fter the day's labour.

CHAPTER XI

THE AMBUSH

"I am going to ask for your collaboration in another case," said
Thorndyke, a day or two later. "It appears to be one of suicide, but the
solicitors to the 'Griffin' office have asked me to go down to the
place, which is in the neighbourhood of Barnet, and be present at the
_post-mortem_ and the inquest. They have managed to arrange that the
inquest shall take place directly after the _post-mortem_, so that we
shall be able to do the whole business in a single visit."

"Is the case one of any intricacy?" I asked.

"I don't think so," he answered. "It looks like a common suicide; but
you can never tell. The importance of the case at present arises
entirely from the heavy insurance; a verdict of suicide will mean a gain
of ten thousand pounds to the 'Griffin,' so, naturally, the directors
are anxious to get the case settled and not inclined to boggle over a
little expense."

"Naturally. And when will the expedition take place?" I asked.

"The inquest is fixed for to-morrow--what is the matter? Does that fall
foul of any arrangement of yours?"

"Oh, nothing of any importance," I replied hastily, deeply ashamed of
the momentary change of countenance that my friend had been so quick to
observe.

"Well, what is it?" persisted Thorndyke. "You have got something on."

"It is nothing, I tell you, but what can be quite easily arranged to
suit your plans."

"_Cherchez la_--h'm?" queried Thorndyke, with an exasperating grin.

"Yes," I answered, turning as red as a pickled cabbage; "since you are
so beastly inquisitive. Miss Gibson wrote, on behalf of Mrs. Hornby,
asking me to dine with them _en famille_ to-morrow evening, and I sent
off an acceptance an hour ago."

"And you call that 'nothing of any importance'!" exclaimed Thorndyke.
"Alas! and likewise alackaday (which is an approximately synonymous
expression)! The age of chivalry is past, indeed. Of course you must
keep your appointment; I can manage quite well alone."

"We shouldn't be back early enough for me to go to Kensington from the
station, I suppose?"

"No; certainly not. I find that the trains are very awkward; we should
not reach King's Cross until nearly one in the morning."

"Then, in that case, I shall write to Miss Gibson and excuse myself."

"Oh, I wouldn't do that," said Thorndyke; "it will disappoint them, and
really it is not necessary."

"I shall write forthwith," I said firmly, "s