In the circumstances, Derrick was not uncomfortably lodged. The lock-up

was an ancient, knock-down affair, and the Inspector had arranged that

Derrick should occupy one of the rooms in the adjoining police-station.

Here, Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Clendon found him, if not altogether resigned

to the situation, at any rate not cast down or despondent.

"Well, here we are," said Mr. Jacobs, cheerfully. "I hope they've made

you as comfortable as possible, Mr.--Green. I've brought a friend of

yours with me, and I have a message from another friend of yours, Miss

Grant. She says she will pay you a visit whenever you like to see her."

Derrick shook his head. "I don't want her to come here," he said. "But

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I'm very glad to see Mr. Clendon."

"By the way," cut in Mr. Jacobs, "I ought to introduce this gentleman by

his right name, or, rather, title. You will be very much surprised to

hear, Mr. Green, that Mr. Clendon is the Marquess of Sutcombe. It's a

long story, but, with your permission, I will put it into a sentence.

His lordship is the elder brother, who was thought to be dead, but has

turned up--if his lordship will allow me the phrase."

"It is true," said Mr. Clendon, as we must still call him; and he made

the admission with an air of resignation and a gesture of regret. "But

we have come to talk of your affairs."

"Quite so, my lord," said Mr. Jacobs. "Now, Mr. Sydney Green--or shall I

call you, Mr. Derrick Dene?"

Mr. Clendon started slightly and bent his piercing eyes on Derrick, who

coloured and bit his lip.

"Yes, that's my name," he said; "but I don't know how you know it."

"My dear Mr. Dene," said Mr. Jacobs, blandly, "we people in Scotland

Yard know a great many things. Just as an instance, let me tell you what

I know about you. You were placed at an early age in the care of a

worthy couple named Jackson, who brought you up and started you in the

profession which I am sure you will adorn. Owing to a--well, let us say,

a misunderstanding--you left England--er--somewhat abruptly, and went

with a travelling circus to South America; in South America you left the

circus and found employment on a ranch, owned by a lady named Donna

Elvira----"

Derrick, frowning, stared at him and did not notice that Mr. Clendon had

quietly sunk into a chair and, with his hands leaning on his stick, was

looking fixedly at Derrick.




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