With an exclamation of apology, the old man hurried away, leaving Michael in the hall. Hanging on pegs was the long overcoat of the master of Dower House, and beside it the curly-rimmed beaver and a very prosaic derby hat, which Michael took down the moment the old man’s back was turned. It had been no ruse of his, this demand for a drink, for he was parched. Only Michael had the inquisitiveness of his profession. The old gentleman returned quickly to find Michael examining the hat. “Where did this come from?” asked the detective. “That was the hat the native was wearing when he arrived,” said Mr. Longvale. “I will take it with me, if you don’t mind,” said Michael after a long silence. “With all the pleasure in life. Our friend upstairs will not need a hat for a very long time,” he said, with a whimsical little smile. Michael went back to his car, put the hat carefully beside him, and drove into Chichester; and all the way he was in a state of wonder. For inside the hat were the initials “L. F.” How came the hat of Lawley Foss on the head of the brown man from Borneo? CHAPTER XXVII THE CAVES MR. LONGVALE’S two patients were removed to hospital that night, and, with a favourable report on the man’s condition from the doctors, Michael felt that one aspect of the mystery was a mystery no longer. His old schoolmaster received a visit that night. “More study?” he asked good-humouredly when Michael was announced. “Curiously enough, you’re right, sir,” said Michael, “though I doubt very much whether you can assist me. I’m looking for an old history of Chichester.” “I have one published in 1600. You’re the second man in the last fortnight who wanted to see it.” “Who was the other?” asked Michael quickly. “A man named Foss——” began Mr. Scott, and Michael nodded as though he had known the identity of the seeker after knowledge. “He wanted to know about caves. I’ve never heard there were any local caves of any celebrity. Now, if this were Cheddar, I should be able to give you quite a lot of information. I am an authority on the Cheddar caves.” He showed Michael into the library, and taking down an ancient volume, laid it on the library table. “After Foss had gone I looked up the reference. I find it occurs only on one page—385. It deals with the disappearance of a troop of horsemen under Sir John Dudley, Earl of Newport, in some local trouble in the days of Stephen. Here is the passage.” He pointed. Michael read, in the old-fashioned type: