oform."

"You made him sign the poison book, of course?"

"Naturally I did, Mr. Inspector. Would you like to see his signature?"

"Very much," we both answered at once, and the book was accordingly
produced.

Podgers ran his finger down the list.

"Brown, Williams, Davis--ah! here it is. 'Chloroform: J. Venneage, 22,
Calliope Street, Woolahra.'"

"Venneage!" I cried. "Why, that's not his name!"

"Very likely not," replied Podgers; "but it's the name he gave me."

"Never mind, we'll try 22, Calliope Street, on the chance," said the
Inspector.

Again we drove off, this time at increased pace. In less than fifteen
minutes we had turned into the street we wanted, and pulled up about a
hundred yards from the junction. It was a small thoroughfare, with a
long line of second-class villa residences on either side. A policeman
was sauntering along on the opposite side of the way, and the Inspector
called him over. He saluted respectfully, and waited to be addressed.

"What do you know of number 22?" asked the Inspector briefly. The
constable considered for a few moments, and then said--

"Well, to tell you the truth, sir, I didn't know until yesterday that it
was occupied."

"Have you seen anybody about there?"

"I saw three men go in just as I came on the beat to-night."

"What were they like?"

"Well, I don't know that I looked much at them. They were all pretty
big, and they seemed to be laughing and enjoying themselves."

"Did they! Well, we must go in there and have a look at them. You had
better come with us."

We walked on down the street till we arrived at No. 22. Then opening the
gate we went up the steps to the hall door. It was quite light enough by
this time to enable us to see everything distinctly. The Inspector gave
the bell a good pull and the peal re-echoed inside the house. But not a
sound of any living being came from within in answer. Again the bell was
pulled, and once more we waited patiently, but with the same result.

"Either there's nobody at home or they refuse to hear," said the
Inspector. "Constable, you remain where you are and collar the first man
you see. Mr. Hatteras, we will go round to the back and try to effect an
entrance from there."

We left the front door, and finding a path reached the yard. The house
was only a small one, with a little verandah at the rear on to which the
back door opened. On either side of the door were two fair-sized
windows, and by some good for