nius, noting it not, drew forth the map from the breast
of his greatcoat, unfolded it, and was proceeding to study it, again
by help of the lamp. He recognised it at first glance for a map of
the coast and country about Polpeor, and for this he was prepared;
but the same glance showed him a slip of paper pinned to the map's
left upper corner. The paper bore a scrawl in pencil, ill-written,
but decipherable--

'Mrs Tresize at Landeweddy. 48. White gate, entrance back.
By Celler. Mem. I large chest. To be handled quick and hidn
in orchd if necessry. Reported good money, but near. No help
here but 1 servt maid.'

Doctor Unonius stared at the paper, and from the paper lifted his
eyes to stare at the black bulk of the farm-house buildings, the
stretch of roof, the tall chimneys looming above the tamarisks.
But the close rays of the lamp dazzled his eyes, and he saw nothing--
nothing but the white gate glimmering at the end of the courtlege
wall. While he peered and blinked, memory recalled to him old Mrs
Puckey's tale of the money-chest kept by the widow Tresize beneath
her bed.

Mischief was brewing, beyond a doubt. Precisely what that mischief
might be he could not determine. But somewhere behind him was a
man--a stranger, dressed in woman's clothes--making at dead of night
for a house occupied by two women only; for a house that held money.
And this man had been carrying a bag which contained among other
things a pistol, probably loaded, a pair of boots with rubber soles,
a map, and a memorandum which said (and almost certainly with truth)
that the house was unprotected save by one servant maid.

It was clear that he must call at once and give warning; that he must
awaken the widow, at whatever cost to her nerves, and offer his
protection. It might be that he had checkmated the ruffian and
thrown him off his game. Very likely he had. A man with this
evidence against him, and minus the pistol with which he had intended
to do his infernal work, would--ten to one--be heading away from
justice, and for dear life. Still, where so much was mystery, the
doctor decided to take no risks. Whatever the event, his course of
action--his only possible course--lay plain before him. Here of a
sudden it occurred to Doctor Unonius that the man, though travelling
alone, might be travelling to meet accomplices; and these accomplices
might be hiding around and waiting, even at this moment.

He r