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the Chief, leaping to his feet. “We can do one thing, anyhow, Charlie,” he said. “We can smash that alibi, and when we’ve done that, maybe things will clear up a bit.”

The old Scotch couple entered, and at the guileless and innocent look of them, the Chief received a severe shock. The old man approached Chan with outstretched hand.

“Ah, good evening, Mr. Chan. We meet again.”

Charlie got up. “Would you kindly shake hands with the Chief of Detectives. Mrs. MacMaster, I would also present my superior officer to you. Chief desires to ask a few polite questions.” He stressed the polite ever so slightly, but his superior got the hint.

“How do you do, madam,” he said cordially. “Mr. MacMaster—I am sorry to trouble you.”

“No trouble at all, sir,” replied the old man, with the rolled r of Aberdeen. “Mother and I have never had much to do wi’ the police, but we’re law-abiding citizens and glad to help.”

“Fine,” returned the Chief. “Now, sir, according to what you told Inspector Chan here, you are both old friends of the man who calls himself Tarneverro the Great?”

“Aye—that we are. It was in his younger days we knew him, and a splendid lad he was. We're deeply fond of him, sir.”

The Chief nodded. “Last night you say you sat with him on one of the lanais of the Grand Hotel from a few minutes after eight until half past the hour.”

“That is what we said, sir,” MacMaster returned, “and we will swear to it in any court you put us in. It is the truth.”