"I should like to know what the mischief you mean by wandering around my grounds at this hour of the night without my permission ?" The inspector completed his climb and stood in the little circle of light.

He took note of the rope and of Tallente's condition.
"My presence here, sir," the inspector announced, "is connected with the disappearance of the Honourable Anthony Palliser." "Confidence for confidence," Tallente replied.

"So is mine." The inspector moved to the palisading.

The top rail had been broken, as though it had given under the weight of some heavy body.

He held up the loose fragment, glanced downwards into the dark gulf and back again to Tallente.