of going fully into the matter. But before proceeding further
there are two questions I should like to ask you. The first is
this: What is the name of the 'well-known' man to whom you refer?
And the second: If not he then whom do you suspect of being
behind all this?"

"The one matter is so hopelessly involved in the other," he
finally replied, "that although I came here prepared as I thought
with a full statement of the case, I should welcome a further
opportunity of rearranging the facts before imparting them to
you. One thing, however, I have omitted to mention. It is,
perhaps, of paramount importance. There was a robbery at my house
less than a week ago."

"What! A robbery! Tell me: what was stolen?"

"Nothing of the slightest value, Mr. Harley, to any one but
myself--or so I should have supposed." The speaker coughed
nervously. "The thief had gained admittance to my private study,
where there are several cases of Oriental jewellery and a number
of pieces of valuable gold and silverware, all antique. At what
hour he came, how he gained admittance, and how he retired, I
cannot imagine. All the doors were locked as usual in the morning
and nothing was disturbed."

"I don't understand, then."

"I chanced to have occasion to open my bureau which I invariably
keep locked. Immediately--immediately--I perceived that my papers
were disarranged. Close examination revealed the fact that a