e."

"No, I will make them, and you will accept them. Otherwise you will
not arrest me."

"It's no use for you to talk like that," said Badger. "If you don't
let me in I shall have to break in. And I may as well tell you," he
added mendaciously, "that the house is surrounded."

"You may accept my assurance," Mr. Jellicoe replied calmly, "that you
will not arrest me if you do not accept my conditions."

"Well, what are you conditions?" demanded Badger.

"I desire to make a statement," said Mr. Jellicoe.

"You can do that, but I must caution you that anything you say may be
used in evidence against you."

"Naturally. But I wish to make the statement in the presence of Doctor
Thorndyke, and I desire to hear a statement from him of the method of
investigation by which he discovered the whereabouts of the body. That
is to say, if he is willing."

"If you mean that we should mutually enlighten one another, I am very
willing indeed," said Thorndyke.

"Very well. Then my conditions, Inspector, are that I shall hear
Doctor Thorndyke's statement and that I shall be permitted to make a
statement myself, and that until those statements are completed, with
any necessary interrogation and discussion, I shall remain at liberty
and shall suffer no molestation or interference of any kind. And I
agree that, on the conclusion of the said proceedings, I will submit
without resistance to any course that you may adopt."

"I can't agree to that," said Badger.

"Can't you?" said Mr. Jellicoe coldly; and after a pause he added:
"Don't be hasty. I have given you warning."

There was something in Mr. Jellicoe's passionless tone that disturbed
the inspector exceedingly, for he turned to Thorndyke and said in a low
tone:

"I wonder what his game is? He can't get away, you know."

"There are several possibilities," said Thorndyke.

"M'yes," said Badger, stroking his chin perplexedly.

"After all, is there any objection? His statement might save trouble,
and you'd be on the safe side. It would take you some time to break
in."

"Well," said Mr. Jellicoe, with his hand on the window, "do you
agree--yes or no?"

"All right," said Badger sulkily. "I agree."

"You promise not to molest me in any way until I have quite finished?"

"I promise."

Mr. Jellicoe's head disappeared and the window closed. After a short
pause we heard the jar of massive bolts and the clank of a chain, and,
as the heavy door swung open, Mr.