staken--see the
eagles are on either, side of the steps, just as described."

It was exactly as Beckenham had told us, even to the extent of the
headless eagle on the left of the walk. It was a pretty little place,
and evidently still occupied, as a maid was busily engaged cleaning the
steps.

Pushing open the gate, the Inspector entered the little garden and
accosted the girl.

"Good-morning," he said politely. "Pray, is your master at home?"

"Yes, sir; he's at breakfast just now."

"Well, would you mind telling him that two gentlemen would like to see
him?"

"Yes, sir."

The girl rose to her feet, and, wiping her hands on her apron, led the
way into the house. We followed close behind her. Then, asking us to
wait a moment where we were, she knocked at a door on the right, and
opening it, disappeared within.

"Now," said the Inspector, "our man will probably appear, and we shall
have him nicely."

The Inspector had scarcely spoken before the door opened again, and a
man came out. To our surprise, however, he was very tall and stout, with
a round, jovial face, and a decided air of being satisfied with himself
and the world in general.

"To what do I owe the honour of this visit?" he said, looking at the
Inspector.

"I am an Inspector of Police, as you see," answered my companion, "and
we are looking for a man named Draper, who yesterday was in possession
of this house."

"I am afraid you have made some little mistake," returned the other. "I
am the occupier of this house, and have been for some months past. No
Mr. Draper has anything at all to do with it."

The Inspector's face was a study for perfect bewilderment. Nor could
mine have been much behind it. The Marquis had given such a minute
description of the dwelling opposite and the two stone birds on the
steps, that there could be no room for doubt that this _was_ the house.
And yet it was physically impossible that this man could be Draper; and,
if it were the place where Beckenham had been drugged, why were the
weapons, etc., he had described not in the hall?

"I cannot understand it at all," said the Inspector, turning to me.
"This is the house, and yet where are the things with which it ought to
be furnished?"

"You have a description of the furniture, then?" said the owner. "That
is good, for it will enable me to prove to you even more clearly that
you are mistaken. Pray come and see my sitting-rooms for yourselves."

He led the way into