A conversation took place to which, at the time, I attached small importance, but which, later, assumed a certain significance. "Extraordinary business," said Felix Hulme--"that attempted burglary at Sir Julius's studio last night." "Yes," replied Lorian. "Who told you?" Hulme appeared to be confused by the abrupt question. "Oh," he replied, "I heard of it from Baxter, who has the next studio, you know." "When did you see Baxter?" asked Lorian casually. "This morning." "I suppose," said Colonel Reynor to my friend, "a number of your father's drawings are there?" "Yes," answered Lorian slowly; "but the more valuable ones I have at my own studio, including those intended for use in his book." Something in his tone caused me to glance hard at him. "You don't think they were the burglar's objective?" I suggested. "Hardly," was the reply. "They would be worthless to a thief." "First I've heard of this attempt, Lorian," said Edie. "Anything missing?" "No. The thing is an utter mystery. There were some odds and ends lying about which no ordinary burglar could very well have overlooked." "If any loss had been sustained," said the Colonel, half jestingly, "I should have put it down to the Riddle!" "Don't quite follow you. Colonel," remarked Edie. "What riddle?" "The family Riddle of the Ragstaffs," explained Lorian. "You've seen it--over there by the staircase." "Oh!" exclaimed the other, "you mean that inscription on the panel--which means nothing in particular? Yes, I have examined it several times. But why should it affect the fortunes of Sir Julius?" "You see," was the Colonel's reply, "we have a tradition in the family, Edie, that the Riddle brings us luck, but brings misfortune to anyone else who has it in his possession. It's never been copied before; but I let Lorian--Sir Julius--make a drawing of it for his forthcoming book on Decorative Wood-carving. I don't know," he added smilingly, "if the mysterious influence follows the copy or only appertains to the original." "Let us have another look at it," said Edie. "It has acquired a new interest!" The whole party of us passed idly across the hall to the foot of the great staircase. From the direction of the drawing-room proceeded the softly played strains of the _Duetto_ from _Cavalleria_. I knew Sybil Reynor was the player, and I saw Lorian glance impatiently in the direction of the door. Hulme detected the glance, too, and an expression rested momentarily upon his handsome face which I found myself at a loss to define. "You see," said the Colonel, holding a candle close to the time-blackened panel, "it is a meaningless piece of mediæval doggerel roughly carved in the wood. The oak-leaf border is very fine, so your father tells me, Harry"--to Lorian--"but it is probably the work of another hand, as is the man and ragged staff which form the shield at the top."