answered. "I should think it very unlikely."

"You have no knowledge of any common pursuit or interest in life
which the two men may have shared?" the Inspector asked. "A
hobby, for instance,--a collection of postage stamps, china, any
common aim of any sort?"

She shook her head.

"I knew little of Mr. Fynes' tastes. Dicky--I mean Mr.
Vanderpole--had none at all except an enthusiasm for his
profession and a love of polo."

"His profession," the Inspector repeated. "Mr. Vanderpole was
attached to the American Embassy, was he not?"

"I believe so," Penelope answered.

"Mr. Hamilton Fynes," the Inspector continued, "might almost have
been said to have followed the same occupation."

"Surely not!" Penelope objected. "I always understood that Mr.
Fynes was employed in a Government office at
Washington,--something to do with the Customs, I thought, or
forest duties."

Mr. Jacks nodded thoughtfully.

"I am not aware, as yet," he said, "of the precise nature of Mr.
Fynes' occupation. I only knew that it was, in some shape or