"The dispatches bore signs of having been tampered with." "Tampered with ?" It was a question from Tremayne, charged with incredulity.

"But who would have tampered with them ?" "There were signs, that is all.

Garfield was taken to the house of the parish priest, where he lay lost until he recovered sufficiently to realise his position for himself.

No doubt you will have a schedule of the contents of the dispatch, Sir Terence ?" "Certainly.

It is in your possession, I think, Tremayne." Tremayne turned to his desk, and a brief search in one of its well-ordered drawers brought to light an oblong strip of paper folded and endorsed.