This time French thought it would be wise to have Domlio present at their experiment. He therefore rang him up and made an appointment for nine-thirty. Early next morning a heavily loaded car left Ashburton. In addition to the driver it contained French, Daw, and two constables in plain clothes, as well as a low, squat pump with detachable handle, an immense coil of armoured hose, another huge coil of rope ladder, and several tools and small parts. “Another rush to Klondyke,” said French, at which priceless pearl of humour Daw smiled and the plain clothes men guffawed heavily. “I should have thought that tailor could have fixed up the ownership of the coat,” Daw remarked, presently. “Shouldn’t you, sir?” “Of course, Sergeant. But we shall get it, all right, even if we have to do all the work ourselves. I thought it wasn’t worth troubling about. It’s pretty certain the coat is not the only thing that was thrown into the well and we shall get our identification from something else.” The car was run into the yard, unloaded, and dismissed, while French went to the hall door and asked for Colonel Domlio. “Sorry to trouble you at this hour, Colonel, but I want you to be present at a small experiment I am carrying out.” He watched the other keenly as he spoke. “Will you please come out into the yard, where I have left Sergeant Daw and some men?” Surprise showed on the colonel’s face, but not, so far as French could see, apprehension. “This is very interesting, Inspector. I’m glad I’m at least being informed of what is taking place on my own ground. I shall certainly see what you are doing.” As they turned the corner and the purpose of the visit became apparent to Domlio, his surprise seemed to deepen, but still there was no appearance of uneasiness. The police had lifted the cover of the well and were getting the pump rigged. Coombe and Mee had joined the others and stood speechlessly regarding the preparations. “Ah, an invasion? I presume, Inspector, you have adequate authority for these somewhat unusual proceedings?” “I think you’ll find that’s all right, sir. With your permission we’re going to pump out the well.” “The removal of the well cover and the pump rather suggested something of the kind, but for the moment I can’t quite recall the permission.” “I feel sure that under the circumstance you won’t withhold it. Better lower that lantern with the candle, Sergeant, before you send a man down. We want to be sure the air is good.” “If it’s not an impertinence,” Domlio remarked, with ironic politeness, “I should be interested to know why you are not using the existing pump.” “I didn’t think it was in working order. Is the well used?” “An explanation, complete, no doubt, but scarcely satisfying. It did not occur to you to try it?” “No, sir. Too noisy. But what about the well?”