Acting on this thought, Richard related all there was to tell of himself, Dorothy, Mr.Harley, and Storri, being full as to his exclusion from the Harley house and the manner in which it was brought about.

When he had finished, he waited for Inspector Val.
[Illustration: That Artist of Pursuit] That artist of pursuit did not speak at once, and asked permission to smoke a cigarette.

Richard offered no objection, although he privily condemned cigarettes as implying the effeminate.

Inspector Val lighted one, and blew the smoke thoughtfully through the thin, high nose.
Suddenly he threw the cigarette away half smoked; it had served the purpose of its appearance.

Inspector Val had smoked himself into a conclusion.
"This is the way the thing strikes me," began Inspector Val.