of which he had drunk only half, was now
empty, two facts which, however, at the time conveyed nothing to me.

In due course the doctor, an elderly country practitioner, arrived in
hot haste, and grave concern, but as soon as he saw his patient he
realized that it had been only a fainting fit and was nothing serious.
Indeed, within an hour Blumenfeld was laughing with us as though
nothing had occurred.

But what had really occurred, I wondered? That window had been opened,
apparently to admit fresh air to revive an unconscious man. But surely
our host had not drained his port glass after his sudden seizure!

The incident was, at Blumenfeld's request, hidden from the ladies, and
next day he was quite his old self again.

About noon I strolled with Rayne out along the wide terrace which ran
in front of the house overlooking the great park, whereupon he said:

"We'll leave here to-morrow, Hargreave. Duperre is at Overstow. Write
to him this afternoon and tell him to send me a wire recalling me
immediately upon urgent business."

"We've finished here, eh?" I asked meaningly.

"Yes," he grinned, "and the sooner we're out of this place the
better."

So I sent Vincent a note, telling him to wire Rayne at once on receipt
of it.

The urgent message recalling Rudolph Rayne to Yorkshire arrived about
half-past ten next morning, just as we were going out shooting.
Blumenfeld was much disappointed, but his guest pleaded that he had
some very important business to transact with his agent who was over
from New York and desired to meet him at once. Therefore to Lola's
complete satisfaction the trunks were packed and put into the car, and
immediately after luncheon we set forth to Overstow.

On our way back I racked my brain to discern the nature of the latest
plot, but could see nothing tangible. Mr. Blumenfeld had been taken
suddenly ill while playing billiards with me, and Rayne, when
summoned, had done his best to resuscitate him. Yet Rayne's manner was
triumphant and he was in most excellent spirits.

We arrived back at Overstow Hall just before midnight, and he and
Duperre held a long conversation before retiring. Of its nature I
could gather nothing. As for Lola, she retired at once very cramped
and tired.

The whole of the following morning Duperre and Rayne were closeted
together, while afterwards I drove Duperre into York, where from the
telegraph office in the railway station he sent several cryptic
messages