xplanation," he said with a smile.

"Yes," cried Eileen eagerly, "do tell him, and then--then he will
understand a little better."

Blacklock filled a pipe and leaned his back against the fireplace, a
curious mixture of clergyman in his attire and keen professional sailor
in his voice and bearing, now that all need for pretence was gone.

"The story I told you of the impersonation and attempted murder of Mr
Alexander Burnett," he began, "was simply a repetition of the tale told
me by Adolph Tiel at Inverness--where, by the way, he was arrested."

Von Belke started violently.

"So!" he cried. "Then--then you never were Tiel?"

"I am thankful to say I never was, for a more complete scoundrel never
existed. He and his friend Schumann actually did knock Mr Burnett on
the head, tie a stone to his feet, and pitch him over the cliff.
Unfortunately for them, they made a bad job of the knot and the stone
came loose. In consequence, Mr Burnett floated long enough to be
picked up by a patrol boat, which had seen the whole performance
outlined against the sky at the top of the cliff above her. By the
time they had brought him back to a certain base, Mr Burnett had
revived and was able to tell of his adventure. The affair being in my
line, was put into my hands, and it didn't take long to see what the
rascals' game was."

"No," commented Phipps; "I suppose you spotted that pretty quick."

"Practically at once. A clergyman on his way here--clothes and
passport stolen--left for murdered--chauffeur so like him that the
minister noticed the resemblance himself in the instant the man was
knocking him down,--what was the inference? Pretty obvious, you'll
agree. Well, the first step was simple. The pair had separated; but
we got Tiel at Inverness on his way North, and Schumann within
twenty-four hours afterwards at Liverpool."

"Good business!" said Phipps. "I hadn't heard about Schumann before."

"Well," continued Blacklock, "I interviewed Mr Tiel, and I found I'd
struck just about the worst thing in the way of rascals it has ever
been my luck to run up against. He began to bargain at once. If his
life was spared he would give me certain very valuable information."

"Mein Gott!" cried Belke. "Did a German actually say that?"

"Tiel belongs to no country," said Blacklock. "He is a cosmopolitan
adventurer without patriotism or morals. I told him his skin would be
safe if his information really proved valuable; an