Waterloo. As a matter of fact, I did not leave the Brooklands track
until six o'clock, and, as Innesmore Mansions, where I live, lie
north, and I was due here at 7:30, I had my man meet me at the station
with a suitcase, meaning to change my clothes in the dressing room
there, and come straight here. Guess my astonishment when I found
Bates-- Bates is the name of my factotum-- in the company of two
strangers, whom he introduced as representing the Criminal
Investigation Department."

He paused. He had brought in his own address skilfully enough, and
kept his voice sufficiently under control that no tremor betrayed a
knowledge of Forbes's vital interest in any mention of that one block
of flats among the multitude.

Now, for the first time, Innesmore Mansions figured as his abode, the
correspondence which led to the dinner having centered in his club.
But not a flicker of eyelid nor twitch of mobile lips showed the
slightest concern on Forbes's part. Rather did he display at once a
well-bred astonishment on hearing Theydon's concluding words.

"Do you mean detectives from Scotland Yard?" he cried.

"Yes."

Forbes smiled, and commenced filling a pipe.

"Evidently they did not want you as a principal," he said.

His tone was genial, but slightly guarded. Theydon realized that this
man of great wealth and high social position had reminded himself that