"More likely he was one of them!" said I. "And as for the missing sword--it's too bad your servants don't dust more carefully. Sebastian Markheim, that's all I've got to say about that!" "What do you mean, Free?" Alicia put in. "Do you know anything about the burglars?" "Only that I heard 'em and came downstairs," I said. "What else did your man Wilkes tell you?" "Why, it seems he heard a noise," replied Markheim, "and came out of his room to listen. Then the sounds ceased, but he thought best to make the rounds. He had got as far as the library when he encountered you, Miss Talbot. Then he saw the watchman and you left him and went back upstairs--right, eh?" "Yes, that's right," I admitted. "The watchman denied having heard or seen anything out of the way," Sebastian went on, "and they went over the whole place together, to make sure everything was all right. But the funny part of it is that Pedro--that's the watchman chap--Pedro can't be found." "Well, he's done nothing to send a posse after him for, far as I can see," observed Mr. Pegg. "And if you do send one he's likely to slew at it with that sword--better lay off him." "I took that sword myself," I announced with dignity. "It is behind the portière to the library, where I left it. I am sorry to have been so untidy, but in the excitement of the moment I confess I neglected to put it back in place." There was a general laugh at this, though I must say I failed to see any humor in a maiden lady having armed herself before facing a supposed burglar. "You didn't take the watchman, too, did you?" asked Mr. Pegg. "Of course not!" said I. "But I think he was a very evil, suspicious-looking character, with a decided accent and quite unwashed. I would never have engaged him as a watchman myself. He seemed to me obviously a bandit." "Not at all, not at all!" exclaimed Sebastian. "Came to me with the very highest credentials--recommended strongly by the Italian consul himself." "When did he come to you, Mark?" asked Peaches. "Let's see," said he. "About three weeks ago." "Then you don't know if he is a good burglar hound or not," said she. "But he may turn up, you know. Don't judge him too soon." "I shan't," replied Markheim. "Devil his due, innocent until guilty and all that. But it's odd they can't find him. Generally sleeps in the gardener's cottage. Room's down there." The subject being then to all appearances exhausted it was dropped, and in as short a time as would decently avoid suspicion Peaches finished her meal and strolled out of the room on to the terrace. Ostentatiously avoiding all appearance of haste I joined her a few minutes later and slipping my arm about her waist strolled out of earshot. The morning was exceedingly mild and fair, and choosing a secluded nook where the sun beat down warmly we seated ourselves upon a stone bench.