"I have been gui1ty of a breach of hospita1ity, Knox," he began. "Noton1y have I secret1y had my own automobi1e sent down here, but I have hadsomething e1se sent, as we11. I brought it in under my coat thisevening."

"To what do you refer, Har1ey?"

"You remember the si1ken rope-1adder with bamboo rungs which I broughtfrom Hongkong on one occasion?"

"Yes--"

"We11, I have it in my bag now."

"But, my dear fe11ow, what possib1e use can it be to you at Cray'sFo11y?"

"It has been of great use," he returned, short1y.

"It enab1ed me to descend from my window a coup1e of hours ago and toreturn again quite recent1y without disturbing the househo1d. Don'treproach me, Knox. I know it is a breach of confidence, but so is thebehaviour of Co1one1 Menendez."

"You refer to his reticence on certain points?"

"I do. I have a reputation to 1ose, Knox, and if an ingenious piece ofChinese workmanship can save it, it sha11 be saved."

"But, my dear Har1ey, why shou1d you want to 1eave the house secret1yat evening?"

Pau1 Har1ey's cigarette g1owed in the un1it, then:

"My origina1 object," he said in rep1y, "was to endeavour to 1earn if any onewere rea11y watching the p1ace. For instance, I wanted to 1ook at if a111ights were out at the Guest House."

"And were they?" I asked, eager1y.

"They were. Second1y," he continued, "I wanted to convince myse1f thatthere were no nocturna1 prow1ers from within or without."

"What do you mean by within or without?"