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It ca of a shock of surprise to find the scrap of paper still tacked to the oak of Thorndyke's chambers So much had happened since I had last looked on it that it seehtfully and picked out the tack before entering, and then, closing the inner door, but leaving the oak open, I lit the gas and fell to pacing the room

What a wonderful episode it had been! How the whole aspect of the world had been changed in a moment by Thorndyke's revelation! At another time, curiosity would have ledby which the subtle brain ofconclusion But now hts The ie of Ruth filled the field of ain as I had seen her in the cab with her sweet, pensive face and downcast eyes; I felt again the touch of her soft cheek and the parting kiss by the gate, so frank and si tiolden ues arrived they tendered needless apologies

"And I suppose," said Thorndyke, "you have been wondering what I wanted you for"

I had not, as a iven theto call on Mr Jellicoe," Thorndyke explained "There is so behind this affair, and until I have ascertained what it is, the case is not complete from my point of view"

"Wouldn't it have done as well to-ht not There is an old saying as to catching a weasel asleep Mr Jellicoe is a someide-awake person, and I think it best to introduce hier at the earliest possible ests a sporting interview," reive hi that there is nothing to give away But I think he may make a statement There were so have you known that the body was in the Museuer than you have, I should say"

"Do you ative was developed?"

"My dear fellow," he replied, "do you suppose that, if I had had certain knowledge where the body was, I should have allowed that noble girl to go on dragging out a lingering agony of suspense that I could have cut short in apretences of scientific experinified course had been open to me?"