two murders here,
that stole and restored Mrs. Rheinholdt's jewels, that sends us those
little billets-doux from time to time, is quite capable of finding a way
out of a jerry-built garage."

The Professor sniffed. He turned once more to Lenora.

"Young lady," he said, "I will ask you this. I do not wish to seem
obstinate in my refusal to accept Craig's guilt as proved, but I would
like to put this simple question to you. Did Craig's demeanour during your
conversation seem to you to indicate the master criminal? Did he seem to
you to be possessed of supreme courage, of marvellous intelligence?"

Lenora smiled very faintly.

"I am afraid," she replied, "that this time I'll have to satisfy the
Professor. He was white and trembling all the time. I thought him an
arrant coward."

The Professor smiled beatifically as he glanced around. He had the air of
one propounding an unanswerable problem.

"You hear what Miss Lenora says? I ask you whether a man who even knew the
meaning of the word fear could have carried out these ghastly crimes?"

"I have known cases," Quest observed, "where the most cold-blooded
criminals in the world have been stricken with the most deadly fear when
it has come to a question of any personal danger. However," he added,
"here comes our friend French. I have an idea that he has something to
tell us."

They glanced expectantly towards the door as French entered. The
Inspector, who was looking very spruce and well-brushed, wished them a
general good-morning. His eyes rested last and longest upon Laura, who
seemed, however, unconscious of his presence.

"Now, then, French," Quest began, as he returned his greeting, "take a
cigar, make yourself comfortable in that chair and let us have your news.
As you see, we have obeyed orders. We are all ready to follow you anywhere
you say."

"It won't be to the end of the world, anyway," the Inspector remarked, as
he lit his cigar. "I am going to propose a little excursion down Gayson
Avenue way."

"Back to that house?" Lenora exclaimed, with a grimace.

The Inspector nodded.

"We have had those boys at the station," he went on, "and we have
questioned them carefully. It seems that after they had picked up the
ball, a man came out of the side entrance of the house, saw them reading
Miss Lenora's message, and shouted after them. The boys had sense enough
to scoot. The man ran after them, but had to give it up. Here is their
description of him."

Th