--Mensa
a table; you might get it from that. Well, Mr. Beverley,"--and he
slapped him heartily on the back as he went past him--"I shall see you
later. Cayley says that you will amuse me, but so far you have not made
me laugh once. You must try and be more amusing when you have finished
your breakfast. But don't hurry. Let the upper mandibles have time to
do the work." With those words Mr. Gillingham then left the spacious
apartment.

Bill continued his breakfast with a slightly bewildered air. He did not
know that Cayley was smoking a cigarette outside the windows behind him;
not listening, perhaps; possibly not even overhearing; but within sight
of Antony, who was not going to take any risks. So he went on with his
breakfast, reflecting that Antony was a rum fellow, and wondering if
he had dreamed only of the amazing things which had happened the day
before.

Antony went up to his bedroom to fetch his pipe. It was occupied by
a housemaid, and he made a polite apology for disturbing her. Then he
remembered.

"Is it Elsie?" he asked, giving her a friendly smile.

"Yes, sir," she said, shy but proud. She had no doubts as to why it was
that she had achieved such notoriety.

"It was you who heard Mr. Mark yesterday, wasn't it? I hope the
inspector was nice to you?"

"Yes, thank you, sir."

"'It's my turn now. You wait,'" murmured Antony to himself.

"Yes, sir. Nasty-like. Meaning to say his chance had come."

"I wonder."

"Well, that's what I heard, sir. Truly."

Antony looked at her thoughtfully and nodded.

"Yes. I wonder. I wonder why."

"Why what, sir?"

"Oh, lots of things, Elsie.... It was quite an accident your being
outside just then?"

Elsie blushed. She had not forgotten what Mrs. Stevens had said about
it.

"Quite, sir. In the general way I use the other stairs."

"Of course."

He had found his pipe and was about to go downstairs again when she
stopped him.

"I beg your pardon, sir, but will there be an inquest?"

"Oh, yes. To-morrow, I think."

"Shall I have to give my evidence, sir?"

"Of course. There's nothing to be frightened of."

"I did hear it, sir. Truly."

"Why, of course you did. Who says you didn't?"

"Some of the others, sir, Mrs. Stevens and all."

"Oh, that's just because they're jealous," said Antony with a smile.

He was glad to have spoken to her, because he had recognized at once
the immense importance of her evidence. To the Inspector no doubt it
had see