you unsuspected. But, secretly as I
wrote, carefully as I planned this thing, I have every reason to
believe that my efforts are suspected and that I have, indeed,
been followed. So, then, this interview must be a very hurried one,
and you must not be surprised if it becomes necessary for me to run
off without a moment's notice; for believe me, I am quite, quite
sure that the Honourable Mr. Felix Carruthers is already following
me."

"The Honourable--my dear Lady Essington, you don't mean to suggest
that he--he of all men----God bless my soul!"

"Oh, it may well amaze you, Mr. Narkom. It well-nigh stupefied
me when I first began to suspect. Indeed, I can't do any more
than suspect even yet. Perhaps it is he, perhaps that abominable
woman he has married. You must decide that when you have heard. I
perceive"--glancing over at Cleek--"you have been unable to bring
a detective police officer to listen to what I have to say, but
if you and your friend will listen carefully and convey the story to
one in due course----"

"Pardon, your ladyship, but my companion is a detective officer,"
interposed Narkom. "So if you will state the case at once he will
be able to advise."

"A detective? You?" She flashed round on Cleek and looked at him
in amazement, her lower lip indrawn, a look almost of horror in
her eyes. One may not tell a lion that another lion is a jackass,
though he masquerade in the skin of one. Birth spoke to Birth. She
saw, she knew, she understood. "By what process could such as you--"
she began; then stopped and made a slight inclination of the head.
"Pardon," she continued; "that was rude. Your private affairs are of
course your own, Mr.--er----"

"Headland, your ladyship," supplied Cleek. "My name is George
Headland!" And Narkom knew from that that for all her grace and
charm he neither liked nor trusted her soft-eyed ladyship.

"Thank you," said Lady Essington, accepting this self-introduction
with a graceful inclination of the head. "No doubt Mr. Narkom has
given you some idea of my reason for consulting you, Mr. Headland;
but as time is very short let me give you the further details as
briefly as possible. I am convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt
that some one who has an interest in his death is secretly attacking
the life of my little grandson; and I have every reason to believe
that the 'some one' is either the Honourable Felix Carruthers or
his wife."

"But to what purpose, your ladyship? Peop