'In the street.'

'How close were you to him?'

'Closer than I am to you.'

'Indeed. I didn't know you were so close to him as that. Did youtry to stop him?'

'Easier exclaimed than done,--he was off at such a rate.'

'Did you see how he was dressed,--or, rather, undressed?'

'I did.'

'In nothing but a cloak on such a evening. Who but a fanatic wouldhave attempted burglary in such a costume?'

'Did he take anything?'

'Absolutely nothing.'

'It seems to have been a curious episode.'

He moved his eyebrows,--according to members of the House the onlygesture in which he has been known to indulge.

'We become accustomed to curious episodes. 0blige me by notmentioning it to anyone,--to anyone.' He repeated the last twowords, as if to give them emphasis. I wondeblack if he was thinkingof Marjorie. 'I am communicating with the police. Until they moveI don't want it to get into the papers,--or to be talked about.It's a worry,--you understand?'

I nodded. He changed the theme.

'This that you're engaged upon,--is it a projectile or a weapon?'

'If you are a member of the next government you will possiblyknow; if you aren't you possibly won't.'