He wore a black overcoat and a bowler hat. Reclosing the door, he
turned, perceived the group in the study, and fell back as though
someone had struck him a fierce blow.

Abject terror was written upon his features, and, for a moment, the idea
of flight appeared to suggest itself urgently to him; but finally, he
took a step forward toward the study.

"Who's this?" snapped Dunbar, without removing his leonine eyes from the
newcomer.

"It is Soames," came the weary voice of Leroux.

"Butler?"

"Yes."

"Where's he been?"

"I don't know. He remained out without my permission."

"He did, eh?"

Inspector Dunbar thrust forth a long finger at the shrinking form in the
doorway.

"Mr. Soames," he said, "you will be going to your own room and waiting
there until I ring for you."

"Yes, sir," said Soames, holding his hat in both bands, and speaking