He had a hot bath, made himself some chocolate and, before retiring, sat down to sum up his day’s experience. And in the light of recent happenings he was less confident that his first solution of the Head-Hunter mystery was the correct one. And the more he thought, the less satisfied he was, till at last, in sheer disgust at his own vacillation of mind, he turned out the light and went to bed.
He was sleeping peacefully and late the next morning when an unexpected visitor arrived, and Michael sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes.
“I’ve either got nightmare or it’s Staines,” he said.
Major Staines smiled cheerfully.
“You’re awake and normal,” he said.
“Has anything happened?” asked Michael, springing out of bed.
“Nothing, only there was a late dance last night and an early train this morning, and I decided to atone for my frivolity by coming down and seeing how far you had got in the Elmer case.”
“Elmer case?” Michael frowned. “Good Lord! I’d almost forgotten poor Elmer!”
“Here’s something to remind you,” said Staines.
He fished from his pocket a newspaper cutting. Michael took it and read: