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income, no matter how long he lives.”
    I fingered my chin.
    “Well, it’s up to us,” I said. “Such stuff should be in a museum.”
    “That is what Ferrers proposes – if we can get so far.”
    “Forever England’s,” said I. “Does Punter know that Palin was in at the death?”
    “He does.”
    “Then they may be nursing Palin.”
    “I think that’s possible.”
    “Has Ferrers put Palin wise – about having seen Punter, I mean?”
    “I’m afraid he hasn’t,” said Mansel.
    “Oh, hell,” said I.
    “Exactly,” said Mansel. “That’s why we’ve come so fast.” He sat up and glanced at his wrist. “Andrew Palin’s no fool, but of course he should have been warned. I never dreamed that he hadn’t, till Ferrers told me at Maintenance two days ago.”
    I sighed.
    “Why will people,” I said, “withhold important facts?”
    “God knows,” said Mansel. And then, “It can’t be helped.”
    Ten minutes later, we were upon the road.
     
    Sitting on the arm of a chair, Palin read through the letter which we had brought. He was a big, fair man, with a merry face. But this was now grave.
    When he had done, he looked up.
    “I’m to ask you a question,” he said. “To prove your authority. I expect that was your idea.”
    “Yes,” said Mansel, “it was. This is a matter in which we can take no risks.”
    Palin nodded.
    Then—
    “I played for Olivia upstairs on her wedding night. What tune did I play?”
    “ A frog he would a-wooing go .”
    “Good enough,” said Palin. “From now on, you may command me. I’m ripe for enterprise. The last time I saw Punter, I had the pleasure of knocking his face through his head. Yet the dog returns to his vomit. I can’t help feeling that’s rash. Never mind. I fancy all’s quiet so far. I was at the castle on Tuesday – three days ago. As you probably know, I have the run of the place.”
    Mansel nodded.
    “I think you’ve a room there,” he said.
    “That’s right. Complete with changes of raiment. The Ferrers spoil their friends. Of course I never use it, unless they’re there: but the servants have orders to receive me at any time.”
    “And when they’re away, you keep an eye on the place?”
    Palin shook his head.
    “That is not necessary. The steward’s a paragon. No; if ever I go, it’s to show the place to a friend.”
    “I see. Was that why you went there on Tuesday?”
    “Yes,” said Palin. “A wallah was staying here – a most entertaining man, with a caustic wit. A fellow and tutor of Oxford. Great authority on old silver. That’s why I took him there the first time – the Ferrers have got some really beautiful stuff.”
    Mansel sat very still.
    “You went more than once?”
    “Twice. Friar was charmed with the place – and they don’t show it now.”
    “You took him round?” said Mansel.
    “Naturally. He was immensely interested.”
    “No doubt,” said Mansel, dryly.
    Palin stared. Then he started up to his feet.
    “My God,” he cried, “you don’t mean…”
    “It’s not your fault,” said Mansel. “You should have been warned. But I think it more than likely that Friar is the head of this gang.”
    “But–”
    “Fellows and tutors of Oxford don’t leave Oxford in June.”
    “Nor they do,” said Palin. “That never occurred to me. And yet I can hardly believe… Still, he did take an interest in the water. God in heaven, I showed the fellow the sluice.”
    There was a dreadful silence.
    The gems were walled into a chamber: over that wall a cascade was falling down: no one could breach that wall, without letting down the sluice. But once the sluice was down, the chamber could be opened in half an hour.
    Mansel got to his feet.
    “I think we should be moving,” he said. “If they didn’t break in last night, we may be in time.”
     
    I shall always remember that drive.
    Though by rights we should have been tired, the urgency of the business set us alert. And Carson and Bell were a-tiptoe. For