This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
258
THE SURAKARTA

thrown, with his hat and coat, upon the bed. He touched it, as if carelessly, when he passed it. Hereford picked up his cane and laid it across his knees.

"No; on reflection, I understand even less clearly than before, Mr. Hereford," Annis replied at last.

"Perhaps you will understand better, then, as I go on. It was not merely for precaution that I put Lund upon you, Mr. Annis. I myself immediately undertook investigation of as many elements of your story as I could. Charge of the one element which I could not look after myself—that is, your own connection with the whole affair—I gave to Lund. Lund, having made your acquaintance, went to a vaudeville show with you that night and left you here at this