those detached
houses--foot of Primrose Hill? It's one of those--he was a cute chap, my
driver, and he contrived to slow down and keep well behind, and yet to
see where Chestermarke got out. The name of the house is Oakfield
Villa--it's on the gateposts. Of course, I made sure. I sent my man
off--and then I hung round some time, passing and re-passing once or
twice. And I saw Chestermarke in a front room--the blinds were not
drawn--and he was in a smoking-cap and jacket, so I reckoned he was safe
for the night. But I can watch the house all night if you think it's
necessary, you know, Mr. Starmidge."

"No!" answered Starmidge. "Not at all. But I'll tell you what--you be
about there first thing tomorrow morning. Can you hang about without
attracting attention?"

"Easily!" replied Gandam. "Easiest thing in the world. Do you know where
a little lodge stands, as you go into Primrose Hill, the St. John's Wood
side? Well, his house is close by that. On the other side of the road
there's a little path leading over a bridge into the Park--close by the
corner of the Zoo--I can watch from that path. You can rely on me, Mr.
Starmidge. I'll not lose sight of him this time."

Starmidge saw that the man was deeply anxious to atone for his mistake
of the previous night, and he nodded assent.

"All right," he said, "but--take another man with you. Two are better
than one in a job like that--and Chestermarke might be meeting that
woman again. Watch the house carefully tomorrow morning from first
thing--follow him wherever he goes. If he should meet the woman, and
they part after meeting, one of you follow her. And listen--I shall be
at headquarters at twelve o'clock tomorrow. Contrive to telephone me
there as to what you're doing. But--don't lose him--or her, if you see
her again."

"One thing more," said Gandam, as he rose to go. "Supposing he goes off
by train? Do I follow?"

"No," answered Starmidge after a moment's reflection, "but manage to
find out where he goes."

He sat and thought a long time after his visitor had left, and his
thoughts all centred on one fact: the undoubted fact that Gabriel
Chestermarke and Mrs. Carswell had met.

CHAPTER XXV

THE PORTRAIT

The offices of Mr. Godwin Markham, at which the two detectives presented
themselves soon after half-past ten next morning, were by no means
extensive in size or palatial in appearance. They were situated in the
second floor of a building in Conduit S