"There is no doubt that it was the document itself that you put in the safe?" "None; the Prime Minister and Lord Beamdale saw me do it." "No doubt whatever," corroborated Mr. Llewellyn John, whilst Lord Beamdale wagged his head like a mandarin. "Does anyone else know that it is missing?" asked Malcolm Sage after a short pause. Sir Lyster shook his head. "Only we three; and, of course, the thief," he added. Malcolm Sage nodded. He had tired of the diagrams, and now sat stroking the back of his head. "Has anyone left the house since the discovery; that is, as far as you know?" he queried at length. "No one," said Sir Lyster. "The servants, of course, have access to this room?" "Yes; but only Walters, my butler, is likely to come here in the evening, except, of course, my secretary." "Where does he dine?" "Miss Blair," corrected Sir Lyster, "always takes her meals in her own sitting-room, where she works. It is situated at the back of the house on the ground floor." Again Malcolm Sage was silent, this time for a longer period. "So far as you know, then," he said at length, addressing Sir Lyster, "only three people in the house were acquainted with the existence of the document; you, the Prime Minister, and Lord Beamdale." Sir Lyster inclined his head. "You are certain of that?" Malcolm Sage looked up swiftly and keenly. "Your secretary and Lady Grayne, for instance, they knew nothing about it?" "Nothing; of that I am absolutely certain," replied Sir Lyster coldly. "And the nature of the document?" enquired Malcolm Sa'ge. Sir Lyster looked across at Mr. Llewellyn John, who turned interrogatingly to Lord Beamdale. "I am afraid it is of too private a nature to----" he hesitated. "If you require me to trace something," said Malcolm Sage evenly, "you must at least tell me what that something is." "It is a document which----" began Lord Beamdale, then he, too, paused. "But, surely, Sage," broke in Mr. Llewellyn John, "is it not necessary to know the actual contents?" "If you had lost something and would not tell me whether it was a dog or a diamond, would you expect me to find it?" "But----" began Mr. Llewellyn John. "I'm afraid we are wasting time, gentlemen," said Malcolm Sage, rising. "I would suggest Scotland Yard. The official police must work under any handicap imposed. I regret that I am unable to do so." He walked across to the chair where lay his cap and coat. "Now, Sage," said Mr. Llewellyn John tactfully, "you mustn't let us down, you really mustn't." Then turning to Sir Lyster, he said, "I can see his point. If he doesn't know the nature of the document, he cannot form a theory as to who is likely to have taken it. Perhaps under the circumstances, Grayne, we might take Sage into our confidence; at least to such extent as he thinks necessary." Sir Lyster made no response, whilst Lord Beamdale, whose economy in words had earned for him the sobriquet of "Lord Dumbeam," sat with impassive face.