rble of the mantelpiece, one hand toying
with a cigarette, stood Burchill, scrupulously attired as usual, and
conveying, or endeavouring to convey to whoever looked upon him, that
he, of all people present, was master of himself and all of the scene.

Triffitt took all this in at a glance; his next glance was at the
elegant, white-haired lady who came forward to meet him and his
companion. Davidge gave him a nudge as he executed a duck-like bow.

"Servant, ma'am," said Davidge in his quietest and coolest manner. "I
took the liberty of bringing a friend with me. You see, ma'am, as these
proceedings are in what we may call the public way, Mrs. Engledew, no
objection I'm sure to having a press gentleman at them. Mr. Triffitt,
ma'am, of the _Argus_ newspaper. Known to these gentlemen--all of
'em--unless it's the gentleman at the far end, there. Known, at any
rate, to Mr. Selwood and the Professor," continued Davidge, nodding with
much familiarity to the person he named. "And likewise to Mr. Burchill
there. How do you do, sir, this evening? You and me, I think, has met
before, and shall no doubt meet again. Well, ma'am, and now that I've
come, perhaps I might ask a question. What have I come for?"

Davidge had kept up this flow of talk while he took stock of his
surroundings, and now, with another nudge of his companion's elbow, he
took a chair between the door and the table, planted himself firmly in
it, put his hands on top of his stout stick, and propped his chin on his
hands. He looked at Mrs. Engledew once more, and then let his eyes make
another inspection of her guests.

"What have I come for, ma'am?" he repeated. "To hear those revelations
you spoke of when you called on me this afternoon? Just so. Well, ma'am,
the only question now is--who's going to make 'em? For," he added,
sitting up again after his further inspection, and bestowing a general
smile all round, "revelations, ma'am, is what I chiefly hanker after,
and I shall be glad--delighted!--to hear any specimens from--anybody as
chooses to make 'em!"

Mrs. Engledew looked at Burchill as she resumed her seat.

"I think Mr. Burchill is the most likely person to tell you what there
is to tell," she said. "His friend----"

"Ah!--the gentleman at the other end of the table, no doubt," observed
Davidge. "How do you do, sir? And what might that gentleman's name be,
now?"

Burchill, who had been watching the detective carefully, threw away his
cigarette and s