" he said, as he examined it
carefully, "and a Gold Flake brand smokes for twelve minutes in normal
weather, but about eight minutes in gusty weather. A car was here for
about twenty-four minutes--what do you think of that, Mansus?"

"A good bit of reasoning, T. X.," said the other calmly, "if it happens
to be the car you're looking for."

"I am looking for any old car," said T. X.

He found no other trace of car wheels though he carefully followed
up the little lane until it reached the main road. After that it was
hopeless to search because rain had fallen in the night and in the early
hours of the morning. He drove his assistant to the railway station in
time to catch the train at one o'clock to London.

"You will go straight to Cadogan Square and arrest the chauffeur of Mr.
Kara," he said.

"Upon what charge!" asked Mansus hurriedly.

When it came to the step which T. X. thought fit to take in the
pursuance of his duty, Mansus was beyond surprise.

"You can charge him with anything you like," said T. X., with fine
carelessness, "probably something will occur to you on your way up to
town. As a matter of fact the chauffeur has been called unexpectedly
away to Greece and has probably left by this morning's train for the
Continent. If that is so, we can do nothing, because the boat will have
left Dover and will have landed him at Boulogne, but if by any luck you
get him, keep him busy until I get back."

T. X. himself was a busy man that day, and it was not until night was
falling that he again turned to Beston Tracey to find a telegram waiting
for him. He opened it and read,

"Chauffeur's name, Goole. Formerly waiter English Club, Constantinople.
Left for east by early train this morning, his mother being ill."

"His mother ill," said T. X. contemptuously, "how very feeble,--I should
have thought Kara could have gone one better than that."

He was in John Lexman's study as the door opened and the maid announced,
"Mr. Remington Kara."

CHAPTER IV

T. X. folded the telegram very carefully and slipped it into his
waistcoat pocket.

He favoured the newcomer with a little bow and taking upon himself the
honours of the establishment, pushed a chair to his visitor.

"I think you know my name," said Kara easily, "I am a friend of poor
Lexman's."

"So I am told," said T. X., "but don't let your friendship for Lexman
prevent your sitting down."

For a moment the Greek was nonplussed and then, with