He nodded vigorously at the naval officer and the American, after
first glancing doubtfully toward the servants at the far end of the
room, leaned forward across the table. The others drew their chairs
nearer and bent toward him. The baronet glanced irresolutely at his
watch, and with an exclamation of annoyance snapped down the lid.
"They can wait," he muttered. He seated himself quickly and nodded at
Lieutenant Sears.

"If you will be so kind as to begin, sir," he said impatiently.

"Of course," said the American, "you understand that I understand that
I am speaking to gentlemen. The confidences of this Club are
inviolate. Until the police give the facts to the public press, I
must consider you my confederates. You have heard nothing, you know no
one connected with this mystery. Even I must remain anonymous."

The gentlemen seated around him nodded gravely.

"Of course," the baronet assented with eagerness, "of course."

"We will refer to it," said the gentleman with the black pearl, "as
'The Story of the Naval Attache.'"

"I arrived in London two days ago," said the American, "and I engaged
a room at the Bath Hotel. I know very few people in London, and even
the members of our embassy were strangers to me. But in Hong Kong I
had become great pals with an officer in your navy, who has since
retired, and who is now living in a small house in Rutland Gardens
opposite the Knights-bridge barracks. I telegraphed him that I was in
London, and yesterday morning I received a most hearty invitation to