expected back in London next Monday from the Riviera. I'll wire
and write first thing to-morrow morning. But you must give me
a day or two."

Dickson felt himself waking up. His doubts about his own sanity
were dissolving, for, as his mind reasoned, the factor was prepared
to do anything he asked--but only after a week had gone. What he was
concerned with was the next few days.

"All the same I would like to have a look at the place to-morrow,
even if nothing comes of it."

Mr. Loudon looked seriously perplexed. "You will think me absurdly
fussy, Mr. McCunn, but I must really beg of you to give up the idea.
The Kennedys, as I have said, are--well, not exactly like other
people, and I have the strictest orders not to let any one visit the
house without their express leave. It sounds a ridiculous rule,
but I assure you it's as much as my job is worth to disregard it."

"D'you mean to say not a soul is allowed inside the House?"

"Not a soul."

"Well, Mr. Loudon, I'm going to tell you a queer thing, which I
think you ought to know. When I was taking a walk the other night--
your Belgian wouldn't let me into the policies, but I went down
the glen--what's that they call it? the Garple Dean--I got round the
back where the old ruin stands and I had a good look at the House.
I tell you there was somebody in it."