r Tinkler, more purple-faced and important than ever, sat in his
private office, twirling his thumbs and nodding his head for lack of
business on which to employ his mighty mind. The afternoon, by some
freak of the sun which had to do with his solar majesty's unusual spotty
complexion, was exceptionally hot for a late September day, and the heat
made Mr Inspector drowsy and indolent. He might have fallen into the
condition of an official sleeping beauty, but that a sharp knock at the
door roused him sufficiently to bid the knocker enter, whereupon a
well-fed policeman presented himself with the information--delivered in
a sleepy, beefy voice--that Mr Baltic wished to see Mr Tinkler. The name
acted like a douche of iced water on the inspector, and he sharply
ordered the visitor to be admitted at once. In another minute Baltic was
in the office, saluting the head of the Beorminster police in his usual
grave style.

'Ha, Mr Baltic, sir!' rasped out Tinkler, in his parade voice, 'I am
glad to see you. There is a seat, and here am I; both at your service.'

'Thank you, Mr Inspector,' said Baltic, and, taking a seat, carefully
covered his knees with the red bandanna, and adjusted his straw hat on
top of it according to custom.

'Well, sir, well,' grunted Mr Inspector, pompously, 'and how does your
little affair get on?'

'It has got on so far, sir, that I have come to ask you for a warrant of
arrest.'

'By George! eh! what! Have you found him?' roared Tinkler, starting back
with an incredulous look.

'I have discovered the man who murdered Jentham! Yes.'

'Good!' snapped Tinkler, trying to conceal his amazement by a reversion
to his abrupt military manner. 'His name?'

'I'll tell you that when I have related my evidence incriminating him.
It is as well to be orderly, Mr Inspector.'

'Certainly, Mr Baltic, sir. Order is at the base of all discipline.'

'I should rather say that discipline is the basis of order,' returned
Baltic, with a dry smile; 'however, we can discuss that question later.
At present I shall detail my evidence against'--Mr Inspector leaned
eagerly forward--'against the man who killed Jentham.' Mr Inspector
threw himself back with a disappointed snort.

''Tention!' threw out Tinkler, and arranged pen and ink and paper to
take notes. 'Now, Mr Baltic, sir!'

'My knowledge of the man Jentham,' droned Baltic, in his monotonous
voice, 'begins at the moment I was informed by Mr Cargrim that he called