Hempdon on the afternoon of the 22nd. Select men who have done
scouting, ex-boy scouts, for preference. Don't choose any with bald
heads or with very light hair. See that they are wearing dark
clothes and dark shirts and, above all, no white collars. Take with
you a good supply of burnt cork such as is used by nigger
minstrels."

Malcolm Sage paused, and for the fraction of a second there was a
curious fluttering at the corners of his mouth.

Inspector Wensdale was sitting bolt upright in his chair, gazing at
Malcolm Sage as if he had been requested to supply two lorry-loads
of archangels.

"It will be moonlight, and caps might fall off," explained Malcolm
Sage. "You cannot very well ask a man to black his head. Above all,"
he continued evenly, "be sure you give no indication to anyone why
you want the men, and tell them not to talk. You follow me?" he
queried.

"Yes," said the inspector, "I--I follow."

"Don't go down Hempdon way again, and tell no one in the
neighbourhood; _no one_, you understand, is to know anything about
it. Don't tell the general, for instance."

"Him!" There was a world of hatred and contempt in the inspector's
voice. Then he glanced a little oddly at Malcolm Sage.

Malcolm Sage went on to elaborate his instructions. The men were to
be divided into two parties, one to form a line north of the scene
of the last outrage, and the other to be spread over a particular
zone some three miles the other side of Hempdon. They were to
blacken their faces and hands, and observe great care to show no
light colouring in connection with their clothing. Thus they would
be indistinguishable from their surroundings.

"You will go with one lot," said Malcolm Sage to the inspector, "and
my man Finlay with the other. Thompson and I will be somewhere in
the neighbourhood. You will be given a pass-word for purposes of
identification. You understand?"

"I think so," said the inspector, in a tone which was suggestive
that he was very far from understanding.

"I'll have everything typed out for you, and scale-plans of where
you are to post your men. Above all, don't take anyone into your
confidence."

Inspector Wensdale nodded and looked across at Thompson, as if to
assure himself that after all it really was not some huge joke.

"If nothing happens on the 22nd, we shall carry-on the second, third,
and fourth nights. In all probability we shall catch our man on the
23rd."

"Then you know who it is?" spl