e easiest way of
disposing of the dinner things, and will furnish Mrs. Gray with food for
comfortable comment; she takes all such opportunities to disparage
'men's ways,' and as she seems to enjoy them, I make it a point to
afford her as many as possible," making the proposed change as he talks.
"Now, then, there's a table and there's your wax."

"Now something to melt it in and over; I'm going to take an impression."

There is a little difficulty about getting the necessary articles
together, but after a while they are all there, and the wax is simmering
in the melting cup. Then the detective takes from his pocket the
borrowed bottle of chloroform, and asks for an empty vial. This being
given him he pours out the chloroform carefully, and wipes the emptied
bottle.

"It's a pity I can't keep this bottle just as it is," he says, eyeing
the cut-glass stopper regretfully, "but it must be returned, of course;
and I must do the next best. What's your notion of the original use of
that little gimcrack?"

He reaches out the bottle and the doctor takes it in his hand saying:
"Why, it's from one of those dainty toilet cases used by ladies
principally; there will be a set, uniform in size, that are filled with
perfumes of various sorts, and larger bottles, of the same pattern, for
goodness knows what use. I have seen the kind, but not the pattern."

"Well," says the detective, slowly, "I _think_ that I have seen the
pattern; but where? However," dipping a stick into the melting wax, "I
shall find out, and before very long."

"I wonder," says Doctor Heath, stretching out his hand for a fresh
segar, "at the fellows leaving such a testimonial as that behind them.
What's your theory?"

"I have expected that question from both yourself and Miss Wardour. I am
glad she did not ask me."

"Why?"

The detective takes a spoon and dips up his wax, letting it drip from
the spoon, drop by drop. It is ready for use, and, without seeming aware
of the doctor's presence, he busies himself with his impression
taking--seeing which, Doctor Heath smokes on, and is silent.

Finally, his mould is set to cool, and the detective resumes his seat;
and, quite ignoring that long neglected monosyllable of inquiry, uttered
by his host, begins:

"When the burglars, for, no doubt, there were two of them, entered Miss
Wardour's dressing room, they carried one dark lantern. This, one of
them took, and crept with it into the sleeping room; here, he wa