stance that was not Malcolm Sage.

"Got them and it, sir," was the response.

"Are you hit?"

"Only in the arm, sir. Nothing to write home about," was the cheery
response.

"Here, switch on the light someone," said Malcolm Sage, and a moment
after there was a click and a three-lamp electrolier burst into light.

"Get a window open, Thompson; thrust all that greenery stuff out,"
cried Malcolm Sage.

"Right, sir."

With the aid of the fire-irons, Mr. Montagu Naylor's little greenhouse
was soon demobilised and lay a heap of ruins in the area.

"That's better," murmured Malcolm Sage. "What a stink!"

He then turned to an examination of the room. The window had been
blocked up with a sort of glass case, on which shelves had been built
and flower-pots placed. This had the effect not only of cutting off
all communications from outside except from the door; but of preventing
anyone from seeing into the room. The atmosphere of the place was
heavy and foetid, as the only means of ventilation was the door. There
were three pallet-beds, a table and several chairs.

Malcolm Sage shuddered at the thought of living week after week under
such conditions. He turned to his prisoners.

On the floor lay two men, handcuffed, each with a member of the staff
of Department Z. sitting contentedly on his chest. One was foaming at
the mouth with suppressed fury, the other, a heavily-built fellow, lay
apathetic. In a corner upon one of the pallet-beds sat a man looking
about him in a dazed fashion.

"It's all right, Mr. Dene," said Malcolm Sage. "We'll attend to you in
a minute." Then turning to Thompson he said, "Get these fellows up
into the car. Keep the two women here under guard. Then we'll see to
your arm."

"Right, sir," said Thompson.

The arrival of three closed motor-cars outside "The Cedars" had aroused
some interest among the residents of Apthorpe Road. The absence of
flowers from the lamps and the buttonholes of the chauffeurs negatived
the idea of a wedding, and three cars were scarcely necessary to take
Mr. Naylor's small household for a holiday.

A group of neighbours and errand boys gathered outside Mr. Naylor's
gate. The windows opposite and on each side were manned in force.
Presently the onlookers were astonished to see two handcuffed men half
carried, half dragged out of the house and hurried into the first car.
They were followed by two more of the men who, a few minutes before,
had been eng