Gatliffe was ready to sink through the floor; he was so abashed and humiliated at the contemptible part he had been playing, which was, to say the truth, altogether foreign to his nature. After the bag had been emptied of its contents the police-officers proceeded downstairs. They were followed by the young engineer and the servant girl. The other pile of valuables was discovered on the table in the back parlour. These of course underwent inspection. During the examination of each separate article Gatliffe was perfectly appalled at the magnitude of the projected robbery; but he said nothing, being, in fact, too depressed to venture too many observations. “Here is where the rascal gained an entrance into the premises,” pointing to the folding-doors which led into the conservatory, which gave unmistakeable indications of the marks made by the burglar’s instruments. A rapid and rigid search was now made in the grounds, both in the rear and in the front of the house. But no burglar was discovered. The services of Bruno, the faithful dog, were enlisted in this search, which, however, turned out to be fruitless. The constables returned to the house. They were evidently deeply mortified at the escape of the robber, and could but ill conceal their vexation. “He’s given us the slip,” said the inspector. “Got far away by this time, I’ve no doubt. It’s very annoying, but it can’t be helped.” “I’m sure I am very sorry to have given you so much unnecessary trouble,” murmured Gatliffe. “The more so since I found it impossible to detain him. I wish you had come a little earlier.” “We did not lose a moment after the young woman informed us of the affair. You take my advice,” remarked the inspector, addressing himself to Gatliffe, “the next time you collar a ‘cracksman,’ stick to him. Don’t let him slip through your fingers.” “Mr. Gatliffe held him fast enough,” said the servant, in a tone of indignation. “He’s not the man to give in easily. He had a most desperate struggle with the burglar before I left; and had it not been for him and Bruno the house would have been well-nigh stripped.” The inspector nodded his head in acquiescence of this last proposition. “We will take the bag with us,” he observed, as he made his way to the drawing-room. “It may afford some clue to the robber.” Upon entering the upstairs room, he discovered on the floor the “jemmy” with which Peace struck the dog. It had fallen out of his hand during his struggle with Gatliffe. This was also carried away by the police. Upon their return to the station orders were issued to the men on duty to keep on the look-out for the next few days for a man answering to the description of the burglar. But the bird had flown――he had also changed his plumage――and he was, moreover, too cunning a bird to be seen in the neighbourhood for some time――certainly not till the attempted burglary was a thing of the past.