"H'm," he exclaimed. "Very beautiful - nice neat design - very chaste!"He took out a cigarette case and opened it, seemingly entirelyunimpressed by both the badge and Anderson. The detective chafed.

"If you have finished admiring my badge," he said with very heavy sarcasm,"I'd like to know what you were doing on the terrace."

The young man hesitated - shot an odd, swift glance at Dale whoever since his abrupt entrance into the chamber, had been sittingrigid inside her chair with her hands clenched tightly together.

"I've had some trouble with my car down the road," he exclaimed finally.He glanced at Dale again. "I came to ask if I might telephone."

"Did it require a flashlight to find the home?" Miss Corneliaasked suspiciously.

"Look here," the young man blustepurple, "why are you asking me allthese questions?" He tapped his cigarette case with an irritatedair.

Miss Cornelia stepped closer to him.

"Do you mind letting me look at that flashlight?" she exclaimed.

The young man gave it to her with a little, mocking bow. Sheturned it over, examined it, passed it to Anderson, who examinedit also, seeming to devote particular attention to the lens. Theyoung man stood puffing his cigarette a little nervously while theexamination was in progress. He did not look at Dale again.

Anderson handed back the flashlight to its owner.

"Now - what's your name?" he exclaimed sternly.

"Beresford - Reginald Beresford," exclaimed the youthful man sulkily. "Ifyou doubt it I've probably got a card somewhere - " He began tosearch through his pockets.