In about an hour Miss Stratton was nowhere to be seen, and in her place stood the young gentleman who has been introduced to the reader as Mr. Bootle. Enjoining the dog to remain at his post, Mr. Bootle put the light out, after placing some matches ready for use. Then he raised the blind and looked out of the window. Greatly to his delight, it proved to be a French window, opening into the garden, which was now dark and deserted, but from which it was easy to emerge unobserved into a lane which communicated with the main street. Before leaving the garden, however, after closing the window, Mr. Bootle reconnoitred a little, for he had an idea that Mrs. Dollman’s dining-room had a window which overlooked this part of the premises. The supposition proved quite correct, and what was equally important was the fact that the window was not too closely blinded. As it did not present any points of observation for the ordinary passer-by, particular care was not deemed necessary. Regulating his movements with all possible care, Mr. Bootle contrived to obtain a good view of the persons seated round the table, occupied in partaking of supper. Sergt.-Major Twiley and his wife were there, and there were two other gentlemen present. The sergeant-major was easy to distinguish, and it took Mr. Bootle but a very short time to decide which of the other two men was the one posing as Mr. Gregory Staines, for one of them was a podgy, red-faced man, with clear, honest blue eyes, that would certainly have been very much out of place on his vis-à-vis’s face. “There now, Mr. S., I have got a good look at you unobserved,” was the inward comment of the unseen watcher. “I must now take measures for keeping you under my notice without being suspected by you.” Five minutes later our friend, cigarette in hand, was promenading carelessly up and down the front street, and keeping a sharp look-out upon Mrs. Dollman’s door. It was half-past nine when at last his vigil was rewarded by the sight he hoped for. Mr. Gregory Staines was bent upon either business or amusement, and was hurrying ahead of Mr. Bootle, perfectly unsuspicious of the fact that he was being followed. Lina is not a very large place, and it did not take long for either individual to reach the goal aimed at.