"But, my dear child," he exclaimed, "you can't possibly marry Colin now. You must put that idea right out of your head. Why, with your looks and two hundred thousand pounds you might make an alliance with a duke." There was a moment's pause. "By Jove, yes!" observed Colin blankly. "I never thought of that." He turned to Nancy, but before he could add anything further she raised her finger in a peremptory warning. "It's no use, Colin dear," she said. "Joe saw you hugging and kissing me at 'The Firs,' and I'm not the sort of girl to allow my young affections to be trifled with. If you attempt to back out of it now I shall sue you for breach of promise." The distant tinkle of a bell sounded through the house, and, raising himself in his chair, Mark glanced indignantly at the clock. "Oh, hang it all!" he exclaimed. "I'm not going to see any more patients to-night. It's nearly ten, and, besides that, I'm beautifully and comfortably intoxicated." "It may be Marsden," suggested Colin. "He promised to come down if he could manage to spare the time." They heard the front door open and close, and after a brief interval the somewhat breathless figure of Martha Jane burst unceremoniously into the room. "There's a police inspector downstairs," she announced. "'E says 'e's come to see Doctor Gray." Mark hoisted himself to his feet. "Show him up," he said hospitably, "and then fetch along another glass. If any one else calls, tell them that I've been sent for to Buckingham Palace to operate on the King." Leaving the door open behind her, Martha Jane vanished down the staircase. There was a murmur of voices, followed by a creak of footsteps, and a moment later she reappeared, with the bullet head and broad shoulders of the detective mounting in her wake. Jumping up from the sofa, Colin met him as he entered the room. "So glad you've been able to come, Marsden," he exclaimed. "We only wanted you to complete the party." He waved an introductory hand in the direction of Mark. "This is my friend, Doctor Ashton. I don't think there's any need to introduce you to Miss Seymour!" Marsden smiled, and, stepping forward, shook hands with his host. "Pleased to meet you, doctor," he said. "I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour, but, as you've probably heard, we've been having rather a busy and exciting afternoon." He turned to Nancy. "I hope you're not feeling much the worse for it, miss?" "Not a bit," said Nancy, "thanks to you and Colin. I only wish I could tell you how grateful I am for all you've done for me." Marsden shook his head. "It's very good of you to say so, miss, but I'm not throwing any bouquets at myself this journey. On the contrary, I don't think I've ever made so many blunders in a case in the whole of my professional career." "Why, what are you worrying about?" demanded Colin. "Except for the regrettable fact that we can't hang Cooper----"