take measurements and the like. I need not remind you that Bates' house
is next door to the empty one. In fact, there is no question that both
houses belong to the same person. You will remember, also, the mysterious
way in which that furniture vanished from the scene of your adventure."

"I remember," Gurdon said grimly. "But all the same I don't quite see
what you are driving at."

"The thing is quite plain. That furniture did not vanish through the
prosaic medium of a van, nor was it carted through the front door from
one house to the other. The two houses communicated in some way, and it
will be our business to find the door. As I have the keys and every
legitimate excuse for being on the premises, we can proceed to make our
investigations without the slightest secrecy, and without the least fear
of awkward questions being asked. Now do you follow me?"

"I follow you fast enough. I suppose your game is to try and get into the
next house by means of the door?"

"You have hit it exactly," Venner said. "That is precisely what I mean
to do. We shall find it necessary to discover the identity of Mr.
Bates' tenant."

"When are we going to make the experiment?" Gurdon asked.

"We are going to make it now," Venner replied. "We will have a cab as far
as the Empire Hotel, so that I can get the keys. After that, the thing
will be quite easy. Come along, and thank me for an exciting evening's
adventure. I shall be greatly surprised if it is not even more exciting
than the last occasion."