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y first experiments for getting hold of the letter, and that queer inscription which I had copied out of the pocketbook: "MEM. 5 ALONG. 4 ACROSS." It was the measurement most likely of something, and he was afraid of forgetting it; therefore it was something important. Query--something about himself? Say "5" (inches) "along"--he doesn't wear a wig. Say "5" (feet) "along"--it can't be coat, waistcoat, trousers, or underclothing. Say "5" (yards) "along"--it can't be anything about himself, unless he wears round his body the rope that he's sure to be hanged with one of these days. Then it is _not_ something about himself. What do I know of that is important to him besides? I know of nothing but the Letter. Can the memorandum be connected with that? Say, yes. What do "5 along" and "4 across" mean, then? The measurement of something he carries about with him? or the measurement of something in his room? I could get pretty satisfactorily to myself as far as that; but I could get no further. Tom came back to the office, and reported him mounted for his ride. His friend had never appeared. I sent the boy off, with his proper instructions, on Sam's back--wrote an encouraging letter to Mr. Frank to keep him quiet--then slipped into the inn by the back way a little before half-past ten. The head chambermaid gave me a signal when the landing was clear. I got into his room without a soul but her seeing me, and locked the door immediately. The case was, to a certain extent, simplified now. Either Mr. Davager had ridden out with the letter about him, or he had left it in some safe hiding-place in his room. I suspected it to be in his room, for a reason that will a little astonish you--his trunk, his dressing-case, and all the drawers and cupboards, were left open. I knew my customer, and I thought this extraordinary carelessness on his part rather suspicious. Mr. Davager had taken one of the best bedrooms at the Gatliffe Arms. Floor carpeted all over, walls beautifully papered, four-poster, and general furniture first-rate. I searched, to begin with, on the usual plan, examining everything in every possible way, and taking more than an hour about it. No discovery. Then I pulled out a carpenter's rule which I had brought with me. Was there anything in the room which--either in inches, feet, or yards--answered to "5 along" and "4 across"? Nothing. I put the rule back in my pocket--measurement was no good, evidently. Was
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