"There were only two of them, you think?"

"No. There was a third person waiting for them in the cab, and it was
that very circumstance which made me anxious to have my things brought
back as soon as possible. If I had been able to, I should have even
declined to let them go."

"Why so?"

"Well, to tell you that would involve a story. But perhaps I had better
tell you. It was in this way. About three years ago, through a distant
relative, I got to know a man named Draper."

"Draper!" I cried. "You don't mean--but there, I beg your pardon. Pray
go on."

"As I say, I got to know this man Draper, who was a South-Sea trader. We
met once or twice, and then grew more intimate. So friendly did we at
last become, that I even went so far as to put some money into a scheme
he proposed to me. It was a total failure. Draper proved a perfect fraud
and a most unbusiness-like person, and all I got out of the transaction
was the cases of curios and weapons which this man Eastover hired from
me. It was because--when I went out with my customers to their cab--I
saw this man Draper waiting for them that I became uneasy about my
things. However, all's well that ends well, and as they returned my
goods and paid the hire I must not grumble."

"And now tell me what you know of Draper's present life," the Inspector
said.

"Ah! I'm afraid of that I can tell you but little. He has been twice
declared bankrupt, and the last time there was some fuss made over his
schooner, the _Merry Duchess_."

"He possesses a schooner, then?"

"Oh, yes! A nice boat. She's in harbour now."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Goddard. I am obliged to you for your
assistance in this matter."

"Don't mention it. I hope that what I have told you may prove of service
to you."

"I'm sure it will. Good-day."

"Good-day, gentlemen."

He accompanied us to the door, and then bade us farewell. "Now what are
we to do?" I asked.

"Well, first, I am going back to the office to put a man on to find this
schooner, and then I'm going to take an hour or two's rest. By that time
we shall know enough to be able to lay our hands on Dr. Nikola and his
victim, I hope."

"God grant we may!"

"Where are you going now?"

"Back to Potts Point," I answered.

We thereupon bade each other farewell and set off in different
directions.

When I reached Mr. Wetherell's house I learned from the butler that his
master had fallen asleep in the library. Not wishing to disturb hi