of
ornamentation I had seen in the house. I also told him where the
cipher had been discovered--but not who had discovered it--and, in
short, gave him a summary of the entire case. Before I was through he
was grinning at me in a very superior and knowing way.

"Nice, bright sleuth, you," commented he, mockingly; "can't you see
through a grindstone when there's a hole in it? Now looky here, Swift:
old Page kept the replica in the box as a blind; this cryptogram tells
where the real ruby is."

I shrugged my shoulders; the idea was by no means novel. But it did
not make matters any clearer.

"It must have been the ruby which he showed Maillot," I insisted.
"That young man may not be much of a gem expert, but I don't think any
mere paste imitation of a ruby would have inspired him to such a flight
of vivid description as he indulged in when he talked with me yesterday
morning. Guess again."

He jammed his glasses down combatively astride his hawk-like nose, and
squared his shoulders.

"I won't guess at all. Looky here: old Page switched 'em. That's what
he did--switched 'em to show Maillot the real thing. Every time I
converse with you, Swift, my theory about the equality of mind and
matter receives a jolt: you have more brawn than brain, old sport."

Squinting at each newcomer, he bustled away before I had time to get
back at him. I was rather touchy about my size; I could n't help being
a giant, and the little ferret of a sawbones knew it. I had only one
means of revenge. He was a great stickler for maintaining the dignity
of his profession, and I always called him "Doc."

While De Breen was getting his jurors in line, I disposed the two
patrolmen who had accompanied him--one in the hall, to direct those who
had business here this morning straight to the library, and to allow
nobody, under whatever pretext, to wander to any other part of the
house; the second was stationed just inside the library door. Stodger
was to remain up-stairs until called for, when I would relieve him
during the brief period required for his testimony.

Burke and Maillot arrived while I was thus engaged, and before I had
time to enter the library the front door opened to admit a party of
three--Miss Cooper and Miss Fluette, who were accompanied by a
handsome, dignified man with white hair and a closely trimmed beard
which he wore parted in the middle and brushed straight back.

Instinctively I knew this man to be Alfred Flu