And if this man Cleek can't probe the diabolical
mystery, they _will_ get at her, too, and put Logan where they put
Tolliver, the brutes!"

"You may trust Cleek to see that they don't, Sir Henry. It is just the
kind of case he will glory in; and if Black Riot is all that you
believe her, you'll carry off the Derby in spite of these enterprising
gentry who--Hallo! here's the motor. Clap on your hat, Sir Henry, and
come along. Mind the step! Kensington Palace Gardens, Lennard--and as
fast as you can streak it."

CHAPTER XII

The chauffeur proved that he could "streak it" as close to the margin of
the speed limit as the law dared wink at, even in the case of the
well-known red limousine, and in a little over ten minutes pulled up
before the park gates. Narkom jumped out, beckoned Sir Henry to follow
him, and together they hurried into the grounds in quest of Cleek.

Where the famous tulip beds made splotches of brilliant colour against
the clear emerald of the closely clipped grass they came upon him--a
solitary figure in the garb of the elderly seaman, "Captain Burbage, of
Clarges Street"--seated on one of the garden benches, his hands folded
over the knob of his thick walking-stick and his chin resting upon them,
staring fixedly at the gorgeous flowers and apparently deaf and blind to
all else.

He was not, however; for as the superintendent approached he, without
altering his gaze or his attitude in the slightest particle, said with
the utmost calmness: "Superb, are they not, my friend? What a pity they
should be scentless. It is as though Heaven had created a butterfly and
deprived it of the secret of flight. Walk on, please, without addressing
me. I am quite friendly with that policeman yonder and I do not wish him
to suspect that the elderly gentleman he is so kind to is in any way
connected with The Yard. Examine the tulips. That's right. You came in
your limousine, of course? Where is it?"

"Just outside the gates, at the end of the path on the right," replied
Narkom, halting with Sir Henry and appearing to be wholly absorbed in
pointing out the different varieties of tulips.

"Good," replied Cleek, apparently taking not the slightest notice. "I'll
toddle on presently, and when you return from inspecting the flowers you
will find me inside the motor awaiting you."

"Do, old chap--and please hurry; time is everything in this case. Let
me introduce you to your client. (Keep looking at the flowers, pl