that, forgetting so many other important things, he may have
neglected to search the body of his victim. Let us do it for him."

As he spoke he bent over the dead man and commenced to search the
clothing. He slid his hand into the inner pocket of the creaseless
morning coat and drew out a note-book and two or three letters. All were
addressed in the handwriting of women, but only one seemed to possess
any interest for Cleek. It was written on pink notepaper, enclosed in a
pink envelope, and was postmarked "Croydon, December 9, 2.30 P.M.," and
bore those outward marks which betokened its delivery, not in course of
post, but by express messenger. One instant after Cleek had looked at it
he knew he need seek no further for the information he desired. It read:

Piggy! Stupid boy! The ball of the dress fancy is not for
to-morrow, but to-night. I have make sudden discoverment. Come
quick, by the train that shall leave London Bridge at the time
of twenty-eight minute after the hour of five. You shall not
fail of this, or it shall make much difficulties for me, as I
come to meet it on arrival. Do not bother of the costume; I
will have one ready for you. I have one large joke of the
somebody else that is coming, which will make you scream of
the laughter. Burn this--FIFI.

And at the bottom of the sheet:

Do burn this. I have hurt the hand, and must use the writing
of my maid; and I do not want you to treasure that.

"There's the explanation, Mr. Narkom," said Cleek as he held the letter
out. "That's why he came by this particular train. There's the snare.
That's how he was lured."

"By Fifi!" said Narkom. "By Jove! I rather fancied from the first that
we should find that she or her husband had something to do with it."

"Did you?" said Cleek with a smile. "I didn't, then; and I don't even
yet!"

Narkom opened his lips to make some comment upon this, but closed them
suddenly and said nothing. For at that moment one of the constables put
in an appearance with news that, "Two ladies and two gentlemen have
arrived, sir, and are asking permission to view the body for purposes of
identification. Here are the names, sir, on this slip of paper."

"Lady Stavornell; Colonel Murchison; Hon. Mrs. Brinkworth; Captain James
Crawford," Narkom read aloud; then looked up inquiringly at Cleek.

"Yes," he said. "Let them come. And--Mr. Narkom?"

"Yes?"

"Do you happen to know wh