mutilated and unrecognizable,' Anthony rem. ind.ed h.im. She managed to put up a bluff. I think she escaped to America,
and has spent a good many years 1Ting low in deadly terror of
the Comrades of the Red }land. They promoted the revolution,
remember, and, to use an expressive phrase, they always
had it in for her. Then King Victor was released, and they
planned to recover the diamond together. She w. as se.m'.c, hinlg'
for it that night when she came suddenly upon Prince Mlchae,
and he recognized her. There was never much fear of her
meeting him in the ordinary way of things. Royal guests don't
come in contact with governesses, and she could always retire
with a convenient migraine, as she did the day the Bsron was
here.
'However, she met Prince Michael face to face when she
least expected it. Exposure and disgrace stared her in the face.
She shot him. It was she who placed the revolver in Isaacsteln's
suitcase, so as to confuse the trial, and she who returned the
letters.'
Lemoine moved forward.
'She was coming down to search for the jewel that night, you
say,' he said. 'Might she not have been going to meet her accomplice,
King Victor, who was coming from outside? Eh?
What do you say to that?'
Anthony sighed.
'Still at it, my dear Lemoine? How persistent you arel
zo7


You won't take my hint that I've got a trump card up my
sleeve?'
But George, whose mind worked slowly, now broke in.
'I am still completely at sea. Who was this lady, Baron? You
recognize her, it seems?'
But the Baron drew himself up and stood very straight and
stiff.
'You are in error, Mr Lomax. To my knowledge I have not
this lady seen before. A complete stranger she is to me.'
'But--'
George stared at him- bewildered.
The Baron took him into a corner of the room, and murmured
something into hi ear. Anthony watched with a good
deal of enjoyment, George's face turning slowly purple, his
eyes bulging, and all the incipient symptoms of apoplexy. A
murmur of George's throaty voice came to him.
'Certainly... certainly.., by all means.., no need at all...
complicate situation.., utmost discretion.'
'Ah{' Lemoine hit the table sharply with his hand. 'I do not
care about all this{ The murder of Prince Michael - that was
not my affair. I want King Victor.'
Anthony shook his head gently
- I m sorry for you, Lemo, ne. You r really a very able fellow.
lut, all the same, you're going to lose the trick. I'm about to
play my trumi card.'
He steppec] across the room and rang the bell. Tredwell
answered it.
'A gentleman arrived with me this evening, TredweH.'
"ires, sir, a foreign gentleman.'
'(uite so. Will you kindly ask him to join us here as soon as
possible?'
Yes, sir.'
']'riwell withdrew.
'Entry of the trump card, the mysterious Monsieur X,' remarked
Anthony. 'Who/.he{' Can anyone guess?'
'Putting two and two together,' said Herman Isaacsteln,
'what wi your mysterious hints this morning, and your attitude
this afternoon, I should say there was no doubt about it.
Somehow or other you've managed to get hold of Prince
Nicholas of Herzoslovakia.'
'You think the asme, Baron?'
'I do. Unless yet another impostor you have put forward.

208


But that I will not believe. With me, your dealings most
honourable have been.'
'Thank you, Baron. I shan't forget those words..go you are
all agreed?'
His eyes swept round the circle of waiting faces. Only Lemoine
did not respond, but kept his eyes fixed sullenly on the
table.
Anthony's quick ears had caught the sound of footsteps outside
in the hall.
'And yet, you know,' he said with a queer smile, 'you're all
wrongl'
He crossed swiftly to the door and flung it open.
A man stood on the threshold - a man with a neat black
beard, eyeglasses, and a foppish appearance slightly marred by
a bandage round the head.
'Allow me to present you to the real Monsieur Lemoine of
the .gfiret.'
There was a rush and a scuffle, and then the nasal tones of
Mr Hiram Fish rose bland and reassuring from the window:
'No, you don't, sonny - not this way. I have been stationed
here this whole evening for the particular purpose of preventing
your escape. You will observe that I have you covered
well and good with this gun of mine. I came over to get you,
and I've got you - but you sure are some ladl'

FURTHER EXPLANATIONS

roll owe us an explanation, I think, Mr Cade,' said Herman
Isaac. stein, somewhat later in the evening.
'There's nothing much to explain,' said Anthony modestly. 'I
went to Dover and Fish followed me under the impression that
I was King Victor. We found a mysterious stranger imprisoned
there, and as soon as we heard his story we knew where we
were. The same idea again, you see. The real man kidnapped,
and the false one - in this case King Victor himself - takes his
place. But it seems that Battle here always thought there was
something fishy about his French colleague, and wired to Paris
for his fingerprints and other means of identification.'

2o9


'Ahl' cried the Baron. 'The fingerprints. The Bertillon
measurements that that scoundrel talked about?'
'It was a clever idea,' said Anthony. 'I admired it so much
that I felt forced to play it up. Besides, my doing so puzzled the
false Lemoine enormously. You see, as soon as I had iven the
tip about the "rows" and where the jewel really was, he was
keen to pass on the news to his accomplice, and at the same
time to keep us all in that room. The note was really to Mademoiselle
Brun. He told TredweU to deliver it at once, and
Tredwell did so by taking it upstairs to the schoolroom. Lemoine
accused me of being King Victor, by that means creating a
diversion and preventing anyone from leaving the room. By
the time all that had been cleared up and we adjourned to the
library to look for the stone, he flattered himself that the swne
would be no longer there to fmdl'
George cleared his throat.
'I must say, Mr Cade,' he said pompously, that I consider
your action in that matter highly reprehensible. If the slightest
hitch had occurred in your plans, one of our national possessions
might have disappeared beyond the hope of recovery.
It was foolhardy, Mr Cade, reprehensibly foolhardy.'
'I guess you haven't tumbled to the little idea, Mr-Lomax,'
said the drawling voice of Mr Fish. 'That historic diamond was
never behind the books in the library.'
rNever?'
qqot on your life.'
/'ou see,' explained Anthony, *that little device of Count
Stylptitch's stood for what it had originally stood for - a rose.
When that dawned upon me on Monday afternoon, I went
straight to the roe garden. Mr Fish had already tumbled to the
same idea. If, standing with your back to the sundial, you take
seven paces straight forward, then eight to the left and three to
the right you come to stone bushes of a bright red roee called
Richmond. The house has been ransacked to fred the hiding-place,
but nobody has thought of digging in the garden. I suggest
a little digging party tomorrow morning.'
Then the story about the books in the library---'
JAn invention of mine to trap the lady. Mr Fish kept watch
on the terrace, and whistled when the psychological moment
had arrived. I may 8ay that Mr Fish and I established martial
law at the Dover house, and prevented the Comrades from
communicating with the false Lemoine. He sent them an order

210


to clear out, and word was conveyed to him that this had been
done. So he went happily ahead with his plans for denouncing

me.'

'Well, well,' said Lord Caterham cheerfully, 'everything

seems to have been cleared up most satisfactorily.'
'Everything but one thing,' said Mr Isaacstein.
'What is that?'

The great financier looked steadily at Anthony.

'What did you get me down here for? Just to assist at a

dramatic scene as an interested onlooker?'

Anthony shook his head.

'No, Mr Isaacstein. You are a busy man whose time is

money. Why did ou come down here originally?'
'To negotiate a loan.'
`with whom?'

'Prince Michael of Herzoslovakia.'

'Exactly. Prince Michael is dead. Are you prepared to offer
the same loan on the same terms to his cousin Nicholas?'

'Can you produce him? I thought he was killed in the
Congo?'

'He was killed all right. I killed him. Oh, no, I'm not a mur-derer.
When I say I killed him, I mean that I spread the report
of his death. I promise you a prince, Mr Isaacstein. Will I
do?'

'You?'

'Yes, I'm the man. Nicholas Sergius Alexander Ferdinand
Obolovitch. Rather long for the kind of life I proposed to live,

so I emerged from the Congo as plain Anthony Cade.'

Little Captain Andrassy sprang up. ,

'But this is incredible - incredible, he spluttered. 'Have a
care, sir, what you say.'

'I can give you plenty of proofs,' said Anthony quietly. 'I

think I shall be able to convince the Baron here.'

The Bar°n lifted his hand.

'Your proofs I will examine, yes. But of them for me there is
no need. Your word alone sufficient for me is. Besides, your
English mother you much resemble. All along have I said:
"This young man on one side or the other most highly born
is." '

'You have always trusted my word, Baron,' said Anthony.
'I can asure you that in the days to come I shall not for-get.'


Then he looked over at Superintendent Battle, whose face
had remained perfectly expreionle..
'You can understand,' said Anthony with a smile, that my
position ha been extremely prec. ariou Of all those in the
house I might be supposed to have the best reason for wimhing
Michael Obolovitch out of the way, since I wsa the next heir to
the throne. I've been extraordinarily afraid of Battle all along.
I always felt that he suspected me, but that he was held up by
lack of motive.'
'I never believed for a minute that you'd hot him, ir,' said
Superintendent Battle. 'We've got s feeling in such matters.
But I knew that you were afYaid of something, and you puzzled
me. If I'd known ooner who you-really were I dare say I'd
have yielded to the evidence, and arrested you.'
'I'm glad I managed to keep one guilty secret from you. You
wormed everything else out of me all fight You're a d,mned
good man at your job Battle.. I hall aiway think of Scotland
Yard with repect.'
'Most amazing,' mutlered George. 'Most amazing ¢tory I
ever heard. I - I can really hardly believe it. You are quite sure,
Baron, that--'
'My dear Mr I.,omax,' said Anthony, with a slight hardne
in his tone, 'I have no intention of **king the British Foreign
Office to support my ti*ira without bringing forward the most
convincing documentary evidence. I uggeat that we adjourn
now, and that you, the Baron, Mr Iaacatein and myself diacu
the term, of the propo loam'
The Baron rose to hi feet, and clicked his heels together.
'It will be the proudest moment of my life, air,' he ,aid wlenmly,
'when I ee you King of Herzoslovakia.'
'Oh, by the way, Baron,' id Anthony carelessly, !ipping
his hand through the other's arm, 'I forgot to tell you. There's
a string tied to thh. I'm married, you know.'
The Baron retreated a step or two. Dismay overspread his

'Something wrong I knew there would be,' he boomed.
'Merciful God in heaven! He has married a black woman in
Africal'
'Come, come, it's not o bad as all that,' said Anthony laughing.
'She's white enough - white all through, bless her.'
'Good. A respectable morganatic affair it can be, then.'
'Not a bit of it. She's to play Queen to my King. It's no use


shaking your head. She's fully qualified for the post. She's the
daughter of an l.ngiish peer who dates back to the time of the
Conqueror. Ifs very fashionable just now for royalties to
marry into the aristocracy - and she knows something of
Herzoslovakia.'

'My God!' cried George Lomax, startled out of his usual

careful speech. 'Not - not - Virginia Revel?'

'Yes,' said Anthony. 'Virginia Revel.'

'My dear fellow,' cried Lord Caterham, 'I mean - sir, I con-gratulate
you, I do indeed. A delightful creature.'

VI'hank you, Lord Caterham,' said Anthony. 'She's all you
say and more.'

But Mr Isaacstein was regarding him curio, usly..

'You'll excuse my asking your Highness, but when did this
marriage take place?'

Anthony smiled back at him.

SAs a matter of fact,' he said, 'I married her this morning.'


ANTHONY SIGNS ON FOR A lqW JOB


'IF you will go on, gentlemen, I will follow you in a minute;
said Anthony. '

He waited while the others filed out, and then turned to
where Superintendent Battle 'was standing apparently ab-sorbed
in examining the panelling. ..

tWell, Battle? Want to ask me something, don't you?'

5Veil, I do, sir, though I don't know how you knew I did.
But I always marked you out as being specially quick in. the
uptake. I take it that the lad.who is dead was the late Queen
¥araga?'

'Quite right, Battle. Ifil be hushed up, I hope. You can
understand what I feel about family skeleton'

'Trust Mr Lomax for that, sir. No one will ever know. That
is a lot of people will know, but it won't get about.'

''Was that what you wanted to ask me about?'

rNo, sir - that was only in passing. I was curious to know
just what made you drop your own name - if I'm not taking
too much of a liberty?'


'Not a bit of it. I'll tell you. I killed myself from the purest
motives, Battle. My mother was English, I'd been educated in
England, and I was far more interested in England than in
Herzoslovakia. And I felt an absolute fool knocking about the
world with a comic-opera tire tacked on to me. You see, when
I was very young, I had democratic idea Believed in the
purity of ideals, and the equality of all mere I especially dis-believed
in kings and princes.'

'And since then?' asked Battle shrewdly.

Oh, since then, I've travelled and seen the world. There's
damned little equality going about. Mind you, I still believe in
democracy. But you've got to force it on people with a strong
hand - ram it down their throats. Men don't want to be
brothers - they may some day, but they don't now. My belief
in the brotherhood of man died the day I arrived in London
last week, when I observed the people standing in a Tube train
resolutely refuse to move up and make room for those who
entered. You won't turn people into angels by appealing to
their better natures just yet awhile - but by judicious force you
can coerce them into behaving more or less decently to one an-other
to go on with. I still believe in the brotherhoodofman,but
it's not comingyet awhile. Say another ten thousand years or so.
It's no good being impatient Evolution is a slow process.'

'I'm very interested in these views of yours, sir,' said Battle
with a twinkle. 'And if you'll allow me to say so, I'm sure you'll
make a very fine king out there.'

'Thank you, Battle,' said Anthony with a sigh.

ryou don't seem very happy about it, sir?'

'Oh, I don;t know. I dare say it will be rather fun. But it's
tying oneself down to regular work. I've always avoided that
before.'


'But you consider it your duty, I suppose, sir?'

'Good Lord, nol What an idea. It's a woman - it's always ·

woman, Battle. I'd do more than be a king for her sake.'
'Quite so, sir.'

'I've arranged it so that the Baron and Isaacstein can't kid/.
The one wants a king and the other wants oil. They'll both get
what they want, and I've got - oh, Lord, Battle, have you ever
been in love?'

'I am nuch attached to Mr Battle, sir.'

'Much attached to Mrs - oh, you don't know what I'rti talk-ing
aboutl It's entirely differentl'


2x4


	'Excuse me, sir, that man of yours is waiting outside the

	window.'

	'Boris? So he is. He's a wonderful fellow· It's a mercy that

	pistol went off in the struggle and killed the lady. Othetvise

	Boris would have wrung her neck as sure as Fate, and then you

	would have wanted to hang him. His attachment to the Oh
	olovitch
dynasty is remarkable. The queer thing was that as

	soon as Michael was dead he attached himself to me - and yet

	h couldn't vossibly have known who I really was.'

	-'Instinct,"said Battle. 'Like a dog.'

	'rery awkward instinct I thought it at the time. I was araid

	it might give the show away to you. I suppose I'd better see

	what he wants.'

	He went out through the window. Superintendent Battle,

	left alone, looked after -him for a minute, then apparently addressed
the panelling.
	.
	'He'll do,' said Superintenaent

	Outside Boris explained himself.

	'Master,' he said, and led the way along the terrace.

	Anthony followed him, wondering what was forward.

	Presently Boris stopped and pointed with his forefinger. It

	was moonlight, and in front of them was a stone seat on which

	sat two figures.

	'He iv a dog,' said Anthony to himself. 'And what's more, a

	pointer!'

	He strode forward. Boris melted into the shadows.

	The two figures rose to meet him. One of them was Virginia

	- the other--

	'Hullo, Joe,' said a well-remembered voice. Vrhia ia a great

	glrl of yours.'

	'Jimmy McGrath, by all that's wonderful,' cried Anthony.

	q-Iow in the name of fortune did you.get here?'

	'That trip of mine into the interior went phut. Then some

	dagos came monkeying around. Wanted to buy that manu
	script off me. Next thing I as near as nothing got a knife in the

	back one night. That made me think that I'dhanded you out a
i er 'oh than I knew. I thought you might need help, and I
cbiam; lo°g after you by the very next boat.'
-, ,- '- ----a:d of him?' said Virginia. She squeezed
	'
	's arm Nhv didn't you ever tell me how frightfully me
	J

	e imm ou re a perfect dear.
	he was. You ar,l y,Y.
	. , ·
ou two seem to be getting along all right, said Anthony.


'Sure thing,' said Jimmy. 'I was snooping round for news of
you, when I connected with this dame. She wasn't at all what I
thought she'd be - some swell haughty society lady that'd scare
the life out of me.'
'He told me all about the letters,' said Virginia 'And I feel
almost ashamed not to have been in real trouble over them
when he was such a knight-errant.'
'If I'd known what you were like,' said Jimmy gallantly, 'I'd
not have given him the letters. I'd have brought them to you
myself. Say, young man, is the fun really over? Is there nothing
for me to do.'
'By Jove,' said Anthony, 'there isl Wait a minute.'
He disappeared into the house. In a minute or two he returned
with a paper package which he cast into Jimmy's arms.
'Go round to the garage and help youmelf to a likely looking
car. Beat it to London and deliver that parcel at 17 Everdean
Square. That's Mr Balderson's private address. In exchange
he'll hand you a thousand pounds.'
°What? It's not the memoirs? I understood that they'd been
burnt.'
off/hat do you take me for?' demanded Anthony. 'You don't
think I'd fail for a story like that, do you? I rang up the publishers
at once, found out that the other was a fake call, and
arranged accordingly. I made up a dmxuny package as I'd been
directed to do. But I put the real package in the manager's safe
and handed over the dummy. The memoirs have never been
out of my poion.'
'Bully for you, my son,' said Jimmy.
'Oh, Anthony,' cried Virginia. You're not going to let them
be published?'
'I can't help myself. I can't let a pal like Jimmy down. But
you needn't worry. I've had time to wade through them, and I
ee now why people always hint that bigwigs don't write their
own reminiscences but hire someone to do it for them. As a
writer, Stylptitch is an insufferable bore. He proses on about
statecraft, and doesn't go in for any racy and indiscreet anecdotes.
His ruling passion of secrecy held strong to the end.
There's not a word in the memoirs from beginning to end to
flutter the susceptibilities of the most difficult politician. I rang
up Balderson today, and arranged with him that I'd deliver the
manuscript tonight before midnight. But Jimmy can do his
own dirty work now that he's here.'


	'I'm off,' said Jimmy. ri like the idea of that thousand

	pounds - especially when I'd made up my mind it was down

	nnd out'
	, 	'
- : Anthony 'I've t s conf--s--ion to make
to you, Virginia. Something that everyone else knows, but that
I haven't yet told yoth'
'I don't mind how many strange women you've loved so long
as you don't tell me about th em.'
'Women? said Anthony, with a virtuous ai.. 'Won?eh
indeed? You ask James here what kind of women t was going
about with last time he saw me.'
'Frumps,' said Jimmy solemnly. 'Utter frumps. Not one a
day under forty-five-' ,
	,
	el'hank you, Jimmy, said Anthony, 'you re a true friend.

	No, ifs much worse than that. I've deceived you as to my real

	'Is it very dreadful?' said Vir.gi.i-. with.in, terest.'-Ii isn't

	something silly like Pobbles, is iff fancy oemg cattea Mrs

	Pobbles.'
	q'ou re aiway thinking the- worst of m.	,
	ri

admit that I did once think you were rung victor, out omy
	for
about a -minut and a half.'
	'By the
way, Jimmy, I've got a job for you - gold .pro, pet	ting
tn
the rocky fastnesses of Herzoslovakia2'
	'Is there
gold there?' asked Jimmy eagerly... . ,
	,
-,,. t,, ,' said
Anthony. 'It's a wondertut counu3.
	'So
vou're taking my advice and going there
re
,' said Antimony. r¥our advice was worth more man
you knew. Now for the confession. I wasn't changed at nut
se: or
anything romantic like that, bu.t nev..-rt,
eleas I am really Prince Nicholas Obolovitch
of Herzostovakia.
	'Oh, Anthony,' cried Virginia. CHow pe. ec, tly
t
And I have married you! What are .we
going.to oo. al..ut nr d
	ve'u go
to
Her o lo, kia an. . v. reten? to
queens.
Jimmy Nlc(
-rath once. s
d
that the .average ltet-,.
king or queen out there is under tour
years. mind?'
	' ind?' cried Vir 'n|a. ri shall love it!'
	M
	g
	.
	'Isn't
she
great?'
murmured
Junmy.
		Then,

discreetly,
he
faded
into
the
night.
A
few
minu es

	later
the
sound
of
a
car
was
heard.

	'Nothing
like
letting
a
man
do
his
own
dirty
work,'
said


Anthony, with satisfaction. 'Besides, I didn't know how else to
get rid of him. Since we were married I've not had one minute
alone with you.'
'We'll have a lot of fun,' said Virginia. 'Teaching the brigands
not to be brigands, and the ea.ssssins not to assasainate,
and generally improving the moral tone of the country.'
'I like to hear these pure ideals,' said Anthony. 'It makes me
fee, l m¥,scrifice has not been i,n. v-al.',,m, '
Rot, said Virginia calmly, you II enjoy beinr a king. It's in
your blood, you know. You were brough't up to the ade of
royalty, and you've got a natural aptitude for it, just like plumbers
have a natural bent for plumbing.'
'I never think they have,' said Anthony. 'But, damn it all,
don't let's waste time talking about plumbers. Do you know
that at this very minute I'm supposed to be deep in conference
,w/th Isaacstein and old Lollipop? They want to talk about oil.
)il, my (}ocli They can just await my kingly pleasure. Virginia,
ddo you remember my telling you once that I'd have a damned
ood try to make you care for me?'
' 'I remember,' said Virginia softly. 'But Superintendent
]attle was looking out of the window.'
'Well, he isn't now,' said Anthony.
He caught her suddenly to Him, kissing her eyelids, her lips, the green gold of her hair...
'I do love you so, Virginia,' he whispered. 'I do love you so.
io'you love me?'
He looked down at her - sure of the answer.
Her head rested against his shoulder, and very Low, in a
veet shaken voice, she answered:
'Not a bit!'
q/ou little devil,' cried Anthony, kissing her again, eow I low for certain that I shall love you until I die...'

CHAPTER XXXI

SUNDRY DETAILS

Sin, rz- Chimneys, x x Thursday morning.
'Johnson, the police constable, with his coat off, digging.
,nething in the nature of a funeral feeling seema to be in
z8


the air. The friends and relations stand round the grave that
Johnson is digging.

George Lomax has the air of the principal beneficiary under
the will of the deceased. Superintendent Battle, with his im-movable
face, se'ms pleased that the funeral arrangements
have gone so nicely. As the undertaker, it reflects credit upon
him. Lord Caterham has that solemn and shocked look which
Engliskmen assume when a religious ceremony is in pro

Mr
lrh does not fit into the picture so well He is not
sufficiently grave.

Johnson bends to his tAi Suddenly he straightens up. A
little stir of excitement passes roun&

'That'll do, sonny,' said Mr Fish. 'We shall do nicely now.'

One perceives at once that he is really the family phys-ician.

Johnson retlr. Mr Fi., with due solemnity, stoops over
the excavation. The surgeon ia about to operate.

He brings out a small canvas package. With much cereraony
he hands it to Superintendent Battle. The latter, in his turn,
hands it to George Lomax. The etiquette of the situation has
now been carefully complied with.

George Lomax unwraps the package, slits up the oilsilk
inside it, burrows into further wrapping. For a moment he
holds something on the palm of his hand - then quickly

shrouds it once more in cottonwool.

He clears his throat.

'At this auspicious moment,' he begins, with the clear de-livery
of the practised speaker.

Lord Caterham beats a precipitate retreat. On the terrace he
finds his daughter.

'Bundle, is that car of yours in order?'

'Yes. Why?'

'Then take me up to town in it immediately. I'm going

abroad at once - today.'

'But, Father--'

'Don't argue with me, Bundle. George Lomax told me when
he arrived this morning that he was anxious to have a few
words with me privately on a matter of the utmost delicacy. He
added that the King of Timbuctoo was arriving in London
shortly. I won't go through it again, Bundle, do you hear? Not
for fifty George Lomaxesl If Chimneys is so valuable to the


nation, let the nation buy it. Otherwise I shall sell it to a syndicate
and they can turn it into an hotel.'
'Where is Cod&rs now?'
Bundle is rising to the situation.
'At the present minute,' replied Lord Caterham, looking at
his watch, 'he is good for at least fifteen minutes about the
Empire.'
Another picture.
Mr Bill Eversleigh, not invited to be present at the graveside
ceremony, at the telephone.
'No, really, I mean it... I say, don't be huffy... Well, you
will have supper tonight, anyway? ... No, I haven't.. I've been
kept to it with my nose at the grindstone, You've no idea what
Codders is like ... I say, Dolly, you know jolly well what I
think about you ... You know I've never cared for anyone but
you ... Yes, I'll come to the show first. How does the old
wheeze go? "And the little girl tries, Hooks and Eyes"...'
Unearthly sounds. Mr Eversleigh trying to hum the refrain
in question.
And now George's peroration draws to a dose.
'... the lasting peace and prosperity of the British
Empire?
'I guess,' said Mr Hiram Fish sotto oce to himself and the
world at large, 'that this has been a great little old week.'