"You're not any relation to the Cotton who started bowling googlies for Harrow in his last term, I suppose?" the Duke queried, addressing Leonard. Leonard modestly pleaded guilty, and our host showed his first signs of real interest. "You'll play for the Castle this afternoon?" he begged. "We're playing the rest of the County, and they're bringing a pretty hot side. Our batting's all right but our bowling's rotten." "I haven't played for two years," Leonard said, a little doubtfully. "At three o'clock," the Duke announced, ignoring Leonard's hesitation. "You'll find a couple of pros down at the nets if you want a knock first. Don't give your bowling away too much, as some of the enemy are prowling around." Our host took gracious leave of us. Rose watched him curiously. "Maurice," she observed, as the door closed, "there's something queer about this place." "I suppose there must be," I admitted, "or we shouldn't be here." "Exactly what are our instructions?" Leonard enquired. "Vague," I replied. "The only letter I received from our chief told me to accept the offer through Keith Prowse, to come here, to sit tight and study conditions." "What did he mean by 'conditions'?" Rose asked. "Just get in touch with our environment, I suppose. For instance, here we are with half a dozen others, brought up to Westmoreland to amuse the Duke's house party. We are being treated royally, the house party seems to comprise some of the best-known names in England, and the whole thing seems to be marvellously done." "But so far no glimmering as to how or where we may come in?" Leonard persisted. "Not the slightest," I admitted. "Of course, this place is a perfect treasure house. They say that the jewels alone are insured for more than two millions. There may be some robbery scheme on." "Perhaps," Rose suggested, "we are to be the thieves. In that case, I'll keep one of the famous pink pearls if I have to swallow it." I looked out across the park and a certain feeling of depression stole over me. We were alone in a little sitting room which had been made over to our exclusive use. "I can't help wishing," I confessed, "that we knew a little more where we stood. We've been working for Mr. Thomson now for the best part of a year, and there isn't one of us three can tell whether we've been helping the greatest crook the world has ever known, or a master detective." "I'm not sure that I care," Rose said sweetly. Leonard helped himself to a cigarette.