"But aren't you going to search for----?" He paused as Malcolm Sage turned and looked full at him. "A search would involve the very publicity you are anxious to avoid," was the reply. "But----" began Mr. Llewellyn John, when Malcolm Sage interrupted him. "The only effective search would be to surround the house with police, and allow each occupant to pass through the cordon after having been stripped. The house would then have to be gone through; carpets and boards pulled up; mattresses ripped open; chairs----" "I agree with Mr. Sage," said Sir Lyster, looking across at the Prime Minister coldly. "Had I been a magazine detective I should have known exactly where to find the missing document," said Malcolm Sage. "As I am not"--he turned to Sir Lyster--"it will be necessary for you to leave a note for your butler telling him that you have dropped somewhere about the house the key of this safe, and instructing him to have a thorough search made for it. You might casually mention the loss at breakfast, and refer to an important document inside the safe which you must have on Monday morning. Perhaps the Prime Minister will suggest telephoning to town for a man to come down to force the safe should the key not be found." Malcolm Sage paused. The others were gazing at him with keen interest. "Leave the note unfolded in a conspicuous place where anyone can see it," he continued. "I'll put it on the hall-table," said Sir Lyster. Malcolm Sage nodded. "It is desirable that you should all appear to be in the best of spirits." There was a fluttering at the corners of Malcolm Sage's mouth, as he lifted his eyes for a second to the almost lugubrious countenance of Lord Beamdale. "Under no circumstances refer to the robbery, even amongst yourselves. Try to forget it." "But how will that help?" enquired Mr. Llewellyn John, whose nature rendered him singularly ill-adapted to a walking-on part. "I will ask you, sir," said Malcolm Sage, turning to him, "to give me a letter to Mr. Woldington, asking him to do as I request. I will give him the details." "But why is it necessary to tell him?" demanded Sir Lyster. "That I will explain to you to-morrow. That will be Monday," explained Malcolm Sage, "earlier if possible. A few lines will do," he added, turning to Mr. Llewellyn John. "I suppose we must," said the Prime Minister, looking from Sir Lyster to Lord Beamdale. "I hope to call before lunch," said Malcolm Sage, "but as Mr. Le Sage from the Foreign Office. You will refuse to discuss official matters until Monday. I shall probably ask you to introduce me to everyone you can. It may happen that I shall disappear suddenly." "But cannot you be a little less mysterious?" said Sir Lyster, with a touch of asperity in his voice. "There is nothing mysterious," replied Malcolm Sage. "It seems quite obvious. Everything depends upon how clever the thief is." He looked up suddenly, his gaze passing from one to another of the bewildered Ministers.