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shall in the distant future. I hope so.”
    The inspector made no further remark and left Vereker smiling, as he filled his pipe.
    Vereker sat in an easy chair engrossed in his book for some time; then he suddenly closed the volume and rang.
    Farnish appeared in response.
    â€œTell Walter I should like to speak to him, Farnish,” said Vereker, eyeing the butler closely.
    Farnish’s physiognomy was now, however, as unreadable as that of the Sphinx, and his manner the old unperturbed manner of the Farnish known to Vereker for so many years.
    Walter was one of Lord Bygrave’s footmen; a tall, slimly built man with raven black hair, carefully brushed and sleek. His head was a handsome head, shapely in the skull; his nose aquiline; his eyes dark brown and frank in their expression. Vereker had always liked Walter.
    â€œThere’s nothing much wrong with a man who has a symmetrical skull,” was one of Vereker’s favourite sayings. “Your brilliant men and scoundrels have all got asymmetrical heads.”
    Lord Bygrave also had a sincere affection for his servant, and at times, when he felt in an expansive mood, extracted much private amusement from Walter’s opinions and unconsciously humorous outlook on life generally.
    When Walter appeared Vereker at once saw that the man had something to divulge, and had only been waiting to divulge it in what he felt was the right quarter.
    â€œI can see he’s simply bursting to impart information,” thought Vereker. “Heather has already cross-questioned him and probably learned nothing. I must handle him as gently as an egg—a very valuable egg.”
    â€œOh, Walter,” he began, addressing the footman, “I want to speak to you on a matter the nature of which you have doubtless already guessed.”
    â€œWell, sir, I have an idea it’s about his lordship’s disappearance.”
    â€œYou say ‘disappearance,’ Walter. Don’t you think his absence may be easily explained? For instance, if his lordship extended his holiday you’d hardly call it disappearing?”
    â€œIf he extended his holiday without letting us know, sir, I’d certainly call it disappearing. His lordship never did such a thing in his life before.”
    â€œPerhaps not, Walter, but there’s no knowing what he might do under the force of circumstances never before encountered?”
    â€œThat’s just what I think, sir; and some strange circumstances must have been the cause of his not returning on the date he said he would.”
    â€œYou noticed nothing peculiar about his lordship’s manner of late?”
    â€œNot of late, sir, but six months ago a very strange thing happened.”
    â€œOh! What was that?”
    â€œWell, sir, I wouldn’t tell you, only I know you were his lordship’s greatest friend. I didn’t say a word to Inspector Heather when he was questioning me, because, thinks I, if there’s going to be a scandal about his lordship, I won’t be the one to publish it. It’s not my way, sir. Besides, his lordship has always been very good to me—a better master no man could wish for.”
    â€œScandal, did you say?” asked Vereker, raising his eyebrows in surprise.
    â€œYes, sir. Where there’s womenfolk there’s nearly always a scandal. As his lordship once remarked—‘Walter,’ says he, ‘I don’t know whether the pleasure they give outweighs the trouble they create.’ True words those are, sir. I never have anything to do with them—”
    â€œAh, so you’re a misogynist, Walter, a confirmed misogynist?” interrupted Vereker.
    â€œIf that means keeping clear of trouble, sir, I’m one.”
    â€œAnd what about a woman and his lordship. You don’t mean to say—”
    â€œPardon me interrupting, sir, but this is exactly what happened, and I’m certain sure it has something to do with his