the events of last night."

"Delighted to tell you anything I can," Granet replied. "Isn't this a
little out of your line, though, Thomson?"

Sir Meyville suddenly leaned forward.

"That is the young man," he declared. "I took him to be the officer
in command here and I showed him over my workshop. Quite a
mistake--absolutely a wrong impression!"

"It was a mistake for which you could scarcely hold me responsible,"
Granet protested, "and you must really excuse me if I fail to see the
connection. Perhaps you will tell me, Major Thomson, what I am here
for?"

Major Thomson seated himself before the desk and leaned a little back in
his chair.

"We sent for you," he said, "because we are looking for two men who
lit the magnesium light which directed the Zeppelin last night to this
locality. One of them lies on the lawn there, with a bullet through his
brain. We are still looking for the other."

"Do you imagine that I can be of any assistance to you?" Granet asked.

"That is our impression," Major Thomson admitted. "Perhaps you will be
so good as to tell us what you were doing here last night?"

"Certainly," Granet replied. "About half-past ten last night I thought
I heard the engine of an airship. We all went out on the lawn but could
see nothing. However, I took that opportunity to get my car ready
in case there was any excitement going. Later on, as I was on my way
upstairs, I distinctly heard the sound once more. I went out, started my
car, and drove down the lane. It seemed to be coming in this direction
so I followed along, pulled up short of the house, climbed on the top of
the bank and saw that extraordinary illumination from the marshland on
the other side. I saw a man in a small boat fall back as though he were
shot. A moment or two later I returned to my car and was accosted by two
soldiers, to whom I gave my name and address. That is really all I know
about the matter."

Major Thomson nodded.

"You had only just arrived, then, when the bombs were dropped?"

"I pulled up just before the illumination," Granet asserted.

Thomson looked at him thoughtfully.

"I am going to make a remark, Captain Granet," he said, "upon which
you can comment or not, as you choose. Was not your costume last night
rather a singular one for the evening? You say that you were on your
way upstairs to undress when you heard the Zeppelin. Do you wear rubber
shoes and a Norfolk jacket for dinner?"

Granet for a moment bit