he affair, with the result that the Press throughout the country
had "stunted" Gylston as if it had been a heavy-weight championship,
or a train murder.

For a fortnight Malcolm Sage had been on the Continent in connection
with the theft of the Adair Diamonds. Two days previously, after
having restored the famous jewels to Lady Adair, he had returned to
London, to find that the Gylston affair had developed a new and
dramatic phase. The curate had been arrested for an attempted
assault upon Miss Crayne and, pleading "not guilty," had been
committed for trial.

The incident that led up to this had taken place on the day that
Malcolm Sage left London. Late that afternoon Miss Crayne had
arrived at the vicarage in a state bordering on collapse. On
becoming more collected, she stated that on returning from paying a
call, and when half-way through a copse, known locally as "Gipsies
Wood," Blade had sprung out upon her and violently protested his
passion. He had gripped hold of her wrists, the mark of his fingers
was to be seen on the delicate skin, and threatened to kill her and
himself. She had been terrified, thinking he meant to kill her. The
approach of a farm labourer had saved her, and the curate had
disappeared through the copse.

This story was borne out by Joseph Higgins, the farm labourer in
question. He had arrived to find Miss Crayne in a state of great
alarm and agitation, and he had walked with her as far as the
vicarage gate. He did not, however, actually see the curate.

On the strength of this statement the police had applied for a
warrant, and had subsequently arrested the curate. Later he appeared
before the magistrates, had been remanded, and finally committed for
trial, bail being allowed.

Blade protested his innocence alike of the assault and the writing
of the letters; but two hand-writing experts had testified to the
similarity of the handwriting of the anonymous letters with that of
the curate. Furthermore, they were all written upon "Olympic
Script," the paper that Blade used for his sermons.

Malcolm Sage had just started a new deal when the door opened, and
Rogers showed in Robert Freynes. With a nod, Malcolm Sage indicated
the chair opposite. His visitor dropped into it and, taking a pipe
from his pocket, proceeded to fill and light it.

Placing his meerschaum on the mantelpiece, Malcolm Sage produced a
well-worn briar from his pocket, which, having got into commission,
he proceeded onc