had in the course of years attached the most variously capable personnel in
the country. It was a maxim of his that where you could not get gifts, you
must do the best you could with solid merit; and he employed a great deal of
both. He was respected by his staff as few are respected in a profession not
favourable to the growth of the sentiment of reverence.

'You're sure that's all?' asked Sir James, after a few minutes of earnest
listening and questioning. 'And how long has this been known?... Yes, of
course, the police are; but the servants? Surely it's all over the place down
there by now .... Well, we'll have a try .... Look here, Bunner, I'm
infinitely obliged to you about this. I owe you a good turn. You know I mean
what I say. Come and see me the first day you get to town .... All right,
that's understood. Now I must act on your news. Goodbye.'

Sir James hung up the receiver, and seized a railway timetable from the rack
before him. After a rapid consultation of this oracle, he flung it down with a
forcible word as Mr. Silver hurried into the room, followed by a hard-featured
man with spectacles, and a youth with an alert eye.

'I want you to jot down some facts, Figgis,' said Sir James, banishing all
signs of agitation and speaking with a rapid calmness. 'When you have them,
put them into shape just as quick as you can for a special edition of the
Sun.' The hard- featured man nodded and glanced at the clock, which pointed to
a few minutes past three; he pulled out a notebook and drew a chair up to the
big writing- table. 'Silver,' Sir James went on, 'go and tell Jones to wire
our local correspondent very urgently, to drop everything and get down to
Marlstone at once. He is not to say why in the telegram. There must not be an
unnecessary word about this news until the Sun is on the streets with it--you
all understand. Williams, cut across the way and tell Mr. Anthony to hold
himself ready for a two-column opening that will knock the town endways. Just