"But he often took ladies to the Gallery down at the House," I remarked, for Roddy was never so happy as when escorting two or three ladies over the House, or giving them tea on the long terrace beside the Thames. He was essentially a lady's man. "Yes, sir. But there was one he used to describe to me, and he told me often that if she ever came I was to tell her that he had left London." "What was she like?" asked the officer, pricking up his ears. "Well," replied Ash, after some reflection, "as far as I could make out, she was about twenty or so; very good-looking, and generally dressed in black. Of course, I never saw her, for she never called." The description he had given answered exactly to that of Aline. The mystery had become more complicated than I had anticipated. The next fact to ascertain was the cause of death. "Why have you made these inquiries regarding Monte Carlo?" the detective asked me. "Did he go there?" "I believe so," I replied. "Of course, it is not proved, but I suspect that when he went to Aberdeen he afterwards went secretly to the Riviera." "Why secretly?" "Ah! that I'm unable to tell," I answered, resolved to keep the knowledge I possessed to myself. But pointing to the card in the frame of the mirror I explained that that was a gambling-card used only at Monte Carlo, and that the figures were in my friend's handwriting. The officer took it down interestedly, carefully scrutinised it, asked several questions regarding it, and then replaced it in the position it had occupied. All three of us went to the writing-table, and the officer quickly discovered the cheque-book. Opening it he found by the counterfoil that what Ash had said about his cheque for wages was correct, but, further, that another cheque had been torn out after his, and that the counterfoil remained blank. "This is suspicious," the detective observed quickly. "It looks very much as if there's been a robbery. We must stop the cheque at the bank," and he scribbled down the number of the counterfoil. "If a robbery has been committed, then my friend has been murdered," I said. "That's more than likely," replied the officer. "The story Ash tells us is certainly remarkable, and increases the mystery. If we can find this lady who made the appointment at King's Cross, we should no doubt learn something which might throw some light on the affair. Personally, I am inclined to disbelieve the theory that death has been due to natural causes. In view of the facts before us, either suicide or murder seem much more feasible theories. Yet we must remember that a man who would deliberately send his man out before committing suicide would also fasten the door. You found it open." This circumstance had not before occurred to me. Yes, a man who intended to take his own life would not have left the door open.