ise.

"Fact," he continued. "My experiments have proved successful at last. In
a week I shall have delivered to me the new motor I have designed, and
then the Pirate had better look out. Good night."

Waving an adieu, he set his car in motion, and jogged along until he
reached the door of his coach-house. We watched him dismount, unlock the
door, and disappear inside.

"It beats me," remarked Forrest.

"Surely you do not still harbour any suspicion concerning him?" I
inquired in amazement.

Forrest made no reply. His head was bent, his brow knitted deeply, his
hands clasped behind him as we turned and walked back to my place. He
did not speak until we stopped on my doorstep.

"I wish he had not seen us," my companion then remarked. "He will be
bound to tumble to the conclusion that we suspect him, and will be on
his guard."

"Then you do still suspect him," I cried again.

"If I had one scrap of direct evidence," replied the detective,
emphatically, "I would have him under arrest within half an hour. Only
one little scrap," he almost groaned. "But, as it is, my reputation
would not survive if I made a mistake."

"Why, you don't imagine that he would go so far as to shoot himself just
to avert suspicion," I asked, still incredulous.

Forrest drew himself up smartly. "Good Lord! What a fool I am!
What--a--blind--dunderheaded--jackass!" he cried.

"What's the matter now?" I inquired smiling, for the detective was
groping in his pockets. "Have you lost anything?"

From his waistcoat pocket he produced a small leaden bullet, and he held
it outstretched in the palm of his hand.

"Here have I been wasting weeks on the continent, while with this I
might have settled the matter once and for all."

"How?" I asked.

"I needed but to compare this with the bullet the surgeon extracted from
Mannering's shoulder. This is the one which killed the poor fellow near
Towcester. If Mannering's bullet is identical with this, I should have
nothing more to say; but," he continued meaningly, "both your revolver
and mine are of a different calibre to the weapon which fired this. If
the bullet which hit Mannering should prove to fit either of our
weapons, there would be no need to seek for further evidence. I must see
that surgeon at once."

He started off rapidly down the garden path. I hurried after him and
laid my hand on his arm.

"Steady, old man," I remarked. "You can hardly knock up a hardworked
medical man at 3.30 a