I found there, also, a creature--a human being, I must call him--in a state of captivity." "Hidden in a piano box ?" the Professor repeated wonderingly.

"Why, you mean in Hartoo's sleeping box, then ?" "If Mr.Hartoo is the gentleman who tried to club me, you are right," Quest admitted.

"Mr.Ashleigh, before we go any further I must ask you for an explanation as to the presence of that person in your grounds!" The Professor hesitated for a moment.

Then he slowly crossed the room, opened the drawer of a small escritoire, and drew out a letter.
"You have heard of Sir William Raysmore, the President of the Royal Society ?" he asked.
Quest nodded.
"This letter is from him," the Professor continued.

"You had better read it." The criminologist read it aloud.