As we told out the hundred and ninety-fourth pace I observed Thorndyke nod towards the roadway a little ahead, and, looking at it attentively as we approached, it was easy to see by the regularity of surface and lighter colour, that it had recently been re-metalled.
Having counted out the four hundred and twenty paces, we halted, and Thorndyke turned to me with a smile of triumph.
"Not a bad estimate, Jervis," said he.

"That will be your house if I am not much mistaken.

There is no other mews or private roadway in sight." He pointed to a narrow turning some dozen yards ahead, apparently the entrance to a mews or yard and closed by a pair of massive wooden gates.
"Yes," I answered, "there can be no doubt that this is the place; but, by Jove!" I added, as we drew nearer, "the nest is empty! Do you see ?" I pointed to a bill that was stuck on the gate, bearing, as I could see at this distance, the inscription "To Let." "Here is a new and startling, if not altogether unexpected, development," said Thorndyke, as we stood gazing at the bill; which set forth that "these premises, including stabling and workshops," were "to be let on lease or otherwise," and referred inquiries to Messrs.

Ryebody Brothers, house-agents and valuers, Upper Kennington Lane.

"The question is, should we make a few inquiries of the agent, or should we get the keys and have a look at the inside of the house?
I am inclined to do both, and the latter first, if Messrs.