ncidents. The trail in the snow was one of these
confirmatory incidents, although I had no occasion yet to so regard it.

While it was my first duty, therefore, to discover the murderer, I saw
no reason why I should not at the same time find the well-nigh
priceless gem, inasmuch as I hoped that the latter would point
definitely to the former.

The ruby had disappeared between eleven o'clock last night and the time
of Stodger's arrival--shortly before three in the morning. One of the
two men who had passed the night in the house might have secreted it.
Their presence offered the most plausible explanation.

Was Maillot the one? His fantastic story was certainly a strain upon
one's credulity, I must confess; yet, I had sat face to face with him,
and I am not without skill--nor was I at the time--in penetrating a
man's outward aspect and discerning the sincerity of his purpose. In
justice to him, I can not emphasize too strongly how convincing had
been every utterance of his, the which I have been at some pains to
record. And then, I could not attribute the freshly oiled hinges nor
the rifled safe to Maillot. Consequently the next step was to turn to
Burke: when I did so I was met only by a mental image of his
inscrutable tawny eyes; the baffling, impassive visage which showed no
mark of age.

Well, Maillot did not have the ruby. And now, if a search of Burke's
person and belongings resulted as the former search had, why, I must
look to some hiding-place near at hand.

And this was a task after my own heart. I cast ahead in pleased
anticipation to some delightful hours after nightfall in this dreary
old mansion, when I would be alone and at liberty to pursue my quest
with the least likelihood of being disturbed.

If the ruby were really here, I meant to remain pretty close to it
until it came to light, or else have a dependable substitute take my
place when it should become necessary for me to go abroad. It was this
determination which led to the scar that will disfigure my face as long
as I live.

The erstwhile secretary submitted without demur to an examination of
his clothing, and without any change of expression that I could
perceive. The pale eyes followed my movements with a blank, incurious
stare (though Stodger maintains that they did not cease for an instant
regarding him), and I was glad enough to see the fellow depart, after I
had privately passed word to Stodger not to lose Burke until another