r. Malcolm Sage, which shows him to be a man
of remarkable perception, and possessed of powers of analysis and
deduction that I venture to think must be unique. All he says is
correct, but for one detail. I left the laboratory in the first
instance with the deliberate intention of returning, although I did
not realise the significance of the manuscript until after I had
tampered with the fastenings of the doors. Had my servants found
that my bed had not been slept in, suspicion might have attached
itself to me. I therefore returned to remedy this, and I left a note
to say that I had gone out early for a long walk, a thing I
frequently do.

In his experiments McMurray had succeeded beyond his wildest
imaginings, and I foresaw the horrors that must inevitably follow
such a discovery as his. I had to choose between myself and the
welfare of the race, and I chose the race.

I did not come forward to save the man condemned for the crime, as I
regarded my life of more value to the community than his.

Will you thank Mr. Sage for the very gentle and humane way in which
he has written calling upon me to see that justice be not outraged.

I am sending this letter by hand. My body will be found in my study.
I have used morphia as a means of satisfying justice.

Very sincerely yours,
Jasper Chambers.

"It was strange I should have made that mistake about the reason for
his leaving the laboratory," said Malcolm Sage meditatively. "I made
two mistakes, one I corrected; but the other was unpardonable."

And he knocked the ashes from his pipe on to the copper tray before
him with the air of a man who is far from satisfied.

"And I might have arrested an O.M.," murmured Inspector Carfon, as
he walked down Whitehall. "Damn."

CHAPTER XIII THE GYLSTON SLANDER

"It's all very well for the Chief to sit in there like a five-guinea
palmist," Gladys Norman cried one morning, as after interviewing the
umpteenth caller that day she proceeded vigorously to powder her
nose, to the obvious interest of William Johnson; "but what about
me? If anyone else comes I must speak the truth. I haven't an unused
lie left."

"Then you had better let Johnson have a turn," said a quiet voice
behind her.

She span round, with flaming cheeks and white-flecked nose, to see
the steel grey eyes of Malcolm Sage gazing on her quizzically
through gold-rimmed spectacles. There was