"But did you not suspect the Japanese?" broke in Lord Beamdale. "For the moment I ruled him out," said Malcolm Sage, "as I could not see how it was possible for him to know about the existence of the document in question, and furthermore, as he had been in the house less than two days, there was no time for him to get a duplicate key." "What did you do then?" queried Sir Lyster. "I motored back to town, broke in upon the Postmaster-general's first sleep, set on foot enquiries at the Admiralty and War Office, in the meantime arranging for The Towers to be carefully watched." Malcolm Sage paused for a moment; then as none of his hearers spoke he continued: "I had a number of people in the neighbourhood--motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. No one could have left the house and grounds without being seen. "Miss Blair found the morning irresistible, and took an early spin on her bicycle to Odford, where she posted a packet in a pillar-box situated in a street that was apparently quite empty." "And you secured it?" enquired Mr. Lewellyn John, leaning forward eagerly. "I'm afraid I quite spoilt the local postmaster's Sunday by requesting that a pillar-box should be specially cleared, and producing an authority from the Postmaster-general. After he had telegraphed to head-quarters and received a reply confirming the letter, he reluctantly acquiesced." "And it was addressed to this man Cressit?" enquired Sir Lyster. "Yes. He is a temporary staff-clerk in the Plans Department. Incidentally he is something of a Don Juan, and the cost of living has increased considerably, as you know, sir," he added, turning to the Prime Minister. Mr. Llewellyn John smiled wanly. It was his political "cross," this cost-of-living problem. "And what shall we do with him?" enquired Sir Lyster. "The scoundrel," he added. "I have almost done with him as a matter of fact," said Malcolm Sage. "Done with him?" exclaimed Lord Beamdale. "I sent him a telegram in Miss Blair's name to be at Odford Station to-night at seven: then I kidnapped him." "Good heavens, Sage I What do you mean?" cried Mr. Llewellyn John, with visions of the Habeas Corpus Act and possible questions in the House, which he hated. "We managed to get him to enter my car, and then we went through him--that is a phrase from the crook-world. We found upon him the marriage certificate, and later I induced him to confess. I am now going to take him back to my office, secure his finger-prints and physical measurements, which will be of interest at Scotland Yard." "But we are not going to prosecute," said Mr. Llewellyn John anxiously. "Mr. Paul Cressit will have forty-eight hours in which to leave the country," said Malcolm Sage evenly. "He will not return, because Scotland Yard will see that he does not do so. There will probably be an application to you, sir," Malcolm Sage continued, turning to Mr. Llewellyn John, "to confirm what I tell them."