ked his teeth, insouciant. The inspector disappeared. In
two minutes he was back again.

'This way, ma'am. This way, gentlemen,' And he ushered all three before
him up a set of stone stairs, down a set of stone stairs, and into a
carpeted apartment, where sat a gentleman of military aspect, behind a
business-looking table overspread with papers.

'You have a statement to make to me, I believe,' he said to Lilian with
grave politeness.

Lilian told her story without faltering and without superfluous words.
When she mentioned the pipe Dr. Wattiss drew a packet from his pocket
and unwound it carefully, and laid the precious meerschaum on the table.

'What is this statement of a nightly quarrel between the two residents
in the house-boat, Webb?' Thus spoke the superior officer behind the
business table.

'Man named Hodges, sir,' responded the inspector, 'states that he
overheard violent rows after dusk.'

In spite of all his grief and anxiety Barn-dale laughed, and was about
to speak in explanation when Lilian rose and laid a letter on the table.

'Will you kindly read that, sir, and then ask Mr. Barndale to explain?'
she said simply.

The military-looking official took the letter and read it through. It
ran thus:--

'On the Roaring Deep,

'Thames Ditton.

'Dear Lil,--

'Billy has struck ile. He's at work on an amazing comedy
with which he intends to fire the Thames next first of
April. He and I are both going to appear in it at Barndale
in the Christmas week. Meantime we rehearse a terrific
combat nightly.

'While words of learned length and thundering sound Amaze the
wondering rustics gathered round.

'A genial idiot, Hodges yclept, has persuaded the whole
village that a murder is on the carpet, and that Billy and I
are at daggers drawn. Don't tell him this in any of your
letters. It's a great tribute to our acting that even Hodges
takes us to be in earnest. I can't call to mind any stage
row I ever listened to that I shouldn't have spotted the
hollowness of in a brace of shakes. At this minute Author
summons Actor to Rehearsal. I close up. This Scrawl to tell
you I haven't forgotten you. Would have written more, but
authority's voice is urgent.

'Your affectionate brother,

'J.'

'I think you had something to say, sir,' said the military official
turning to Barndale, and handing the lette