But at each corner the name of the street is carved in the sidewalk. Let's try that."

We walked along to the nearest crossing. Neither of us had a match; but by stooping and running his fingers along the damp walk Parker came upon the name carved in the stone. I leaned over beside him, and we began to spell it out. It was in such a silly posture that Riley the policeman found us as his big bulk emerged from the fog.

"What the hell?" said Riley, not without reason.

"It's Riley!" I cried. "Good enough!"

"Who are you?" he wanted to know.

"A friend of Mr. Drew," I told him. "I was there a while ago when you called to see if everything was okay."

"Sure," he said "You was sitting in the library."

"Of course. Riley-Mr. Drew has bees murdered."

"Murdered! He can't be. I was just talkin' to him."

I told him of the events since his call at the Drew house, and repeated the lame story of my actions following my discovery of the crime. He made no comment.

"How about you?" he said, turning to Parker.

"I met this young man by chance,' Parker told him. "I was on my way to Mr. Drew's house, where I had been invited for dinner, and I became confused in the fog."

Riley shook his head.

"I don't mind sayin' you both sound fishy to me," he remarked. "We'll go back to the house. You lads follow me-wait a bit. Second thoughts is best. You lead the way."

He pointed with his night stick, and meekly we set out. Riley pounded along at our heels. We must have been far afield, for we walked some distance, passing several corners where motorcars honked dubiously. At last Riley halted us before the Drew house, and we climbed the steps. Finding the door unlocked, we entered with Riley close behind.

V

The life of the Drew household appeared to be at the moment centered in the great hall into which we came. Carlotta Drew was lying back on a big sofa at the left, indulging in the luxury of mild hysterics, and Mary Will bent over her, a bottle of smelling salts in her hand. A little old woman with a kindly face, evidently a servant, was weeping silently near the stairs, and at the moment of our entrance, Hung Chin-chung emerged from the dining room with no sign of emotion on his inscrutable face.

"Mary Will," I said gently.

She lifted her head and looked at me. There was terror in her eyes, but at sight of me it appeared to give way to an intense relief.

"You've come back," she said, as though in surprise. "Oh-I'm so glad you've come back."

At the moment I did not understand the full meaning of her words. Carlotta Drew sat up at sight of Doctor Parker and abandoned her mechanical exhibition of grief. Perhaps she remembered the effect of tears on even the most careful makeup.

"Now, what's it all about?" boomed Riley. "Mrs. MacShane-" He turned to the old servant.

"The poor man!" wept Mrs.