' I cried, rising to my feet, and prepared to make
a fight for it if need should be.

"Once more those eyes grew terrible, and once more that hand began to
make the passes before my face. Again I felt the dizziness stealing over
me. His will was growing every moment too strong for me. I could not
resist him. So when he once more said, 'Drink!' I took the glass and did
as I was ordered. After that I remember seeing Nikola, Draper, and the
man they called Eastover engaged in earnest conversation on the other
side of the room. I remember Nikola crossing to where I sat and gazing
steadfastly into my face, and after that I recollect no more until I
came to my senses in this room, to find myself bound and gagged. For
what seemed like hours I lay in agony, then I heard footsteps in the
verandah, and next moment the sound of voices. I tried to call for help,
but could utter no words. I thought you would go away without
discovering me, but fortunately for me you did not do so. Now, Mr.
Hatteras, I have told you everything."

For some time after the Marquis had concluded his strange story both the
Inspector and I sat in deep thought. That Beckenham had been kidnapped
in order that he should be out of the way while the villainous plot for
abducting Phyllis was being enacted there could be no doubt. But why had
he been chosen? and what clues were we to gather from what he had told
us? I turned to the Inspector and said--

"What do you think will be the best course for us to pursue now?"

"I have been wondering myself. I think, as there is nothing to be
learned from this house, the better plan would be for you two gentlemen
to go back to Mr. Wetherell, while I return to the detective office and
see if anything has been discovered by the men there. As soon as I have
found out I will join you at Potts Point. What do you think?"

I agreed that it would be the best course; so, taking the Marquis by the
arms (for he was still too weak to walk alone), we left the house, and
were about to step into the street when I stopped, and asking them to
wait for me ran back into the room again. In the corner, just as it had
been thrown down, lay the rope with which Beckenham had been bound and
the pad which had been fitted over his mouth. I picked both up and
carried them into the verandah.

"Come here, Mr. Inspector," I cried. "I thought I should learn something
from this. Look at this rope and this pad, and tell me what you make of
them."