lder as he rose to his feet.

"And you're not going to--have no fear of that," he replied kindly.
"Remember, I represent Scotland Yard, Miss Duggan. This thing lies in my
hands, and I am in command of it. I shall see the police-sergeant and
make all necessary arrangements. The formalities will have to be
observed, of course, for to-night, at any rate. No one must leave this
house under any pretext whatever--neither servant nor guest. All doors
and windows must be locked, and I shall set a guard about the place. But
that will be my duty to attend to--not yours. So go and rest a little,
if you can--and emulate your worthy stepmother (who, by the way, I want
to see as soon as possible), after you have taken me to your brother,
and we have had a little talk together.... Would you mind conducting me
to him now?"

She bowed her head dumbly, and passed out in front of him, down the
long narrow passage with its armoured figures standing out in niches cut
into the wall and its air of brooding mystery which so well fitted this
tragic affair and lent still further colour to it. At last they reached
the library. At the door of it she paused, hesitated, put her hand upon
the handle of it, and then drew back with an involuntary shiver.

"I can't--I can't!" she said brokenly. "It's asking too much to go in
and see him now--not until he has been placed as he ought to be, poor
dear old Daddy! But Ross is in there with him, Mr. Deland. So if you
just knock, and then enter, and tell him who you are, that will be all
right.... Those men are coming in, I know. I can hear them at the door
now. Oh, please, please don't let me see them-- I don't feel as if I
could!"

"And you shan't--have no fear of that," he replied. "So be off with you
as quick as you can, and lie down for half an hour, at any rate. And if
I have need of you I'll send someone along with a message.... Ah!
they're coming.... Good evening, Sergeant. You've been exceedingly
prompt in coming along, I must say. And brought four men with you, too?
That's good. We shall want 'em in this place. There's been a murder
here--old Sir Andrew Duggan has been done to death in a mysterious
manner--shot and stabbed at the same time. I've not yet looked at the
body, but shall do so presently. Mr. Narkom will be down in the
morning."

"Mr. Narkom? The Chief Superintendent, eh? Then--then may I ask who
_you_ are, sir?" responded Sergeant Campbell, in a deep, ringing voice
which exactly fit