secrets from my friends, so I may as well tell you--"

"That Siddle called, and implored you to consider Doris Martin's future
by avoiding her at present," put in the Chief Inspector.

Such shocks were losing some of their effect, on the principle that a man
hears the burst of the thousandth high-explosive shell with a good deal
less trepidation than attended the efforts of the first dozen. Still,
Grant gazed at the speaker in profound astonishment.

"You Scotland Yard men seem to know everything," he said.

"A mere pretense. Try him on sheep-raising in the Argentine, Jack,"
murmured Hart.

"Wally, this business is developing a very serious side," protested
Grant. Hart stretched a long arm for the port decanter.

"Come, friend!" he addressed it gravely. "Let us commune! You and I
together shall mingle joyous memories of

"A draught of the Warm South,
The true, the blushful Hippocrene."

"We read Siddle's visit aright, it would appear," said Winter quietly.

"Yes. That was his mission, put in a nutshell."

"And what did you say?"