There was a sudden sharp noise and a cry in the garden behind the hedge; and the Swami leaped into attention with the swift motionlessness of a wild animal. Lena roused herself heavily and blinked about. There was no Swami to be seen. His turban lay on the table, but he himself had disappeared in a twinkling. She heard a rush of feet and voices raised in excitement and then a sharp command. Even while she listened, confused, a blue-coated starred man appeared at the opening in the hedge and over his shoulder she saw Mr. Early's face, startled out of its decorum into bewildered anxiety. "Beg pardon, miss," said the officer. "Have you seen anything of that nigger preacher?" "The Swami?" asked Lena. The man nodded. "He was here a moment ago--at least I think he was. I--I'm not sure. And he seems to have gone away. I don't know where he is." She looked vaguely around. "Left this in his hurry, I guess," said the man, taking possession of the turban. "He must be hiding somewhere near. With your permission, I will search the house, miss," and he moved off without waiting for the said permission. "Mrs. Percival," said Mr. Early. "Beg pardon, Mrs. Percival," the man threw back with an added air of respect. "It is an unpleasant duty, ma'am, but you'll not object, I know." He beckoned sharply to two or three others who stood behind Mr. Early, and turned toward the open door. "What does all this mean, Mr. Early?" Lena gasped. He tumbled as if exhausted into the same easy chair that Ram Juna had occupied a few moments before. "I am completely staggered," he exclaimed. "The police seem to think they have reason to suspect my guest of being implicated with a gang of counterfeiters. In fact they say that it is his extraordinary cunning of hand that produced the bills that have been appearing everywhere. And--great heavens!--he used my house as--as--as a fence! My house! Pardon me, my dear Mrs. Percival, but I am horribly upset. They've found dies and all kinds of queer things in the little room that he kept sacred to his meditations. But of course I can't be suspected of knowing. Why, all my servants can bear testimony to the fact that I know nothing about that room." "Of course, Mr. Early, no one would think of accusing you."