“Good morning, Miss Drummond.” The inspector raised his eyes to the girl. “I’ve been reading about you this morning,” said Thalia coolly. “You’re becoming quite a public character, Mr. Parr.” “Anything for the sake of a little advertisement,” murmured the inspector without resentment. “It is a long time since I saw your name in the paper, Miss Drummond.” His reference to her appearance in a police court seemed to afford Thalia a great deal of amusement. “I shall have my share in time,” she said. “What is the latest news about the Crimson Circle?” “The latest news,” said Mr. Parr slowly, “is that all correspondence addressed to the Crimson Circle of Mildred Street must in future be sent elsewhere.” He saw her face change; it was only a momentary flash, but the effect was very gratifying to Inspector Parr. “Are they opening offices in the city?” she asked, recovering herself rapidly. “I don’t see why they shouldn’t. They seem to do almost as much as they like, and I don’t see why they should not live in a very handsome block with elevators and electric signs--no, I don’t think they’d better have electric signs, because even the police would see them!” “Sarcasm in a young woman,” said Mr. Parr severely, “is not only unbecoming, it is indecent!” Yale was listening to this exchange with a delighted smile. If the girl surprised him, there were moments when Inspector Parr surprised him as much. This heavy man had a very light malicious touch when he wished. “And where were you last night, Miss Drummond?” asked Parr, his eyes on the ground. “In bed and dreaming,” said Thalia Drummond. “Then you must have been walking in your sleep when you were loafing about at the back of Froyant’s house about half-past nine,” suggested the inspector. “So that is it, eh?” said Thalia. “You found my dainty footsteps in the garden? Mr. Yale has hinted as much already. No, inspector, I went for a walk in the park at night. The solitude is very inspiring.” Still Parr regarded the carpet attentively. “Well, when you walk in the park, young lady, keep at some distance from Jack Beardmore, because the last time you trailed him, you scared him!” He had hit truly this time. Her face flushed crimson and her delicate eyebrows met in a frown. “Mr. Beardmore isn’t easily scared,” she said, “and besides--besides----” Suddenly she turned and went from the room, and when Parr, after a little further conversation, also went into the outer office, she looked up at him and scowled. “There are times, inspector, when I positively hate you!” she said vehemently. “You surprise me,” said Inspector Parr. Chapter XXXII. A Trip to the Country