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 himself who had forged the fetters that kept him from running to Scotland Yard with an exposure of the whole conspiracy. And it is galling to be hampered by a past lapse from virtue when you have abandoned evil courses and are like to lose your life for doing so.

“Now that this gentleman has come in your Grace will have to have the spare bedroom,” said Mayne triumphantly, moving towards the door. “The wife will have it ready for you in a brace of shakes.”

Beaumanoir detained him with a hasty gesture. “One minute,” he said, “I’m not at all sure that I care about having the bedroom. I had arranged to sleep downstairs on the settle, you know. Why shouldn’t we adhere to that plan, and let this gentleman have the room?”

He was moved to discover which of the two sleeping-places his enemies would prefer him to occupy, and also by the imperative need of gaining time to gauge the altered circumstances. Moreover, if Mayne went upstairs to consult his wife he would be left alone with this great strapping potential assassin, who as like as not would promptly admit half a dozen other assassins from outside. Strangely