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The inquest is to-morrow afternoon.

Do amuse yourself how you like till then.

Beverley will look after you."

"Thanks very much. I shall really be quite all right."

Antony went on with his breakfast.

Perhaps it was true that inspectors liked dragging ponds, but the question was, did Cayleys like having them dragged? Was Cayley anxious about it, or quite indifferent? He certainly did not seem to be anxious, but he could hide his feelings very easily beneath that heavy, solid face, and it was not often that the real Cayley peeped out.

Just a little too eager once or twice, perhaps, but there was nothing to be learnt from it this morning.

Perhaps he knew that the pond had no secrets to give up.

After all, inspectors were always dragging ponds.

Bill came in noisily.

Bill's face was an open book. Excitement was written all over it.

"Well," he said eagerly, as he sat down to the business of the meal, "what are we going to do this morning?"

"Not talk so loudly, for one thing," said Antony. Bill looked about him apprehensively. Was Cayley under the table, for example? After last night one never knew.

"Is er-" He raised his eyebrows.

"No. But one doesn't want to shout. One should modulate the voice, my dear William, while breathing gently from the hips. Thus one avoids those chest-notes which have betrayed many a secret. In other words, pass the toast."

"You seem bright this morning."

"I am.

Very bright.

Cayley noticed it.

Cayley said, 'Were it not that I have other business, I would come gathering nuts and may with thee.

Fain would I gyrate round the mulberry-bush and hop upon the little hills.

But the waters of Jordan encompass me and Inspector Birch tarries outside with his shrimping-net.

My friend William Beverley will attend thee anon.

Farewell, a long farewell to all-thy grape-nuts.' He then left up-centre.

Enter W.

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