ssisted by a boy scout, who conducted Malcolm
Sage to the scene of the latest outrage. It was Hinds who described
the position of the mare when she was discovered, and it was he who
pocketed two half-crowns as the car moved off Londonwards.

That evening Malcolm Sage sat long and late at his table, engrossed
in the map that Inspector Wensdale had sent him.

Finally he subjected to a thorough and exhaustive examination the
thumb-nail of his right hand. It was as if he saw in its polished
surface the tablets of destiny.

The next morning he wrote a letter that subsequently caused Sir John
Hackblock to explode into a torrent of abuse of detectives in
general and one investigator in particular. It stated in a few words
that, owing to circumstances over which he had no control, Malcolm
Sage would not be able to undertake the enquiry with which Sir John
Hackblock had honoured him until the end of the month following. He
hoped, however, to communicate further with his client soon after
the 23rd of that month.

CHAPTER V INSPECTOR WENSDALE IS SURPRISED

I

Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as
far off solution as ever. The neighbourhood in which the crimes had
been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations,
and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

Sir John Hackblock had written to the Chief Commissioner and a
question had been asked in the House.

Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to
mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming." The
inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's
Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was
beginning to tell upon his nerves.

For three weeks he had received no word from Malcolm Sage. One
morning on his arrival at Scotland Yard he was given a telephone
message asking him to call round at the Bureau during the day.

"Nothing new?" queried Malcolm Sage ten minutes later, as the
inspector was shown into his room by Thompson.

The inspector shook a gloomy head and dropped his heavy frame into a
chair.

Malcolm Sage indicated with a nod that Thompson was to remain.

"Can you borrow a couple of covered government lorries?" queried
Malcolm Sage.

"A couple of hundred if necessary," said the inspector dully.

"Two will be enough," was the dry rejoinder. "Now listen carefully,
Wensdale. I want you to have fifty men housed some ten miles away
from