taken possession
of the offices that there had been no time to inscribe their title
either upon the doors or upon the board in the hall.

Inspector Bristol was much impressed, for into one of the rooms
occupied by the Fibre Company shone that curious disc of light
which first had drawn his attention to Bank Chambers. He rapped
on the door, turned the handle, and entered. The sole furniture
of the office in which he found himself apparently consisted of
one desk and an office stool, which stool was occupied by an office
boy. The windows opened on the court, and a door marked "Private"
evidently communicated with an inner office whose windows likewise
must open on the court. It was the ceiling of this inner office,
unless the detective's calculation erred, which he was anxious to
inspect.

"Yes, sir?" said the boy tentatively.

Bristol produced a card which bore the uncompromising legend: John
Henry Smith.

"Take my card to Mr. Boulter, boy," he said tersely. The boy
stared.

"Mr. Boulter, sir? There isn't any one of that name here."

"Oh!" said Bristol, looking around him in apparent surprise: "how
long is he gone?"

"I don't know, sir. I've only been here three weeks, and Mr.
Knowlson only took the offices a month ago."

"Oh," commented Bristol, "then take my card to Mr. Knowlson; he
will probably be able to give me Mr. Boulter's present address."

The boy hesitated. The detective had that authoritative manner
which awes the youthful mind.

"He's out, sir," he said, but without conviction.

"Is he?" rapped Bristol. "Well, I'll leave my card."

He turned and quitted the office, carefully closing the door behind
him. Three seconds later he reopened it, and peering in, was in
time to see the boy knock upon the private door. A little wicket,
or movable panel, was let down, the card of John Henry Smith was
passed through to someone unseen, and the wicket was reclosed!

The boy turned and met the wrathful eye of the detective. Bristol
reentered, closing the door behind him.

"See here, young fellow," said he, "I don't stand for those tricks!
Why didn't you tell me Mr. Knowlson was in?"

"I'm very sorry, sir!"--the boy quailed beneath his glance--"but
he won't see any one who hasn't an appointment."

"Is there someone with him, then?"

"No."

"Well, what's he doing?"

"I don't know, sir; I've never been in to see!"

"What! never been in that room?"

"Never!" declared the boy solemn