were heard across the hall. The officer
said hurriedly:

"One more thing, my lord--you will pardon me asking but--you had not
thought of--er--offering a reward?"

"What for?"

"The apprehension of the murderer, or useful information that would
lead to conviction."

"Oh! Ah, yes; a reward by all means! Of course I'll give a reward to
stimulate incompetence, eh?"

"What will your lordship make it?" asked the officer, determined this
time to show no resentment.

"Two hundred--five hundred--have what you like--so long as you get
that brute."

"Five hundred, my lord, would stimulate us all."

"Very well," said Lord Radclyffe briefly. "Good evening."

"Good evening, my lord. And to-morrow morning we'll be ready for the
body to be taken away, if you wish it. But the inquest will be the day
after, so perhaps it might be best to wait until then. At the
coroner's court, Victoria, my lord--South Kensington, you
know--everything will be all right. Good evening, my lord."

The two men took their leave, glad enough to have done with the
unpleasant interview.

As they walked to the door that gave from the library on the hall it
was opened from the outside, and a seedy-looking man, dressed in
shabby evening clothes that bore many traces of past libations, walked
unceremoniously midway into the room.

"Will you see Mr. Luke de Mountford?" he muttered addressing his
master.

"Certainly not," replied his lordship. "It's much too late. Ask Mr.
Luke to call again to-morrow. And you and your wife can go to bed."

CHAPTER XV

AND MANY MUST BE QUESTIONED

By the time the police officers reached the outer hall door, Luke had
received his order of dismissal. He stood on the step for a moment,
undecided what to do, and saw the two men coming out of his uncle's
study.

They raised their hats as they met him on the door step, and one of
them said politely:

"Mr. Luke de Mountford?"

"That is my name," replied Luke.

"Mine is Travers--attached to Scotland Yard. Could I ask you a few
questions?"

"Certainly, but not in my uncle's house, I think."

"Of course not; where do you suggest?"

"Here on the door step if you like."

"Hardly. Might I trouble you to step into a cab with me and to come as
far as Victoria police court?"

"It's very late, isn't it? I have an engagement at eleven close by
here."

He was going to fetch Colonel Harris and Louisa at the Danish Legation
and pilot them home to the Langham.