He wondered, grimly, what the public and the Sunday newspapers would say if they were aware of all the other phenomena, not yet common property: of Miss Spencer's disappearance, of Jules' strange visits, and of the non-arrival of Prince Eugen of Posen.

Theodore Racksole had worried his brain without result.

He had conducted an elaborate private investigation without result, and he had spent a certain amount of money without result.

The police said that they had a clue; but Racksole remarked that it was always the business of the police to have a clue, that they seldom had more than a clue, and that a clue without some sequel to it was a pretty stupid business.

The only sure thing in the whole affair was that a cloud rested over his hotel, his beautiful new toy, the finest of its kind.