racter for honesty and straightforward
conduct, and if I ask you questions that sound unpleasant in your ears,
don't run away with the idea that it is because you are suspected."

Wrench's manner changed a little, for the references to his uprightness
and rectitude sounded pleasant in his ears.

"I give you credit," continued the Colonel, "for being as desirous as
these gentlemen here and I am to find out the culprit."

"Yes, sir; certainly, sir, and Mr Singh and Mr Severn, sir, will tell
you that I have been as much cut up about it as if the blessed--I beg
your pardon, gentlemen--as if the belt had been my own."

"Exactly," said the Colonel. "Now then, it seems that the time when the
belt was lost cannot be exactly pointed out, since it may have been
taken at one of the times when Mr Singh's travelling-case was left
unlocked."

"Oh, sir, but nobody ever goes up into his room except the maids and
Mrs Hamton and me; and, bless your heart, sir, the Doctor will tell you
that he wouldn't doubt any of us to save his life."

"Hah!" said the Colonel. "A good character, my man, is a fine thing.
Now, what about strangers--people from the town--peddlers, or hawkers,
or people with books to be subscribed for? You have such people come, I
suppose, to the house?"

"Lots of them, sir; but they never come any farther than the door,"
cried Wrench, laughing. "You see, sir, Mr Singh's dormitory is on the
first floor of the new building, over the little lecture-hall. Nobody
ever went there."

"Could any strangers come up through the grounds and get into the
passage or corridor after dusk?"

"No, sir; not without coming through the house. I have laid awake lots
of times, sir, trying to put that and that together; but it's all been
like a maze, sir--a sort of maze, sir, made like with no way in and no
way out."

"Humph!" said the Colonel, looking at the man searchingly. "I have
heard of cases where people have come to a house and asked the servants
if somebody was at home when the speaker knew that he was out, and then
made an excuse to be shown into a room to write a letter to the
gentleman, say the Doctor, whom he wanted to see; Did such a thing
happen in your recollection? No, no; don't hurry. Tax your memory.--
Ah!--What is it?"

"I've got it, sir!" cried Wrench excitedly.

"Oh!" said the Colonel quietly. "Well, what did happen?"

"To be sure, somebody did come just as you said, sir, as you asked me
that quest