Fuller lost no time, but related the various stages by which he and Marie had been led to guess the mystery of the peacock’s tail. He produced the silver ring by way of illustration, and finally convinced Mr. Berwick of the manner in which the secret had been discovered. “And the annoying part of the whole business,” concluded Alan, “is that the riddle is so easy.” “When guessed, Mr. Fuller, when guessed,” said Berwick staring at the peacock, “but I assure you that I don’t wonder it has been hard to solve, and had not the accident of the silver ring, or rather that of the letter ‘K’ on the silver ring led you to the truth, I doubt if you would ever have solved it.” Berwick still eyed the bird steadily. “Most extraordinary! Ferrier was too clever, however, if I may say so; he concealed the treasure so well that the man he intended to benefit never did. Fate——” he bowed gallantly to Marie—— “reserved the gems of the Begum for fairer hands.” “Then you will give me the box,” said Marie, timidly. “Of course; it rightfully belongs to you, since you have fulfilled the conditions of Ferrier’s letter of instructions to the then manager of Yarbury’s Bank. Here is the key, the peacock, the letter of Ferrier to his master, and the assignment of the jewels to the same person by the rulers of Kam. Oh yes, Miss Inderwick, the fortune is yours, and I congratulate you.” “What is the value of the jewels?” asked Alan abruptly, and drawing a breath of relief when he heard this speech. “Really I can’t tell you, Mr. Fuller. There is no mention of their value in the letter of instructions, and of course the box has never been open, since only the key you have brought can do that. Then——” Berwick was interrupted by a clerk entering with a card inscribed with the name of Latimer, and Dick entered all alive with curiosity to hear why he had been summoned to such an unexpected place. After greeting Miss Inderwick and his friend he began to ask eager questions, which Alan proceeded to answer, until Inspector Moon arrived a few moments later. The officer opened his eyes wide when he saw the golden peacock on the table. “How did it come here?” he asked suspiciously, and looked at the company. Berwick explained the circumstances of Alan and Miss Inderwick’s visit, and gave both Moon and Latimer an account of the trust held by Yarbury’s Bank. Then Fuller explained more directly about the peacock. “Sorley called at my chambers on that night he escaped,” said Alan, addressing the astonished inspector. “Mr. Latimer and I took him to Miss Grison as he wished her to acknowledge certain things. He intended to give himself up, but—as I learned—he ran away at the eleventh hour. Have you arrested him yet, Mr. Inspector?” “No. We have searched far and wide, but he is still at large. Still, Mr. Fuller, this explanation doesn’t show how you became possessed of the peacock.”