rom his pocket, he carefully placed the cigar in the
hinge, returned the case to his pocket, and rejoined the group of
wide-eyed spectators.

"Found anythink?" enquired Alf Pond eagerly.

"Several things," replied Malcolm Sage.

"What?" The men grouped themselves round him, breathless with
interest.

"By 'the way," said Malcolm Sage, turning to Alf Pond, "does Burns
happen to smoke long Havana cigars with a red----"

"Smoke!" yelled Alf Pond in horror. "Him smoke! You blinkin' well
barmy?" he demanded, looking Malcolm Sage up and down as if
meditating an attack upon him. "I'd like to see the man who'd so
much as dare to strike a match here," and he glared about him
angrily, whilst the sparring-partners shuffled their feet and
murmured among themselves. There was just the suspicion of a
fluttering at the corners of Malcolm Sage's mouth.

"I'm afraid Pond is rather excited just at present," said Mr.
Doulton tactfully. By now he had entirely regained his own composure.
"Burns is a great lover of tobacco, and Pond takes no risks. You
were saying that you had discovered several things?"

Again the group of men drew closer to Malcolm Sage, their heads
thrust forward as if fearful of missing a word.

"For one thing, Burns left his room last night to meet a woman
by----"

"It's a lie!" cried Alf Pond heatedly. "It's a damned lie! I don't
believe it."

"A rather dainty creature, small and well dressed. She was
accompanied by several men, one of them rather stout, very careful
of his clothes, and an inveterate smoker. The others were bigger,
rougher men. They all came in a car, which arrived after the motor
bicycle, which in turn arrived later than the small car."

The sparring-partners exchanged glances, whilst Alf Pond stared.

"Subsequently they drove off in a very great hurry. Incidentally
they took Burns with them; but against his will. On the way down the
girl was in the tonneau; but on the return journey she sat beside
the driver. As Burns was in the tonneau, it was no doubt a
precaution."

"I don't believe a word," interrupted Alf Pond. "He's makin' it all
up."

Without appearing to notice the remark, Malcolm Sage turned and
walked towards the gate, Mr. Doulton following a step in the rear.

"Liar!" growled Alf Pond, as he turned towards the house. "Ruddy
liar!" he added, as if finding consolation in the term. "_He'll_
never find old Charley."

"Tell me, Sage, were you serious?" asked Mr. Doulton, a