"'You mean Sir John Catnall? The man who came in just as we were going in to dinner? That is, I suppose it was he. Barton told me we were waiting for him.' "'Yes; the fellow said he was late.' "'And he told you--' Here the door opened and the butler entered for her Ladyship's orders for the night. "'Barton, whom did you announce last?' "'I didn't catch the name, your Ladyship, quite.' "'Was it Sir John Catnall and Lady Catnall?' "'No, your Ladyship. Something that began with P.' "'Are you sure it was not "Catnall"?' "'Quite sure, your Ladyship. Sir John's man was here just after dinner was announced and left a message, your Ladyship--I forgot to give it to you. He said Sir John had been out of town, and had that moment received your Ladyship's note, and that it was impossible for him to come to dinner. I supposed your Ladyship had known of it and had invited the gentleman and his lady who came last to take their places, and I put them in Sir John's and Lady Catnall's seats as it was marked on the diagram you gave Chawles.' "'Just as I supposed, Catherine,' snorted Arbuckle, 'a couple of damned impostors; one passing himself off as a blind man. Serves you right. They've carried off half the plate by this time. Bingeley lost all of his spoons and forks that way last week; he told me so in the House yesterday.' "'Impostors! You don't think--Barton, go down instantly and see if anything has been taken out of the cloak-room. And, Barton, see if that miniature with the jewels around the frame is where I left it on the mantel--and the candlesticks--Oh! you don't think--It can't be--Oh, dear--dear--dear!' "Again the door opened and Barton appeared. "'The candlesticks are all right, your Ladyship; but the miniature is gone. I looked everywhere. Chawles said it was taken to your room by the maid.' "'Ring for Prodgers at once.' "'I have, your Ladyship. Here she comes with it in her hand,' and he handed the jeweled frame to his mistress. "'Oh, I'm so thankful! You're sure nothing else is missing?' "'No, your Ladyship; but Chawles found this note on the mantel, which he says he picked up from the table after they had left.' "Lord Arbuckle craned his head and his wife eagerly scanned the inscription. "On the envelope, scrawled in pencil, were the three words: 'For dear Eliza.' "Lady Arbuckle broke the seal. "Out dropped two twenty-pound Bank of England notes." * * * * * The Irishman rose to his feet, pushed back his chair, and taking a briarwood from his pocket and a small bag of tobacco proceeded to fill his pipe. Mac broke the silence first: "Case of wrong house, wasn't it? I wonder Catnall didn't find it out before dinner was over." "Put Arbuckle in a bad hole," remarked Boggs. "What excuse could he make when he returned the money?"