turf of the lawn round which the drive took its circular sweep made Trent's
footsteps as noiseless as a cat's. In a few moments he was looking in through
the open leaves of the window at the southward end of the house, considering
with a smile a very broad back and a bent head covered with short grizzled
hair. The man within was stooping over a number of papers laid out on the
table.

' 'Twas ever thus,' said Trent in a melancholy tone, at the first sound of
which the man within turned round with startling swiftness. 'From childhood's
hour I've seen my fondest hopes decay. I did think I was ahead of Scotland
Yard this time, and now here is the hugest officer in the entire Metropolitan
force already occupying the position.'

The detective smiled grimly and came to the window. 'I was expecting you, Mr.
Trent,' he said. 'This is the sort of case that you like.'

'Since my tastes were being considered,' Trent replied, stepping into the
room, 'I wish they had followed up the idea by keeping my hated rival out of
the business. You have got a long start, too--I know all about it.' His eyes
began to wander round the room. 'How did you manage it? You are a quick mover,
I know; the dun deer's hide on fleeter foot was never tied; but I don't see
how you got here in time to be at work yesterday evening. Has Scotland Yard
secretly started an aviation corps? Or is it in league with the infernal
powers? In either case the Home Secretary should be called upon to make a
statement.'

'It's simpler than that,' said Mr. Murch with professional stolidity. 'I
happened to be on leave with the missus at Haley, which is only twelve miles
or so along the coast. As soon as our people there heard of the murder they
told me. I wired to the Chief, and was put in charge of the case at once. I