He was out and at the foot of the stairs just as O'Hagan reached the ground floor from the basement. "Ah, O'Hagan!" The assumption of Maitland's ironic drawl was impeccable. O'Hagan no more questioned it than he questioned his own sanity. "Here, send this wire at once, please; and," pressing a coin into the ready palm, "keep the change. I was hurried and didn't bother to call you. And, I say, O'Hagan!" from the outer door: "Yissor." "If that fellow Snaith ever calls again, I'm not at home." "Very good, sor." Anisty permitted himself the slightest of smiles, pausing on the stoop to draw on the chamois gloves. As he did so his eye flickered disinterestedly over the personality of a man standing on the opposite walk and staring at the apartment house. He was a short man, of stoutish habit, sloppily dressed, with a derby pulled down over one eye, a cigar-butt protruding arrogantly from beneath a heavy black mustache, beefy cheeks, and thick-soled boots dully polished. At sight of him the thief was conscious of an inward tremor, followed by a thrill of excitement like a wave of heat sweeping through his being. Instantaneously his eyes flashed; then were dulled. Imperturbable, listless, hall-marked the prey of ennui, he waited, undecided, upon the stoop, while the watcher opposite, catching sight of him, abruptly abandoned his slouch and hastened across the street. "Excuse me" he began in a loud tone, while yet a dozen feet away, "but ain't this Mr. Maitland?" Anisty lifted his brows and shoulders at one and the same time and bowed slightly. "Well, my good man?" "I'm a detective from Headquarters, Mr. Maitland. We got a 'phone from Greenfields, Long Island, this morning--from the local police. Your butler----" "Ah! I see; about this man Anisty? You don't mean to tell me--what? I shall discharge Higgins at once. Just on my way to breakfast. Won't you join me? We can talk this matter over at our leisure. What do you say to Eugene's? It's handy, and I dare say we can find a quiet corner. By the way, have you the time concealed about your person?" Anisty was fumbling in his fob-pocket and inwardly cursing himself for having been such an ass as to overlook Maitland's timepiece. "Deuced awkward!" he muttered in genuine annoyance. "I've mislaid my watch." "It's 'most one o'clock, Mr. Maitland." Flattered, the man from Headquarters dropped, into step by the burglar's side. VI EUGENE'S AT TWO "Since we don't want to be overheard," remarked Mr. Anisty, "it's no use trying the grill-room down-stairs, although I admit it is more interesting." "Just as yeh say, sir."