He made no definite reply, and I swung round. "Get to heel, Gyp," I ordered. "One moment," demanded Thaneford, "I've been intending to tell you that I shall go back to 'Thane Court' this evening; I mean for good. I'm afraid that my father"--he gulped at something in his throat--"can't be moved for the present." "Mr. Thaneford will be welcome to the hospitality of the 'Hundred' so long as the emergency exists," I returned smilingly. "I would say as much for yourself, but of course you will do as you please." "I always intend to," he countered instantly. Then, as though a bit ashamed of his boorishness, he added: "You will have no objection, I suppose, to my coming over to the 'Hundred' to see him?" "Surely not. And there is also the telephone. I promise that you will be kept fully informed. Good day, Mr. Thaneford." "Mr. Thaneford!" he echoed. "My dear Cousin Hugh, are you oblivious of the fact that this is the South, and that we are kin?" "Even if a little less than kind," put in Warriner. "Cousin John, then," I amended, determined to give no open ground for offence. "Shall I have your traps sent over to the 'Court?'" "Thanks, but I'm looking in on father around five o'clock, and so won't have to bother you. Down, Vixen!" he added, dealing the collie a hearty cuff as she snapped at Gyp, discreetly paddling at my heels. Warriner started to say something civil, but was ignored, and we passed on without another word. "Sulky brute!" offered Warriner, but I merely nodded. "Did you notice that no allusion was made, on either side, to that singular metal rest?" he persisted. "What was there to say?" "True for you; but I still contend that the possibilities are interesting--perhaps infinitely so. For instance----" he opened his hand and showed me what lay snugly ensconced within. "Looks like a piece of glass." "Man, don't you know a telescopic lens when you see it!" Warriner produced a silk handkerchief, and with it carefully cleaned and polished what I now fully recognized as a bit of some optical apparatus. He held it up to his eye, and squinted through it. "Do you know there is something peculiar about this blooming lens," he said at length. "I think I'll drive over to Calverton after luncheon, and make a laboratory test. Who knows...." "What?" "Tell you later--if there is anything to tell." And not another word on the subject could I get out of him. * * * * *