fellow for half a mile, and should have caught him if he had not
had a horse waiting for him in a lane, and he got off by the skin
of his teeth. I hope that next time I meet him he will not be
so lucky. Mr. Bastow was very much shaken, and went to bed soon
afterwards. I am not surprised that this second shock should be too
much for him. Will you go up and see him? I will speak to Simeox."

The constable was out in the garden.

"This is a terrible business, Mr. Thorndyke. I suppose, after what
you told me, you have your suspicions?"

"They are not suspicions at all--they are certainties. Did you
hear that he tried to shoot my father yesterday evening?"

"No, sir, I have heard nothing about it."

Mark repeated the story of the attempt and pursuit.

"Could you swear to him,' Mr. Thorndyke?"

"No, there was not much light left; besides, as I have not seen
him for the last eight years, I should certainly not be able to
recognize him unless I had time to have a good look at him. Had it
only been last night's affair it might have been anyone; but the
shooting through the window was not the act of a thief, but of an
assassin, who could only have been influenced by private enmity. I
quite see that at present I have no legal evidence against. Bastow;
I am not even in a position to prove that he is in the country,
for it cannot be said that my father's belief that he recognized