"The moment I saw what it was, I knew I was done. I couldn't put it away, or they'd get suspicious. If I showed it them, they'd regard me as a first-class crook, and very big game. I suppose I hesitated, for the Inspector leaned forward and took it out of my hand. "The rest was easy. I was reviled, searched, cautioned, examined, measured, described and finally told that I should be detained pending inquiries. I was then immured in a poisonous-looking dungeon, which, to judge from its atmosphere, had been recently occupied by an anti-prohibitionist, and, from its condition, not yet reached by the chambermaid. "Yes," he concluded, "you have before you the complete gaol-bird." "How did you spend your time?" said Jonah. "B-b-beating my wings against the crool b-b-bars," said Berry. "My flutterings were most painful. Several turnkeys broke down. The rat which was attached to me for pay and rations gambolled to assuage my grief. Greatly affected by the little animal's antics, I mounted the plank bed and rang the b-b-bell for the b-b-boots. In due course they appeared full of the feet of a gigantic warder. I told him that I had not ordered vermin and should prefer a fire, and asked if they'd mind if I didn't dress for dinner. I added that I thought flowers always improved a cell, and would he buy me some white carnations and a b-b-begonia. His reply was evasive and so coarse that I told the rat not to listen, and recited what I could remember of 'The Lost Chord.'" He turned to me. "The remainder of my time I occupied in making plans for the disposal of your corpse." "You've only yourself to thank," said I. "You shouldn't have borrowed the goods. I acted in good faith." "I wonder," said Berry, "where one gets quicklime." * * * * * It was during the interval between the third and fourth dances, both of which had been given me by Miss Doiran, that the latter consulted her programme. "I'm dancing the fifth," she announced, "with the Duke of Blackpool." I started violently, but she took no notice. "I think you know him. He was released from prison this afternoon. As my aunt's secretary, I've had some correspondence with him under the name of Boleton." My brain began to work furiously. "I scent collusion," I said. "Diana is in this." Miss Doiran laughed. "She rang me up directly she got your note about the lecture. The rest sort of came natural. I believe you were responsible for the telegrams. I congratulate you. The elephants were a brain-wave. My aunt was tickled to death by them." "How dreadful! I mean--it's very nice of her. I'm afraid it was all rather impertinent." "If so, we were the first to offend, and, after all, Major Pleydell has expiated his crime." "And he's fixed my murder for the first week In January. There's really only you left." "Oh, I'm punished already," said Miss Doiran. "I've lost my heart. And he doesn't love me." "Would it be indiscreet to ask his name?"