olver."

The officer thrust the cane into the stand, and then, with Anson
watching him keenly, raised the lid of the broad flat desk, turned over
some books and papers, measured its depth outside and in to make sure
that there was no false bottom, and then brought out the clerk's little
flat mahogany box, Anson grinning sneeringly as the lid was opened and
the joints of the flute lay exposed to view.

"Now you've got 'em, sir!" cried Anson, with a mocking laugh. "Blow
through them, and you'll find it's all wind."

The superintendent turned the box upside down, and the joints were left
upon the top of the desk, except that the top joint with its gaping
mouth-hole stuck in the velvet fitting, but looked the most hollow of
the set.

"There's nothing here, gentlemen," said the officer, replacing the other
joints and gravely closing the desk.

"Oh, nonsense!" cried Anson, jeering. "You haven't half looked.
Perhaps, though, young West has the whole swag in his desk."

"Would you like to examine the other desks, gentlemen?" said the
officer.

"No, certainly not," said the leading director sharply; "we have no wish
to insult our employes."

"Only one," snarled Anson. "Do you call this fair play?"

West drew a breath full of relief, and glanced at Ingleborough, who made
no sign, but stood looking stolidly at the officer.

"I'm quite satisfied, gentlemen," said the latter. "There is nothing
here. Do you charge Mr Anson with illicit dealing?"

"You have not searched his apartments yet," said the chief director.
"We wish to have further proofs first."

Anson opened his mouth a short distance as his chief spoke, and closed
it again with a sharp little snap.

"You wish the prisoner's rooms to be searched then, gentlemen?"

"I'm not a prisoner," cried Anson angrily. "I've neither been charged
nor taken into custody."

"Certainly!" said the director sternly. "Search Mr Anson's rooms
preliminary to his being charged and taken into custody. Mr West, go
in front with the superintendent to show the way. I do not wish to make
a procession, to create excitement and make us the observed of all."

"I understand, sir. Mr Anson will walk in advance with me, and you can
follow as you please. There is no need for Mr West to walk with us. I
know the way!"

"Of course!" snarled Anson. "Mr Ingleborough's doing, I suppose. Then
I have been watched."

"Yes, my doing," said the person named. "As soon as I suspected