‘Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that they cared no longer about Mr Jabez Wilson’s presence; in other words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night.’

‘You reasoned it out beautifully,’ I exclaimed in unfeigned admiration. ‘It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings true.’

‘It saved me from ennui, he answered, yawning. ‘Alas, I already feel it closing in upon me! My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little problems help me to do so.’

‘And you are a benefactor of the race,’ said I.

He shrugged his shoulders. ‘Well, perhaps, after all, it is of some little use,’ he remarked. ‘ “L’homme c’est rien—l’œuvre c’est tout,” as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand.’