with Dr. Stuart some time ago. Read it."

I did so, and this is what I read:

"_A:_ the name of the man who cut out the lid of the cardboard box and
sealed it in the envelope--Gaston Max!

"_B:_ the name of the missing cabman--Gaston Max!

"_C:_ the name of the man who rang me up at Dr. Stuart's and told me
that Gaston Max was dead--Gaston Max!"

I returned the slip to Inspector Dunbar. I bowed.

"It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with you, Inspector," I
said ....

This statement is nearly concluded. The whole of the evening I spent
in the room of the Assistant Commissioner discussing the matters
herein set forth and comparing notes with Inspector Dunbar. One
important thing I learned: that I had abandoned my nightly watches
too early. For one morning just before dawn someone who was _not_
Zara had paid a visit to the house of Dr. Stuart! I determined to
call upon the doctor.

As it chanced I was delayed and did not actually arrive until so late
an hour that I had almost decided not to present myself ... when a big
yellow car flashed past the taxicab in which I was driving!

_Nom d'un nom!_ I could not mistake it! This was within a few hundred
yards of the house of Dr. Stuart, you understand, and I instantly
dismissed my cabman and proceeded to advance cautiously on foot. I
could no longer hear the engine of the car which had passed ahead of
me, but then I knew that it could run almost noiselessly. As I crept
along in that friendly shadow cast by a high hedge which had served
me so well before, I saw the yellow car. It was standing on the
opposite side of the road. I reached the tradesman's entrance.

From my left, in the direction of the back lawn of the house, came a
sudden singular crackling noise and I discerned a flash of blue flame
resembling faint "summer lightning." A series of muffled explosions
followed ... and in the darkness I tripped over something which lay
along the ground at my feet--a length of cable it seemed to be.

Stumbling, I uttered a slight exclamation ... and instantly received
a blow on the head that knocked me flat upon the ground! Everything
was swimming around me, but I realized that someone--Chunda Lal
probably--had been hiding in the very passage which I had entered!
I heard again that uncanny wailing, close beside me.

Vaguely I discerned an incredible figure--like that of a tall cowled
monk, towering over me. I struggled to retain consciousness--there was
a rush of