The air was still and oppressive in the hollow; the stench of gasoline rose in a warm reek mingled with the stagnant smell of the swamp close by. The mosquitoes were thick; they descended in swarms upon us with the stopping of the car, and a host of moths and midges fluttered round the lamp, attracted by its glare. The two men, bent over the engine, joked and grumbled in undertones, as cheerfully as though we were out on no more serious errand than a mere pleasure ride. The sheriff rejoined us. "How long will you be, Jackson?" The chauffeur straightened his back. "Twenty minutes, sir, more or less. I can't fix it under." There was a brief consultation, and the sheriff turned to Lennox. "How far are we from the Bend?" "Three-quarters of a mile, by road. We can strike a short cut at the top of the hill." "We'd better walk it. There's no good wasting time. Get your job through, Jackson, bring the car on to the top of the hill and wait for us there, along the road. I suppose..." Lennox caught my eye. "I can rely on Doctor Haverill," he said promptly. "As we are one man short already I don't think it advisable that we should divide." "Very good. Have either of you gentlemen an extra revolver?" I pulled mine out and gave it to the chauffeur. He grinned cheerfully as he slipped it in his pocket. "Right, sir! If any spook puts a game on me I won't start tellin' my beads! Give me twenty minutes, Mr. Keary, and I'll have the car right there!" We left him at his task and set off up the hill, following the little footpath at the side of the road, Lennox and the sheriff in front, the inspector and myself at the rear. When we were nearly at the top the inspector paused. "There's fire somewhere," he said. "I can smell it." "Someone been burning bush, most likely," said Lennox. "We can tell further on." At the top of the hill it was unmistakable, a sickly charred odor that hung heavily on the air. Lennox gave an exclamation and quickened his pace involuntarily. A moment later the Lessing bungalow came in sight; there were lights in the windows, and I caught sight of a slim shawl-wrapped figure on the porch. Lennox and the sheriff were well ahead, and as they reached the bungalow someone stepped out and joined them in the roadway. I heard Lessing's voice raised in amazement. "Lennox, by all that's holy!" "It's Menning's place," said Lennox as we came up. "I thought as much! The game's up." "Burned to tinder an hour ago," said Lessing cheerfully. "Hello, Haverill! Have you all joined the local fire-brigade?" He caught sight of the inspector's square shoulders behind me, and whistled. "So that's it! Well, if you're wanting an interview with Menning, I guess his present address is somewhere in the woods between here and Coopersville!"