“At the Abbey Inn?”

“Exactly.  Now the ‘best room’ of the inn is that which you have been occupying—­and it is that which Sir Marcus would have occupied had he accepted the doctor’s invitation.  Listen then:  all these clews seemed to point to Friar’s Park, but the receipt of your message mentioning one Damar Greefe as being a suspicious party, and asking me to look up his record, quite tipped the scales.  I saw, frankly, that you had made a false move, but nevertheless it served my purpose, and I determined to look into the Crossleys end of the inquiry personally, without giving Dr. Damar Greefe reason to suspect that I was in any way associated with the matter.

“I picked up one or two hints from the county police as to the geography as well as the ‘notables’ of the neighborhood; and the plan which you put into execution to-night, I had adopted last night!”

“What!  You visited Friar’s Park?”

“I did.  But I did not enter through the French window.  It never occurred to me that it would be unfastened!  I had come provided with a neat set of burglars’ tools (and a warrant for use if necessary) and I broke into the kitchen! I found, as you afterwards found, that the place had obviously been deserted for a long time.  I was badly puzzled.  But my search was more detailed than yours.  I climbed up to the top of the tower!”

“To the top of the tower!”

“Yes.  I’ll tell you what I found there in a minute.  But, briefly, beyond learning that the story of the invalid Lady Coverly was a myth, I discovered nothing likely to help the inquiry.  I seriously debated the idea of putting Dr. Damar Greefe under arrest; but finally I determined to watch him for a time without showing my hand.  I had the good fortune to meet him this morning here at the Abbey Inn!  Also, I saw your mysterious lady visitor!  Lastly, I got into conversation with the man, Hawkins, who was accompanied by your friend, the mute!

“Leaving this dangerous pair, I made a rush for the Bell House, thinking I saw my opportunity to examine it unmolested.  I was too late, though.  One of my assistants warned me of the Eurasian’s return just as I was about to enter.

“I watched the house all day.  But it was not until some time after dusk that the Eurasian came out.  He went to Friar’s Park—­and I followed him!”

“What!  You were there to-night!”

“I was!  I dogged Dr. Damar Greefe, determined to learn the nature of the business which brought him to Friar’s Park at such an hour.  I may add that it was only by the merest accident or good luck that I fathomed it after all.  I had no idea into what part of the building he had gone, but, knowing that he was somewhere inside, I watched from the shrubbery.  In fact, I was still in the grounds when you arrived!”

“Then it was you I saw on the tower!”