ed creature trapped, and recognizing the
fact that he was caught.

"I swam ashore," he said, "and I have changed my clothes at home."

I moved without a word to the door, and, opening it, called out to
Hinge, who stood waiting for me in the darkening passage, bidding him to
mount. He came and stood at attention.

"Mr. Brunow," I said, "will give you the key of his rooms, and you will
go from here to there, and by his orders will bring back to me a soaked
suit of clothes which you will find there. Oblige me by handing my man
your key," I added, turning again on Brunow.

He shot a whisper at me.

"Do you wish to have me murdered?"

"I wish to know," I answered, "and I mean to know, the truth. What have
you done with Ruffiano?"

"I tell you," he cried, desperately, "I have done nothing! I know
nothing! You were there yourself, and you can tell as well as I that
the whole thing was a surprise. How was I to know we were being carried
aboard an Austrian craft? How could I suspect the man who came to me of
treachery?"

"You swam ashore?" I asked. "I am not to be charged with hunting you to
death because I ask for a sight of the clothes you swam in. Give Hinge
your key!"

"He's quite welcome to it," he answered, turning his white, defiant face
on me, and fumbling in his pocket with a hand so unnerved that he could
grasp nothing with it for a minute. "There you are," he said at last,
drawing out his latch-key and handing it to Hinge. "Do as you are told."

Hinge accepted the key, and, saluting, left the room without a word,
though with a curious look both at Brunow and myself. When he had gone
Brunow threw himself into a chair and drew out a cigar-case. He opened
it, and selected and lit a cigar, though he shook so that he only
succeeded with an expenditure of some half a dozen matches. When he
had got a light at last he threw himself back and puffed away with
as complete an expression of _insouciance_ as he could command. I, of
course, had nothing to say until Hinge returned, though I knew perfectly
well beforehand what the result of his errand would be. He came back
at last, and when his step was heard upon the stair Brunow looked more
ghastly than ever as he turned his face towards me. When Hinge came in
empty-handed the poor detected wretch rose with a pretence of bluster
which was miserable to see.

"Why the devil," he cried, "haven't you done what you were told to do?
This is a pretty servant of yours. Why ha