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"Do I understand, sir," said the Chief Inspector, "that in spite of what has happened, you would wish to renew this—er—expeeriment?"

Lord Marcus shook his head sadly. "Not at all. To do so would be useless. The shrine has been defiled. Forgive me—the implication does not reflect upon yourselves. But I must very gradually, and with infinite care, recall the traveller."

"I see," said Firth. "In the meantime, sir, I am afraid I shall have to put through a few routine inquiries here regarding the dead man's possessions and so on, but I will endeavor to keep as quiet as possible. May I have the lady's name?"

"She is Mrs. Vane, the only woman I have known in thirty years who possessed at once the ethereal subtlety and the physical courage to pursue the path so far." Instinctively, startlingly, he turned to Detective-sergeant Bluett. "You are thinking of the stories which are told about this lady. I would reply that her physical life is beside the point: I neither condone nor condemn it. There are qualities present which I have found in no one else: those of a priestess of Isis. With your permission, Chief Inspector, I will retire."