Americans, or two, to whose presence he was becoming
painfully familiar, had followed him since he had left the office he was
well aware. But, as he had thrown off the man who had tried to follow
him to Finchley Road, he was untroubled now. They had probably secured
the Dulwich address; but that was due to no fault of his own, and, in
any case, Bablon seemed to regard all their efforts with complete
indifference. So, presumably, it did not matter.

On his way out he met two hot and burly gentlemen, rather ill-dressed,
who were hastening in. Instinctively he knew them for detective
officers. Hailing a cab at the corner, he sank restfully into the seat
and felt in his pocket for his cigarette-case. There was a letter there
also, which he did not recollect to have been there before he entered
Downing Street.

In some excitement he took it out and opened the plain envelope.

It contained a correspondence-card and a letter. Both of these, and a
third letter which reached its destination on the following morning,
whilst all England and all France were discussing the amazing
circumstances set forth in No. 2, are appended in full.

* * * * *

No. 1

"MY DEAR SHEARD,--I enclose the promised 'exclusive to the
_Gleaner_.' It will appear in no other paper of London, but in two
of Paris, to-morrow. Forgive me for sending you to Dulwich. I did
so for a private purpose of my own, and rely upon your generous
friendship to excuse the liberty. I write this prior to visiting
Downing Street, where it will be quite impossible, amongst so many
people, to speak to you. Do not fear that there exists any evidence
of complicity between us. I assure you that you are safe."

* * * * *

No. 2

"To the Editor of the _Gleaner_.

"SIR,--I desire to show myself, as always, a man of honour, and
presume to request the freedom of your most valuable columns for
that purpose. I address myself to the British public through the
medium of the _Gleaner_ as the most liberal journal in London, and
that most opposed to government by plutocracy.

As the inventor of the digital system of identification, of the
anthroposcopic method, and of the _Code_ which bears my name, I am
known to your readers, as well as for my years of labour against
criminals of all classes and of all nations. I have bee