wrote a letter, which her visitor posted, and the addressee, her aunt, is in communication with the police.  The text tends to clear the man of suspicion....  Yes, if, by chance, I find myself at liberty tomorrow, I’ll ’phone you at your city office.  I’ll find the number in the directory, of course?...  O, thanks—­ I’ll jot it down—­ 00400 Bank....  Goodnight!  Too bad that this wretched affair should interfere with our crusade, which, the more I think of it, the stronger it appeals.  Au revoir, then.”

In reality, Forbes had not said one word about his peace propaganda, but he had evidently been quick to realize that Theydon was purposely giving their talk a twist in that direction.  A muttered “I understand—­ perfectly,” showed this, and he did not strive to conceal the alarm which possessed him when Theydon spoke of the joss stick.  He murmured distinctly, “Great Heavens!  Then I was not mistaken,” and again voiced his distress on hearing of the letter.

But he made matters easy by pressing Theydon to come and see him on the morrow, either at his office in Old Broad Street or at his residence.  On the whole, Theydon did not care who heard what he had said, but it was a relief to find that he had to ring for readmission to No. 17.

Furneaux opened the door.

“You soon got rid of your friend, then?” said the detective, while they were on the way to rejoin Winter.

“Yes.  It was just what I imagined—­ a pressing invitation to plunge forthwith into Mr. Forbes’s project for the regeneration of mankind.  I had to tell him frankly that you gentlemen had first claim on me.  I suppose I shall be wanted at the inquest?”

“Not tomorrow.  The coroner will hear the medical evidence, and that of Ann Rogers, if she is in a condition to appear, and there will be an adjournment for a week.”

“Ah, that reminds me.  Didn’t Mrs. Lester’s servant admit the visitor last night?”

Theydon put the question advisedly.  He was calmer now, and had made up his mind as to the course he should pursue.  Although he had assured Winter that he would recognize the stranger if confronted with him, and, if Forbes was brought into the inquiry, the admission might prove awkward, he meant to say that he had, indeed, noticed a remarkable resemblance in the millionaire to the man he had seen looking up at the name tablet on the corner, but felt that the likeness was only one of those singular coincidences which abound in a cosmopolitan city.

The smartest cross-examiner at the bar could not shake him if he took that stand.  The sheer improbability of Forbes being the mysterious visitor would justify his attitude, and the notion was so consoling that he faced the two detectives with new confidence and a self-possession that was exceedingly pleasant when compared, with his earlier embarrassment.