"He'll be back soon. You can trust Leo. Surely, Marton, you do not think he knew anything of Pratt's doings?" "With such a face as that he knows precious little," retorted Marton; "he is a good fellow, but not sharp. He did not steal that cup, nor did he help Pratt to get away. No, Raston. Our criminal friend came back here while I was blundering in the fog, and after taking some money cleared out without loss of time. I sha'n't catch him now. I suppose the telegraph-office is closed?" "Yes. It closes here at nine o'clock. And even if you sent a wire, it would not be delivered at Portfront to-night." "No, I suppose not. You are all so slow in these country places! It is clever of you to mention Portfront, Raston. You think that Tony Angel will go there?" "How else can he get away?" "I don't know. You know the country better than I do. But I tell you what, our friend will not go to Portfront or anywhere near it." "Why not?" asked the curate, bewildered. "Because you expect him to go there. Angel always does the thing that is not expected. I wish I had caught him! I've been years trying to hunt him down. And the beast has made himself comfortable here!" said Marton, with a glance round. "I bet you, Raston, that the greater part of these things have been stolen." "Stolen, Marton! How terrible. And the cup?" "He stole that also," replied Marton, promptly, lighting one of his cigarettes. "Oh, he is a clever man, is Angel. Ah! here is our young and enterprising friend. Well, Mr Haverleigh, so Pratt has gone?" "Yes," said Leo, looking puzzled. "I went to his room and found that his bed had not been slept in. The back door is open, although closed--that is, it has not been locked. How do you know Pratt has gone?" "I'll tell you later. Throw a few logs on that fire, Raston. It will soon burn up. Here is a bottle of whisky, too, and some soda." "I left that for Pratt," said Leo, somewhat surprised at the cool way in which this man was behaving. "And Pratt was too clever to muddle his head when he needed all his wits about him. By the way, has his jackall gone also?" "Adam is not in, if that is what you--" "Yes, Mr Haverleigh, that is exactly what I do mean. Ha! Clever man Pratt! He came back here straight, and, warning his pal, walked off, leaving the empty house to me and to you, Mr Haverleigh. Did you hear him leave?" "I heard nothing until you knocked at the door. Then I wondered why Adam did not hear you. The other servants are asleep at the back of the house, and I suppose they also expected Adam to answer the bell." "That is extremely probable. Well, let us hope the remaining servants will sleep well. To-morrow they must leave this house!" "Why, in Heaven's name?" asked Leo, starting up. "For the very simple reason that the police will be put into possession here by me to-morrow." "What? Did Pratt steal the--I don't understand. Raston, what does this man mean? Who is he? What are--"