e and try experiments with a pint o' paraffin and a
rat."

The man uttered a growl, and attacked the bath lid angrily, screwing it
down as the light was held for him, and then going with the others into
the sitting room, where he soon restored the old door to its former
state, there being no sign, when he had finished, of its having been
touched.

Then, after a glance round, with Brettison's portrait still seeming to
watch them intently, the outer door was closed, and the little party
returned to Stratton's chambers, where certain coins were passed from
hand to hand, evidently to the great satisfaction of the two men, for
Jem began to chuckle and shake his head.

"Well," said the sergeant; "what now?"

"I was thinking, pardner, about baths."

"Yes, yes," said Guest hurriedly; "but that will do."

"Yes, sir, I'm going; but there's your gents as goes and breaks the ice
in the Serpentine, and them as goes to be cooked in a hoven, and
shampooed; and you pull your strings and has it in showers, and your hot
waters and cold waters; but this gent seems to have liked his stronger
than anyone I ever knowed afore. I say, pardner, that's having your
lotion, and no sham."

"Pooh!" said the sergeant.

"Look here," said Guest quickly, and he slipped another sovereign into
the sergeant's hand, "this has all been a foolish mistake. I was too
hasty."

"Only did your duty, sir," replied the man. "It was quite right, and
I'm glad, for all concerned, that it was a mistake."

"You understand, then; we don't want it to be talked about in the inn,
or--or--anywhere, in fact."

"Don't you be afraid about that, sir," said the man quietly. "I don't
wonder at you. It did look suspicious, but that's all right, sir.
Good-night, gentlemen both."

"But your man?"

"Close as a nut, sir; aren't you, Jem?"

"Rather," said that personage, with a growl. "Night, sir."

He slipped out, and the sergeant followed. As Guest was closing the
door upon him, he whispered:

"Quite upset your friend, sir. Why, he turned ghastly; couldn't have
looked worse if we'd found the--"

"Exactly. Bad health," said Guest hurriedly. "Good-night."

And he closed both doors; and then, with a peculiar sensation of
shrinking, turned to face Stratton where he stood by the fireplace.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

GUEST'S SUGGESTION.

Stratton did not move, but stood as if lost in thought, while
involuntarily Guest's eyes were directed toward the doo