nd clawed they is--like
the thing as made 'em was part bird and part beast--and they're a
good twelve inches long, every one of 'em."

"Hum-m-m! That's extraordinary. Deeply imprinted, are they?"

"Lummy! yes, sir. The animal as made 'em must have weighed ten or
twelve stone at least. Soon as I see them, sir, I knowed I had my
work cut out, so I left Gorham in charge of the house, rattled up
these two men and Mr. Simpkins, here--which all three is employed
at Droger Park, sir--and set out hot foot to look for gypsies."

"Why?"

"'Cause Mistress Armroyd she says as she see a gypsy lurkin' round
the place just before dark, sir; and he had a queer thing like a
bear's muzzle in his hand."

"Ah, I see!" said Cleek; and gave one of his odd smiles as he
turned round and looked at the superintendent. "All ready, Mr.
Narkom? Good! Let us go over to the Round House and investigate
this interesting case. Dollops, stop where you are and look after
the caravan. If we are away more than a couple of hours, tumble
into bed and go to sleep. We may be a short time or we may be a
long one. In affairs like this one never knows."

* * * * *

"Any ideas, old chap?" queried Narkom in a whisper as they forged
along together in the wake of Nippers and his three companions.

"Yes--a great many," answered Cleek. "I am particularly anxious, Mr.
Narkom, to have a look at those footprints and an interview with Miss
Renfrew. I want to meet that young lady very much indeed."

CHAPTER VIII

Twenty minutes later his desires in that respect were granted; and,
having been introduced by Mr. Nippers to the little gathering in
the sitting-room of the house of disaster as "a friend of mine from
Scotland Yard, miss," he found himself in the presence of one of
those meek-faced, dove-eyed, "mousy" little bodies who seem born to
be "patient Griseldas"; and in looking at her he was minded of the
description of "Lady Jane" in the poem:

"Her pulse was slow, milk white her skin--
She had not blood enough to sin."

Years of repression had told upon her, and she looked older than she
really was--so old and so dragged out, in fact, that Mrs. Armroyd,
the cook, appeared youthful and attractive in contrast. Indeed,
it was no wonder that Mr. Ephraim Nippers had been attracted by
that good soul; for, although her hair was streaked with gray, and
her figure was of the "sack of flour" order, and her ey