d?

"Well, sir," said the man, "it doesn't need me to tell your Majesty
that when anarchists or any of that sort want to do a bit of
bomb-throwing they don't go to our police museum for their materials.
But that's not all. They found out, down at head office--after it was
over, only then--that the local authorities had given permit for a
cinematograph record to be taken from a stand just opposite, overlooking
the new buildings, so as to get the procession as it came along under
the arch. And so, as it happened, those films had got the whole thing
recorded. We only heard of it when they were announced to be shown at
the theater that night. I was sent down to get hold of them, and I
brought them back with me.

"I've been through every one; most people wouldn't see anything. The
point where the bomb went off was about fifty yards away; and those
films give a view that just takes in a bit of the palisade. At number
139 you see an arm come up, and a face just behind it, very small, under
the scaffolding; you'd hardly know it was there. But if that were put
under a good microscope I shouldn't be surprised but what it could be
recognized."

By this time the King's understanding had become clear; he saw where the
argument was leading.

"Before I could do that," the man went on, "they were locked away. I
didn't say anything about it--didn't point it out to them, I mean--for
I'd begun to have a feeling that things weren't all right; and I daresay
they haven't noticed what _I_ noticed. If they have, number 139 and the
ten plates following will be gone. Whether they have or not--that's my
proof."

The King was now following the man's narrative with tense interest;
every moment its import grew more clear; yes, clearer than day, sharp
and bright as a rocket shot up against the blackness of a midnight sky.

The inspector paused for a moment and wiped his hand over dry lips; in
the telling of that tale his face had grown white.

"Whom do you mean by 'they'?" inquired the King.

The man hesitated. "Well, your Majesty, I'd rather not say."

"I ought to know."

"Oh, yes, sir, I can't deny that! But, there, I've got no proof--so it's
not the same thing. But I do say this, your Majesty, that to be able to
lay hands on those things in the first place, and now to keep them
locked away, needs somebody higher up in the department than I'd like to
name. If I may leave it at that?"

"That will do," said the King.

"Your Majesty se