k door to the place, and
I knows from that that he'd have to come out the same way as he
went in, so off I nips over to the other side of the street and
lays in wait for him.

"After about ten minutes or so, out he comes--him and another of
the lot--moppin' of his mouth with his coat-sleeve, and off they
starts in a great hurry, and me after them. They goes first to a
barber shop, where the man I was followin' nips in, has a shave, a
hair-cut and a wash-up, while the chap that was with him toddles off
and fetches him a clean shirt and a suit of black clothes. In
about fifteen minutes out my man comes again, makin' a tolerable
respectable appearance, sir, after his barberin' and in his clean
linen and decent clothes. Him and his mate stands talkin' and
grinnin' for a minute or so, then they shakes hands and separates,
and off my man cuts it, westward.

"Sir, I sticks to him like a brother. I follers him smack across
to the Strand and along that to the Hotel Cecil, and there the beggar
nips in and goes up the courtyard as bold as you please, sends up
his name to a gent, the gent sends down word for him to be showed
up at once, and in that way I spots my man. For when I goes up to the
clerk and shows my badge and asks who was the party my johnnie
had asked for, he tells me straight and clear: 'Gentleman he's making
a suit of clothes for--Baron Rodolf de Montravenne, an Austrian
nobleman, who has been stopping here for weeks!"

Cleek twitched round his eye and glanced at Narkom.

"'Things least hidden are best hidden,'" he quoted, smiling. "The
dear count knows a thing or two, you perceive. You have done very
well indeed, Kibblewhite. Here is your ten-pound note and many thanks
for your services. Good evening."

Kibblewhite took the money and his departure immediately; but so long
as he remained within hearing distance--so long as the echo of his
departing steps continued to sound--Cleek remained silent, and the
curious crooked smile made a loop in his cheek. But of a sudden:

"Mr. Narkom," he said, quietly "I shan't be found in any of my usual
haunts for the next few days. If, however, you should urgently need
me, call at the Hotel Cecil and ask for Captain Maltravers--and
call in disguise, please; our friend the count is keen. Remember
the name. Or, better still, write it down."

"But, good God! Cleek, such a risk as that----"

"No--please--don't attempt to dissuade me. I want that man, and I'll
get him if gett