ehicle was
standing in the middle of the road at one of the three blocks. Not
only that, but he must have been a friend, or some one posing as a
friend--some one, at any rate, of his own order. Vanderpole was over six
feet high, and as muscular as a young bull. He could have thrown any one
out into the street who had attempted to assault him openly."

"It is the most remarkable case I ever heard of in my life," the Duke
admitted, helping himself to a cigarette from a box which he had just
discovered.

"There is another point," the Prime Minister continued. "There are
features in common about both these murders. Not only were they both the
work of a most accomplished criminal, but he must have been possessed of
an iron nerve and amazing strength. The dagger by which Hamilton Fynes
was stabbed was driven through the middle of his heart. The cord with
which Vanderpole was strangled must have been turned by a wrist
of steel. No time for a word afterwards, mind, or before. It was a
wonderful feat. I am not surprised that the Americans can't understand
it."

"They don't suggest, I suppose," the Duke asked, "that we are not trying
to clear the matter up?"

"They don't suggest it," his chief answered, "but I can't quite make
out what's at the back of their heads. However, I won't bother you about
that now. If I were to propound Heseltine's theory to you, you would
think that he had been reading the works of some of our enterprising
young novelists. Things will have cleared up, I dare say, by next week.
I am coming round to the House for a moment if you're not in a hurry."

The Duke assented, and waited while the secretary locked up the papers
which the Prime Minister had been examining, and prepared others to be
carried into the House. The two men left the place together, and the
Duke pointed toward his brougham.

"Do you mind walking?" the Prime Minister said. "There is another matter
I'd like to talk to you about, and there's nowhere better than the
streets for a little conversation. Besides, I need the air."

"With pleasure," the Duke answered, who loathed walking.

He directed his coachman to precede them, and they started off, arm in
arm.

"Devenham," the Prime Minister said, "we were speaking, a few minutes
ago, of Prince Maiyo. I want you to understand this, that upon that
young man depends entirely the success or failure of my administration."

"You are serious?" the Duke exclaimed.

"Absolutely," the Prim