Presently Jack in the course of searching about, came to a spot where the ground seemed perceptibly softer. My stick sank in, while in other parts the ground seemed hard. Beneath the trees the weeds and grass grew thinly, and I presumed that the miscreants could work there under the canopy of leaves without fear of observation. I bent down and carefully examined the surface, which, for about four feet square, bore plain traces of having recently been moved. Something had evidently been interred there. Yet tiny fresh blades of green were just springing up, as though grass-seed had been sprinkled over in order to obliterate traces of the recent excavation. "What do you think of it?" I inquired of my companion. "Well, perhaps somebody has really been buried here--eh?" he said. "Don't you think you ought to go and tell the police at once?" I was silent, in bewilderment. "My own opinion is, Owen, that if a serious attempt has been made upon you, and you really suspect that that hole yonder was prepared to receive you, then it is your duty to tell the police. Others may fall into the trap," Jack added. "Not here," I said. "The assassins will not return, never fear. They know of their failure in my case, and by this time they are, in all probability, out of the country." "But surely we ought to examine this spot and ascertain whether the remains of any one is concealed here!" exclaimed my old friend. Yet I still hesitated, hesitated because I feared that any exposure must implicate that sweet little girl who, though my friend, had so ingeniously escaped me. At the same moment, however, our ears both caught a slight movement among the tangled shrubs under the wall at the extreme end of the garden. Instantly we shut off our lamps, and stood motionless, listening. At first I believed it to be only the scrambling of a cat. But next second Jack nudged my arm, and straining my eyes I saw a dark figure moving stealthily along, half crouching so as to be less conspicuous, but moving slowly towards that side of the house which was the only exit. Fearing discovery there, our examination being so thorough, the intruder was slowly creeping off, endeavouring to escape observation. For an instant I remained motionless, watching the dark, crouching figure. Then, drawing my revolver, I made a dash straight in its direction. CHAPTER ELEVEN WHAT THE POLICE KNEW As I pushed my way through the tangle of weeds and undergrowth, Jack followed closely at my heels. The dark figure leapt away in an instant, and dashed round the corner by the ruined conservatory, but I was too quick for him. I caught him up when he gained the front of the house, and there, in the light of the street-lamp, my eyes fell upon a strange-looking object.