from his pocket produced a pencil having an extremely hard lead. He wrote a number of notes, which, except for the addresses, were identical in content:
Dear Sir:
I enclose herewith certain jewellery and articles, also currency, recently obtained by me under your kind auspices.
I trust that you will assume the responsibility of returning these things to the various guests who lost them while under your roof. I regret any discomfort occasioned by my taking them as a loan, which I now return. Please convey to the several owners my profound esteem and my assurance that I shall not in future appear to trouble any one, the carnival season having come to an end, and with it my little jest.
The Midnight Masquer.
Gathering up these notes in his hand, Gramont went to the fireplace. He tossed the pencil into the fire, following it with the notebook.
"Can't take chances with that man Fell," he explained. "All ready, sergeant. Let's go down the list one by one."
From the trunk Hammond produced ticketed packages, which he placed on the table. Gramont selected one, opened it, carefully
