A voice in the instrument replied, 'Hullo be blowed! What do you want?'

'This is Molloy,' said Sir James.

'I know it is,' the voice said. 'This is Trent. He is in the middle of
painting a picture, and he has been interrupted at a critical moment. Well, I
hope it's something important, that's all!'

'Trent,' said Sir James impressively, 'it is important. I want you to do some
work for us.'

'Some play, you mean,' replied the voice. 'Believe me, I don't want a holiday.
The working fit is very strong. I am doing some really decent things. Why
can't you leave a man alone?' 'Something very serious has happened.' 'What?'

'Sigsbee Manderson has been murdered--shot through the brain--and they don't
know who has done it. They found the body this morning. It happened at his
place near Bishopsbridge.' Sir James proceeded to tell his hearer, briefly and
clearly, the facts that he had communicated to Mr. Figgis. 'What do you think
of it?' he ended. A considering grunt was the only answer. 'Come now,' urged
Sir James. 'Tempter!'

'You will go down?'

There was a brief pause.

'Are you there?' said Sir James.

'Look here, Molloy,' the voice broke out querulously, 'the thing may be a case