t in ten minutes' time, and I
will come along immediately to meet Inspector Gatton."

I replaced the telephone upon the little table and went out into the
garden, whither my man had returned.

"Coates," I said, "get out the Rover."

Coates immediately ceased his gardening operations and stood upright
in an attitude of attention.

"Very good, sir."

"You will just have time to get ready at the garage and return here to
admit Sir Eric Coverly at eight o'clock. I am going out, now, to meet
Inspector Gatton. But inform Sir Eric that I shall be back in a few
minutes. Show him into the study and make him comfortable. You will
then proceed in the Rover to Denmark Hill Station. You will meet there
a man with a box--a detective from Scotland Yard who will make
himself known to you. His name is Blythe. You have to bring the box
back here."

"Very good, sir," repeated Coates.

And as he entered the house he was already stripping off the old
shooting jacket which he wore in the garden. For my part I slipped a
light top-coat over my somewhat untidy house attire, and taking my hat
and a stick, stepped quickly out along the road in the direction of
the village street. A brisk walk brought me to the little sentry-box
under the trees. But Gatton was not to be seen. Indeed, with the
exception of several ordinary pedestrians who were obviously returning
from the city to their homes (all of whom I scrutinized, thinking that
Coverly might come this way) and the constable on duty at the point,
there was no one about who looked in the least like either of my
expected visitors.

Having waited for some ten minutes unavailingly, I spoke to the man in
the box.

"Good evening, constable," I said; "I expected to meet a friend
here--Inspector Gatton, of Scotland Yard--you may know him?"

"I know of him quite well, sir," answered the constable, "and should
recognize him if I saw him. But he has not been here this evening."

"You have seen no one hanging about who might have been sent by him?"

"No one, sir."

"Strange," I muttered; then: "My name is Addison, constable," I said,
"and if any one should ask for me will you direct him to proceed to
my house?" And I gave the man instructions respecting its whereabouts.

"I will," answered the constable; and wishing him "good night," I
retraced my steps, curious respecting the matter, but not apprehensive
as I well might have been--and with no glimmering of the ghastly truth
penetrating