"Promise me you won't get shot, or poisoned, or anything, Herbert!" she entreated. "If you do----" "We aren't going in for any shooting tonight, miss," said Davidge gravely. "Some other night, perhaps. All quiet and serene tonight--just a little family gathering, as it were--all pleasant!" "But that dreadful man!" exclaimed Trixie, pointing to the door of the flats. "Supposing----" "Ah, but we won't suppose," answered Davidge. "He's all right, he is. Mild as milk we shall find him--my word on it, miss. Now," he continued, when he had gently but firmly assisted Trixie into the cab, said a word or two to Carver, taken Triffitt's arm, and led him across the street, "now we'll talk a bit, quietly. So he's gone in there, has he, Mr. Triffitt? Just so. Alone, now?" "Quite alone," replied Triffitt. "What's it all about--what does it mean? You seem remarkably cool about it!" "I shouldn't be much use in my trade if I didn't keep cool, Mr. Triffitt," answered Davidge. "You see, I know a bit--perhaps a good deal--of what's going on--or what's going to go on, presently. So will you. I'll take you in there." "There? Where?" demanded Triffitt. "Where he's gone," said Davidge. "Where--if I'm not mistaken--that chap's going." He pointed to a man who had come quickly round the corner from the direction of the High Street, a middle-sized, apparently well-dressed man, who hurried up the broad steps and disappeared within the glass-panelled doors. "That's another of 'em," observed Davidge. "And I'm a Dutchman if this taxi-cab doesn't hold t'other two. You'll recognize them, easy." Triffitt gaped with astonishment as he saw Professor Cox-Raythwaite and Selwood descend from the taxi-cab, pass up the steps, and disappear. "Talk of mysteries!" he said. "This----" Davidge pulled out an old-fashioned watch. "Nine o'clock," he remarked. "Come on--we'll go in. Now, then, Mr. Triffitt," he continued, pressing his companion's arm, "let me give you a tip. You mayn't know that I'm a Yorkshireman--I am! We've a good old proverb--it's often cast up against us: 'Hear all--say naught!' You'll see me act on it tonight--act on it yourself. And--a word in your ear!--you're going to have the biggest surprise you ever had in your life--and so's a certain somebody else that we shall see in five minutes! Come on!" He took Triffitt's arm firmly in his, led him up the stairs, in at the doors. The hall-porter came forward. "Take me up," said Davidge, "to Mrs. Engledew's flat." CHAPTER XXXIII BURCHILL FILLS THE STAGE