"Nor I," was Colin's rejoinder. "I quite agree with you that he ought to be shut up, only I think it's Dartmoor and not Broadmoor." "But, hang it all," broke in Mark, "a sane man doesn't try to have a perfect stranger murdered just because he's a little sore at being turned down by a girl." "He doesn't," admitted Colin. "There must be some other reason that we know nothing about, and that's why I'm going to turn the whole thing over to Marsden. If I thought that it was merely a personal matter between him and me I'd go round and knock the stuffing out of him myself." Mark replaced his spectacles with an air of bewilderment that was almost comic. "The more one thinks over it," he said, "the more incomprehensible it seems. For one thing, why should he connect you with Nancy at all? You have only seen each other about three times." There was a pause. "Well as far as that goes," replied Colin, "he may have a better reason than you imagine." Mark glanced at Nancy, who had turned a delicate shade of pink. "Good Lord!" he exclaimed. "You don't mean----" "Yes, I do," replied Colin; "we fixed it up last night over the bread and milk, and I'm so happy that I could get up and dance round the room." He stretched out his arm, and taking Nancy's hand across the table, bent over and kissed the tips of her fingers. "Well, if that isn't the limit!" ejaculated Mark bitterly. "I leave my practice in your hands, trusting to your honesty, and when I come back I find you've pinched the one thing I value most--the only perfect secretary a doctor ever had." Nancy turned toward him with a startled expression. "Oh," she cried remorsefully, "I never knew you'd look at it like that." Mark got up from his chair, and stepping toward her with a twinkle in his eyes, laid his hand affectionately on her shoulder. "My beloved child," he said, "I was only joking. I shall just hate losing you, and so will Mary, but, thank God, we're neither of us quite such selfish pigs as to grudge you the happiness you deserve." He picked up the champagne bottle and tilted the few remaining drops into his empty glass. "Colin, my lad," he said, "here's my blessing and my congratulations! Nancy's a million times too good for you, but----" As he spoke the telephone bell rang sharply, and Colin, who was sitting nearest the door, jumped to his feet. "I'll go," he said. "You finish your speech, Mark. It would be a pity to break off just when you're getting really truthful." He hurried out into the hall and took down the receiver. "Is that 276 Shadwell?" "It is," he answered. "Inspector Marsden of Scotland Yard speaking. Is Doctor Gray in?" "He's not only in, but he's talking to you," returned Colin. "I thought it was your voice," came the reply. "Look here, doctor, I've got back a bit earlier than I expected, and I want to see you as soon as possible. Can you come up to the Yard straight away?" "I can be there in half an hour," said Colin.