"I shall go down to his house," said Colin, "and tax him with the whole story." Marsden hesitated. "It will mean showing our cards with a vengeance," he said, "but as things are I don't know that it really matters. He'd be bound to take alarm directly he heard of the arrest of Fenton and Cooper, and however much you frighten him he hasn't a dog's chance of getting away." He took another step forward, and contemplated Colin from under his bushy eyebrows. "You quite understand the position, my young friend. Supposing anything goes wrong, it will be no use expecting me to help you. From the moment you leave this office you will be acting entirely on your own responsibility." "Of course we shall," said Colin coolly. "The first thing you'll know about it is when we ring up and tell you the result." With a faint twitch of his lips the detective held out his hand. "Good luck to you, doctor," he said. "That young lady deserves _a man_, and I'll take my oath she's got one." CHAPTER ELEVEN Albert Terrace appeared even more peaceful and respectable than usual as Colin turned in at the farther end and came to a standstill in front of Mr. Medwin's house. "This is the place, Joe," he said quietly. "Now you're quite clear in your own mind about what we've arranged?" Joe nodded. "I got it, guv'nor. You ask whether 'e's at 'ome, an' if 'e is, in we goes. Then it'll be my job to shove it across the butler." "That's right," said Colin. "I'm trusting you to look after the two servants until I've finished with Medwin." "I'll look after 'em," grunted Joe. "There won't be no trouble in that quarter, you taike my word for it." They got out of the car, and, leading the way up the path, Colin pressed the electric bell. After a brief delay they heard the sound of steps inside, and the next moment Medwin himself opened the door. For an instant he stood gazing dumbly at his two visitors, then with a sudden expansive smile he stepped forward and held out his hand. "Why, bless my soul!" he exclaimed. "This is a very pleasant surprise. What an extraordinary bit of luck that I happened to be at home." "Isn't it!" said Colin genially. "I was just saying to Joe that it was a hundred to one that we shouldn't find you." He paused. "Oh, by the way, may I introduce you? This is an old friend of mine, Mr. Joe Bates. I've brought him along because we both want to ask your advice." With a deferential gesture, Joe raised his finger to his forehead. "'Ow d'ye do, sir," he remarked. "Pleased to meet yer." "I hope we haven't called at a very inconvenient time," continued Colin. "The matter is rather an urgent one, and I felt that I should like to have your opinion on it."