air business. Good evening, sir," he added, as he shook hands
with Freynes.

He dropped heavily into a seat, and taking a cigar from the box on
the table, which Malcolm Sage had indicated with a nod, he proceeded
to light it. No man enjoyed a good cigar more than Inspector Murdy.

"Well, what do you think of it?" he enquired, looking from Malcolm
Sage to Freynes. "It's a clear case now, I think." He slightly
stressed the word "now."

"You mean it's Blade?" enquired Malcolm Sage, as he proceeded to
gather up the cards.

"Who else?" enquired the inspector, through a cloud of smoke.

"That is the question which involves your being here now, Murdy,"
said Malcolm Sage dryly.

"We've got three handwriting experts behind us," said the inspector
complacently.

"That is precisely where they should be," retorted Malcolm Sage
quietly. "In the biblical sense," he added.

Freynes laughed, whilst Inspector Murdy looked from one to the other.
He did not quite catch the allusion.

"You have done as I suggested?" enquired Malcolm Sage, when he had
placed the cards in their box and removed the card-table.

"Here are all the letters received up to a fortnight ago," said the
inspector, holding out a bulky packet. "Those received since have
each been sealed up separately by the vicar, who is keeping half of
them, whilst I have the other half; but really, Mr. Sage, I don't
understand----"

"Thank you, Murdy," said Malcolm Sage, as he took the packet. "It is
always a pleasure to work with Scotland Yard, It is so thorough."

The inspector beamed; for he knew the compliment was sincere.

Without a word Malcolm Sage left the room, taking the packet with
him.

"A bit quaint at times, ain't he, sir?" remarked Inspector Murdy to
Freynes; "but one of the best. I'd trust him with anything."

Freynes nodded encouragingly.

"There are some of them down at the Yard that don't like him," he
continued. "They call him 'Sage and Onions'; but most of us who have
worked with him swear by Mr. Sage. He's never out for the limelight
himself, and he's always willing to give another fellow a leg-up.
After all, it's our living," he added, a little inconsequently.

Freynes appreciated the inspector's delicacy in refraining from any
mention of the Gylston case during Malcolm Sage's absence. After all,
they represented respectively the prosecution and the defence. For
nearly half an hour the two talked together upon unprofessional
subjects. When