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was not the man to embark on an undertaking without clearing the ground of doubtful points, and he drove home by way of New Scotland Yard, where, firmly refusing his reasons for wanting to know, he extracted the information that there was no such officer as “Inspector Chantrey” on the police roster. On arrival at Grosvenor Gardens he first sought and obtained a private interview with his wife, and astonished her by imparting the projected visit to Prior’s Tarrant.

“You are at the old work, Jem; I can see it in your eye,” she said after one glance at her husband’s stern, introspective face. “Is there danger?”

“To me possibly; to another certainly,” the General responded. “In fact, Madge, it is touch and go whether I can save a man’s life. I do not know yet if he is a good man, but his life is an important one.”