For example, if the police were allowed to work on the supposition that the theft had been committed between twelve and two-fifteen, some clew of inestimable value might easily be discounted by them, for it seemed more than likely that the time was really that between our entrance into the garden and our return to the house. Moreover, there was certainly someone moving about on the garden path while we were concealed by the fountain. Of that there was now no reasonable doubt. Both Peaches and I had distinctly heard a footstep which we thought to be that of Wilkes, while we still expected him to join us; we had even commented on it. And now it was going to be extremely difficult to convey this information without involving ourselves in a very delicate but entangling mesh of complications. As I was turning these facts over in my mind and wondering what course a Talbot ought to pursue under the circumstances Mr. Markheim was taking charge of affairs in a masterly manner, and giving orders with the assurance of a Napoleon in negligee. "You stay here with Miss Freedom, Peaches," he commanded, "while your father and I make the rounds of the place. Sit right there on the big sofa and tell the servants to wait, as they come down. Don't let any of them go out of the hall." "We better take a couple of shooting irons along," remarked Mr. Pegg, producing a revolver from each pocket of his raincoat in a nonchalant manner. "Never can tell but what there may be an ambush some place." "All right!" agreed Sebastian, accepting one. "No harm, no harm to have it. Where's that man Wilkes?" Again as though in answer, Wilkes appeared from under the stairs. "The police will come at once, sir," he reported. Then, seeing the revolvers: "Shall I go along with you?" "No," said Markheim. "Get the other servants down, and count noses, damn quick. Then tell Jorkins to make a double shaker of cocktails and some sandwiches and bring them here. We will be back as soon as we can." The three men then departed upon their several errands, leaving us alone for the moment. "What'll we do--'fess up?" asked Peaches. "I have a feeling that there's going to be hell to pay." "Alicia!" I remarked. "No lady uses such language, as I have reminded you at least a hundred thousand times! No, I don't think we will say a word about our futile adventure--or, to be accurate, our attempted adventure. At least not unless something brought out by the police seems to demand that we do." "Have you been taking a good look at him?" she then wanted to know. "Who? That man Wilkes?" I said. "No--my ex-fiancé," responded Peaches calmly. "Which one do you mean?" I demanded. "Mark," said she. "Alicia Pegg, what did you say?" I asked severely. "I said did you take a good look at Sebastian in that purple dressing gown?" she repeated patiently. "How could I help doing so?" said I with indignation. "That's just it," she remarked in a tone of finality. "That finishes it!" "Finishes what?"