Finding my thoughts at once unpleasant and unprofitable company, I suddenly determined to make a call at The Warrens, in order to inquire about the health of poor Miss Baird, and incidentally to learn if there were any new development. Off I set, and failed to repress a shudder, despite the blazing sunlight, as I passed the gap and the spot where we had found the dead man. A tropical shower in the early morning had quite obliterated the mysterious tracks. Coming to The Warrens, I was shown into the fine old library. That air of hush, so awesome and so significant, prevailed throughout the house whose master lay dead above, and when presently Mr. Damopolon entered, attired in black, he seemed to complete a picture already sombre. As East and I had several times remarked, he was a singularly handsome man, and moreover, a very charming companion, widely travelled and deeply versed in those subjects to which the late baronet had devoted so many years of his life. I had always liked Damopolon, though, as a rule, I am distrustful of his race; and now, seeing at a glance how hard the death of Sir Jeffrey had hit him, I offered no unnecessary word of condolence, but immediately turned the conversation upon Miss Baird. "She has but just hurried off to London, doctor," he said, to my surprise. "A telegram from the solicitors rendered her immediate departure unavoidable." "She has sustained this dreadful blow with exemplary fortitude," I replied. "Are you sure she was strong enough for travel?" "I myself escorted her to the station; and Mrs. Grierson, the late baronet's sister, has accompanied her to London." "By the way," I said, "whilst I remember--was Sir Jeffrey carrying a cane at the time of his death?" "He had with him a heavy ash stick, as usual, when we parted at Sotheby's, doctor; but, of course, he may have left it there, as he had a large parcel to take." "Ah! that parcel! You can no doubt enlighten me, Mr. Damopolon? What, roughly, were the dimensions of this Burmese idol?" "The monkey? I don't think it was actually an idol, doctor; it was, rather, a grotesque ornament. Oh, it was about the size of a small Moorish ape, hollow, and weighing perhaps six or seven pounds." "Was it upon a pedestal?" "No. It was completely modelled, even to the soles of the feet and the nails." "Extraordinary!" I muttered. "Uncanny!" Some little while longer I remained, and then set out, my doubts in no measure cleared up, for the cottage. To my surprise--for I had no idea that I had tarried so long--dusk was come. I will frankly confess it--I experienced a thrill of supernatural dread at the thought that my path led close beside Black Gap. However, it was a glorious evening, and I should have plenty of light for my return journey. I walked briskly across the moorpath toward the scene of the mysterious crime, hoping that I should find East returned when I gained the cottage.