“I’m certain of that,” said the inspector; “but, lord bless you, Mr. Beardmore, why trouble your head about Thalia Drummond?” “Because I love her, you damned fool!” said Jack savagely, and instantly apologised. “I know I’m a bit of a fool,” the inspector spoke, between gusts of laughter, “but I’m not the only one in London, Mr. Beardmore, believe me. And if you’ll take my advice you’ll forget that Thalia Drummond ever existed. And if you’ve got any love to spare, why, give it to mother!” Jack was about to say something uncomplimentary about this paragon of a grandmother, but suppressed his desire. The inspector’s maisonette was on the first floor, and he went up the stairs ahead, opened the door and stood for a moment in the doorway. “Hello, mother,” he said. “I’ve brought Mr. Jack Beardmore to see you.” Jack heard an exclamation. “Come in, Mr. Beardmore, come in and meet mother.” Jack stepped into the room and stood as if he had been shot. Facing him was a smiling girl, a little pale and a little tired looking, but undoubtedly, unless he were mad or dreaming, Thalia Drummond! She took his outstretched hand in hers and led him to the table, where a meal for three was laid. “Daddy, you told me you were going to bring the Commissioner,” she said reproachfully. “Daddy?” stammered Jack. “But you told me she was your grandmother.” She patted his hand. “Daddy has developed a sense of humour, which is very distressing,” she said. “I’m always called ‘mother’ at home, because I’ve mothered him ever since my own dear mother died. And that story about his grandmother is nonsense, but you must forgive him.” “Your father?” said Jack. Thalia nodded. “Thalia Drummond Parr, that is my name. Thank goodness, you aren’t a crime investigator, or you would have made inquiries and discovered my ghastly secret. Now eat your supper, Mr. Beardmore; I cooked it myself.” But Jack could neither eat nor drink until he had learnt more, and she proceeded to enlighten him. “When the first of the Crimson Circle murders occurred and daddy was put into the case, I knew that he had a tremendous work in front of him and that the chances were he would fail. Daddy has a lot of enemies at head-quarters, and our Commissioner asked him not to take the case, knowing how difficult it was going to be. You see, the Commissioner is my godfather,” she added smilingly, “and naturally he takes an interest in our affairs. But daddy insisted, though I think he regretted it the moment he had taken it on. I have always been interested in police work, and just as soon as father got behind the Crimson Circle organisation and knew the methods that the Circle employed to gather its recruits, I decided to start upon a career of crime.