pened recently--probably by Mr. Meredith when he came to the
house. It's a queer case, Mr. Rennett."

"What is the pistol?"

"That's new too," said Colhead. "Belgian make and impossible to trace, I
should imagine. You can't keep track of these Belgian weapons. You can
buy them in any shop in any town in Ostend or Brussels, and I don't
think it is the practice for the sellers to keep any record of the
numbers."

"In fact," said Jack quietly, "it is the same kind of pistol that killed
Bulford."

Colhead raised his eyebrows.

"So it was, but wasn't it established that that was Mr. Meredith's own
weapon?"

Jack shook his head.

"The only thing that was established was that he had seen the body and
he picked up the pistol which was lying near the dead man. The shot was
fired as he opened the door of Mr. Briggerland's house. Then he saw the
figure on the pavement and picked up the pistol. He was in that position
when Miss Briggerland, who testified against him, came out of the house
and saw him."

The detective nodded.

"I had nothing to do with the case," he said, "but I remember seeing the
weapon, and it was identical with this. I'll talk to the chief and let
you know what he says about the whole affair. You'll have to give
evidence at the inquest of course."

When he had gone the two men looked at one another.

"Well, Rennett, do you think we're going to get into hot water, or are
we going to perjure our way to safety?"

"There's no need for perjury, not serious perjury," said the other
carefully. "By the way, Jack, where was Briggerland the night Bulford
was murdered?"

"When Miss Jean Briggerland had recovered from her horror, she went
upstairs and aroused her father, who, despite the early hour, was in
bed and asleep. When the police came, or rather, when the detective in
charge of the case arrived, which must have been some time after the
policeman on point duty put in an appearance, Mr. Briggerland was
discovered in a picturesque dressing gown and, I presume, no less
picturesque pyjamas."

"Horrified, too, I suppose," said Rennett dryly.

Jack was silent for a long time. Then: "Rennett," he said, "do you know
I am more rattled about this girl than I am about any consequences to
ourselves."

"Which girl are you talking about?"

"About Mrs. Meredith. Whilst poor Meredith was alive she was in no
particular danger. But do you realise that what were advantages from our
point of view, namely, the fa