Mr. Lynn grunted. He was perfectly well aware that the house would seem more desirable to his wife and daughters from the very fact that it belonged to a "Lady" anybody. He was perfectly well aware, also, that his companion had suspected this. The consideration of these facts left him, however, unaffected. He was disposed, if anything, to admire the cleverness of the young man who had realized an outside asset. "Well, I've seen pretty well all over it," he remarked. "I'll go back to the office with you, anyhow, and have a word with Mr. Waddington. By the way, what's that room behind you?" The young man glanced carelessly around at the door of the room of Fate and down at the bunch of keys which he held in his hand. He even chuckled as he replied. "I was going to mention the matter of that room, sir," he replied, "because, if perfectly agreeable to the tenant, Her Ladyship would like to keep it locked up." "Locked up?" Mr. Lynn repeated. "And why?" "Regular queer story, sir," the young man declared, confidentially. "The late Earl was a great traveller in the East, as you may have heard, and he was always poking about in some ruined city or other in the desert, and picking up things and making discoveries. Well, last time he came home from abroad, he brought with him an old Egyptian or Arab,--I don't know which he was, but he was brown,--settled him down in this room--in his own house, mind--and wouldn't have him disturbed or interfered with, not at any price. Well, the old chap worked here night and day at some sort of writing, and then, naturally enough, what with not having the sort of grub he liked, and never going outside the doors, he croaked." "He what?" Mr. Lynn interposed. "He died," the young man explained. "It was just about the time that the Earl was ill himself. His Lordship gave orders that the body was to be buried and the room locked up, in case the old chap's heirs should come along. Seems he'd brought a few odd things of his own over--nothing whatever of any value. Anyway, those were Lord Idlemay's wishes, and the room has been locked up ever since." Mr. Lynn was interested. "No objection to our just looking inside, I suppose?" "None whatever," the young man declared, promptly. "I was going to have a peep myself. Here goes!" He fitted the key in the lock and pushed the door open. Mr. Lynn took one step forward and drew back hurriedly. "Thanks!" he said. "That'll do! I've seen all I want--and smelt!" Mr. Alfred Burton, fortunately or unfortunately, was possessed of less sensitive nasal organs and an indomitable curiosity. The room was dark and stuffy, and a wave of pungent odor swept out upon them with the opening of the door. Nevertheless, he did not immediately close it. "One moment!" he muttered, peering inside. "I'll just look around and see that everything is in order."