to keep any such disquieting knowledge from you and your mother.  But the policy of concealment must cease now.  Today’s daring attack is a warning.  Other efforts may be forthcoming.  If you are to be protected efficiently the police must have your loyal cooperation.  I admit candidly that I myself, with all my experience, was taken off my guard a few minutes ago.  If Mr. Theydon had not delayed that Chinaman—­ whose name he has got hold of from Mr. Forbes, I expect—­ I don’t think I could have reached you in time.”

“Is that the meaning of the little ivory skull which my father received at breakfast this morning?” said Evelyn, breathlessly.

Winter’s eyes twinkled.  No question could have thrown a more vivid light into the somber depths of a crime which promised to transcend in interest and importance any similar occurrence in Great Britain during the previous decade.

“Doubtless,” he said.  “Of course, I have not yet seen Mr. Forbes, but we have a mine of information here,” and he laid a friendly hand on Theydon’s arm.  “So far as I am concerned, I have had your house unobtrusively watched—­ for the protection of the inmates, I hope you understand—­ and I arranged also that anything unusual in the shape of telegrams or telephonic messages”—­ here he glanced amusedly at Theydon—­ “should be communicated to the Yard.  I heard, therefore, of Mrs. Forbes’s sudden illness almost as soon as you did, and traveled with you to Eastbourne, intending to reach the hotel at the same time as you, and ascertain whether or not your mother was really ill.  I saw you on the platform at Victoria and guessed your identity.  But, in my profession, we never take anything for granted, so I left that matter until I could interview the hotel manager.  And here we are.  I advise you not to say a word about Mrs. Forbes being ill.  If, as I firmly believe, you find that she is in the best of health, you can explain your sudden visit by saying that Mr. Theydon and I have something of importance to communicate, which will be perfectly accurate, as I mean to urge strongly that we all return to London by the next train.”

The cab stopped.  To show that “Richard was himself again” Theydon, nearest the door, opened it, got out, and helped Evelyn to alight.

Reassured on his account, the girl smiled, and a wave of color leaped to her cheeks.  Any one happening to watch their arrival would put them down as ordinary visitors.  Evelyn Forbes was just a charming young woman, plainly but expensively dressed; Theydon an attentive cavalier, and Winter a prosperous city man, probably with a taste for coursing and pheasant shooting.

Subtly observant, indeed, would be the theorist who gathered from their demeanor that they had just emerged practically unscathed from a situation rife with the elements of tragedy.

Nevertheless, Winter kept a sharp eye on Theydon after Evelyn Forbes had run up the steps of the hotel, and was relieved at seeing that he could walk without assistance.