'"My b'long all same Lo Eng," replied the fellow, with an expansion of his already wide mouth. "My wanchee sabbee where master hab gone. Jus' now no can tell him him housum burn down." 'Well, gentlemen, God knows I am no purist, but I could not bring myself to regard that man's conversational style as good English--which you told me Lo Eng spoke. He had given the name correctly, true, but I remained profoundly unsatisfied with his bona fides. I got rid of him, strode on down the road, and soon came to a house which had been gutted. Yes, alas, Philipson, it was only too true. Standing guard in the road were two Sikh policemen, whose presence had the desirable effect of finally scaring away my plausible informant--or so I thought. He had followed me thus far, but when I looked round a moment later he had melted into the atmosphere. I walked on briskly, came to a bend in the road, and sprinted down it on noiseless toes. It had occurred to me that I might get to the house from across the fields behind it without apprising the Law; and this I was able to do, though I could have wished for a drier route. I wallowed perdu in mud and luxuriant vegetation for about ten minutes, then, thinking all clear, crept towards the charred ruin. I had actually got into the garden when I heard a scuffle somewhere behind me. I fancy the police must have heard it too, for there were footsteps on the gravel walk in front of the house. Then came, from behind, a curious gurgling noise, then a dull thud, then silence. A hand grasped my arm. '"Come, sir," whispered a voice, and I felt myself dragged into a clump of laurels. I was subtly aware that my present companion was a friend, and I followed him without question. We crouched together for a while, until the police, presumably supposing they had been deceived, scrunched back into the road. He then put his lips to my ear. '"I am Mr. Philipson's boy, sir," said he, in excellent English. "You have some message for me?" '"What is your name?" I asked him. '"Lo Eng. You have a sign from my master?" 'I gave him the seal to feel, and I heard him murmur his satisfaction. "Listen," he said, "Those devils set fire to the house a few hours after the master went. I took the papers out of the safe, but everything else was destroyed." '"You are to give me the bundle marked with a letter B," I said.