[_To everybody._] Having gleaned certain significant facts from the said Henry Merrifield, ladies and gentlemen, [_referring to his notes_] I paid two visits last week to the offices of Messrs. Hopwood & Co., of 6, Carmichael Lane, Walbrook, described in fresh paint on their door as Shipping and General Agents; and the conclusion I arrived at was that Messrs. Hopwood & Co. were a myth and their offices a blind, the latter consisting of a small room on the ground floor, eight foot by twelve, and their staff of the caretakers of the premises--Mr. and Mrs. Sweasy--an old woman and her husband---- ROOPE. [_To_ DUNNING.] If I may venture to interpose again, what on earth have Messrs. Hopwood----? SIR RANDLE. Yes, what have Messrs. Hopwood----? BERTRAM. [_Over his shoulder._] Ho! What have Messrs. Hopwood----! ROOPE. [_To_ BERTRAM, _pointing to_ DUNNING.] I am addressing _this_ gentleman, dear excellent friend---- DUNNING. [_To_ ROOPE.] I'll tell you, sir. [_Incisively._] It's to the bogus firm of Hopwood & Co. that the bulk of the volumes of Mr. Mackworth's new book have been consigned. BERTRAM. [_Getting off the table, eagerly._] Dunning has seen them, I mean t'say---- SIR RANDLE. [_To_ BERTRAM, _startled._] Be silent, Bertie! LADY FILSON. [_To_ BERTRAM, _holding her breath._] Do be quiet! ROOPE. [_Blankly._] The--the bulk of the volumes----? PHILIP. [_Staring at_ DUNNING.] The--the bulk of the----? DUNNING. [_To_ SIR RANDLE _and_ ROOPE.] Yes, gentlemen, the books are in a mouldy cellar, also rented by Messrs. Hopwood, at 6, Carmichael Lane. There's thousands of them there, in cases--some of the cases with shipping marks on them, some marked for inland delivery. I've inspected them this afternoon--overhauled them. Mr. Sweasy had gone over to the Borough to see his married niece, and I managed to get the right side of _Mrs._ S. SIR RANDLE. [_Softly, looking from one to the other._] Curious! Curious! LADY FILSON. [_Forcing a smile._] How--how strange! ROOPE. [_To_ LADY FILSON, _a little disturbed._] Why strange, dear Lady Filson? Shipping and other marks on the cases! These people are forwarding agents---- DUNNING. [_Showing his teeth._] Nobody makes the least effort to _despatch_ the cases, though. That's singular, isn't it? ROOPE. But----! DUNNING.