As it was, no one except Hart had been vouchsafed sight or sound of the latest specter, which, however, had left a very convincing souvenir of its visit in the shape of a soft felt hat with two bullet holes through the crown.
Furneaux, quivering with silent wrath, soon abandoned the search when this _piece de conviction_ was found at the root of the Dorothy Perkins rose-tree.

Seeing the lamp relighted, he peremptorily bade Grant and Bates come in with him.

He closed the window, adjusted the blind again, and poured generous measures of port wine into two glasses.

Handing one to Bates, he took the other himself.
"Friend," he said, "some men have fame thrust upon them, but you have achieved it.

To-night you pierced the heel of Achilles.