en me and
I was asked, in case I doubted the word of the speaker, to watch
Miss Merlin's movements that evening.

"I had already quarreled with my cousin respecting his unwelcome
attentions and although the result did not confirm the promise of
the informant, in part at least the information was accurate. I
have no idea of the speaker's identity except that the voice was
the voice of a woman.

"Not desiring to trust any one in such a matter I, myself, obtained
in a remote district the dilapidated garments which are now in the
possession of the police and respecting which they have subjected
me to close examination. Attired in these and having my face and
hands artificially dirtied as a further disguise, I left my
chambers by a back entrance about nine o'clock, and not having
sufficient confidence in my make-up to enter a public vehicle,
walked the whole of the way to College Road.

"I had little difficulty in finding the Red House, but on
discovering that it was vacant, I immediately suspected a hoax.
However, I determined to wait in the neighborhood until the time at
which the voice had warned me the meeting was to take place. There
were very few people about and a tremendous downfall of rain
drenched me to the skin, for the only shelter afforded was that of
the trees bordering the road unless I had been content to abandon
my watch.

"Just before the downpour ceased but after it had abated its first
fury, I came out from my inadequate shelter and began to walk in
the direction of the High Street. I had not gone more than twenty
paces when I saw a cab approaching, and the man, seeing my
bedraggled figure, slowed up, and to my astonishment asked me the
way to the Red House.

"I immediately peered into the cab--to find that the passenger was
none other than Marcus Coverly. I had begun to doubt, but at this I
doubted no longer. I gave the cabman the necessary directions and,
slowly following on foot, I saw from the shelter of the trees on
the opposite side of the road, Sir Marcus dismiss the cab and walk
up the drive of the empty house.

"He was alone, and since I knew that Miss Merlin had not preceded
him, I could only conclude that she would be following later.
Accordingly I walked slowly away from the Red House again in the