ecline to believe that any
reasonable person would put out upon the sea in weather like last
night's for the sake of delivering a letter to any harmless inhabitant
of these regions. I will have my sensation, you see, Furley. I have
suffered--thank heavens mine is a thick skull!--and I will not be
cheated of my compensations."

"Well, keep your mouth shut, there's a good fellow, until after I have
made my report to the Intelligence Officer," Furley begged. "He'll be
here about four. You don't mind being about?"

"Not in the least," Julian promised. "So long as I am home for dinner,
my people will be satisfied."

"I don't know how you'll amuse yourself this morning," Furley observed,
"and I'm afraid I sha'n't be able to get out for the flighting this
evening."

"Don't worry about me," Julian begged. "Remember that I am practically
at home. It's only three miles to the Hall from here so you mustn't look
upon me as an ordinary guest. I am going for a tramp in a few minutes."

"Lucky chap!" Furley declared enviously. "Sunshine like this makes one
feel as though one were on the Riviera instead of in Norfolk. Shall you
visit the scene of your adventure?"

"I may," Julian answered thoughtfully. "The instinct of the sleuthhound
is beginning to stir in me. There is no telling how far it may lead."

Julian started on his tramp about half an hour later. He paused first at
a bend in the road, about fifty yards down, and stepped up close to the
hedge.

"The instinct of the sleuthhound," he said to himself, "is all very
well, but why on earth haven't I told Furley about the car?"

He paused to consider the matter, conscious only of the fact that each
time he had opened his lips to mention it, he had felt a marked but
purposeless disinclination to do so. He consoled himself now with the
reflection that the information would be more or less valueless until
the afternoon, and he forthwith proceeded upon the investigation which
he had planned out.

The road was still muddy, and the track of the tyres, which were of
somewhat peculiar pattern, clearly visible. He followed it along the
road for a matter of a mile and a half. Then he came to a standstill
before a plain oak gate and was conscious of a distinct shock. On the
top bar of the gate was painted in white letters.

MALTENBY HALL

TRADESMEN'S ENTRANCE

and it needed only the most cursory examination to establish the fac