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Suddenly a brighter idea struck him. He scrambled to his feet and hurried to the dining-room. The table, he was happy to note, was the same size it had been on the previous evening. Jessop was putting away silver in the sideboard. He turned.

“I observe,” Chan remarked, “that you have not yet reduced size of dining table.”

“I couldn’t, sir,” replied the butler. “All the leaves are already out. The former occupants of this house, it would appear, were of a most hospitable temperament.”

“Just as well,” nodded Chan. He was pleased to see that the big table stood on the bare floor; the room was without rugs save for a small one that lay in the doorway. “Do me a great favor, if you will, Mr. Jessop. Kindly place ten chairs about this board, in identical positions they occupied last night.”

Puzzled, Jessop obeyed. When he had finished, Charlie stood for a moment in deep speculation.

“They now stand just as they did when you served dinner guests with coffee, some twenty-two hours ago?”

“Precisely,” the butler assured him.

Without a word, Charlie pulled back a chair and disappeared beneath the table. One by one, mute evidence of his activity there, the chairs were pushed away, while Jessop stared with an amazement rarely seen on his imperturbable face. With a flash-light added to his equipment, Chan made the long circuit. Finally he came up as though for air.

“Were place-cards used for last night’s dinner?” he inquired.

“No, sir. It was a rather informal affair, and Miss Fane told me she would seat the guests herself.”