The Spectator., 1915-06-25

consul at Leghorn? I am anxious for that, in order that we may commence inquiries in London
 The day after tomorrow, hope. He will certainly reply at once. pro- viding the dead mans father can still be found"
 At that moment tall, thin man, who proved to be Detective Campbell. en- tered, and five minutes later we were all three driving over the uneven cob bles of Dumfries and out in the dark ness towards Rannoch. When we reached the wood we all descended and. with Mackenzie and Campbell carrying lanterns. walked on carefully. keeping straight on in the direction Of the glen, and halting every now and then to listen for the rippling of the stream.
 At last, after some difficulty, we dis covered 1t, and searching along the bank with our three powerful light. presently detected the huge moss grown powder whereon l had stood when the pair of fugitives had disap- peared.
 Look" cried There's the spot,' And quickly we clambered down the steep bank. lowering ourselves by the branches of the trees until we came to the water into which l waded, be- ing followed closely by my two com panions.
 On gaining the opposite side l clam bered up to the base of the powder and lowered my lantern to reveal to them the gruesome evidence of the second crime. but the next instant cried:
 Why, It's gone!"
 "Gone," gasped the two men.
 Yes It was here. Look! this is the hole where they buried it But they evidently returned, and finding it ex- humed. they've retaken possession of it and carried 1t away"
 As We stood there dumfounded at the disappearance of the body, the Highlander's quick glance caught something. and stooping he picked it up and examined the little object by the aid of his lantern
 
 little gold cross. about an inch long. enameled in red, while in the center was a circular miniature of a kneeling saint, an elegant and beautifully exc cuted little trinket which might have adorned a lady's bracelet
 This is a pretty little thing!" re- marked the detective. Tt may possi- bly lead us to something. But. Mir Gregg" he added, turning to me, "are you quite certain you left the body here?"
 "Certain?" l echoed. Why. look at the hole l made, You don't think l have any interest in leading you here on fools errand, do you?"
 Not at all" he said apologetically. "Only the whole affair seems so very inconceivable-I mean that the men, having once got rid of the evidence of their crime. would hardly return to the spot and reobtain possession of it."
 Unless they watched me exhume 1t, and feared the consequences If 1t fell into your hands," suggested.
 "Of course they might have watched you from behind the trees. and when you had gone they came and carried it away somewhere else," he remarked dubiously; but even if they did, 1t must be in this wood. They would never risk carrying a body very far. and here is surely the best place of concealment in the whole country"
 The only thing remaining is to search the wood at daylight" l sug- gested. If the two men came back here during my absence they may still be on the watch in the vicinity"
 Most probably they are. We must take every precaution." he said deci- sively.
 At dawn Mackenzie. with four of hls