th his fingers upon the table in thought.

"We shall have to look in your own house for the person who has given us
away, Mr. Wetherell!" he said at last. "The folk who are running this
affair are as cute as men are made nowadays; it's a pleasure to measure
swords with them."

"What do you think our next move had better be?"

"Get home as fast as we can. I'll return with you, and we'll talk it
over. It's no use our remaining here."

We accordingly went on deck, and descended to our wherry again. This
time the Inspector accompanied us, while the police boat set off down
the harbour on other business. When we had seen it pull out into the
darkness, we threw the imitation money overboard, pushed off for the
shore, landed where we had first embarked, and then walked up to Mr.
Wetherell's house. It was considerably after twelve o'clock by the time
we reached it, but the butler was still sitting up for us. His
disappointment seemed as keen as ours when he discovered that we had
returned without his young mistress. He followed us up to the study with
spirits and glasses, and then at his master's instruction went off to
bed.

"Now, gentlemen," began Mr. Wetherell, when the door had closed upon
him, "let us discuss the matter thoroughly. But, before we begin, may I
offer you cigars?"

The Inspector took one, but I declined, stating that I preferred a pipe.
But my pipe was in my bedroom, which was on the other side of the
passage; so asking them to wait for me, I went to fetch it. I left the
room, shutting the door behind me. But it so happened that the pipe-case
had been moved, and it was some minutes before I could find it. Having
done so, however, I blew out my candle, and was about to leave the room,
which was exactly opposite the study, when I heard the green baize door
at the end of the passage open, and a light footstep come along the
corridor. Instantly I stood perfectly still, and waited to see who it
might be. Closer and closer the step came, till I saw in the half dark
the pretty figure of one of the parlour maids. On tip-toe she crept up
to the study door, and then stooping down, listened at the keyhole.
Instantly I was on the alert, every nerve strained to watch her. For
nearly five minutes she stood there, and then with a glance round,
tiptoed quietly along the passage again, closing the baize door after
her.

When she was safely out of hearing I crossed to the study. Both the
Inspector and Mr. Wetherell sa