Mr. Snaith knitted his brows, evidently at a loss whether to ascribe Maitland's exclamation as due to surprise, regret, or relief. Which pleased Maitland, who had been at pains to make his tone noncommittal. In point of fact he was neither surprised nor regretful. "Thunder!" he continued slowly. "I forgot to 'phone Higgins." "That is why I called. Your butler did not know where you could be found. You had left in great haste, promising to send constables; you failed to do so; Higgins got no word. In the course of an hour or so his charge began to choke,--or pretended to. Higgins became alarmed and removed the gag. Anisty lay quiet until his face resumed its normal color and then began to abuse Higgins for a thick-headed idiot." Mr. Snaith interrupted himself to chuckle lightly. "You noticed a resemblance?" he resumed. Maitland, too, was smiling. "Something of the sort." "It is really remarkable, if you will permit me to say so." Snaith was studying his host's face intently. "Higgins, poor fellow, had his faith shaken to the foundations. This Anisty must be a clever actor as well as a master burglar. Having cursed Higgins root and branch, he got his second wind and explained that he was--Mr. Maitland! Conceive Higgins' position. What could he do?" "What he did, I gather." "Precisely." "And Anisty?" "Once loosed, he knocked Higgins over with the butt of a revolver, jumped out of the window, and vanished. By the time the butler got his senses back, Anisty, presumably, was miles away ... Mr. Maitland!" said Snaith sharply. "Yes?" responded Maitland, elevating his brows, refusing to be startled. "Why," crisply, "didn't you send the constables from Greenfields, according to your promise?" Maitland laughed uneasily and looked down, visibly embarrassed, acting with consummate address, playing the game for all he was worth; and enjoying it hugely. "Why.... I.... Really, Mr. Snaith, I must confess--" "A confession would aid us materially," dryly. "The case is perplexing. You round up a burglar sought by the police of two continents, and listlessly permit his escape. Why?" "I would rather not be pressed," said Maitland with evident candor; "but, since you say it is imperative, that you must know--" Snaith inclined his head affirmatively. "Why ... to tell the truth, I was a bit under the weather last night: out with a party of friends, you know. Dare say we all had a bit more than we could carry. The capture was purely accidental; we had other plans for the night and--well," laughing shortly, "I didn't give the matter too much thought, beyond believing that Higgins would hold the man tight." "I see. It is unfortunate, but ... you motored back to town." It was not a question, but Maitland so considered it. "We did," he admitted. "And came here directly?" "_I_ did."