n--

"Unavoidably prevented from coming to stay with you. Shall explain
later. Many regrets. Don't trouble reply. Leaving home immediately.

"BURNETT."

As Mr Drummond studied this telegram he began to feel not only
disappointed but a trifle critical.

"Alec Burnett must have come into a fortune!" he said to himself. "Six
words--the whole of threepence--wasted in telling me not to reply! As
if I'd be spending my money on anything so foolish. I never saw such
extravagance!"

On the following morning Mr Drummond was as usual up betimes. He had
retired a year or two before from a responsible position in an
insurance office, but he still retained his active business habits, and
by eight o'clock every morning of the summer was out and busy in his
garden. It still wanted ten minutes to eight, and he was just
buttoning up his waistcoat when he heard the front-door bell ring. A
minute or two later the maid announced that Mr Topham was desirous of
seeing Mr Drummond immediately.

"Mr Topham?" he asked.

"He's a Navy Officer, sir," said the maid.

Vaguely perturbed, Mr Drummond hurried downstairs, and found in his
study a purposeful-looking young man, with the two zigzag stripes on
his sleeve of a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve.

"Mr Drummond?" he inquired.

"The same," said Mr Drummond, firmly yet cautiously.

"You expected a visit from a Mr Burnett yesterday, I believe?"

"I had been expecting him till I got his wire."

"His wire!" exclaimed Lieutenant Topham. "Did he telegraph to you?"

"Yes: he said he couldn't come."

"May I see that telegram?"

Caution had always been Mr Drummond's most valuable asset.

"Is it important?" he inquired.

"Extremely," said the lieutenant a trifle brusquely.

Mr Drummond went to his desk and handed him the telegram. He could see
Topham's eyebrows rise as he read it.

"Thank you," he said when he had finished. "May I keep it?"

Without waiting for permission, he put it in his pocket, and with a
grave air said--

"I am afraid I have rather serious news to give you about Mr Burnett."

"Dear me!" cried Mr Drummond. "It's not mental trouble, I hope? That
was a queer wire he sent me!"

"He didn't send you that wire," said Lieutenant Topham.

"What!" exclaimed Mr Drummond. "Really--you don't say so? Then who
did?"

"That's what we've got to find out."

The lieutenant glanced at the door, and added--

"I think we had better come a little