, his
good-humoured red face more red than usual; and in the library, with
its sporting prints and its works for the most part dealing with riding,
hunting, racing, and golf (except for a sprinkling of Nat Gould's novels
and some examples of the older workmanship of Whyte-Melville), we were
presently comfortably ensconced. On a side table were placed a generous
supply of liquid refreshments, cigars and cigarettes; so that we made
ourselves quite comfortable, and Sir Howard restrained his indignation,
until each had a glass before him and all were smoking.

"Now," he began, "what have you got to report, gentlemen? You,
Inspector," he pointed with his cigar toward Wessex, "have seen Vane's
man and all of you have been down to look at these damned tracks. I only
want to hear one thing; that you expect to trace the disgraceful couple.
I'll see to it"--his voice rose almost to a shout--"that Vane is kicked
out of the service, and as to that shameless brat of Bramber's, I wish
her no worse than the blackguard's company!"

"One moment, Sir Howard, one moment," said Harley quietly; "there are
always two sides to a case."

"What do you mean, Mr. Harley? There's only one side that interests
me--the outrage inflicted upon my hospitality by this dirty guest of
mine. For the girl I don't give twopence; she was bound to come to a bad
end."

"Well," said Harley, "before we pronounce the final verdict upon either
of them I should like to interview Bramber. Perhaps," he added, turning
to Wessex, "it would be as well if Mr. Knox and I went alone. The
presence of an official detective sometimes awes this class of witness."

"Quite right, quite right!" agreed Sir Howard, waving his cigar
vigorously. "Go and see Bramber, Mr. Harley; tell him that no blame
attaches to himself whatever; also, tell him with my compliments that
his stepdaughter is------"

"Quite so, quite so," interrupted Harley, endeavouring to hide a smile.
"I understand your feelings, Sir Howard, but again I ask you to reserve
your verdict until all the facts are before us."

As a result, Harley and I presently set out for the gamekeeper's
cottage, and as the man had been warned that we should visit him, he was
on the porch smoking his pipe. A big, dark, ugly fellow he proved to be,
of a very forbidding cast of countenance. Having introduced ourselves:

"I always knowed she'd come to a bad end!" declared Gamekeeper Bramber,
almost echoing Sir Howard's words. "One o'