From somewhere the local inspector who accompanied him, routed out a constable who was said to know the district, and a farmer and a shepherd picked up on the way volunteered their services. Both these latter agreed that the house for which search was being made could be none other that "Mope's Bottom," which stood far away on the marsh, and which had been rented many years ago by a gentleman from London. It had borne many years before a local reputation as a haunted house, and was still avoided after dusk by many of those whose avocations might take them to the vicinity. As yet, including Labar and Malone, there were not more than a dozen men gathered for the expedition. Labar looked at his watch. It would be an hour at least, and probably longer, before the complete forces would be gathered. "Reckon I'll take this shepherd and go and have a look, see," he said to Malone. "You can explain my ideas if we're not back, Bill, and then carry on. I'm sure to meet you." He turned to the looker whom he had decided to take as guide. "How long do you think it will take us to get to this place? We might go part of the way by car." "An hour and a half, walking," said the looker. "Maybe twenty minutes by car--I don't know." "I suppose they'd see a car coming for miles over this place," said the detective inspector. "It's as flat as the palm of your hand. And I'd bet something that they'll be keeping a good look-out to-day." "If you're bent on going, guv'nor," said Malone, and his tone conveyed that he thought it a totally unnecessary venture, "why not take the car as far as you think wise and walk the rest. There won't be any cover for you though. Why not wait?" "No, I'll go and have a scout round. You can be easy, Bill. I won't take any risks I can help. Let's go." For a mile or so they pushed the car along one of the rough tracks of the marsh. As the looker explained, the detour was even more extensive than if they had gone on foot, and the roughness of the going made the driver wary of anything in the nature of speed. The detective and his guide descended when the latter observed that within the next mile they would come within sight of "Mope's Bottom." They made their way over the pastures and dykes on foot by a more direct, but still devious route. Presently they were within view of the dark mass of the house. They lay on the edge of a dyke and studied it for a while. Through his glasses Labar could see nothing that gave the slightest indication of life. There was not even a wisp of smoke from the chimneys, and the windows were tight-closed. From where they were the angle of the wall hid a distinct view of the gate, but the detective rapped out an oath as he tried to confirm an impression that it was open. Could it be that after all he was too late?