ot within in the house."

"Then we may assume that he did," said Meldon, "and it follows from
that that he intended to go some distance. Now tell me this, what
direction did he start in?"

"How would I know? As soon as ever I had the sandwiches made for him I
went to feed the fowl, and by reason of the way the white hen has of
rambling and her chickens along with her--"

"Thanks," said Meldon. "If it wasn't that I have to find Mr. Simpkins
at once, I'd stay and hear about the white hen. But under the
circumstances I can't. Good-bye."

He rode down to the hotel and found Doyle, who was sitting on the
window-sill of the commercial room reading a newspaper.

"Doyle," he said, "where's Simpkins gone?"

"I don't know," said Doyle, "that he's gone anywhere; though I'd be
glad if he did, and that to a good, far-off kind of a place."

"Did you see him this morning?"

"I did. I seen him. It might have been half-past ten or maybe eleven
o'clock--"

"On his bicycle?"

"He was on his bicycle."

"Where was he going?"

"I don't know where he was going, for I didn't ask, not caring; unless
it might be to some place that he wouldn't get back from too easy."

"It is of the utmost possible importance," said Meldon, "that I should
know where he's gone. I am pledged to produce him at Ballymoy House
this afternoon. Unless I do, our whole plan for getting rid of him is
likely to miscarry."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Doyle. "But I couldn't tell you where
he went, not if it was to have him hanged when you caught him."

"I am not going to have him hanged," said Meldon. "I can't; for he
hasn't done anything, so far as I know, that any court would condemn
him for. What I want is to get him married."

"Married, is it?"

"Yes, to Miss King."

"But-- What you said at the first go-off, the day you was within
talking to me and the doctor, was that you'd--"

"I can't possibly enter into a long explanation now," said Meldon; "but
if you want to get rid of Simpkins permanently, you'll rack your brains
and help me to find out where he's gone to-day."

Doyle thought deeply for a couple of minutes.

"Where he's gone," he said at last, "is beyond me. But I took notice
of the trousers he had on him when he was starting. I'm not sure will
it be any use to you to know it, but they was white."

"Good," said Meldon. "As it happens, that fact does throw a great deal
of light on the problem. No man wears white trou