The Illustrious Prince

of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length

rally to be found in the American bar,

r who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as h

r you," he announced. "I told him that you generally cam

sy chair. For a single moment, perhaps, his lips tightened and the light of battle flashed in his fa

e asked, holding out his hand

tor rose t

," he said, "but if you could spare me just a

n laughed

ong, and I can only see the people I want to see in the middle of the day. After that, I don't mind tel

and helped himself. Mr. Co

he directed. "What'

pector said. "I will take a li

ner was a retired one, and th

his Hamilton Fynes busin

the Inspec

s side in clearing up these matters. Why, a little affair of that sort wouldn't take the police twenty minutes in New York. We have a big city, full of alien quarters, full of hiding places, and chock ful

f truth in what you say. It is rather a reflection upon us that we have not as yet even made an arres

ocked the ash

t that you fellows at Scotland Yard don't know more than you've let on to the newspapers. You keep your discoveries out of the Press over here, and a good job,

we have a few more facts to go by than have appeared in the newspapers. Still, the affair is an extremely puzzling one,-

ly. The drinks were brought, and

oollen machinery patents! You were speaking of that second murder," he remarked, setting do

truth, we find it almost as puzzling an affair as

nt, at this stage in their conversa

he murder of Mr. Vanderpole, I

een in an English newspaper since I landed. Didn't sound like Lond

," the Inspector continued. "I am going to tell you

declared. "I like to know ever

th and knowledge of Mr. Hamilton Fynes, you were also acquainted with this Mr. Richard Vanderpole,-that you were," he continued, knocki

slowly around and f

vil do you know

tor smiled

me one in the hotel. There was not the slightest difficulty in ascertaining that the person for whom he a

king the arm of it with the flat of his hand,-"seated within

pector

o singular an occurrence, I felt that I must lose no

n became m

-four hours, and I seem to have been the last person who knew them, to speak to either. Tell you what, Mr. Jacks,

pector

ever, I am sure you will not mind telling me exactly why Mr. Richard Vanderpole, Sec

r. Blaine-Harvey, putting the matter to him, and asking him to give me his opinion the moment I arrived on this side. You see, it was no use our entering into contracts if we had to build the plant and make the stuff over here. We didn't stand any earthly show of making it pay that way. Well, Mr. Harvey cabled out that I was just to let him know the moment I landed, and bef

his companion's word

u," he said, "it would be

on rose t

declared. "I'll be back i

hrough hurriedly. The paper was stamped American Embassy,' and it was the digest of several opinions as to the effect of the new patent law upon the import of articles manufactured under processes con

ight into this with you, if it would interest you any. It's my business o

sed back the

indeed to look through those specifications, but just now I have this affair of my own rather on my mind. About this Mr.

, all the same," he went on, "and comes of a good American stock, too. They tell me there's going to be an inques

gnomist. He told himself it was not possible that this man was playing a part. Mr. James B. Coulson sat there, the absolute incarnation of the genial man of affairs, interested in his business, interested in the great subject of dollar-getting, content with himself an

d suddenly, "do you know a young

om the heights of complete success. He repeated the nam

ican lady, who lives with an invalid aunt in Park Lane, and who is t

r," Mr. Coulson admitted. "She came here the othe

Inspecto

an," Mr. Coulson said, "and she fancied that perhap

t her, I suppose?" t

ots over here. I am an American citizen myself, and I haven't too much sympathy wi

pector

So you hadn't anything t

the Comet," Mr. Coulson replied. "Wha

up any more of your time. I am convinced that you have told me all that you know, and I

ged. "I've nothing to do. There are one or two

ctor shoo

y office before six o'clock. I dare say I shall

hen Mr. Coulson made what was, pe

t made you mention that young lady's

fully at the end of the fres

it seems a little strange that you and Miss Penelope Morse should both have been

n replied. "She seemed a very charming yo

ective

me over here are charming," he said. "

whom he had come to visit, after a m

imself. "I don't understand them. That man Jacks

y and handed it to him for delivery. A few minutes afterwards he strolled out into the hall. The boy was in the act of handing the no