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 task, for which, indeed, his proficiency as an amateur actor had inspired the idea.

“That will do, I think,” he said to himself after a final survey. “It is a good thing that the scene is to be played without limelight effects; but it is my voice that will give me away if anything does.”

He rose and crossed the room once or twice, copying Beaumanoir’s slight limp to the life. Then, having consulted his watch, he took from his pocket-book a letter, addressed to the man he was about to personate, and refreshed his memory.

“I congratulate you on this return to your senses,” the writer began. “My agents inform me that the gentleman in whom we are interested is expected to stay at Prior’s Tarrant as your guest on arrival, being due on Tuesday. On Tuesday night you will leave unfastened the door leading into the crypt from the Dutch garden, so that I and my assistants may obtain access secretly. You will come down into the erypt an hour after midnight, when I will hand you the documents for substitution. Do not fail to make your arrangements so that the exchange may be effected without a hitch, and as rapidly as possible. As host you should