shadow of a clue." He dropped the last of
the papers, and turned to his client. "Mr. Bell," he said, "this thing
has been thought out to the last inch. There is something like genius in
this robbery--if genius is the capacity for taking pains. My advice to
you is to call in the Scotland Yard people at once."

"Do you mean you can do nothing?" asked Mr. Bell despairingly. "Don't
tell me that, Mr. Hewitt!"

"No, I don't mean that," Hewitt answered. "I mean that until I have had
time to think the thing over very thoroughly I can't tell what I can or
ought to do. Meantime, I think the police should know; not because I
think they can see farther into the thing than I can--for, indeed, I
don't think they can; but simply because the thief is getting a longer
start every moment, and the police are armed with powers that are not at
my disposal. They can get search warrants, stop people at ports and
railway stations, arrest suspects--do a score of things that will be
necessary. Send to Scotland Yard and get Detective Inspector Plummer, if
he's available--he's as good a man as they have. Tell him that you've
engaged me, or, better still, write a note to the Scotland Yard
authorities, and let me have it, to send or not as I think best, after I
have turned the thing over in my mind. I shall take one good look round
this office, and then run back to my rooms for an hour or two's hard
consideration of whatever I may see. One or two small things I _have_
seen already--though I'd rather not mention them till I've made up my
mind how they bear. Matters seem likely to have gone so far that perhaps
the regular police course of catching the thief first will be the best
plan, if it can be done. Meantime, it will be my business to keep my eye
first on the recovery of the bonds. But I think we must have the police,
Mr. Bell. Now, I'll take my general look round."

III

After Martin Hewitt had rushed off to St. Augustine's Hospital with the
key, the envelope, and the cypher I had brought him, I heard nothing of
him till dusk fell--about six. Then I received this telegram:--

/#
"Cypher read. Most interesting case. If you can spare an hour be
outside 120 Broad Street at six thirty.--<sc>Hewitt</sc>."
#/

I had to be at my office between eight and nine, and to keep Hewitt's
appointment I should probably have to sacrifice my dinner. But I was
particularly curious to know the meaning of that cypher, and just as
curious to