tune it chanced that the catch of one of
these was broken.

Lifting the sash up, the Inspector jumped into the room, and as soon as
he was through I followed him. Then we looked about us. The room,
however, was destitute of furniture or occupants.

"I don't hear anybody about," my companion said, opening the door that
led into the hall. Just at that moment I heard a sound, and touching his
arm signed to him to listen. We both did so, and surely enough there
came again the faint muttering of a human voice. In the half-dark of the
hall it sounded most uncanny.

"Somebody in one of the front rooms," said the Inspector. "I'll slip
along and open the front door, bring in the man from outside, and then
we'll burst into the room and take our chance of capturing them."

He did as he proposed, and when the constable had joined us we moved
towards the room on the left.

Again the mutterings came from the inside, and the Inspector turned the
handle of the door. It was locked, however. "Let me burst it in," I
whispered.

He nodded, and I accordingly put my shoulder against it, and bringing my
strength to bear sent it flying in.

Then we rushed into the room, to find it, at first glance, empty. Just
at that moment, however, the muttering began again, and we looked
towards the darkest corner; somebody was there, lying on the ground. I
rushed across and knelt down to look. _It was Beckenham; his mouth
gagged and his hands and feet bound. The noise we had heard was that
made by him trying to call us to his assistance._

In less time than it takes to tell I had cut his bonds and helped him to
sit up. Then I explained to the Inspector who he was.

"Thank God you're found!" I cried. "But what does it all mean? How long
have you been like this? and where is Nikola?"

"I don't know how long I've been here," he answered, "and I don't know
where Nikola is."

"But you must know something about him!" I cried. "For Heaven's sake
tell me all you can! I'm in awful trouble, and your story may give me
the means of saving a life that is dearer to me than my own."

"Get me something to drink first, then," he replied; "I'm nearly dying
of thirst; after that I'll tell you."

Fortunately I had had the foresight to put a flask of whisky into my
pocket, and I now took it out and gave him a stiff nobbler. It revived
him somewhat, and he prepared to begin his tale. But the Inspector
interrupted--

"Before you commence, my lord, I must send