MR.

X VIII ON THE SEARCH It was late in the afternoon.

The Inspector's office had hummed for hours with messages and reports, and the lull which had finally come seemed grateful to him.

With relaxed brow and a fresh cigar, he sat in quiet contemplation of the facts brought out by the afternoon's inquiries.

He was on the point of dismissing even these from his mind, when the door opened and Gryce came in.
Instantly his responsibilities returned upon him in full force.