look at the bust of Faustina. You will see that her chin
is similar in modelling to that of Miss Crayne. The girl was
apparently very much attracted to Blade, and proceeded to weave what
was no doubt to her a romance, later it became an obsession. It all
goes to show the necessity for pathological consideration of certain
crimes."

"But who was Faustina?" enquired the inspector, unable to follow the
drift of the conversation.

"Faustina," remarked Malcolm Sage, "was the domestic fly in the
philosophical ointment of an emperor," and Inspector Murdy laughed;
for, knowing nothing of the marriage or the _Meditations_ of Marcus
Aurelius, it seemed to him the only thing to do.

CHAPTER XV THE MISSING HEAVYWEIGHT

I

"Mr. Doulton, sir. Very important." Rogers had carefully assimilated
his master's theory of the economy of words, sometimes even to the
point of obscuring his meaning.

Taking the last piece of toast from the rack, Malcolm Sage with
great deliberation proceeded to butter it. Then, with a nod to the
waiting Rogers, he poured out the last cup of coffee the pot
contained.

A moment later the door opened to admit a clean-shaven little man of
about fifty, prosperous in build and appearance; but obviously
labouring under some great excitement. His breath came in short,
spasmodic gasps. His thin sandy hair had clearly not been brushed
since the day before, whilst his chin and upper lip bore obvious
traces of a night's growth of beard. He seemed on the point of
collapse.

"He's gone--disappeared!" he burst out, as Rogers closed the door
behind him. Malcolm Sage rose, motioned his caller to a chair at the
table, and resumed his own seat.

"Had breakfast?" he enquired quietly, resuming his occupation of
getting the toast carefully and artistically buttered.

"Good God, man!" exploded Mr. Doulton, almost hysterically. "Don't
you understand? Burns has disappeared!"

"I gathered as much," said Malcolm Sage calmly, as he reached for
the marmalade.

"Pond telephoned from Stainton," continued Mr. Doulton. "I was in
Fed. I got dressed, and came round here at once. I----" he stopped
suddenly, as Rogers entered with a fresh relay of coffee. Without a
word he proceeded to pour out a cup for Mr. Doulton, who, after a
moment's hesitation, drank it greedily.

Rogers glanced interrogatingly from the dish that had contained eggs
and bacon to Malcolm Sage, who nodded.

When he had withdrawn, Mr. Doult