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"Then your opinions on the case," said I, "are based entirely on the facts that have been made public"

"Yes, mainly I do not necessarily accept those facts just as they are presented, and I may have certain views of my own on the case But if I have, I do not feel in a position to discuss them For the present, discussion has to be limited to the facts and inferences offered by the parties concerned"

"There!" exclai to knock out his pipe, "that is where Thorndyke has you He lets you think you're in the very thick of the 'know' until one fine aping outsider; and then you are htily astonished--and so are the other side, too, for that matter But we must really be off now, mustn't we, reverend senior?"

"I suppose we loves, he asked: "Have you heard from Barnard lately?"

"Oh, yes," I answered "I wrote to hi and that I was quite happy and contented, and that heas he liked He writes by return that he will prolong his holiday if an opportunity offers, but will let me know later"

"Gad," said Jervis, "it was a stroke of luck for Barnard that Bellinghahter--there! don't o in and win--she's worth it, isn't she, Thorndyke?"

"Miss Bellingha lady," replied Thorndyke "I ahter, and I only trust that we may be able to be of some service to them" With this sedate little speech Thorndyke shook o on their way until their fading shapes were sed up in the darkness of Fetter Lane