“Can’t say I do, sir. But I’ll do as you say, of course.”

“Then follow me. Not a sound, remember!”

In perfect silence the two men took up their stations on either side of the library door, revolvers held ready. The murmur of conversation could be heard within, and although neither Linckes nor Tomlins could distinguish any word spoken, they could hear that the talk was worried.

Then, after what seemed an interminable time, the key scraped in the lock, and Winthrop opened the door. Behind him stood the man Linckes had seen entering the house a few minutes ago.

For a moment there was dead silence as Winthrop stared haughtily from one levelled revolver to the other. Even now Linckes could not but admire the indomitable courage and sang-froid that Sir Charles displayed.

“Really, Mr. Linckes!” he said, faintly amused. “May I ask what you think you are doing?”

“Hands up, please!” Linckes said sternly. “If you attempt to escape I shall shoot!”

Winthrop shrugged slightly, and raised his hands. Still he preserved that air of haughty bewilderment. But the man beside him had grown very pale, and was biting his under-lip. The hands that he held up were trembling.

Linckes advanced into the room, covering his man.

“I may be doing you a grievous injury, Sir Charles, but I do not think so.” With his free hand he drew a silver whistle from his pocket and blew three shrill blasts upon it. “Mr. Winthrop, will you be so good as to remove your wig and your beard? Your make-up is excellent!”

Disregarding Tomlins’ levelled revolver, Sir Charles lowered his hands. He sank down into his chair, and regarded Linckes with a twinkle in his eye. His fine lips smiled generously.

“Do tell me how you found out,” he said pleasantly. “Take the wig off, Alec. The game’s up!”

With starting eyes Tomlins watched the pseudo Mr. Knowles tear off his wig and beard. Night black hair with a faint crinkle in it was revealed, and when the man had rubbed his face with his handkerchief, removing most of the cunning make-up, the detective’s jaw dropped.

“Sir—Sir Charles!” he gasped. A little, low laugh came from Winthrop.

“Wonderful, isn’t it? Quite difficult to tell us apart.” He paused, listening to the sudden pandemonium without. “Well, you’ve roused the whole household, Linckes, and I suppose your assistants are even now invading my house. You must allow me to congratulate you. I never thought you’d discover me. And I’ve had a fair run for my money, haven’t I? I don’t regret it a bit. Poor Alec’s looking rather glum. But then he always was rather peevish. That was what made you suspect me in the first place, wasn’t it? Jolly clever of you to think of that blank sheet scheme. I ought to have guessed, of course. Fact of the matter is, you took me in. I didn’t think you suspected me.”

VII.

TONY dabbed at her eyes, and gave a tiny sob.