nce was greatly cheered by what he had overheard. His
failure on the previous evening was evidently not going to be so serious
as he had feared. He had in spite of it gained a knowledge of the
conspirators' plans, and he chuckled with delight as he thought how
excellently his ruse was working, and how completely the gang were
walking into the trap which he had prepared. As far as he could see,
he held all the trump cards of the situation, and if he played his hand
carefully he should undoubtedly get not only the men, but the evidence
to convict them.

To learn the rendezvous for the meeting of the syndicate he would have
to follow Archer to town, and shadow him as he did his business. This
was Saturday, and the managing director had said he was going on the
following Tuesday. From that there would be a week until the meeting,
which would give more than time to make the necessary arrangements.

Willis remained in the cottage until dark that evening, then, making his
way to Ferriby station, returned to Hull. His first action on reaching
the city was to send a letter to Madeleine, asking her to forward
Beamish's reply to him at the Yard.

On Monday he began his shadowing of Archer, lest the latter should go
to town that day. But the distiller made no move until the Tuesday,
travelling up that morning by the 6.15 from Hull.

At 12.25 they reached King's Cross. Archer leisurely left the train, and
crossing the platform, stepped into a taxi and was driven away. Willis,
in a second taxi, followed about fifty yards behind. The chase led
westwards along the Euston Road until, turning to the left down Gower
Street, the leading vehicle pulled up at the door of the Gresham Hotel
in Bedford Square. Willis's taxi ran on past the other, and through the
backlight the inspector saw Archer alight and pass into the hotel.

Stopping at a door in Bloomsbury Street, Willis sat watching. In about
five minutes Archer reappeared, and again entering his taxi, was driven
off southwards. Willis's car slid once more in behind the other, and the
chase recommenced. They crossed Oxford Street, and passing down Charing
Cross Road stopped at a small foreign restaurant in a narrow lane off
Cranbourne Street.

Willis's taxi repeated its previous maneuver, and halted opposite a
shop from where the inspector could see the other vehicle through the
backlight. He thought he had all the information he needed, but there
was the risk that Archer might not