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the door of the restaurant, crossing the traffic stream of Piccadilly to draw up at the corner of old Bond Street.

From the car Monte Irvin alighted and, telling the man to wait, set out on foot. Ten paces along Bond Street he encountered a small, stooping figure which became detached from the shadows of a shop door. The light of a street lamp shone down upon the sharp, hooked nose and into the cunning little brown eyes of Brisley, of Spinker's Detective Agency. Monte Irvin started.

โ€œAh, Brisley!โ€ he said, โ€œI was looking for you. Are they still there?โ€

โ€œProbably, sir.โ€ Brisley licked his lips. โ€œMy colleague, Gunn, reports no one came out whilst I was away 'phoning.โ€

โ€œBut the whole thing seems preposterous. Are there no other offices in the block where they might be?โ€

โ€œI personally saw Mr. Gray, Sir Lucien Pyne and the lady go into Kazmah's. At that timeโ€”roughly, ten to sevenโ€”all the other offices had been closed, approximately, one hour.โ€

โ€œThere is absolutely no possibility that they might have come out unseen by you?โ€

โ€œNone, sir. I should not have troubled a client if in doubt. Here's Gunn.โ€

Old Bond Street now was darkened and deserted; the yellow mist had turned to fine rain, and Gunn, his hands thrust in his pockets, was sheltering under the porch of the arcade. Gunn possessed a purple complexion which attained to full vigor of coloring in the nasal region. His moustache of dirty grey was stained brown in the centre as if by frequent potations of stout, and his bulky figure was artificially enlarged by the presence of two overcoats, the outer of which was a waterproof and the inner a blue garment appreciably longer both in sleeve and skirt than the former. The effect produced was one of great novelty. Gunn touched the brim of his soft felt hat, which he wore turned down all round apparently in imitation of a flower-pot.

โ€œAll snug, sir,โ€ he said, hoarsely and confidentially, bending forward and breathing the words into Irvin's ear. โ€œSnug as a bee in a hive. You're as good as a bachelor again.โ€

Monte Irvin mentally recoiled.

โ€œLead the way to the door of this place,โ€ he said tersely.

โ€œYes, sir, this way, sir. Be careful of the step there. You may remark that the outer door is not yet closed. I am informed upon reliable authority as the last to go locks the door. Hence we perceive that the last has not yet gone. It is likewise opened by the first to come of a mornin'. Here we are, sir; door on the right.โ€

The landing was in darkness, but as Gunn spoke he directed the ray of a pocket lamp upon a bronze plate bearing the name โ€œKazmah.โ€ He rested one hand upon his hip.

โ€œAll snug,โ€ he repeated; โ€œas snug as a eel in mud. The decree nisi is yours, sir. As an alderman of the City of London and a Justice of the Peace you are entitled to call a police officerโ€”โ€

โ€œHold your tongue!โ€ rapped Irvin. โ€œYou've been drinking: and I place no reliance whatever in your evidence. I do not believe that my wife or any one else but ourselves is upon these premises.โ€

The watery eyes of the insulted man protruded unnaturally. โ€œDrinkin'!โ€ he whispered, โ€œdrinkโ€”โ€

But indignation now deprived Gunn of speech and:

โ€œExcuse me, sir,โ€ interrupted the nasal voice of Brisley, โ€œbut I can absolutely answer for Gunn. Reputation of the Agency at stake. Worked with us for three years. Parties undoubtedly on the premises as reported.โ€

โ€œDrinkโ€”โ€ whispered Gunn.

โ€œI shall be glad,โ€ said Monte Irvin, and his voice shook emotionally, โ€œif you will lend me your pocket lamp. I am naturally upset. Will you kindly both go downstairs. I will call if I want you.โ€

The two men obeyed, Gunn muttering hoarsely to Brisley; and Monte Irvin was left standing on the landing, the lamp in his hand. He waited until he knew from the sound of their footsteps that the pair had regained the street, then, resting his arm against the closed door, and pressing his forehead to the damp sleeve of his coat, he stood awhile, the lamp, which he held limply, shining down upon the floor.

His lips moved, and almost inaudibly he murmured his wife's name.





CHAPTER V. THE DOOR IS OPENED

Quentin Gray and Seton strolled out of Prince's and both paused whilst Seton lighted a long black cheroot.

โ€œIt seems a pity to waste that box,โ€ said Gray. โ€œSuppose we look in at the Gaiety for an hour?โ€

His humor was vastly improved, and he watched the passing throngs with an expression more suited to his boyish good looks than that of anger and mortification which had rested upon him an hour earlier.

Seton Pasha tossed a match into the road.

โ€œMy official business is finished for the day,โ€ he replied. โ€œI place myself unreservedly in your hands.โ€

โ€œWell, then,โ€ began Grayโ€”and paused.

A long, low car, the chauffeur temporarily detained by the stoppage of a motorbus ahead, had slowed up within three yards of the spot where they were standing. Gray seized Seton's arm in a fierce grip.

โ€œSeton,โ€ he said, his voice betraying intense excitement, โ€œLook! There is Monte Irvin!โ€

โ€œIn the car?โ€

โ€œYes, yes! Butโ€”he has two police with him! Seton, what can it mean?โ€

The car moved away, swinging to the right across the traffic stream and clearly heading for old Bond Street. Quentin Gray's mercurial color deserted him, and he turned to Seton a face grown suddenly pale.

โ€œGood God,โ€ he whispered, โ€œsomething has happened to Rita!โ€

Neglectful of his personal safety, he plunged out into the traffic, dodging this way and that, and making after Monte Irvin's car. Of the fact that his friend was close beside him he remained unaware until, on the corner of old Bond Street, a firm grip settled upon his shoulder. Gray turned angrily. But the grip was immovable, and he found himself staring into the unemotional face of Seton Pasha.

โ€œSeton, for God's sake, don't detain me! I must learn what's wrong.โ€

โ€œPull up, Gray.โ€

Quentin Gray clenched his teeth.

โ€œListen to me, Seton. This is no time for interference. Iโ€”โ€

โ€œYou are about to become involved in some very unsavory business; and I repeatโ€”pull up. In a moment we shall learn all there is to be learned. But are you determined openly to thrust yourself into the family affairs of Mr. Monte Irvin?โ€

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