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diff --git a/old/71073-0.txt b/old/71073-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 096995f..0000000 --- a/old/71073-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10142 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Starvel Hollow tragedy, by Freeman -Wills Crofts - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Starvel Hollow tragedy - An Inspector French case - -Author: Freeman Wills Crofts - -Release Date: June 30, 2023 [eBook #71073] -Last Updated: August 14, 2023 - -Language: English - -Credits: Brian Raiter - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STARVEL HOLLOW -TRAGEDY *** - - -The Starvel Hollow Tragedy - -An Inspector French Case - -by Freeman Wills Crofts - - - -Contents - - I The Tragedy - II The Inquest - III Mr. Tarkington Develops a Theory - IV Inspector French Goes North - V French Picks Up a Scent - VI Talloires, Lac D’Annecy - VII Posthumous Evidence - VIII Dr. Philpot’s Story - IX The Value of Analysis - X Whymper Speaks at Last - XI A Startling Theory - XII A Somewhat Gruesome Chapter - XIII The Piece of Yellow Clay - XIV The Secret of The Moor - XV French Baits His Trap - XVI A Double Recall - XVII Concerning Wedding Rings - XVIII Cumulative Evidence - XIX The Last Lap - XX Conclusion - - - - To - - MY WIFE - - who suggested the idea - from which this story grew - - - -CHAPTER ONE - -The Tragedy - -Ruth Averill moved slowly across the drawing room at Starvel, and -stood dejectedly at the window, looking out at the Scotch firs swaying -in the wind and the sheets of rain driving across the untidy lawn -before the house. - -The view was even more depressing than usual on this gloomy autumn -afternoon. Beyond the grass-grown drive and the broken-down paling of -posts and wire which bounded the grounds, lay the open moor, wild and -lonely and forbidding. A tumble of dun-coloured sedgy grass with -darker smudges where rock out-cropped, it stretched up, bleak and -dreary, to the lip of the hollow in which the dilapidated old house -had been built. - -To the girl standing in the window with a brooding look of melancholy -on her pretty features the outlook seemed symbolical of her life, for -Ruth Averill was not one of those whose lives could be said to have -fallen in pleasant places. - -But, in spite of her unhappy expression, she was good to look at as -she stood watching the storm. Though rather under medium height she -had a charming figure and something of a presence. She was dark, as -though in her veins might flow some admixture of Spanish or Italian -blood. Her features were small and delicate, but her firmly rounded -chin gave promise of character. She scarcely looked her twenty years -of age. - -But though she had the fresh vitality of youth, there was something -old-fashioned in her appearance not out of accord with her -surroundings. She wore her long dark hair piled up in great masses -over her broad forehead. Her dress was of the plainest, and in the -fashion of three years earlier. Though scrupulously neat, it was worn -threadbare. Her shoes were cracked and her stockings showed careful -darns. - -For Ruth Averill was an orphan, dependent on the bounty of her uncle, -Simon Averill, for every penny. And Simon Averill was a miser. - -Ruth was born in Southern France, and she had dim recollections of a -land of sun and warmth, of jolly people and bright colours. But since -she had come to this gloomy old house in the wilds of the Yorkshire -moors the joy had gone out of her life. Her companions during -childhood had been the two not very prepossessing servants and the -still less attractive gardener and out-door man. With her uncle Simon -she had nothing in common. Even at the time of her arrival he was -elderly and morose, and every day he seemed to grow more self-centred -and less approachable. - -After some years a break had come in her life; she had been sent to a -boarding school. But she had not been happy there, so that when she -was “finished” she was almost glad to return to the dullness and -loneliness of Starvel. - -There she had found changes. Her uncle Simon was now an invalid, -querulous and solitary, and living only for the accumulation of money. -His passion took the form of collecting actual coins and notes and -hoarding them in his safe. He made no attempt to cultivate the -friendship of his niece, and had it not been that he required her to -read to him once a day, she would have seen him but seldom. - -At this time also the two old women servants and the gardener had -gone, and their places had been taken by a comparatively young married -couple called Roper. Though more efficient than their predecessors, -Ruth did not take to either of the newcomers, with the result that the -fourteen months which had passed since her return from school were -lonelier than ever. - -Had it not been that Ruth had developed an interest in flowers and -gardening, she would have found herself hard put to it to fill her -life. Gardening and her friendship with a semi-invalid entomologist -who lived close by, together with occasional excursions to the -neighbouring market town of Thirsby, were the only distractions she -could count on. - -But recently another factor had come into her life. She had met on a -number of occasions a young man named Pierce Whymper, the junior -assistant of an ecclesiastical architect in Leeds. Whymper was acting -as clerk of works during some renovations to the parish church at -Thirsby, and when Ruth had gone with one or two of the local ladies to -inspect the work he had been particularly attentive. He had begged her -to come again to see how the job progressed, and she had done so on -more than one occasion. Then one day she had met him walking near -Starvel, and she had invited him to come in and have tea. This visit -had been followed by others and they had made excursions together on -the moor. Though no word of love had been spoken during any of these -interviews, she knew that he was attracted to her, and though she -would hardly admit it to herself, she knew also that she would marry -him if he should ask her. - -Such was the general condition of affairs in the old house of Starvel -on this gloomy September afternoon, an afternoon which was to be -remembered by Ruth as the end of her old life and the prelude to a new -existence in a different world. - -As she was standing, staring mournfully out of the window, the -attendant, Roper, entered the room. She did not know then, though she -realised it afterwards, that the message he was bringing her was to be -the herald of a series of terrible and tragic happenings, so dark and -sinister and awful that had she foreseen them she might well have -cried out in horror and dismay. But she did not foresee them, and she -turned with her instinctive courtesy to hear what the man had to say. - -The message, though almost unprecedented, was in itself the reverse of -alarming. Roper explained that Mr. Averill had instructed him to hand -this note, which he had received in a letter to himself, to Miss Ruth, -and to say that he hoped Miss Ruth would accept the invitation it -contained. Further, that as there would be expenses in connection with -the visit, he wished Miss Ruth to have the ten pounds enclosed in this -other envelope. She could go in to Thirsby in the morning, get any -little thing she might want, and go on to York in the afternoon. - -With rapidly beating heart Ruth unfolded the dog-eared corner of the -note, which was addressed simply “Ruth,” and read as follows:— - - “Oakdene,” Ashton Drive, - York. _September_ 10_th_. - - “My Dear Ruth,—I hope you will allow me to address you in this way, - as your father and I were old friends. I nursed you when you were a - baby, and though we have not met for many years, I do not feel that - you are a stranger. - - “This is to ask if you will come and stay here for a few days and - meet my daughters Gwen and Hilda. I do hope you can. - - “Our autumn flower show opens on Wednesday, and the roses are always - worth seeing. I am sure you would enjoy it, so try to reach here on - Tuesday afternoon and you will be in time to go there with us. - - “Yours very sincerely, - “Helen Palmer-Gore.” - -Ruth could scarcely believe her eyes as she read this friendly letter. -Mrs. Palmer-Gore she dimly remembered as a large, kindly, -fussily-mannered woman, whom she had liked in spite of her trick of -giving unpleasantly moist kisses. But she had never visited her, or -ever been to York, and the prospect thrilled her. - -But unexpected as the invitation was, it was as nothing compared to -her uncle’s attitude towards it. That he should have given her -permission to go was surprising enough, but that he should have sent -her ten pounds for her expenses was an absolute miracle. _Ten Pounds!_ -_What_ a sum! Why, she had never had the tenth part of it in her -possession before! And _what_ she could buy with it! Visions of -frocks, shoes, hats and gloves began to float before her imagination. -Feeling as he did towards money, it was good of her uncle Simon. She -turned impulsively to Roper. - -“Oh, how kind of uncle,” she exclaimed. “I must go up and thank him.” - -Roper shook his head. - -“Well, miss, I shouldn’t if I were you,” he advised in his pleasant -Scotch voice. He came from somewhere in Fife. “The master’s not so -well, as you know, and he particularly said he didn’t want to be -disturbed. I’d wait and see him in the morning before you go. You will -go, I suppose?” - -“Of course I shall go, Roper.” She hesitated, undecided. “Well, -perhaps if he said that, I’d better see him in the morning, as you -suggest.” - -“Very good, miss. Then I’d best arrange for a car to take you in to -Thirsby in the morning? About ten, maybe?” - -“Thank you. Yes, about ten will do. And you might send a telegram to -York which I will write for you.” - -The man bowed and withdrew, and Ruth gave herself up to glorious -dreams of the next few days: not so much of visiting the Palmer-Gores -and York, but of getting away from Starvel. Yes, she admitted it to -herself at last. It was to get away from Starvel that she really -welcomed the invitation. While there had been no chance of quitting -it, she had not realised how terribly bitter was her hatred of the -place. And not the place only, but of every one in it. She hated her -uncle—in spite of the ten pounds. She hated Roper with his sleek -civility, and most of all she hated Mrs. Roper, who always treated her -with a veiled insolence, as if silently taunting her because of her -dependent position. Oh, how splendid it would be to get away from the -place and everything connected with it, even for a few days! And she -determined she would use the opportunity of this visit to find out -what her chances would be of getting some job by means of which she -could support herself, so that she might never be forced to return to -Starvel or see any of its inhabitants again. - -That night she could scarcely sleep from excitement, and next morning -she was ready with her shabby little suitcase long before the time at -which the car was to arrive. - -She was somewhat uneasy about her uncle’s condition. For several days -he had been ailing, and when she had gone in to say good-bye to him -before leaving she had thought him looking very ill. He was asleep, -but breathing heavily, and there was something in his appearance which -vaguely disquieted her. - -“I don’t think he’s at all well,” she said to Roper when she came -down. “I believe he should have the doctor.” - -“I was of the same opinion, miss, and I took the liberty of calling at -Dr. Philpot’s when I went in to order your car. But the doctor’s ill. -He’s got influenza and is confined to bed. I thought of going on to -Dr. Emerson, and then I thought if it’s only influenza that’s wrong -with Dr. Philpot we might just as well wait. He’ll likely be about -again in a day or two.” - -Dr. Philpot was Mr. Averill’s usual attendant. He was a youngish man -who had come to the place some three or four years earlier, and who -had already built up a reputation for care and skill. The other -practitioner, Dr. Emerson, was old and past his work, and had retired -in all but name. - -Ruth paused in some perplexity. - -“That’s very unfortunate. But I think you are right that if it’s only -a matter of a day or two we should wait for Dr. Philpot. I hadn’t -heard he was ill.” - -“Neither had I, miss. He was all right on Thursday, for he was out -that day to see Mr. Giles.” - -“So I understand. How is Mr. Giles to-day?” - -“I haven’t heard this morning, miss, but last night he was far from -well. Mrs. Roper is just going up to see if there is anything wanted.” - -“I’ll go round to see him on my way to Thirsby,” Ruth decided. “Can I -give Mrs. Roper a lift?” - -“Thank you, miss, it would be a convenience. I’ll tell her.” - -Markham Giles, the entomologist, was their nearest neighbour. He was -the son of an old friend of Mr. Averill’s and lived alone in a little -cottage half a mile away across the moor. He was a pathetic instance -of the wreckage left by the War. Never physically strong, he had been -rejected for the earlier army drafts, but when the struggle had -dragged out and the standard for recruitment had been lowered he had -again volunteered and had got through. He had served in Flanders, had -been badly gassed and wounded, and six months later had left the -hospitals the shadow of his former self. Being alone in the world and -penniless save for his pension, he had headed north to his father’s -old friend. A small cottage belonging to Starvel being then vacant, -Mr. Averill had offered it to him at a nominal rent. There he had -since lived, occupying his time by keeping bees and by studying the -insect life of the moor. On this subject he had become somewhat of an -authority, and had written articles which had attracted attention in -entomological circles. He and Ruth were good friends and she had -helped in the capture and arrangement of his specimens. - -Some days previously he had developed influenza, and though he did not -seem seriously ill, he was not shaking it off. Mrs. Roper had been -kind in looking after him and Ruth also had done what she could. - -Ten minutes later the two women arrived at the tiny cottage which lay -just outside the lip of Starvel Hollow, the big saucer-shaped -depression in the moor in the centre of which stood Simon Averill’s -house. Markham Giles looked worse than when Ruth had last seen him. He -lay with half-closed eyes and seemed too dull and listless to more -than notice his visitors. But he feebly thanked them for coming and -said he was quite comfortable and wanted nothing. - -“If he’s not better by to-morrow, I think you should send for Dr. -Emerson,” Ruth declared as she returned to her car. - -“I think so, too, miss. Very good, I’ll arrange it. And if he seems -bad to-night either John or I will come over and sit with him. I don’t -like his look this morning somehow.” - -“It’s very good of you, Mrs. Roper. But I expect he’ll be all right.” - -“I hope so, miss. Good-morning, miss.” - -Ruth’s mind was troubled as she turned away. She had always been -intensely sorry for Markham Giles, and now she hated leaving him lying -there alone. But there was nothing that she could do, and with a half -sigh she re-entered her vehicle and was driven into Thirsby. - -There she spent the morning shopping, packing her purchases in her -suitcase. This was followed by a frugal meal at the local tea shop, -and then arose the question of how she should spend the hour remaining -until train time. - -She left her suitcase at the tea shop, and sallied forth. -Involuntarily her steps turned towards the church, though she assured -herself that under no circumstances would she enter the building. -There could, however, be no objection to walking past the gate. - -What she would have done eventually if left to herself will never be -known, as Fate intervened and arranged her visit for her. Turning a -corner she all but ran into Mrs. Oxley, the wife of one of the local -solicitors. Mr. Oxley had charge of all Simon Averill’s business, and -on his occasional visits to Starvel he had made a point of asking for -Ruth and chatting to her in his pleasant cheery way. Mrs. Oxley she -had known for years, and had experienced many kindnesses at her hands. - -They stopped to talk and Mrs. Oxley heard of the visit to York with -interest and sympathy. - -“Well,” she said, “if you’re not doing anything until half-past three, -come with me to the church. Boyd, the sexton, promised to send me some -of the old flags for the rock garden, and I want to know when I’m -likely to get them.” - -There was nothing for it but to go, and whether Mrs. Oxley had any -suspicion of how matters stood, or whether she was genuinely anxious -about her paving-stones, Ruth was left alone to talk to Whymper for a -good ten minutes. And the young man did not fail to improve the -occasion. It appeared that he had to go to the station to make -inquiries about a consignment of cement, so it was natural that he -should leave the church with the ladies. Mrs. Oxley, it then turned -out, had business in the opposite direction and to her great regret -was unable to accompany the others. So the task of seeing Miss Averill -off fell to Mr. Whymper. - -It was with shining eyes and heightened colour that, half an hour -later, Ruth Averill sat in the corner of a third-class compartment, -while the train moved out of Thirsby. That Whymper loved her she was -now positive. It was true that he had not actually spoken of love, but -his every word and look proclaimed his feelings. He had, moreover, -insisted on telling her about his family and his position and -prospects—a good sign. As to her own feelings, she was no longer in -any doubt whatever. She loved him, and in loving him the gray clouds -that pressed down upon her life seemed to break and the rosy light of -hope to pour in through the rift. - -She duly reached York and found Mrs. Palmer-Gore waiting for her on -the platform. With her for two days she spent a pleasant holiday, -enjoying the unwonted good-fellowship. The visit was to have lasted a -week, but on the afternoon of the second day, there fell the first of -the several blows that she was to experience, and her stay was brought -to an abrupt termination. - -They had just sat down to lunch when a telegram was handed to her. It -was the first she had ever received. Excited and a trifle embarrassed, -she hesitated to open it. - -But when in answer to Mrs. Palmer-Gore’s kindly: “Read it, dear. Don’t -mind us,” she learned its contents, all thought of herself was swept -from her mind. - -It was signed “Oxley,” though whether it came from the solicitor or -his wife she could not tell. It read: “Terrible accident at Starvel. -Your uncle injured. Return Thirsby and stay night with us.” - -It was characteristic of the girl that her thoughts and feelings were -all for old Simon Averill. Was the poor old man badly injured? Was he -suffering? Could she do anything to help him? It was kind of the -Oxleys to ask her to stay the night, but of course she could not do -so. She must go out to Starvel and help with the nursing. Not one -thought of the possible effect on herself of the disaster entered her -mind. That the old man might die of his injuries and that she might be -his heir never occurred to her. Nor did she repine at the cutting -short of her first real and altogether wonderful holiday. - -By Mrs. Palmer-Gore’s advice she wired to the Oxleys that she would be -with them at 5.40, and after a hurried lunch she found herself once -more in the train. During the journey she had time to ponder over her -news. A “terrible accident” at Starvel! What _could_ have happened? It -must surely be bad or that ominous word “terrible” would not have been -used. She began to invent possibilities. Had her uncle taken the wrong -medicine, perhaps some awful burning stuff that would hurt him -horribly? Or had he fallen downstairs or into the fire? Or cut himself -and been unable to summon help? - -She gave full rein to her imagination, but when she learned the truth -she found it vastly more terrible than anything she had thought of. -The Oxleys met her at the station, and having driven her to their -home, broke the news. - -It seemed that when about eleven o’clock that morning the baker was -approaching Starvel to make his customary Thursday call, he had -noticed a faint pall of smoke hanging in the sky above the hollow. On -crossing the shoulder he had glanced down as usual into the curious -circular dell, and had instantly been overwhelmed with incredulous -amazement. There were the trees, the thin, stunted pines which -surrounded the old house, but—_the house was gone!_ The long line of -slated roof which had stood out above the trees had absolutely -vanished. No trace remained. At first sight the man thought that the -entire building had disappeared, but a closer approach revealed -blackened windowless walls surrounding a still smouldering interior, -all that remained of the old place. - -No sign of life appeared about the ruins, and the horror-stricken man -was forced to the conclusion that all three occupants had lost their -lives in the flames. - -He drove hurriedly into Thirsby and gave the alarm, and soon Sergeant -Kent of the local police force with some of his men, Dr. Emerson, Mr. -Oxley and a number of others were hastening to the scene. They found -matters as the baker had described, the smouldering ruins standing -gaunt and sinister at the bottom of the dell, lonely and deserted, -hidden from the surrounding country by the rim of the strange natural -Hollow. - -The fire had evidently raged with extraordinary fury. With the -exception of an outhouse separate from the main building not a scrap -of anything inflammable remained. Floors, roof, staircase, window -sashes, all were gone. And in that glowing mass of red-hot débris -within the blackened and twisted walls lay, almost certainly, the -bodies of Simon Averill, and of John and Flora Roper. - -Anxious that Ruth should not have to learn the terrible news from the -papers, Mr. Oxley had returned to Thirsby and sent his wire. He had -thought it best to make this only a preparation, intending that the -full story should be broken more gently on the girl’s arrival. - -Ruth was terribly shocked and upset. It was the first time, since -reaching years of discretion, that she had been brought in contact -with tragedy and death, and she was appalled by its horror. She begged -to be allowed to go out to Starvel, but neither of the Oxleys would -hear of it, pointing out that a visit would only harrow her feelings, -and that she could do nothing there to help. - -As the long evening dragged away she found herself hoping against hope -that Whymper would call. But there was no sign of him and she supposed -he had not heard of her return. - -Sergeant Kent, however, had heard of it, and about eight o’clock he -called and asked to see her. He was a tall, rather brusque man, though -in Oxley’s presence he was polite enough. He questioned her as to the -household and its personnel, but she had nothing to tell him which -could throw any light on the tragedy. - -The next day it was found possible to attempt some research work among -the ruins, and by ten o’clock a number of men were engaged in removing -the cooler portions of the débris. Ruth insisted that she must see the -place for herself, and the Oxleys, not liking to let her go alone, -drove her out in their car. But the terrible picture which met her -eyes and the thought of what lay below the sinister mound where the -men were working made her feel almost sick with horror. Her feelings -too, had changed. Gone was her hatred of the place, and particularly -of the three poor people who had met with such an appalling fate. She -felt she had been wicked to hate them. Her uncle had been a recluse -and fond of money no doubt. But in his own way he had always been kind -to her. He had opened his door to her when she was a homeless child, -and had since supported her without grudging the money she must have -cost him. And he had been ill—continuously ill; and when people are -ill they cannot help being depressed and a little trying to others. -And the Ropers, had she not misjudged them also? In their own way, -they, too, had always been kind to her. For the first time, Ruth saw -that the lives of the couple must have been as dull and gray as her -own. Though their jobs were underpaid, and rather thankless, they had -not complained. And she, Ruth, had never shown an appreciation of -their services. She saw now that she had really had no reason at all -for hating them, and when she thought of their terrible death, her -tears flowed. In silence she allowed Mrs. Oxley to lead her back to -the car and drive her to Thirsby. - -On their way to the little town the second blow fell on the young -girl, and coming so quickly on the first, left her weak and trembling. -As they mounted the rim of the Hollow they saw a funeral approaching -along a converging road. It was a sorry procession; only the hearse, -and the vicar and Dr. Emerson in the former’s car. As the two ladies -drew up for it to pass, the vicar also stopped, and he and the doctor -came over to express their sympathy with Ruth. - -“You will be sorry for poor Mr. Giles, also, Miss Ruth,” the vicar -went on. “I understood you were kind enough to help him in his -scientific researches.” - -Ruth stared at him in horror. - -“You don’t mean,” she stammered, “that Mr. Giles is—is dead?” - -“He died on Tuesday, I’m sorry to say. After a short illness he passed -away in his sleep. He had no suffering. But, only thirty-six! Truly, -another tragedy of the War.” - -Ruth was stunned. Markham Giles, also! To lose at one blow all four -persons whom she had known best—the only four persons in the world she -had known at all well! It was too much. - -She pulled herself together, however, and insisted on following her -friend’s body to its last resting-place, but when she reached the -Oxleys’ house she broke down altogether. Mrs. Oxley put her to bed and -at last she sobbed herself to sleep. - -That evening the charred remains of three human bodies were found -within the tragic walls of Starvel. - - - -CHAPTER TWO - -The Inquest - -When Ruth Averill awoke next morning she found that the overwhelming -sense of sick horror which had weighed her down on the previous -evening had lightened. She had been worn out in body from the shock -and the nervous strain, but sleep had restored her physical -well-being, and her mind reacted to her body. She was young, she was -in perfect health, and—she was in love. - -While her feelings of compassion for the trio who had lost their lives -in so terrible a way were in no whit lessened, she would have been -less than human had she not begun to look upon the tragedy as it -affected herself. And here at once was something exciting and a little -terrifying. What would happen to her now? She had hated her life at -Starvel; would the life that lay before her be better or worse? -Scarcely worse, she thought; any change must surely be for the better. -She had intended while at York to make some inquiries about earning -her own living so that she might leave Starvel. Now this was no longer -a matter of choice; in some way she must learn to support herself. -Vaguely she wondered if any of her uncle’s money would come to her. -But she dismissed the idea as too good to be true. Perhaps with luck -there might be enough to keep her until she could train for some post, -but even about this she could not be certain. However, Mr. Oxley was -kind and clever. She need not worry overmuch. He would advise her. - -While making up her mind to rise and face what the day might bring -forth, Ruth was greatly comforted by a visit from Mrs. Oxley. That -lady presently knocked to inquire if her charge were awake, and she -was so kind and understanding and kissed her in such a motherly way -that Ruth felt a glow of warmth in her heart. Mrs. Oxley brought with -her a tiny tray with the daintiest little tea service and the thinnest -of bread and butter, and while Ruth enjoyed this unheard-of luxury the -elder woman sat on the bed and proceeded to feed the girl’s mind with -healing news. She mentioned, casually and yet with such a wealth of -detail, that Mr. Whymper had called on the previous evening to inquire -for Miss Averill. With really praiseworthy ingenuity she spun out the -subject for nearly ten minutes, then she went on to tell something of -almost—though of course not quite—equal importance. Mr. Oxley had -wished her to say, in the strictest confidence—no one at this stage -was supposed to know anything about it—but in order to relieve Ruth’s -mind, he thought he might tell her—that she was not to worry as to her -future. He had drawn up old Mr. Averill’s will and there would be some -money. Mr. Oxley had not said how much, but Mrs. Oxley was sure there -would be enough. At all events Ruth was not to worry. And now, -breakfast would be ready in half an hour and there was plenty of hot -water in the bathroom. - -During the morning Ruth went down into the little town and engaged in -the melancholy business of buying mourning. Mr. Oxley had lent her -twenty pounds, explaining that she could repay him when she got her -own money. This prospect of money coming to her made Ruth feel excited -and important, and she could not refrain from daydreaming about all -the wonderful things she would do when she received it. It was well -for her indeed that she had something so absorbing to take her mind -off the ghastliness of the tragedy which surrounded her. In fact, if -only Pierce Whymper had come to see her again, she would have been -really happy. But, as she afterwards learned, the young architect was -out of town on business all that morning. - -During Sergeant Kent’s call on the evening after the tragedy he had -warned Ruth that she would be required to give evidence at the -inquest. Now he came round to say that this was to be held in the -courthouse at three o’clock that afternoon, and that she must be sure -to be there in good time. The girl was naturally nervous at the -prospect of giving evidence, which she had always heard was a terrible -ordeal. But Mrs. Oxley reassured her in her kindly way, explaining -that she had nothing to do but answer the questions she was asked, and -promising that Mr. Oxley would see that nothing untoward befell her. - -Shortly before the hour, therefore, the little party approached the -courthouse. The building was already crowded, but Mr. Oxley’s position -as the leading solicitor of the town and Ruth’s as one of the most -important witnesses procured them an immediate entrance and places on -the seats usually reserved for counsel. As Ruth looked round the small -old-fashioned building she saw many familiar faces. There, surrounded -by policemen and looking weighed down with importance and -responsibility, was Sergeant Kent. He was moving restlessly about, -whispering to various persons and consulting at times a sheaf of -papers he held in his hand. Some of the policemen she recognised also. -There was the young smiling one with the light blue eyes whom she had -met so many times when shopping in the town, and his companion with -the long drooping nose and the hollow cheeks. In the seat behind was -Mr. Snelgrove, the butcher, and Mr. Pullar, of the shoe shop. That -tall very thin man with the little moustache and the bald head was Mr. -Tarkington, the bank manager, and the slight, medium-sized man beside -him was Mr. Bloxham, the clerk whom he used to send out to Starvel -with Mr. Averill’s money. The venerable-looking old gentleman with the -short white beard who was just pushing to the front was Dr. Emerson. -And there—how could she have failed to see him before?—there, at the -back of the court, was Pierce Whymper. He looked anxious and troubled, -and though when she caught his eye and smiled, he smiled back, there -was a something of embarrassment or reserve in his manner that seemed -to her strange and disquieting. And just beside him—but a sudden -shuffle took place about her, and looking in front of her, she saw -that a stout thick-set man with a square face and a walrus moustache -had entered from some invisible side door and was taking his seat in -the judge’s chair. - -“Dr. Lonsdale, the coroner,” Mr. Oxley whispered, and Ruth nodded. She -was surprised to find that the affair began so tamely. She had -expected an elaborate and picturesque ritual, but nothing of the kind -took place. The coroner opened his bag, and taking out some papers, -began to turn them over. Other persons sitting round the table before -her also took out papers and shuffled them, while Sergeant Kent, -turning round, shouted out “Robert Judd!” so suddenly and loudly that -Ruth jumped. Some one at the back of the court answered “Here!” and -was promptly ordered to come forward and enter the jury box. Other -names were called—to some of which there was no reply—until all the -places in the box were occupied. Then all stood up and stared vacantly -at Kent while he murmured something about “justly try and true -deliverance make,” after which every one sat down again. - -“Have the jury viewed the remains?” asked the coroner, and Kent, -answering, “They’re going to do it now, sir,” shepherded his charges -out of the box and away through a door just behind it. Every one began -conversing in low tones except the coroner, who kept on steadily -writing. Presently the jury trooped in again and the proceedings began -in real earnest. - -“Call Peter Spence!” Sergeant Kent shouted. - -“Peter Spence!” repeated two or three policemen, and a stout redfaced -man pushed to the front, and entering the witness box, was sworn. - -Spence told his story in great detail. In answer to the sergeant’s -questions he explained that he drove a breadcart belonging to Messrs. -Hinkston of Thirsby, and that for over twelve years he had, three -times a week, delivered bread at Starvel. He remembered the day before -yesterday. On that day, about eleven in the morning when he was -approaching Starvel to deliver bread, he had observed a cloud of smoke -in the sky. On crossing the lip of the Hollow he happened to look down -at the house. He was amazed to notice that the roof, which formerly -showed up above the surrounding trees, had totally disappeared. He -drove on quickly to the place, and then he saw that the house had been -burnt down. Only the walls were standing. There was no one about. He -hurried into Thirsby, and reported the matter to Sergeant Kent. - -Simple as these facts were, their recital was a lengthy business. -After each question a pause ensued while the coroner wrote a précis of -the man’s reply. Finally Dr. Lonsdale, after vainly inviting the jury -to ask the witness any questions, read over what he had written. Peter -Spence, having agreed that it was a correct transcript of his -evidence, was asked to sign the document, and then allowed to step -down. - -The next witness was a lugubrious looking man in gray tweeds. He -deposed that his name was Abel Hesketh, and that he was Town Officer -of Thirsby. He also acted as chief of the fire brigade. On the -Thursday in question he received a telephone message from Sergeant -Kent, informing him that Starvel had been burnt down. He inquired if -he should get the brigade out, but the sergeant answered that it would -be of no use, the damage being already done. Sergeant Kent asked him -to go with him to see the place. He did so, and he would describe what -he saw. The entire buildings at Starvel were gutted except a detached -outhouse at the opposite side of the yard. He had never seen such -complete destruction. Nothing that could be burnt was left. Between -the walls the débris was still a red-hot glowing mass. In answer to -the coroner, he thought it quite impossible to say either where or how -the fire had originated. There was no wind that night and the -outbreak, once started, would creep through the entire building. - -Hesketh went on to say that the very heavy rain which fell on the -following night had cooled down the red-hot interior, enabling his men -to search the ruins. They had come on the charred remains of three -human beings. Yes, he could say just where the remains were found. The -house was in the shape of the inverted letter “┓” with the shorter -wing pointing to the west and the longer to the south. At the -extremity of the shorter wing—in the north-western corner—were two -bodies. The third body was about ten feet from the end of the southern -wing. All the bodies were unrecognisable, but he assumed they were -those of the three inmates of the house. - -After the bodies had been removed he continued his investigations, but -he found nothing of interest except a safe, which was in the southern -wing, not far from the single body. It was locked, and he had set it -up on a pile of débris so that the expert that he understood Sergeant -Kent was getting to open it should be able more conveniently to carry -out the work. - -Sergeant Kent corroborated the evidence of the last two witnesses in -so far as their testimony concerned himself, and added that an expert -from Hellifield had that morning opened the safe. In it he had found -£1952 in sovereigns and a mass of burnt papers. - -“It seems to me an extraordinary thing,” the coroner remarked when he -had noted these details, “that a fire of such magnitude could take -place without being seen. I quite understand that the Hollow is deep -enough to hide the actual flames, but there must have been a -tremendous glare reflected from the sky which would have been visible -for miles round. How do you account for that, sergeant, or can you -account for it?” - -“As a matter of fact, sir, it was noticed by at least three people, -and I have one of them here in case you would like to call him. But I -agree with you, sir, that it is very strange that it was not more -generally observed. All I can suggest is that it was a clear night -with a quarter moon, and there wouldn’t, therefore, be such a glare as -if it had been quite dark or if there had been clouds to reflect the -glow. Then, as you know, sir, this is a quiet district, and it would -be only by chance that any one would be awake or looking out at the -time.” - -“Who were the three who saw it?” - -“First, sir, there was James Stokes, a tramp. He was sleeping in one -of Mr. Herbert Reid’s outhouses at Low Tolworth, about a mile and a -half to the west across the moor. He said nothing about it at the time -because he thought it wasn’t his business and he didn’t want his -whereabouts inquired into. But he mentioned it in Thirsby in the -morning and it came to my ears, though not before the baker had -reported. I have Stokes here, if you wish to call him. Then, sir, it -was seen by Mrs. Eliza Steele, a labourer’s wife living just outside -the town on the Hellifield Road. Her husband was ill and she was -sitting up attending to him. She did nothing about it because she was -busy with her husband and the glare looked far away. She said she -thought those nearer it would do all that was possible. The third -party, or rather parties, were the two Miss Lockes, elderly ladies who -live alone about a mile on the road to Cold Pickerby. Miss Julia saw -the glare and awoke her sister Miss Elmina, but they thought the same -as Mrs. Steele, that they were not called on to do anything, as they -would only get to the town to find that everyone knew about it and -that the brigade had gone out.” - -“I can understand that attitude,” the coroner admitted. “It is a pity, -however, that no one noticed it in time to give a warning, though -indeed it is doubtful whether a warning would have been of any use. I -will hear the man Stokes.” - -But the tramp had little to say, and nothing which threw any light on -the subject of the inquiry. He had seen a glow through the door of the -outhouse and had looked out. From the direction of Starvel great -masses of smoke were belching up, with a bright flickering glare and -occasional jets of fire. The night was calm and even at the distance -of a mile and a half he could hear the roaring and crackling of the -flames. That was about four in the morning. - -Ruth’s feelings were harrowed by these recitals, which seemed to bring -home the tragedy to her in all its grim starkness. But she had not -time to dwell on the terrible pictures, as after the tramp had signed -his deposition and stepped down from the box, her own name was called. - -With her heart beating rapidly she left her seat and entered the -little pulpit-like enclosure. There she stood while the sergeant -repeated a phrase about truth, and then, having given her name, she -was told to sit down. The coroner bent towards her. - -“I am sorry, Miss Averill,” he said kindly, “to have to ask you to -attend and give evidence in this tragic inquiry, but I promise you I -shall not keep you longer than I can help. Now, sergeant.” - -In spite of this reassuring beginning, Ruth soon began to think -Sergeant Kent’s questions would never cease. - -Half the things he asked seemed to have no connection whatever with -the tragedy. She stated that she was the late Simon Averill’s niece, -the daughter of his brother Theodore, that she was aged twenty, and -that she had come to Starvel when she was four. She told of her -schooldays in Leeds, saying that it was now over a year since she had -returned to Starvel and that she had lived there ever since. - -Her uncle had recently been in very poor health. She thought his heart -was affected. At all events, to save climbing the stairs he had had a -room on the first floor fitted up as a bed-sitting room. For the last -year he had not been downstairs and some days he did not get up. -Recently he had been particularly feeble, and she told of his -condition when she saw him two mornings before the tragedy. Then she -described her visit to York, mentioning Mrs. Palmer-Gore’s invitation -and the episode of the ten pounds. - -There seemed no end to Sergeant Kent’s inquisition. He switched over -next to the subject of the house and elicited the facts that her -uncle’s and the Ropers’ beds were situated in the extremities of the -southern and western wings respectively. - -“You heard the last witness describe where the bodies were found,” he -went on. “Would I be correct in saying that if Mr. Averill and the -Ropers had been in bed when the fire took place their bodies would -have been found in just those positions?” - -Ruth assented, and then the sergeant asked how the house was lighted. -There was oil, Ruth told him, oil for the lamps other than Mr. -Averill’s and for the cooker which was used sometimes instead of the -range. There was also petrol. Her uncle’s sight was bad and he used a -petrol lamp. The oil and petrol were kept in a cellar. This cellar was -under the main building, and if a fire were to start there, in her -opinion the whole house would become involved. The lamps were attended -to by Roper, who had always been most careful in handling them. - -“Now, Miss Averill,” the sergeant became more impressive than ever, “I -think you said that during the last fourteen months, when you were -living at Starvel, Roper and his wife were in charge of the house?” - -“Yes, they were there when I came back from school.” - -“Now, tell me, during all that time have you ever known either of them -the worse for drink?” - -“Oh, no,” Ruth answered, surprised at the question. “No, never.” - -“You have never even noticed the smell of drink from either of them?” -the sergeant persisted. - -“No.” Ruth hesitated. “At least—that is—” - -“Yes?” went on the sergeant encouragingly. - -“Once or twice Roper has smelt of whisky, but he was never the least -bit the worse of it.” - -“But you have smelt it. Was that recently?” - -“Yes, but Roper explained about it. He said he felt a cold coming on -and had taken some whisky in the hope of getting rid of it.” - -“Quite so. And how long ago was that?” - -“A couple of times within the last fortnight, perhaps once or twice -before that.” But to Ruth her answer did not seem quite fair, and she -added: “But he was as sober as you and I are. I never saw him the -least bit drunk.” - -“I follow you,” the sergeant answered, and began to ask questions -about Mrs. Roper. Here Ruth could truthfully say that she had never -even smelled drink, and she insisted on giving each of the deceased an -excellent character. - -The sergeant next attempted to draw from her an opinion as to how the -fire might have originated. Did Mr. Averill read late in bed? Might he -have knocked over his petrol lamp? Could he have fallen in the fire? -Did he take a nightcap of whisky? And so forth. But Ruth had no ideas -on the subject. Any accident might have happened, of course, but she -didn’t think any that he had suggested were likely. As to her uncle -taking drink, he was a strict teetotaller. - -This ended Ruth’s examination. None of the jurors wished to ask her -any questions, and after her evidence had been read over to her and -she had signed it, she was allowed to return to her seat with the -Oxleys. - -Dr. Emerson was the next witness. He deposed that he had examined the -remains disinterred from the débris. It was, of course, quite -impossible to identify them, but so far as he could form an opinion of -the body found in the southern wing it was that of an elderly, tall, -slightly built man and the others were those of a man and a woman of -medium height and middle age. These would correspond to Mr. Averill -and the Ropers respectively, and so far as he was concerned he had no -doubt whatever that the bodies in question were theirs. - -Questioned as to the conditions obtaining at Starvel before the fire, -Dr. Emerson said that for the last four years he had not attended Mr. -Averill. At his advancing age he found it too much to visit outlying -patients, and Dr. Philpot had taken over almost all of them. - -“Is Dr. Philpot here?” the coroner asked. - -“Dr. Philpot is suffering from influenza at present,” Dr. Emerson -returned, though it was to Sergeant Kent that the question had been -addressed. “I saw him this morning. He wished to attend, but I -persuaded him not to run the risk. It would have been most unwise. He -had a temperature of over 101.” - -“I’m sorry to hear he is laid up. But I don’t suppose he could have -helped us. I should have liked to ask him about Mr. Averill’s -condition and so forth, but it doesn’t really matter.” - -“Well,” Dr. Emerson returned, “I can tell you a little about that, if -I should be in order in mentioning it. I attended him for some eight -years, during the last two of which he aged very considerably, growing -slowly and steadily weaker. Without going into details I may say that -he had an incurable complaint which must eventually have killed him. -Four years ago he was already feeble, and since then he can only have -become gradually worse.” - -“Thank you, Dr. Emerson, that was what I wanted to know. Would you say -that his condition rendered him liable to sudden weakness during which -he might have dropped his lamp or had some similar accident?” - -“I should say so decidedly.” - -A Miss Judith Carr was next called. She proved to be a rather -loudly-dressed young woman whom Ruth had not seen before. She was -pretty in a coarse way, and entered the witness-box and took her seat -with evident self-confidence. - -Her name, she admitted heartily, was Judith Carr, and she was barmaid -at the Thirsdale Arms, the largest hotel in Thirsby. She knew Mr. -Roper, the attendant at Starvel. He occasionally called for a drink, -usually taking one or at most two small whiskies. She remembered the -evening of the fire. That evening about seven o’clock Mr. Roper had -come into the bar. He seemed to have had some drink, but was not -drunk. He asked for a small Scotch, and believing he was sober enough -she had given it to him. He had taken it quickly and gone out. - -The last witness was a young man with bright red hair who answered to -the name of George Mellowes. He was, he said, a farmer living at -Ivybridge, a hamlet lying some miles beyond Starvel. On the day before -the tragedy he had been over in Thirsby on business, and he had left -the town in his gig shortly after seven to drive home. He had not -passed beyond the lights of the town when he had overtaken Mr. Roper, -whom he knew. Roper was staggering, and it was not difficult to see -that he was drunk. The deceased was by no means incapable, but he had -undoubtedly taken too much. Mellowes had stopped and offered him a -lift, and Roper had thanked him and with some difficulty had climbed -into the gig. He had talked in a maudlin way during the drive. -Mellowes had gone a little out of his way and had set the other down -at the gate of Starvel. Roper had opened the gate without difficulty, -and had set off towards the house, walking fairly straight. Mellowes -had then driven home. That was close on to eight, and there was no -sign of a fire. - -When Mellowes had signed his deposition and returned to his seat, the -coroner made a little speech to the jury. He said that every one must -feel appalled at the terrible tragedy which had happened so near to -them all. The police had been unable to find relatives of any of the -deceased other than Miss Averill, who had given evidence that day, and -he took that opportunity of conveying to her their respectful sympathy -in her loss. He would remind the jury that their duty on this occasion -was threefold: first, to state the identity of the deceased if they -were reasonably convinced by the evidence on this point; second, to -find the cause of death in each case, and third, to state whether, in -their opinion, blame attached to any person or persons, and if so, to -whom. He did not think their task would be difficult. On neither of -the first two points was there any doubt. He had only one observation -to make with regard to the third point—the fixing of responsibility -for the catastrophe. It had been shown that the manservant, John -Roper, had been to some extent under the influence of drink on the -evening in question. The suggestion, of course, was that some careless -act of Roper’s might have caused the fire. Now, while he approved the -action of the police in bringing out this matter—they could not have -done anything else—he must point out to the jury that there was no -evidence that Mr. Roper’s condition had had anything to do with the -fire. If anything, the evidence tended in the opposite direction. The -position of the remains suggested that the three unfortunate people -had been burnt in their beds, and if this was so it seemed to involve -the presumption that they had been suffocated by the smoke while -asleep. If the jury accepted this view they would see that it ruled -out the possibility of any accident with lamps, or by falling in the -fire or by igniting petrol or paraffin oil. The argument was, of -course, not conclusive, but he thought it tended as he had said. In -any case he should be sorry that a slur should be cast on the memory -of Mr. Roper, to whose zeal and efficiency different witnesses had -testified, unless that slur were really deserved. It was, of course, -for the jury to decide, but he suggested that they might find that -Simon Ralph Averill, John Roper and Flora Roper had lost their lives -in a fire at Starvel on the night of the fifteenth of September, the -cause of which there was no evidence to show. - -Without leaving the box the jury found as the coroner directed, the -verdict was entered on the records and signed, and the inquest was -over. - - - -CHAPTER THREE - -Mr. Tarkington Develops a Theory - -As Ruth emerged from the comparative gloom of the courthouse into the -bright September sunshine her spirits seemed to rise. A reaction had -set in from the strain of the inquiry, with its continuous suggestion -of the hideous details of the tragedy. Now with the ending of the -inquest, it seemed to her that the terrible affair was all but over. -The final episode, the funerals, would not be anything like so -harrowing. Not since the first hint of disaster had come in the shape -of Mr. Oxley’s telegram to York had she felt so lighthearted and in -love with life. She seemed to have awakened from an evil dream. - -It was therefore no indication of heartlessness that she should glance -eagerly around as she and her friends advanced from the shadow of the -old building into the little square. She was young and the claims of -the living were more to her than those of the dead. And who will -reproach her for the thrill of pleasurable excitement which she -experienced as the sight she was hoping for met her eyes? There was -Pierce Whymper evidently waiting for a chance of speaking to her. With -a smile she invited him over, and he came and joined her. At the same -moment Mr. Tarkington, the thin hawk-like bank manager, whom she had -seen in the courthouse, approached and spoke to Mr. Oxley. - -“Will you go on?” the latter said to his wife. “I want to go round to -the bank with Mr. Tarkington. I’ll follow in a few minutes.” - -Mrs. Oxley, Ruth and Whymper moved off in one direction while Mr. -Oxley and Mr. Tarkington disappeared in the other. For a time the trio -chatted with animation, then Ruth grew gradually more silent, leaving -the burden of the conversation to the others. She was in fact puzzled -and a little hurt by a subtle change which she felt rather than -noticed in Whymper’s manner. He seemed somehow different from the last -time she had seen him—that time in another existence when she had left -Thirsby for her visit to York. Then he had been obviously eager for -her company, anxious to talk to her, even before Mrs. Oxley making no -secret of his admiration and regard. But now, though he was just as -polite as ever, his manner was less spontaneous, indeed at times she -thought it almost embarrassed. It occurred to her that possibly the -change might be in herself, and even when their ways parted at the -turn to the church she had not completely made up her mind. But -whatever the cause, a certain disappointment remained, and when she -went up to change for dinner she had lost a good deal of the -lightheartedness she had felt on emerging from the courthouse. - -Mr. Oxley, when he arrived shortly after, also showed a change of -manner. He was a kindly, jovial man, fond of a joke and the sound of -his own voice, but during dinner he was strangely silent and wore an -expression of concern and disappointment. But he did not offer any -explanation until the meal was over, and then he followed the ladies -into the drawing-room and unburdened his mind. - -“I am awfully sorry, Miss Ruth,” he began hesitatingly, “but I am -afraid I have brought you some more bad news. It’s about money,” he -added hurriedly as the girl turned a piteous glance towards him. “I’ll -tell you exactly what has happened. You know, or perhaps you don’t, -that in spite of the way he lived, your uncle was a rich man. As his -solicitor I have known that for many a year, but I had no idea of just -how much he had. Tarkington knows I was his solicitor and he was -talking about it just now. He tells me that Mr. Averill must have been -worth between thirty and forty thousand pounds when he died. Of course -one would naturally suppose that the money was in securities of some -kind, but here is my terrible news. Tarkington assures me that it was -not, that practically the whole sum was in Mr. Averill’s safe.” - -“Oh, Arthur!” Mrs. Oxley burst out. “You can’t mean that it’s gone.” - -“I’m afraid I do,” her husband answered. “It’s awful to think about, -but there were only some five hundred pounds in the bank. The rest was -in Mr. Averill’s safe in notes and gold. The nineteen hundred odd -pounds in gold are there all right, but the whole of the paper money -has been destroyed.” - -“Oh, how perfectly dreadful! But surely it can be replaced? Surely -something can be done by the bank?” - -Mr. Oxley shook his head. - -“Nothing, I’m afraid. I talked it over with Tarkington. The money is a -total loss.” - -Mrs. Oxley took Ruth into her arms. - -“You poor child,” she commiserated. “I just can’t tell you how sorry I -am.” - -But Ruth took the news coolly. - -“Dear Mrs. Oxley,” she answered. “How kind you are! But indeed I look -upon this as a comparatively little thing. I shall have far, far more -than I ever expected. I want to get some work, and I shall have plenty -to support me while I am training and perhaps even a little after -that. I am more than content.” - -Mrs. Oxley kissed her and commended her spirit, though she felt the -girl’s attitude was due more to her unworldliness and ignorance of -life than to courage under disappointment. She wished to change the -subject, but Ruth asked to have her position made clear to her and -begged the others’ advice as to her future. The Oxleys, delighted by -her common sense, willingly agreed to discuss the situation, and after -a long talk a proposal of Mr. Oxley’s was provisionally agreed to. - -It appeared that, assuming the old man’s money had really been lost, -Ruth’s capital would amount to about £2400. Of this Mr. Oxley was to -invest all but £100, so as to bring Ruth about £130 per annum. The -remaining £100 was to be spent in taking a secretarial course at one -of the London training colleges. With the backing of the £130 a year -and what she could earn for herself she ought, Mr. Oxley believed, to -be quite comfortably off. “But you must,” Mr. Oxley went on, “stay -here for as long as you like, until you have rested and got over the -shock of this terrible affair.” - -Mrs. Oxley warmly seconded this invitation, and Ruth thankfully -accepted it. It was true that she was anxious to start work as soon as -possible, and life in London and the undergoing of the course of -training appeared to her as a glorious and thrilling adventure. But -even more anxious still was she to meet Pierce Whymper and find out if -there really was a change in his feelings towards her. At the time she -had imagined that there was, but now she thought that perhaps she had -been mistaken and that after the inquest he had simply been suffering -from a headache or some other trifling indisposition. That he loved -her she had not the slightest doubt, and she could not bring herself -to go away until she was sure that no stupid, unnecessary -misunderstanding should have been allowed to come between them. - -Two days later she met him in the main street of the little town. She -stopped to chat and he turned about and walked with her, and presently -they had tea at the local confectioner’s. But the interview left her -more puzzled than ever. Her belief that Whymper loved her was -confirmed beyond any doubt by his manner, by the way he looked at her, -by the tones of his voice. But it was evident to her that something -was weighing on his mind which prevented him making the proposal -which, if the truth must be admitted, she had been expecting. He gave -her the impression that he would speak if he could, but that he was -being held back by matters outside his own control. And the same state -of mind was evident at their subsequent encounters, until Ruth’s pride -asserted itself and she grew colder and more distant and their -intimacy bade fair to come gradually to an end. - -She would have made a move for the metropolis to begin her course of -training had not Mrs. Oxley, from what was probably a quite mistaken -sense of kindliness, suggested that a rest would be good for her after -the shocks she had experienced. On the excuse of desiring the girl’s -assistance in the remodelling of her garden, which, owing to the -difficulty of obtaining labour, she was doing with her own hands, the -good lady invited her to stay on for a few weeks. Ruth did not like to -refuse, and she settled down with the intention of remaining at -Thirsby for at least another month. - -During the month the little town also settled down again after its -excitements and alarms, and events once more began to pursue the even -tenor of their ways. The Starvel Hollow Tragedy ceased to be a nine -days’ wonder and was gradually banished from the minds of the -townspeople, until an event happened which was to bring up the whole -matter again, and that in a peculiarly sensational and tragic manner. - -One morning in mid-October, some five weeks after the fire, Mr. -Tarkington called to see his friend Oxley. The bank manager’s thin -face wore a serious and mystified expression, which at once informed -Mr. Oxley that something out of the ordinary had occurred to disturb -the other’s usual placid calm. - -“Good morning, Oxley,” said Mr. Tarkington in his thin, measured -tones. “Are you busy? I should like a word with you.” - -“Come along in, Tarkington,” the solicitor rejoined heartily. “I’m not -doing anything that can’t wait. Sit you down, and have a spot.” - -“Thanks, no, I’ll not drink, but I’ll take one of these cigarettes if -I may.” He drew the client’s big leather covered chair nearer to Mr. -Oxley and went on: “A really extraordinary thing has just happened, -Oxley, and I thought I’d like to consult you about it before taking -any action—if I do take action.” - -Mr. Oxley took a cigarette from the box from which the other had -helped himself. - -“What’s up?” he asked, as he struck a match. - -“It’s about that terrible Starvel affair, the fire, you know. I begin -to doubt if the matter is really over, after all.” - -“Not over? What on earth do you mean?” - -“I’ll tell you, and it is really a most disturbing thought. But before -you can appreciate my news I must explain to you how Averill carried -on his bank business. The poor fellow was a miser, as you know, a -miser of the most primitive kind. He loved money for itself—just to -handle and to look at and to count. His safe was just packed full of -money, but of course you know all this, and that it was through this -dreadful weakness of his that poor girl lost what should have come to -her.” - -“I know,” Mr. Oxley admitted. - -“Averill’s income passed through the bank, and that’s how I come to be -aware of the figures. He had between sixteen and seventeen hundred a -year and it came from three sources. First he had a pension; he had -held a good job with some company in London. That amounted to about -three hundred pounds. Next he had an annuity which brought him in -£150. But the major portion came from land—land on the outskirts of -Leeds which had been built over and which had become a very valuable -property. In this he had only a life interest—not that that affects my -story, though it explains why that poor girl didn’t get it.” - -“I know about that property,” Mr. Oxley interjected. “I’ve had a deal -to do with it one way and another. The old man got it through his wife -and it went back to her family at his death.” - -“I imagined it must be something of the kind. Well, to continue. -Averill’s income, as I said, was passed through the bank. He received -it all in cheques or drafts and these he would endorse and send to me -for payment. He had a current account, and my instructions were that -when any cheque came I was to pay in to this account until it stood at -something between £40 and £60—whatever would leave an even £20 -over—and I was to send the surplus cash in £20 notes out to Starvel. -Averill evidently looked upon this as a sort of revenue account and -paid all his current expenses out of it. It never of course rose above -the £60 and seldom fell below £20. To carry on my simile, any monies -that were over after raising the current account to £60 he considered -capital, and they went out to swell the hoard in the safe at Starvel. -In addition he kept a sum of £500 on deposit receipt. I don’t know -exactly why he did so, but I presume it was as a sort of nestegg in -the event of his safe being burgled. You follow me?” - -“I follow you all right, but, by Jove! it was a queer arrangement.” - -“Everything the poor old man did was queer, but, as you know, he -was——” Mr. Tarkington shook his head significantly. “However, to go on -with my story. These monies that were to be sent out to Starvel I used -to keep until they reached at least a hundred, and then I used to send -a clerk out with the cash. The mission usually fell to Bloxham—you -know Bloxham, of course? Averill liked him and asked me to send him -when I could. Bloxham has seen into the safe on two or three -occasions, and it is from him I know that it was packed with notes as -well as the gold.” - -“I never can get over all that money being burnt,” Mr. Oxley -interjected. “It makes me sick to think of even now. Such stupid, -needless, wicked waste!” Mr. Tarkington took no notice of this -outburst. - -“It happened that about a week before the tragedy,” he went on in his -precise manner, “a cheque for £346 came in from the Leeds property. -The current account was then standing at £27, so I paid £26 into it, -raising it to £53, and sent Bloxham with the balance, £320, out to -Starvel. The money was in sixteen twenties, the numbers of which were -kept. As I said, it was one of the old man’s peculiarities that he -liked his money in £20 notes. I suppose it made it easier to hoard and -count. Bloxham saw Averill lock these notes away in his safe and -brought me the old man’s receipt.” - -Mr. Tarkington paused to draw at his cigarette, then continued:— - -“In my report about the affair to our headquarters in Throgmorton -Avenue, I mentioned among other things that these notes, giving the -numbers, had been destroyed in the fire. Well, Oxley, what do you -think has happened? I heard from headquarters to-day and they tell me -that one of those notes has just been paid in!” - -Mr. Oxley looked slightly bewildered. - -“Well, what of it?” he demanded. “I don’t follow. You reported that -these notes had been destroyed in the fire. But wasn’t that only a -guess? How did you actually know?” - -“It was a guess, of course, and I didn’t actually know,” Mr. -Tarkington agreed. “But I think it was a justifiable guess. I am -acquainted with Averill’s habits; he made no secret of them. Monies he -paid out he paid by cheque on the current account—everything that one -can think of went through it, even the Ropers’ salaries. The cash sent -out to Starvel went into the hoard.” - -“All of it didn’t.” - -“Why, what do you mean?” - -“The ten pounds to Ruth Averill didn’t.” - -Mr. Tarkington seemed slightly taken aback. - -“Well, that’s true,” he admitted slowly. “I forgot about the ten -pounds. I——” - -“And there’s another twenty that didn’t,” Mr. Oxley continued, “and -that’s the twenty that turned up in London. I don’t get your idea, -Tarkington. Just what is in your mind?” - -Mr. Tarkington moved uneasily in the big arm-chair. - -“It seems far-fetched, I know, and I hardly like putting it into -words, but are you satisfied in your own mind that business was all -just as it appeared to be?” - -“What? The fire? How do you mean ‘as it appeared to be’?” - -“That it really was the accident we thought it.” - -Mr. Oxley whistled. - -“Oh, come now, Tarkington, that’s going a bit far, isn’t it? Do you -mean arson? What possible grounds could you have for suggesting such a -thing?” - -“I don’t exactly suggest it; I came to ask your opinion about it. But -what passed through my mind was this: There have been several -burglaries lately—skilful burglaries, and, as you know, the police -have been completely at fault. Averill was universally believed to be -wealthy—the legend of the safe was common property. Is it impossible -that some of these burglars might have decided to make an attempt on -Starvel? Remember the situation was one of the loneliest in England. -Assume that they got in and that something unexpected happened—that -they were surprised by Roper, for example. In the resulting -disturbance Roper might easily have been killed—possibly quite -accidentally. The intruders would then be fighting for their lives as -well as their fortunes. And in what better way could they do it than -to murder the other members of the household, lay them on their beds -and burn the house down?” - -Mr. Oxley did not reply. The idea was chimerical, fantastic, absurd, -and yet—it was certainly possible. There _had_ been a number of daring -burglaries within the last few months, which were generally believed -to be the work of one gang, and in no single instance had the police -been able to effect an arrest. The belief in the old miser’s hoard -_was_ universal, and from the point of view of the thief, Starvel -would be one of the easiest cribs to crack. Moreover, on second -thought Tarkington’s suggestion as to the origin of the fire was not -so fanciful, after all. The safe containing the money was in Averill’s -bedroom, and the old man would have to be quieted in some way before -it could be opened. Roper’s attention might easily have been -attracted, and the burglars, either by accident or in self-defence, -might have killed him. If so, the fire would be their obvious way of -safety. Yes, the thing was possible. All the same there wasn’t a shred -of evidence that it had happened. - -“But my dear fellow,” Oxley said at last, “that’s all my eye! Very -ingenious and all that, but you haven’t a scrap of evidence for it. -Why invent a complicated, far-fetched explanation when you have a -simple one ready to hand? Sounds as if you had been reading too many -detective stories lately.” - -Tarkington did not smile with his friend. - -“You think it nonsense?” he asked earnestly. “You think I needn’t tell -the police about the note?” - -“I don’t think you have any evidence: not evidence to justify even a -suspicion. You’ve no real reason to suppose Averill did not hand that -twenty-pound note to some one from whom it passed to the man who paid -it in.” - -“To whom, for example?” - -“I don’t know. Neither of us knows what visitors the old man might -have had. But that doesn’t prove he had none.” - -Mr. Tarkington seemed far from satisfied. He threw away his cigarette -and took another from the box, handling it delicately in his long, -thin fingers. He moved nervously in his chair and then said in a low -voice:— - -“I suppose then, Oxley, I may take it that you were quite satisfied -about that business—I mean at the time?” - -Mr. Oxley looked at his friend in surprise. - -“Good gracious, Tarkington, what bee have you in your bonnet? Do you -mean satisfied that the fire was an accident and that those three poor -people were burned? Of course I was. It never occurred to me to doubt -it.” - -The other seemed slightly relieved. - -“I hope sincerely that you’re right,” he answered. “But I may tell you -that I wasn’t satisfied—neither at the time nor yet since. That’s the -reason that when I heard about the note I came at once to consult you. -There’s a point which you and the coroner and the police and every one -concerned seem to have overlooked.” He dropped his voice still further -and became very impressive. “What about the papers that were burnt in -the safe?” - -Mr. Oxley was surprised at his friend’s persistence. - -“Well, what in Heaven’s name about them? For the life of me I don’t -see what you’re driving at.” - -“Haven’t you ever been in Averill’s bedroom?” - -“Yes. What of it?” - -“Did you notice the safe?” - -“Not particularly.” - -“Well, I’ve both been there and noticed it.” He bent forward, and his -thin face seemed more hawk-like than ever as he said impressively: -“Oxley, that safe was fireproof!” - -Mr. Oxley started. - -“Good Heavens, Tarkington! Are you sure of that?” he queried sharply. - -“Not absolutely,” the other replied. “It was certainly my strong -opinion and if I had been asked before the fire I should have had no -doubt. When I heard the evidence at the inquest I concluded I had made -a mistake. But now this affair of the twenty-pound note has reawakened -all my suspicions.” He paused, but as Oxley did not reply, continued: -“Perhaps I’ve got a bee in my bonnet as you said, but I’m now -wondering if Roper’s drunkenness doesn’t support the theory? Could he -not have been enticed into Thirsby by some member of the gang and -treated so as to make him sleep well and not hear what was going on? -Remember, he was an absolutely temperate man.” - -“Not absolutely. Ruth had smelt drink on other occasions.” - -“You are right. Perhaps that is a trifle far-fetched. But what do you -think on the main point, Oxley? Ought I to tell the police of my -suspicions?” - -Mr. Oxley rose and began to pace the room. Then he went to the window -and stood for some moments looking out. Finally he returned to his -chair, and sat down again. - -“I declare, Tarkington, I think you ought,” he said slowly. “When you -first made your—I might perhaps say—your amazing suggestion I confess -I thought it merely grotesque. But if you are right about the safe it -certainly puts a different complexion on the whole business. I take it -it’s not too late to ascertain? The safe is not too much damaged to -trace the maker and find out from him?” - -“I should think the police could find the maker quite easily.” - -“Well, I think you should tell them. If you are wrong no harm is done. -If not, there are murderers to be brought to justice and perhaps a -fortune to be recovered for Ruth.” - -Mr. Tarkington rose. - -“I agree with you, Oxley. I’ll go down to the police station and tell -Kent now.” - -Mr. Oxley waved him back into his seat. - -“Steady a moment,” he said. “Don’t be in such a hurry.” He drew slowly -at his cigarette while the other sat down and waited expectantly. - -“It seems to me,” went on Mr. Oxley, “that if your suspicions are -correct the thing should be kept absolutely quiet. Nothing should be -said or done to put the criminals on their guard. Now Kent, you know -as well as I do, is just a bungling ass. My suggestion is that we both -take the afternoon off and go see Valentine. I know him pretty well -and we could ring him up and make an appointment.” - -“Valentine, the Chief Constable of the County?” - -“Yes. He’s as cute as they’re made and he’ll do the right thing.” - -“Kent will never forgive us if we pass him over like that.” - -“Kent be hanged,” Mr. Oxley rejoined. “Can you come in by the -three-thirty?” - -“Yes, I’ll manage it.” - -“Right. Then I shall ring up Valentine.” - -Five hours later the two friends found their way into the strangers’ -room of the Junior Services Club in Leeds. There in a few moments -Chief Constable Valentine joined them, and soon they were settled in a -private room with whiskies and sodas at their elbows and three of the -excellent cigars the Chief Constable favoured between their lips. - -Mr. Tarkington propounded his theory in detail, explaining that he was -not sure enough of his facts even to put forward a definite suspicion, -but that he and his friend Oxley agreed that Major Valentine ought to -know what was in his mind. The major could then, if he thought fit, -investigate the affair. - -That the Chief Constable was impressed by the statement was obvious. -He listened with the keenest interest, interjecting only an occasional -“By Jove!” as Mr. Tarkington made his points. Then he thanked the two -men for their information, and promised to institute inquiries into -the whole matter without delay. - -Two days later Mr. Tarkington received a letter from Major Valentine -saying that he thought it only fair to inform him in the strictest -confidence that his belief that the safe was fireproof was well -founded, that he, the Chief Constable, strongly suspected that more -had taken place at Starvel on that tragic night than had come out in -the inquest, and that as he considered the matter was rather outside -the local men’s capacity he had applied to Scotland Yard for help in -the investigation. - -Mr. Tarkington, honouring the spirit rather than the letter of the -Chief Constable’s communication, showed the note to Mr. Oxley, and the -two men sat over the former’s study fire until late that night, -discussing possible developments in the situation. - - - -CHAPTER FOUR - -Inspector French Goes North - -The stone which Messrs. Tarkington and Oxley had thrown into the -turbid waters of the British Police Administration produced ripples -which, like other similar wave forms, spread slowly away from their -point of disturbance. One of these ripples, penetrating into the grim -fastness of the Criminal Investigation Department of New Scotland -Yard, had the effect of ringing the bell of a telephone on the desk of -Detective Inspector Joseph French and of causing that zealous and -efficient officer, when he had duly applied his ear to the instrument, -to leave his seat and proceed without loss of time to the room of his -immediate superior. - -“Ah, French,” Chief Inspector Mitchell remarked on his entry. “You -should be about through with that Kensington case, I fancy?” - -“Just finished with it, sir,” French answered. “I was putting the last -of the papers in order when you rang.” - -“Well, you’ve had a lot of trouble with it and I should have liked to -have given you a breather. But I’m afraid I can’t.” - -“Something come in, sir?” - -“A Yorkshire case. A place called Thirsby, up on the moors not far, I -understand, from Hellifield. We’ve just had a request for a man and I -can’t spare any one else at present. So it’s you for it.” - -“What is the case, sir?” - -“Suspected murder, robbery and arson. The people there appear to know -very little about it and the whole thing may turn out a mare’s nest. -But they’re darned mysterious about it—say they don’t want it to be -known that inquiries are being made and suggest our man might go to -the Thirsdale Arms, the local hotel, in the guise of an angler or an -artist. So, if you’re a fisherman, French, now’s your chance. You’re -to call down at the police station after dark, when Sergeant Kent, -who’s in charge, will give you the particulars.” - -It was with mixed feelings that Inspector French received his -instructions. He delighted in travelling and seeing new country, and -the Yorkshire moors comprised a district which he had often heard -spoken of enthusiastically, but had never visited. He was by no means -averse, moreover, to getting away from town for a few days. It would -be a welcome break in the monotony of the long winter. But on the -other hand he loathed working away from headquarters, bereft of his -trained staff and of the immediate backing of the huge machine of -which he was a cog. Local men, he conceded, were “right enough,” but -they hadn’t the knowledge, the experience, the technique to be really -helpful. And then the “Yard” man in the country was usually up against -jealousies and a more or less veiled obstruction, and to the worries -of his case he had to add the effort always to be tactful and to carry -his professed helpers with him. - -However, none of these considerations affected his course of action. -He had his orders and he must carry them out. He completed the filing -of the papers in the Kensington murder case, handed over one or two -other matters to his immediate subordinate, and taking the large -despatch case of apparatus without which he never travelled, went home -to inform his wife of his change of plans and pack a suitcase with his -modest personal requirements. Then he drove to St. Pancras and caught -the 12.15 restaurant car express to the north. - -He was neither an artist nor an angler, and in any case he considered -the month of November was scarcely a propitious time for worthies of -either type to be abroad. Therefore beyond dressing in a more -countrified style than he would have affected in town, he attempted no -disguise. - -He changed at Hellifield and took the branch line which wound up in a -north-easterly direction into the bleak hills and moors of western -Yorkshire. Six o’clock had just struck when he reached the diminutive -terminus of Thirsby. - -A porter bearing the legend “Thirsdale Arms” on his cap was at the -station, and having surrendered his baggage, French followed the man -on foot down the main street of the little town to a low, straggling, -old-fashioned building with half-timbered gables and a real old -swinging sign. Here a stout and cheery proprietor gave him a somewhat -voluble welcome, and soon he was the temporary tenant of a low and -dark, but otherwise comfortable bedroom, while an appetising odour of -frying ham indicated that the _pièce de résistance_ of his supper was -in full preparation. - -He smoked a contemplative pipe in the bar, then about half-past eight -took his hat, and passing the landlord at the door, gave him a -cheerful good-night and said he was going for a walk before bed. - -While he did not intend to hide the fact of his visit to Sergeant -Kent, he had no wish to draw attention thereto. He believed that in a -small town such things invariably get out, and to shroud them in an -air of mystery was only to invite publicity. He therefore did not ask -for a direction, but instead strolled through the streets until he saw -the police station. Walking quietly but openly to the door, he -knocked. Two minutes later he was shaking hands with the sergeant in -the latter’s room. - -“I’m sure I’m grateful to you for giving me the chance of a change -from London,” French began in his pleasant, cheery way as he took the -chair the other pulled forward to the fire. “Will you join me in a -cigar, or do you object to smoking in the office?” - -The sergeant dourly helped himself from French’s case, and gruffly -admitted he was not above the use of tobacco after office hours. -French seemed in no hurry to come to business, but chatted on about -his journey and his impressions of the country, drawing the other out -and deferring to his views in a way that was nothing less than -flattering. Before ten minutes Kent had forgotten that his visitor was -an interloper sent to him over his head because his superiors imagined -that he was not good enough for his own job, and was thinking that -this stranger, for a Londoner and a Yard man, was not as bad as he -might reasonably have been expected to be. Under the soothing -influences of flattery and good tobacco, he gradually mellowed until, -when French at last decided the time had come, he was quite willing to -assist in any way in his power. - -At French’s request he gave him a detailed account of the tragedy -together with a copy of the depositions taken at the inquest, and then -went on to describe the bomb which Mr. Tarkington had dropped when he -mentioned his theories to Major Valentine. - -“Chief Constable, he told me to find out what kind of safe it was in -the house,” the sergeant went on. “I knew, for I had seen it at the -time, but I went out again to make sure. It was made by Carter & -Stephenson of Leeds, number—” he referred to a well-thumbed -notebook—“12,473. I went down to Leeds, and saw the makers, and they -said the safe was twenty years old, but it was the best fireproof safe -of its day. I asked them would the notes have burned up in it, and -they said they wouldn’t scarcely be browned, not no matter how fierce -the fire might be.” - -“And what exactly was in the safe?” - -“Just paper ashes and sovereigns. No whole papers—all was burned to -ashes.” - -“Could I see those ashes? Are any of them left?” - -“I think so. We took out the sovereigns and left the rest. The safe is -lying in the rubbish where we found it.” - -French nodded, and for some minutes sat silent, drawing slowly at his -cigar while he turned over in his mind the details he had learned. As -he did so the words of Chief Inspector Mitchell recurred to him: “The -people down there don’t appear to know much about it, and the whole -thing may turn out to be a mare’s nest.” Now, having heard the story, -he wondered if this was not going to be another of his chief’s amazing -intuitions. It certainly looked as like a mare’s nest as anything he -had ever handled. The only shred of evidence for foul play was the -safe-builders’ statement that their safe would protect papers even in -the fiercest fire, and that statement left him cold. What else could -the builders say? They had sold the thing as fireproof; how could they -now admit they had made a false claim? And this Tarkington’s theory of -the twenty-pound note was even less convincing. There was no real -reason to believe that Averill had not handed it to his servant or to -a visitor or sent it away by post. In fact, the whole tale was the -thinnest he had listened to for many a day, and he saw himself taking -a return train to St. Pancras before many hours had passed. - -But he had been sent up to make an investigation, and make an -investigation he would. He rapidly planned his line of action. The -first thing to be done was to get rid of this sergeant. He might be -right enough for his own job, but French felt that he would be no help -in an affair of this kind. Left to himself, he would go out and -examine the house and then interview Tarkington. By that time he -should have learned enough at least to decide whether or not to go on -with the case. He turned to Kent. - -“Your statement, sergeant, has been so very complete that I do not -believe there is anything left for me to ask you. But I think I should -understand the affair even better if I went and had a look at the -house. I’ll do that to-morrow. But, much as I should like your -company, I cannot ask you to come with me. I entirely agree with and -admire your wisdom in keeping the affair secret, and if we were seen -together the cat would be out of the bag. I will give out that I am a -representative from the insurance companies and I think no suspicion -will be aroused. If now you will kindly tell me where the place lies, -I think that’s all we can do in the meantime.” - -Five minutes later French turned from the main street into the door of -the Thirsdale Arms. The landlord was standing in the hall and French -stopped in a leisurely way, as if ready for a chat. They discussed the -weather for some moments, and then French asked the other if he would -join him in a drink. - -It was not long before they were seated before a glowing fire in the -private bar, when French proceeded to account for himself. - -“I like your country,” he began, “what I’ve seen of it. I’ve been a -bit run down lately, and though it’s not the time one would choose for -a holiday, my doctor thought I should take a week or two’s rest. So, -as I had a bit of business here I thought I would kill two birds with -one stone and do my business and take my holiday at the same time. And -about that bit of business I thought that if you would be good enough -you could maybe give me some help.” - -The landlord, evidently curious, was anxious to do anything in his -power and French, following out his theory that where absolute truth -is inadmissible, deviations therefrom should be as slight as possible, -went on confidentially:— - -“It’s about a place called Starvel where there was a big fire -recently. You know all about it, of course.” The landlord nodded -eagerly. “Well, I may tell you strictly between ourselves that I am a -detective. A fire unaccounted for is a very disturbing matter to -insurance companies, and I have been sent down to try to find the -cause of the outbreak. I’ve seen the police sergeant, and he has very -kindly promised to show me his notes of the inquest, but I should like -more general information than that. I wondered if you could, perhaps, -tell me something about the affair; about the people who lived in -Starvel, and so on?” - -With this beginning, and the help of whiskies and sodas and two more -of his cigars French was soon in possession of all the landlord knew -and surmised about the Starvel Hollow tragedy. But he learned nothing -helpful. The man’s story agreed with that of Sergeant Kent, though it -was obvious that the idea of foul play had never entered his mind. - -One thing he remarked on which Kent had not mentioned—about which -indeed, as French afterwards learned, Kent knew nothing—and that was -the incipient affair between Ruth Averill and Pierce Whymper. When -French learned later on how slight this affair had been he was filled -with amazement, as he had been so many times before, at the range and -exhaustiveness of local gossip. - -“Nice young fellow, Mr. Pierce Whymper,” the landlord went on. “He’s a -son of Mr. Stephen Whymper, the Leeds surgeon, and a junior assistant -of Nixon and Arbuthnot’s, the church architects. He’s here as clerk of -works of the renovation of the church—a fine old church, this of ours! -I got to know Mr. Whymper a bit, for he stayed here for a few days -when he came first, and before he got lodgings. Our terms are a bit -high for him, you know, for a constancy. They don’t overpay these -young fellows that are just starting on their jobs.” - -“It’s a fact,” French admitted. “And how is the affair with the young -lady getting on?” - -“No one rightly knows. It seemed to be going on thick enough before -the fire and then, somehow, it seemed to be cooled off. I suppose one -of these here lovers’ quarrels.” And the landlord smiled tolerantly, -as one man of the world to another. - -But whether or not the landlord was a man of the world, there was no -doubt whatever that he was a thoroughly accomplished and successful -gossip. French soon found that by the mere interjection of an -occasional phrase he could obtain a detailed description of the life, -habits and character of any of the inhabitants of Thirsby that he -cared to name. Very willingly, therefore, he suggested more whisky and -proffered further cigars, while he sat registering in his memory the -impressions of his neighbours which the other sketched with such -evident relish. - -He was a likeable old fellow, the landlord, or so French thought. -Though a gossip first and always, he was something of a philosopher -and his outlook was human and kindly. The people he spoke of were real -people, and French could picture them living in the little town and -going about their businesses, with their loves and hates, their -ambitions and their weaknesses. Old Mr. Averill—well, the landlord -hadn’t a great opinion of him. He was dead, and one didn’t ought to -say too much about the dead, but there was no denying that he was -mean—a regular miser, he was. The way he had treated that niece of -his—as nice a young lady as ever stepped—was just a fair scandal. A -young lady just grown up, like Miss Ruth was, should have a bit of -pleasure sometimes, and the poor girl hadn’t even decent clothes to -wear. Mean, the landlord called it. And what use, he asked, growing -oratorical, was the old man’s money to him now? That was what he -said—and he waved his cigar to give point to his remark—that was what -he said: What had the old man got for all his screwing and saving? It -would have paid him better . . . - -French insinuated the idea of Roper. - -Roper, the landlord did not know so much about, though he had to -confess he had not particularly liked him. Roper had a squint, and if -French took the landlord’s advice, he would just keep his weather eye -open when dealing with a man with a squint. Roper was quiet enough and -civil spoken, and they said he was good enough at his job, but he was -close—very close. Sly, the landlord would call it, though, mind you, -he hadn’t known anything wrong about the man. Mrs. Roper? He had only -met her once. He didn’t know much about her, but she was well enough -spoken of. Neither of them could have had much of a time out at -Starvel, but they had served the old man well and made no complaint. - -About Tarkington, the landlord waxed almost lyrical. Tarkington was a -white man, straight as a die and no fool neither. He was more than a -bank manager. He was, so French gathered, a sort of financial father -confessor to the neighbourhood. Every one trusted Tarkington, and took -their difficulties to him for help and advice. And Tarkington gave -both, in good measure pressed down and shaken together. He did not -spare himself, and if he could help a lame dog over a stile, he did -it. What Tarkington said went, as far as most things were concerned. - -The landlord also approved of Oxley. Oxley would have his joke, if he -was to be hung for it the next minute, but he was a very sound man and -a good lawyer. If you had Oxley on your side he would make a keen -fight for you, and for all his jokes and his breezy manner he wouldn’t -give nothing away. Oxley was well liked and he deserved it. - -Of the medical profession in Thirsby the landlord was equally ready to -impart information. Dr. Emerson was a good doctor and well respected, -but he was growing old. He hardly did any work now, but he had made -plenty and he could afford to retire. Not that he had been a -money-grubber—the landlord had known many a case where he had treated -poor patients free—but until Dr. Philpot had come he had the whole of -the practice, and he hadn’t done badly with it. The landlord wished -that hotel keeping was half as profitable. Well off, Dr. Emerson was. - -French next murmured Dr. Philpot’s name, but the landlord spoke with -more reserve. He was a clever man, first rate at his job, the landlord -believed, though he was thankful to say he hadn’t ever needed to call -him in. But he had made some good cures and people that had had him -once wouldn’t have anybody else. And he was pleasant spoken and -likeable enough, and there was no reason why he shouldn’t have done -extra well at Thirsby, for there was an opening for just such a man on -account of Dr. Emerson’s age. But—the landlord sank his voice and -became more confidential than ever—the truth was he had made a muck of -things, and no one would be surprised to see him take down his plate -any day. He was all right in every way, but the one—he was a wild -gambler. Fair ruining himself, he was. Horses mostly. It was a pity, -because he was well liked otherwise. But there you were. The landlord -had nothing to say about backing an occasional horse—he did it -himself—but, systematic gambling! Well, you know, it could go too far. - -French was interested to learn that Sergeant Kent was a fool. The -landlord did not put it quite in those words, but he conveyed the idea -extraordinarily well. Kent was bumptious and overbearing, and carried -away by a sense of his own importance. French, the landlord was -afraid, wouldn’t get much help there. - -The landlord showed signs of a willingness to go on talking all night, -but by the time eleven-thirty had struck on the old grandfather’s -clock in the hall French thought he had all the information that was -likely to be valuable. He therefore began insinuating the idea of bed, -and this gradually penetrating to the other’s consciousness, his flow -of conversation diminished and presently they separated. - -The next day was Sunday, and after a late breakfast and a leisurely -pipe, French asked for some sandwiches, saying he was going out for a -long tramp over the moor. Having thus explained himself he strolled -off and presently, by a circuitous route, reached the lip of Starvel -Hollow. - -In spite of the fact that his professional and critical interests were -aroused, French could not help feeling impressed by the isolation of -the ruins and the morbid, not to say sinister atmosphere which seemed -to brood over the entire place. Around him were the wild rolling -spaces of the moor, forbidding and desolate, rising here into rounded -hills, dropping there into shallow valleys. The colouring was drab, in -the foreground the dull greens of rushes and sedgy grass, the browns -of heather and at intervals a darker smudge where stone outcropped, on -the horizon the hazy blues of distance. Scarcely a tree or a shrub was -to be seen in the bare country, and the two or three widely separated -cottages, crouching low as if for protection from the winds, seemed -only to intensify the loneliness of the outlook. - -At French’s feet lay the Hollow, a curious, saucer-like depression in -the moor, some quarter of a mile or more across. Its rim looked -continuous, the valley through which it was drained being winding and -not apparent at first sight. In the centre was the group of pines -which had surrounded the old house, stunted, leaning one way from the -prevailing wind, melancholy and depressing. Of the walls of the house -from this point of view there was no sign. - -French walked down toward the ruins, marvelling at the choice which -would bring a man of means to such a locality. He could understand now -why on that night some five weeks earlier a building of the size of -this old house could be burned down without attracting more attention. -The Hollow accounted for it. Even flames soaring up from such a -conflagration would not surmount the lip of the saucer. Truly a place -also, as Tarkington had pointed out, where burglars could work their -will unseen and undisturbed. - -French had seen the remains of many a fire, but as he gazed on the -wreckage of Starvel he felt he had never seen anything quite so -catastrophic and complete. He felt a growing awe as he began to -examine the place in detail. - -The walls were built of stone, and except these walls and the small -outhouse at the opposite side of the yard, nothing remained standing. -The house was two storied and “L” shaped, with the remains of a single -story porch in the angle of the two wings. French compared the ruins -with the sketch plan given him by Kent and identified the places where -the bodies had been found. Then after a general survey he stepped -through the gaping hole that had evidently been the front door and -ploughed his way across the débris to the safe. - -It was red with fire and rust, but the makers’ name and number, in -raised letters on a cast iron plate, were still legible. The safe had -been lifted upright and fixed on a roughly built pile of stones, as -the town officer of Thirsby had deposed at the inquest. The doors were -now shut, but with some difficulty owing to the rusty hinges French -was able to swing them open. Inside, as he had been told, was a mass -of paper ash. - -Fortunately it was a calm day or the heap might have whirled away in -dust. As it was, French sat down on a stone, and putting his head into -the safe, began to examine the ash in detail. - -The greater part had been ground to dust, doubtless by the fall of the -safe from the second story, and the churning of the sovereigns, though -there still remained a number of small flakes of burnt paper. These -French began to turn over with a pair of forceps, examining them at -the same time with a lens. - -He was delighted to find that on nearly all he could distinguish marks -of printing. But, as he turned over piece after piece he became -conscious of growing astonishment. For this printing was not the -printing of bank notes. Rather it seemed to him like newspaper type. -Wrapping paper, he supposed. But why should the contents of the safe -have been wrapped up in newspapers? More important still, why should -portions of the newspapers rather than of the notes have been -preserved? - -His interest keenly aroused, he set to work in his careful, methodical -way to check over all the fragments he could find. As he did so -something very like excitement took possession of him. There were no -fragments of notes! Every single piece that bore any marking was -newspaper! - -What, he asked, himself, could this portend? What other than robbery? -And if robbery, then murder! Murder and arson! Could Tarkington and -the Chief Constable be right, after all? Certainly, after this -discovery he couldn’t drop the investigation until he had made sure. - -He had brought with him a small case of apparatus, and from this he -now took a bottle of gum and some thin cards. Painting over the cards -with the gum, he laid on them such flakes of ash as bore legible -words. From one piece in particular he thought he might be able to -identify the newspaper of which it had been a part. It was a roundish -scrap about the size of half a crown, along the top of which were the -words: “—ing as we—” in small type, with below it in capitals, as if -the headline of a small paragraph: “RAT-CATCHER’S F——” - -French secured the cards in a case specially designed to preserve -specimens, and re-closed the safe. It certainly looked as if -Tarkington’s suggestions might be true, and as he put the case away in -his pocket, he wondered if there was any further investigation he -could make while he was on the ground. - -Stepping outside the building, he considered how a hypothetical -burglar might have forced an entrance. The window frames and doors -were all gone; moreover, any marks which might have been made -approaching them must long since have been defaced by time and the -footprints of sightseers and workmen. French, nevertheless, walked all -round the house and about the grounds, looking everywhere in the hope -of coming on some clue, though he was scarcely disappointed when his -search ended in failure. - -He was anxious, if possible, to find out what newspaper had been -burned. He did not think the point of vital importance, but on general -principles the information should be obtained. There was no knowing -what clue it might not furnish. On his way back to Thirsby, therefore, -he turned aside to Mr. Oxley’s house and sent in his card. - -In the privacy of the solicitor’s study French introduced himself and -in confidence declared his mission to the town. He apologised for -troubling the other on Sunday, but said that at the moment he wished -only to ask one question: Could Mr. Oxley tell him, or could he find -out for him from Miss Averill, what daily paper the late Mr. Averill -had taken? - -Mr. Oxley did not know, and excused himself to interrogate Ruth. -Presently he returned to say it was the _Leeds Mercury_. - -Next morning French took the first train to Leeds, and going to the -_Mercury_ office, asked to see the files of the paper for the month of -September. Commencing at the 15th, the day of the fire, he began -working back through the papers, scrutinising each sheet for a -paragraph headed “RAT-CATCHER’S F——” - -He found it sooner than he had expected. Tucked in among a number of -small news items in the paper of Tuesday, 14th September, he read: -“RAT-CATCHER’S FATAL FALL.” And when he saw that the type was similar -to that on the burnt scrap and the last line of the preceding -paragraph was “Mr. Thomas is doing as well as can be expected,” with -the “—ng as we—” in the correct position relative to the -“RAT-CATCHER’S F——” he knew he had really got what he wanted. - -French was extraordinarily thorough. Long experience had taught him -that everything in the nature of a clue should be followed up to the -very end. He did not therefore desist when he had made his find. -Instead he worked on to see if he could identify any of the other -scraps he had found. And before he left he had found eight out of the -eleven he had mounted, and proved that the burnt papers were those of -the 13th, 14th, and 15th; the three days before the fire. - -So far, then, the indications were at least for continuing the -investigation. Leaving the _Mercury_ office, French walked up the -Briggate to Messrs. Carter & Stephenson’s, the makers of the safe. He -asked for one of the principals, and was presently shown into Mr. -Stephenson’s room. Introducing himself in the strictest confidence in -his true guise, he propounded his question: Was the safe absolutely -fireproof? - -Mr. Stephenson rose and went to a drawer from which he took a number -of photographs. - -“Look at those,” he invited, “and tell me was the fire at Starvel any -worse than those fires?” - -The views were all of burnt-out buildings, most of them completely -gutted and resembling the wreckage of Starvel. French assured him that -the cases seemed on all fours. - -“Very well, there were safes in all those fires—safes just the same as -that at Starvel, and all those safes had papers in them, and there -wasn’t a single paper in any one of them so much as browned.” - -French took out his burnt fragments. - -“Look at those, Mr. Stephenson,” he invited in his turn. “Suppose -there were newspapers in that safe before the fire, could they have -come out like that after it?” - -“Not under any conceivable circumstances,” Mr. Stephenson declared -emphatically, “that is, of course, unless the door had been left open. -With the door shut it’s absolutely impossible. And I’ll be prepared to -stand by that in any court of law if you should want me to.” - -The man’s manner was convincing, and French saw no reason to doubt his -statement. But he saw also that its truth involved extremely serious -consequences. If Mr. Stephenson was right the newspapers had not been -burnt during the Starvel fire. They could only have been burned while -the safe door was open. But the door was locked during the fire; Kent -had had to get an expert to open it. They must therefore have been -burned before it was locked. A sinister fact truly, and terribly -suggestive! - -On his way back to Thirsby French sat smoking in the corner of a -carriage, weighing in his mind the significance of his discoveries. He -considered the points in order. - -First. Old Averill was a miser who had filled up his safe with notes -and gold. The notes had been seen on more than one occasion by Mr. -Tarkington’s clerk, Bloxham, the last time being only a few days -before the tragedy. Mr. Tarkington estimated there must have been some -£30,000 to £40,000 worth of notes in the safe, though this was -probably only a guess. But it was at least certain that before the -fire it contained a very large sum in notes. - -Second. After the fire the gold was intact, or at least part of it was -there, but there was no trace of the notes. It was perfectly true that -a number of notes might have been burned and been crushed to powder by -the falling sovereigns. But it was straining the probabilities too far -to believe that no single fragment of any one note should remain. On -the other hand fragments did remain—but these were all of newspapers. - -Third. The newspapers, according to Mr. Stephenson’s evidence, were -burned before the door of the safe had been closed. - -Gradually French came to definite conclusions. As far as his -information went the following facts seemed to be established:— - -First. That the safe was unlocked, and the notes were taken out before -the fire. - -Second. That three or four newspapers were put in to replace them. - -Third. That the newspapers were set on fire and allowed to burn to -ashes while the safe door was open. - -Fourth. That after they were burned the safe was locked. - -If these conclusions could be sustained it unquestionably meant that -French was on to one of the most dastardly and terrible crimes of the -century. He felt the sudden thrill of the hunter who comes across the -fresh spoor of some dangerous wild beast. But he did not disclose his -feelings. Instead he kept his own counsel, simply reporting to -headquarters that the case seemed suspicious and that he was remaining -on to make further inquiries. - - - -CHAPTER FIVE - -French Picks Up a Clue - -The more Inspector French pondered over the problems which his -discoveries had raised, the more difficult these problems seemed to -grow. There was so desperately little to go on. It was a common enough -trouble in detective work certainly, but this business was worse than -the average. He could not recall a case which offered fewer clues or -“leads.” - -As he turned over in his mind all that he had learned it seemed to him -indeed that there was but one channel to be explored, and that a -channel which offered a very poor chance of success—the £20 bank note. -If he were unable to trace the £20 bank note, and the odds were -enormously against his doing so, he did not see what other line of -inquiry he could follow up. - -Of course, there was the usual police question: Who was seen in the -vicinity of the crime at the time of its commission? But he had -already put this inquiry to Kent and the answer had been: “No one.” - -If, as seemed likely, Tarkington’s theory were true and this crime had -been committed by the burglars who had already brought off so many -_coups_ in the district, French was up against a very able gang. For -over six months the police had been searching for these men and they -seemed no nearer finding them now than in the beginning. - -The bank note, then, appeared to be the only chance, and French -decided that he would begin operations by trying to trace the passer, -trusting that if this line failed, some other would by that time have -opened out. - -The night was still young, and desiring to lose no time, French left -his comfortable corner in the bar and went out to call on Mr. -Tarkington. - -The bank manager was greatly interested when French revealed his -calling and mission. He willingly repeated all he knew about old Simon -Averill and his finances and explained his theories at length. - -“The only other thing I wish to ask you,” French remarked when the -other showed signs of coming to an end, “is about previous sums sent -out to Starvel. Your clerk kept a record of the numbers of all the -twenty-pound notes sent in the last consignment, but have you a -similar record of former consignments?” - -Mr. Tarkington nodded. - -“I early appreciated that point and made inquiries,” he replied in his -precise, measured tones. “By my own instructions it has been the -practice to keep such records of all notes over ten pounds in value, -and this was done in the case of those sent to Starvel. The records, -however, are not retained very long, and I did not hope to be able to -lay my hands on those of earlier consignments. But by a piece of pure -chance my clerk, Bloxham, found some earlier records in an old -notebook, and I am able to give you the numbers of the notes of -eleven; not consecutive consignments, but stretching at intervals over -nearly five years. They cover £3860, all of which was sent to Starvel -in twenties; that is 193 twenties. I have their numbers here.” - -“That’s a piece of luck for me,” French commented, as he pocketed the -list which the other passed him. “Curious that Mr. Averill collected -twenty-pound notes. Why not fifties or hundreds or tens?” - -Mr. Tarkington shook his head. - -“Like most of us,” he said, a hint of human kindness showing beneath -his rather dry manner, “the poor old fellow had his weakness. Why he -should prefer twenties to notes of other denominations I don’t know. I -can only record the fact that he did.” - -The next morning French occupied in making the acquaintance of the -obvious _dramatis personæ_ in the case. He paid a long visit to Ruth -Averill, hearing her story at first hand and questioning her on -various details which occurred to him. Oxley he saw at his office and -the lugubrious Abel Hesketh, the town officer, he found at the toll -room in the markets. He was waiting for Dr. Emerson as the latter -concluded his morning round, and he went to the trouble of an -excursion over the moor to interview the red-haired farmer, George -Mellowes, who had driven Roper home on the fatal night. Dr. Philpot he -also called on, to obtain his impressions of the Starvel household. - -Lastly, he saw the bank clerk, Bloxham, who struck him at once as a -man of character. Though seemingly not more than thirty, he had a -strangely old face, sardonic and determined looking, almost sinister. -He gave his testimony with a refreshing restraint of words, and seemed -to have observed carefully and to know just what he had seen. He said -that on three occasions when he was at Starvel Mr. Averill had opened -his safe and he had had a glimpse of its contents. From the size of -the stacks of notes he would estimate that these contained possibly -1500 separate notes. If these were twenties that would mean £30,000. -There was also a cardboard box of sovereigns. If he had not heard the -number he would have estimated that it contained about two thousand. - -To all of these people, except Oxley, who already knew the truth, -French accounted for himself by the story of the detective employed to -ascertain the cause of an unexplained fire. All seemed anxious to help -him, but unfortunately none could tell him anything more than he -already knew. - -Having thus completed the obvious local inquiries, he felt free to -follow up the matter of the £20 note. He therefore left Thirsby by the -afternoon train and late that night reached St. Pancras. Next morning -saw him at the headquarters of the Northern Shires Bank in Throgmorton -Avenue. In five minutes he was closeted with the manager, who shook -his head when he heard what was required of him. - -“I naturally imagined some such question might arise,” the manager -said, “and I questioned the clerk who had received the note. At first -he was unable to give me even the slightest hint, but on thinking over -the matter he said the balance of probability was in favour of its -having been paid in by the messenger from Cook’s office in Regent -Street. He explained that in Cook’s deposit, which was an unusually -heavy one, there were no less than seventeen notes for twenty pounds, -and he remarked to the messenger: ‘You’re strong in twenties to-day.’ -It was shortly afterwards that the clerk discovered he held one of the -numbers sent in by Mr. Tarkington. He had twenty-two twenties in hand -when he made his discovery and he believed he had not parted with any -since the Cook lodgment, therefore, the chances that the note came -from Cook’s are as seventeen to five.” - -“There is no certainty about that,” said French. - -“No certainty, but a good sporting chance,” the manager returned with -a smile as he bade his visitor good day. - -The next step was obviously Cook’s office. Here again French asked for -the manager, and here again that gentleman shook his head when French -stated his business. - -“I should be only too glad to help you, Mr. French,” he declared, “but -I fear it is quite impossible. In the first place we don’t know the -numbers of any of the notes which passed through our hands, and we -don’t, therefore, know if we had the one in which you are interested. -Apparently you don’t even know it yourself. But even if we did know, -we couldn’t possibly tell you who paid it in. So much money comes in -over the counter that individual notes could not be traced. And then -we have no idea of the date upon which we received this one, if we did -receive it. You think we lodged it yesterday week. We might have done -so and yet have received it weeks before. You see, we keep a fairly -large sum in our safe in connection with our foreign exchange -department.” - -“Do you give receipts for all monies received?” - -“For most transactions. But not all. If a man came in for a ticket to -Harrogate, for example, we should hand him the ticket, and the ticket -would be his receipt. Again, no note other than that of the actual -sums passing is taken in our exchange department.” - -French smiled ruefully. - -“It doesn’t seem to get any more hopeful as it goes on, does it?” he -remarked, continuing after a moment’s silence. “You see what I’m -trying to get at, don’t you? If I could look over your receipts for -some time prior to yesterday week I might find a name and address -which would suggest a line of inquiry.” - -“I follow you,” the manager returned. “It is just possible that you -might get something that way, though I must warn you it’s most -unlikely. You see, the balance of the payments in notes would not, in -the nature of things, require receipts, and conversely most of the -accounts requiring receipts are paid by cheque. However, if you wish -to make a search, I am prepared to help you. How far back do you want -to go?” - -“The note in question was known to be in the possession of the dead -man on Friday, 10th September. It was discovered in the bank here on -Monday, October 18th. That is,” he took out his engagement book and -rapidly counted, “thirty-three working days: a little over five -weeks.” He looked deprecatingly at the other, then added: “Rather a -job to go through all that, I’m afraid.” - -“It’ll take time,” the manager admitted. “But that’s your funeral. If -you wish to see our books, I shall be pleased to facilitate you in -every way I can.” - -French thanked him and a few minutes later was hard at work under the -guidance of a clerk going through interminable lists of names and -addresses. For two hours he kept on steadily, then suddenly surprised -his companion by giving a muttered curse. He had come on a name which -dashed all his hopes and showed him that his one clue was a wash out. -The item read:— - -“Oct. 6th. Pierce Whymper, Oaklands, Bolton Road, Leeds,—£16 8s. 4d.” - -“Curse it!” French thought. “There goes all my work! There’s where the -twenty-pound note came from all right. That young man has been out at -Starvel before the fire and Averill has given him the note for some -purpose of his own.” - -French was disgusted. Though he had known his clue was weak, he had, -nevertheless, subconsciously been building on it, and now that it was -gone he felt correspondingly at a loss. However, thoroughness before -all things! He continued his study of the books, working through the -period until he reached the end, but nowhere else did he get any hint -of a possible connection with the tragedy. - -But the same habit of thoroughness prevented his dropping the matter -until he had explored its every possibility. He asked the clerk to -take him once again to the manager. - -“Your kind help, sir, and this young gentleman’s, have not been -wasted,” he began. “I’ve almost certainly got the man who gave you the -note. Unfortunately, however, he turns out to be some one who could -have obtained it from its owner in a perfectly legitimate way. So I -fear its usefulness as a clue is nil. At the same time I should like -to follow up the transaction and make quite sure it is all right. It -is this one that I have marked—name of Whymper.” - -“Fortunately,” the manager answered, “that is an easier proposition -than the last.” He directed the clerk to conduct French to a Mr. -Bankes. “Mr. Bankes will give you details about that case,” he went -on, “and if there is anything further you require, just come back to -me.” - -Mr. Bankes proved most willing to assist, and in a few moments the -whole of the transactions between Mr. Pierce Whymper of the one part -and Messrs. Thos. Cook & Son of the other part, stood revealed. They -were as follows:— - -On Saturday, 18th September, the day of the inquest at Thirsby, -Whymper had written to ask the cost of a second class return ticket -from London to Talloires, near Annecy, Savoy, and to know if a -passport would be necessary for the journey, and if so, where such was -to be obtained. This letter was received at Cook’s on Monday evening -and replied to on Tuesday 21st. Two days later Whymper wrote asking -Messrs. Cook to provide the tickets as well as various coupons for -meals, etc., en route, which, he said, he would call for on the -afternoon of Wednesday, October 6th. He evidently had done so, as on -that date a receipt had been made out to him for the £16 8s. 4d. - -“What was the route covered?” French inquired. - -“Dover-Calais, Paris Nord, Paris P.L.M., Bourg, Amberieu, Culoz, and -Aix-les-bains. Return the same way. Meals on the outward journey were -included as well as three days’ pension at the Hotel Splendide, -Annecy.” - -“I don’t know Annecy at all. What kind of place is it?” - -“Delightful little town on the lake of the same name. A tourist place, -becoming better known in recent years. I could recommend it for any -one who liked a fairly quiet change.” - -“But surely October is too late for it?” - -“Well, yes, it’s rather late. Still, I have no doubt it would be -pleasant enough even then.” - -Next day French travelled back to Thirsby. He was in a very despondent -frame of mind, for he did not see a single clue or line of inquiry -which might lead to the solution of his case. He would, of course, -interview Whymper and follow up the affair of the bank note, but he -felt certain that the young man had obtained it in a legitimate way, -and that his inquiries would lead nowhere. - -From the talkative Miss Judith Carr, the barmaid at the Thirsby Arms, -French learned that Whymper had lodgings on the outskirts of the town, -at 12 Stanhope Terrace, and when dusk had fallen he went out to make -the young man’s acquaintance. - -Whymper was at work on some plans when French was shown into his -sitting-room. He was a typical, healthy-looking Englishman of the -upper middle class. French observed him with some favour, as not at -all the type to be mixed up in criminal enterprises. He rose on -French’s entry, and with a slight look of surprise, indicated an -arm-chair at the fire. - -“Mr. Pierce Whymper?” French began with his pleasant smile. “My name -is French, and I called to see you on a small matter in which I am -going to ask your kind help.” - -Whymper murmured encouragingly. - -“I must explain in the very strictest confidence,” French went on, -glancing searchingly at the other, “that I am an inspector in the -Criminal Investigation Department of New Scotland Yard, and it is in -connection with an investigation I am making that I want your -assistance.” - -As he spoke French had been watching his companion, not with inimical -intent, but as a matter of mere habit. He was surprised and interested -to notice a look of apprehension amounting almost to fear in the young -man’s eyes, while his face paled perceptibly, and he moved uneasily in -his seat. French decided at once to be more careful in his examination -than he had intended. - -“I have been,” he resumed, “working at Messrs. Cook’s office in Regent -Street. I need not go into details, but there has been a robbery, and -they have been handling some of the stolen money. Your name appeared -among others who had been dealing with them during the period in -question, and I am trying to find out if you or these others could -unwittingly have passed in the money.” - -That Whymper was experiencing considerable relief French was sure. He -did not reply, but nodded expectantly. - -“I can ask everything I want in a single question.” French’s voice was -friendly and matter of fact, though he watched the other intently. -“Where did you get the twenty-pound note with which you paid for your -trip to Annecy?” - -Whymper started and the signs of uneasiness showed tenfold more -strongly. - -“Where did I get it?” he stammered, while French noted the admission -his bluff had drawn. “Why, I couldn’t tell you. I had it for a -considerable time. It probably came in my pay.” - -“You get your pay in notes?” French’s voice was stern. - -“Well, sometimes—that is, I may have got the note from my father. He -makes me an allowance.” The young man twisted nervously in his chair -and gave every sign of embarrassment. French, whose experience of -statement makers was profound, said to himself: “The man’s lying.” - -It did not occur to him that this thoroughly normal looking youth -could be guilty of the Starvel Hollow crime, but it suddenly seemed -possible that he might know something about it. - -“I should like you to think carefully, Mr. Whymper. The matter is more -serious than perhaps you realise. You handed Messrs. Cook a stolen -twenty-pound note. I am not suggesting that you stole it or that you -are in any way to blame for passing it. But you must tell me where you -got it. You cannot expect me to believe that you don’t know. -Twenty-pound notes are too uncommon for that.” - -Rather to French’s surprise the young man began once more to show -relief. - -“But that’s what I must tell you, Inspector,” he declared, but he did -not meet French’s eye, and again the other felt he was lying. “I have -had that note for a long time and I don’t really remember how it came -into my possession.” - -“Now, Mr. Whymper, as a friend I should urge you to think again. I am -not making any threats, but it may become very awkward for you if you -persist in that statement. Think it over. I assure you it will be -worth your while.” - -French spoke coaxingly and the other promised he would try to -remember. He seemed to French like a man who felt he had been exposed -to a danger which was now happily past. But if he thought he had got -rid of his visitor he was mistaken. - -“When were you last at Starvel, Mr. Whymper?” - -At this question Whymper seemed to crumple up. He stared at his -questioner with an expression of something very like horror. When he -answered it was almost in a whisper. - -“The day after the fire. I have not been there since.” - -“I don’t mean that. I mean, when were you last there before the fire?” - -Whymper’s composure was coming back. He seemed to be nerving himself -for a struggle. He spoke more normally. - -“Really, I couldn’t tell you, Inspector. It was a long time ago. I was -only there half a dozen times in my life. Once it was by Miss -Averill’s invitation, the other times on the chance of seeing her.” - -“Were you there within a week of the fire?” - -“Oh no. The last time was long before that.” - -“Had you any communication with Mr. Averill—I mean within a week of -the fire?” - -“No. I never had any communication with Mr. Averill. I have never seen -him.” - -“Or with any one in the household; either by letter, telegram, -telephone, personal interview or in any other way whatever?” - -“Yes. I met Miss Averill accidentally on the day before the fire. Mrs. -Oxley, the wife of a solicitor here, came round to the church where I -am working to see about some stones she was buying, and Miss Averill -was with her. Miss Averill was on her way to stay with some friends -and I saw her to the station.” - -“Did she give you the twenty-pound note?” - -“She did nothing of the kind,” Whymper returned with some heat. - -“Was Miss Averill the only member of the Starvel household with whom -you communicated during the week before the fire?” - -Whymper hesitated and appeared to be thinking. - -“Well, Mr. Whymper?” - -“I met Roper, Mr. Averill’s valet and general man, for a moment on the -evening of the fire. We met by chance and merely wished each other -good-evening.” - -“Where did you meet him?” - -“On the street just outside the church gate. I was leaving work for -the night.” - -“At what hour was that?” - -“About half-past five.” - -“And do you assure me that you had no other communication with any -member of the Starvel household during the period in question?” - -“None.” - -“Nor received any message through any third party?” - -“No.” - -“Well, Mr. Whymper, it is only fair to tell you that the note in -question was in Mr. Averill’s safe five days before the fire. You will -have to explain how it came into your possession, if not to me, then -later on in court. Now think,” French’s voice was suave and coaxing, -“would you not rather tell me here in private than have it dragged out -of you in the witness box?” - -“I would tell you at once, Mr. French, if I had anything to tell, but -I’ve nothing. There must be some mistake about the note. The one I -gave to Messrs. Cook couldn’t possibly have been in Mr. Averill’s safe -at any time.” - -The words sounded reasonable, but Whymper’s manner discounted them. -More than ever was French convinced that the man was lying. He pressed -him as hard as he could, but Whymper stuck to his story and nothing -that French could say shook him. French, of course, could only bluff. -He was quite unable to prove that Whymper had really passed the stolen -note, and though he believed he had done so, he fully realised that he -might be mistaken. - -Recognising he had failed for the moment, French set himself to calm -the other’s anxieties before taking his leave. He pretended to accept -the young man’s statement, saying he was afraid his journey had proved -a wild-goose chase, and that he would now have to interview the other -persons whose names he had obtained from Cook’s. Whether his efforts -were successful he wasn’t sure, but the look of relief on Whymper’s -face made him think so. Outwardly at all events both men seemed to -consider the incident closed when, after French had again warned the -other as to secrecy, they bade each other good-night. - -But to French it was very far indeed from being closed. He saw that -the matter must be probed to the bottom. There was, however, nothing -he could do that night except to take one obvious precaution. Whymper -must be watched, and going to the police station he surprised Sergeant -Kent considerably by asking him to put the young man under careful -surveillance. - -This precaution was a bow drawn at a venture, but to French’s surprise -and delight, on the very next day it proved that the arrow had found -its way between the joints of Whymper’s harness. While he was -breakfasting a note was brought to him from Kent. In it the sergeant -said that as a result of the order to put a watch on Whymper, -Constable Sheldrake had made a statement which he, Kent, thought the -inspector should hear. Sheldrake said that on the evening of the fire -he had spent a couple of his free hours in taking a walk in the -direction of Starvel with a friend of his, a young lady. Between -half-past nine and ten the two were approaching the junction where the -Starvel lane diverged from the road which circled round the outside of -the hollow, when they heard steps approaching. Not wishing to be -observed, they had slipped behind some bushes, and they had seen a man -coming from the Starvel lane. He had passed close to them, and by the -light of the moon Constable Sheldrake had not only recognised Whymper, -but had seen that his face bore an expression of horror and distress. -At the time there was no suspicion either of Whymper or of foul play -at Starvel, and the constable, not wishing to be chaffed about the -girl, had not mentioned the matter. But now he believed it to be his -duty to come forward with his report. - -Here was food for thought. The Starvel lane after passing through the -Hollow almost petered out. As a rough track it wound on past one or -two isolated cottages, debouching at last into a cross road some four -miles farther on. It was therefore most unlikely that Whymper could -have been coming from anywhere except Starvel. But if he had been -coming from Starvel he had lied, as he had stated that he had not been -there within a week of the fire. - -This fact made French’s next step all the more imperative. He went -down to the police station and saw Kent. - -“Look here, sergeant,” he explained, “I want to search that young -man’s rooms and I want your help. Will you do two things for me? -First, I want you to find out at what time he goes home in the evening -and let me know, and second to make some pretext to keep him half an -hour later than usual at the church to-night. Can you manage that?” - -“Of course, Mr. French. You may count on me.” - -Kent was as good as his word. When French returned to the hotel in the -afternoon a note was waiting for him, saying that Whymper always -reached home about six. Accordingly ten minutes before six found -French once more knocking at the door of 12 Stanhope Terrace. - -“Has Mr. Whymper come back yet?” he asked the stout, good-humoured -looking landlady. - -She recognised her visitor of the night before and smiled. - -“Not yet, sir. But he won’t be long. Will you come in and wait?” - -This was what French wanted. It was better that she should suggest it -than he. He paused doubtfully. - -“Thanks,” he said at last, “perhaps it would be better if you think he -won’t be long.” - -“He might be here any time. Will you go up, sir? You know your way.” - -French thanked her and slowly mounted the stairs. But once in -Whymper’s sitting-room with the door shut behind him his deliberation -dropped from him like a cloak and he became the personification of -swift efficiency. Noiselessly he turned the key in the lock and then -quickly but silently began a search of the room. - -It was furnished rather more comfortably than the average -lodging-house sitting room, though it retained its family resemblance -to the dreary species. In the centre was a table on half of which was -a more or less white cloth and the preparations for a meal. Two -dining-room chairs and two easy chairs, one without arms, represented -the seating accommodations. A sideboard, a corner cabinet laden with -nondescript ornaments, a china dog and a few books, together with a -small modern roll-top desk completed the furniture. On the walls were -pictures, a royal family group of the early eighties and some -imaginative views of sailing ships labouring on stormy seas. A gilt -clock with a bell glass cover stood on the chimney-piece between a -pair of china vases containing paper flowers. - -French immediately realised that of all these objects, only the desk -was of interest to him. It was evidently Whymper’s private property, -and in its locked drawers would lie any secret documents the young man -might possess. Silently French got to work with his bunch of skeleton -keys and a little apparatus of steel wire, and in two or three minutes -he was able to push the lid gently up. This released the drawers, and -one by one he drew them out and ran through their contents. - -He had examined rather more than half when he pursed his lips together -and gave vent to a soundless whistle. In a small but bulky envelope at -the back of one of the drawers was a roll of banknotes. He drew them -out and counted them. They were all twenties. Twenty-four of -them—£480. - -With something approaching excitement French took from his pocket the -list given him by Tarkington of the numbers of twenty-pound notes sent -to Starvel. A few seconds sufficed to compare. Every single one of the -twenty-four was on the list! - - - -CHAPTER SIX - -Talloires, Lac D’Annecy - -Having noted the twenty-four numbers, French hurriedly replaced the -notes and with even more speed looked through the remaining drawers. -He was now chiefly anxious that Whymper should not suspect his -discovery, and as soon as he was satisfied that he had left no traces -of his search, he silently unlocked the door and then walked noisily -downstairs. As he reached the hall the landlady appeared from the -kitchen. - -“I’m sorry, ma’am,” he said politely, “that I cannot wait any longer -now. I have another appointment. Please tell Mr. Whymper that I’ll -call to see him at the church to-morrow.” - -The door closed behind him, but he made no attempt to return to the -hotel. Instead he hung about the terrace until he saw Whymper -approaching in the distance: Then walking towards him, he hailed him -as if their meeting was accidental. - -“Good-evening, Mr. Whymper. I’ve just been calling at your rooms to -ask if you could see me at the church to-morrow. One or two points -occurred to me in connection with our discussion of last night, and I -wanted to get your views on them. Unfortunately I have an appointment -to-night, and cannot wait now.” - -Whymper, evidently not too pleased at the prospect, curtly admitted he -would be available, and with a short “Good-night,” passed on. - -French went his way also, but when in a few seconds the shadowing -constable put in an appearance, he stopped him. - -“Look here, Hughes. I have a suspicion that Whymper may try to get rid -of some papers to-night. Be specially careful if you see him trying to -do anything of the kind, and let me hear from you about it in the -morning.” - -He reached the hotel and in his pleasant way had a leisurely chat with -the landlord before turning in. But when once he reached his room for -the night he lit a cigar and settled down to see just where he stood. - -It was obvious in the first place that the evidence which he had -obtained against Pierce Whymper would have been considered by most -police officers sufficient to justify an arrest. To find a man -suspected of the theft with the stolen property in his possession was -usually reckoned an overwhelming proof of his guilt. And if to this be -added the fact that the accused was seen in the neighbourhood of the -crime about the time of its commission, having previously denied being -there, and further, that his whole bearing when questioned was evasive -and embarrassed, any lingering doubt might well have been swept away. - -But French was not wholly satisfied. A ripe experience had made him an -almost uncanny judge of character and he felt a strong impression that -Pierce Whymper was not of the stuff of which thieves and murderers are -made. That the young man knew something about the crime he had no -doubt; that he was guilty of it he was not so certain. - -He racked his brains as to whether there was no other statement of -Whymper’s which he could check. Then he remembered that the young -architect had admitted having seen Roper on the afternoon of the -tragedy. This was a point of contact with Starvel, and French wondered -whether more might not have passed between the two men than Whymper -had divulged. He decided that it would be worth while trying to find -out. - -According to his own statement Whymper had met Roper outside the -church gate at about 5.30 on the evening in question. Next morning -French therefore strolled to the church, and getting into conversation -with one of the workmen, learned that the sexton was usually waiting -to lock up when the men left at 5.15. From the notice board he learned -the sexton’s address, ran him to earth and explained that he wished to -speak to him confidentially. - -To his customary story of the insurance company who wished to discover -the cause of the Starvel fire he added some slight embroidery. At the -inquest a suggestion was made of contributory negligence—in other -words, drink—and his instructions were to find out what he could about -this possibility. - -Now he had heard that Roper was seen outside the church gate about -5.30 on the afternoon of the tragedy and he, French, wondered whether -the sexton might not have noticed him when locking up. - -It was a long shot, but rather to French’s surprise, it got a bull’s -eye. The sexton had seen Mr. Roper. Mr. Whymper, the young gentleman -in charge of the renovation, had been ten or fifteen minutes late -finishing up that evening and he, the sexton, had waited by the gate -till he should leave. While there he had noticed Roper. The man seemed -to be hanging about as if waiting for some one, and when Mr. Whymper -appeared, Roper went up and spoke to him. The two men talked together -as if Roper were delivering a message, then they separated, walking -off in opposite directions. They talked, the sexton was sure, for two -or three minutes. No, he did not observe the slightest sign of drink -on Mr. Roper. As a matter of fact the man wished him good-evening and -he could swear he was then perfectly sober. - -“Well, I’m glad to know that,” French declared, “though I suppose it -is really against my company. But I expect we shall have to pay in any -case. Now, I think I’d best see this Mr. Whymper you speak of, and get -his confirmation of your views.” - -“You’ll find him in the church, probably in the north transept where -they’re rebuilding the window.” - -French did not, however, go immediately to the north transept of the -church. Instead he found his way to the residence of a certain Colonel -Followes, a prominent magistrate with a reputation for discretion, -whose name had been given him by Sergeant Kent. He took the colonel -into his confidence, made the necessary formal statement and obtained -a warrant for the arrest of Pierce Whymper. Whether or not he would -execute it would depend on the young man’s answers to his further -questions, but he wished to be able to do so if, at the time, it -seemed wise. - -Returning to the church, French found his quarry superintending the -resetting of the stone mullions of the beautiful north transept -window. He waited until the young man was free, then said that he -would be glad if they could now have their talk. - -“Come into the vestry room,” Whymper returned. “I use it as an office -and we won’t be disturbed.” - -Of all the sights which the groined roof of the old vestry had looked -down on during the three centuries of its existence, none perhaps was -so out of keeping with the character of the place as this interview -between a detective of the C.I.D. and the man whom he half suspected -of murder, arson, and burglary. And yet there was nothing dramatic -about their conversation. French spoke quietly, as if their business -was everyday and matter of fact. Whymper, though he was evidently -under strain, gave none of the evidence of apprehension he had -exhibited on the previous evening. Rather had he the air of a man who -feared no surprise as he had braced himself to meet the worst. He -waited in silence for the other to begin. - -“I am sorry, Mr. Whymper,” French said at last, “to have to return to -the subject we discussed last night, but since then further facts have -come to my knowledge which render it necessary. I think it right to -tell you that these facts suggest that you may be guilty of a number -of extremely serious crimes. I am, however, aware that facts, -improperly understood, may be misleading, and I wish, therefore, to -give you an opportunity of explaining the matters which seem to -incriminate you. I would like to ask you a number of questions, but -before I do so I must warn you that if your answers are unsatisfactory -I must arrest you, and then anything you have said may be used in -evidence against you.” - -Whymper had paled slightly while the other was speaking. “I shall try -to answer your questions,” he said in a low voice, and French -resumed:— - -“The main question is, of course, the one I asked you last night: -Where did you get the twenty-pound note with which you paid Messrs. -Cook? You needn’t tell me that you don’t know. Apart from the -improbability of that I have absolute proof that you know quite well. -Now, Mr. Whymper, if you are innocent you have nothing to fear. Tell -me the truth. I can promise you I will give your statement every -consideration.” - -“I have already explained that I don’t know where the note came from.” - -French paused, frowning and looking inquiringly at the other. - -“Very well,” he said at last, “let us leave it at that for the moment. -Now tell me: Did you receive any other money from Mr. Averill or Miss -Averill, or Roper or Mrs. Roper within three or four days of the -fire?” - -“None.” - -“There was a matter of a certain £500. It was in Mr. Averill’s safe -four days before the fire. All but twenty pounds of it was in your -possession last night. Now where did you obtain that money?” - -In spite of his being prepared for the worst, Whymper seemed -completely taken aback by the question. He did not answer, but sat -staring at the Inspector, while an expression of utter hopelessness -grew on his face. French went on:— - -“You see, Mr. Whymper, I know all about your having that money. And I -know that you were at Starvel on the night of the fire. I know also -that your interview with Roper outside the church on that same evening -involved a good deal more than a mere exchange of good-nights. Come -now, I want to give you the chance of making a statement, but I don’t -want to press you. If you would like to reserve your replies until you -have consulted your solicitor, by all means do so. But in that case I -shall have to take you into custody.” - -For some moments Whymper did not speak. He seemed overcome by French’s -words and unable to reach a decision. French did not hurry him. He had -sized up his man and he believed he would presently get his -information. But at last, as Whymper remained silent, he said more -sternly:— - -“Come now, Mr. Whymper, you’ll have to make up your mind, you know.” - -His words seemed to break the spell and Whymper replied. He spoke -earnestly and without any of the evidences of prevarication which had -marked his previous statements. “The truth this time,” said French to -himself, and he settled down to listen, thinking that if the other -really had a satisfactory explanation of his conduct, it was going to -be worth hearing. - -“I wanted to keep this matter secret,” Whymper began, “for quite -personal reasons. The £500 you speak of, of which the money I paid to -Cook was a part, was not stolen. It never occurred to me to imagine I -could be accused of stealing it. I don’t see now what makes you think -I did. However, I see that I must tell you the truth so far as I can -and I may begin by admitting that what I have said up to now was not -the truth.” - -French nodded in approval. - -“That’s better, Mr. Whymper. I am glad you are taking this line. -Believe me, you will find it the best for yourself.” - -“I’m afraid I can’t take any credit for it. I needn’t pretend I would -have told you if I could have helped myself. However, this is what -happened:— - -“On that Wednesday evening of the fire, as I left the church about -half-past five, I saw Roper outside the gate. He seemed to be waiting -for me and he came up and said he had a message for me from Mr. -Averill. Mr. Averill wasn’t very well or he would have written, but he -wanted to see me on very urgent and secret business. Roper asked could -I come out that night to Starvel and see Mr. Averill, without -mentioning my visit to any one. I said I should be out there shortly -after eight o’clock, and we parted.” - -Again French nodded. This was a good beginning. So far it covered the -facts. - -“I walked out as I had promised. Roper opened the door. He showed me -into the drawing-room and asked me to wait until he had informed Mr. -Averill. He was absent for several minutes and then he came back to -say that Mr. Averill was extremely sorry, but he was feeling too ill -to see me. He had, however, written me a note, and Roper handed me a -bulky envelope. - -“I was fairly surprised when I opened it for it contained banknotes, -and when I counted them I was more surprised still. There were -twenty-five of them and they were all for £20: no less than £500 -altogether. There was a note with them. I don’t remember the exact -words, but Mr. Averill said he was sorry he was too unwell to -undertake what must be a painful interview, that he didn’t wish to put -the facts in writing, that Roper was entirely in his confidence in the -matter and would explain it, and that as I should want money for what -he was going to ask me to do, he was enclosing £500, to which he would -add a further sum if I found I required it. - -“Roper then went on to tell me a certain story. I can only say that it -is quite impossible for me to repeat it, but it involved a visit to -France. Mr. Averill would have preferred to have gone himself, but he -was too old and frail, and he could not spare Roper. He asked me would -I undertake it for him. The money was for my expenses, if I would go. -The matter was, however, very confidential, and this I could see for -myself. - -“I agreed to go to France, and took the notes. I left Starvel about -half-past nine, and walked back to my rooms. Next day came the news of -the tragedy. This put me in a difficulty as to the mission to France. -But I saw that my duty would be to go just as if Mr. Averill was still -alive. So I went, as you seem to know, but I was unable to carry out -the work Mr. Averill had wished me to do. Instead, therefore, of -spending four or five hundred pounds as I had expected to, the trip -only cost me my travelling expenses, and I was left with £480 of Mr. -Averill’s money on my hands. At first I thought I had better hand it -over to Mr. Oxley, Mr. Averill’s solicitor, but afterwards I decided -to keep it and go out again to France and have another try at the -business.” - -French was puzzled by the story. It certainly hung together and it -certainly was consistent with all the facts he had learned from other -sources. Moreover, Whymper’s manner was now quite different. He spoke -convincingly and French felt inclined to believe him. On the other -hand, all that he had said could have been very easily invented. If he -persisted in his refusal to disclose his business in France, French -felt he could not officially accept his statement. - -“That may be all very well, Mr. Whymper,” he said. “I admit that what -you have told me may be perfectly true. I am not saying whether I -myself believe it or not, but I will say this, that no jury on the -face of this earth would believe it. Moreover, as it stands, your -story cannot be tested. You must tell the whole of it. You must say -what was the mission Mr. Averill asked you to undertake in France. If -I can satisfy myself about it there is no need for any one else to -know. Now, be advised, and since you have gone so far, complete your -statement.” - -The hopeless look settled once more on Whymper’s face. - -“I’m sorry,” he said despondently. “I can’t. It’s not my secret.” - -“But Mr. Averill is now dead. That surely makes a difference. Besides, -it is impossible that he could wish to get you into the most serious -trouble any man could be in because of even a criminal secret. Tell me -in confidence, Mr. Whymper. I’ll promise not to use the information -unless it is absolutely necessary.” - -Whymper shook his head. “I can’t tell,” he repeated. - -French’s tone became a trifle sterner. - -“I wonder if you quite understand the position. It has been -established that some person or persons went to Starvel on the evening -we are speaking of, murdered Mr. Averill and Roper and his wife,” -Whymper gave an exclamation of dismay, “stole Mr. Averill’s fortune -and then set fire to the house. So far as we know, you alone visited -the house that night, some of the stolen money was found in your -possession, and when I give you the chance of accounting for your -actions, you don’t take it. Do you not understand, Mr. Whymper, that -if you persist in this foolish attitude you will be charged with -murder?” - -Whymper’s face had become ghastly and an expression of absolute horror -appeared on his features. For a moment he sat motionless, and then he -looked French straight in the face. - -“It’s not my secret. I can’t tell you,” he declared with a sudden show -of energy and then sank back into what seemed the lethargy of despair. - -French was more puzzled than ever. The facts looked as bad as -possible, and yet if Whymper’s tale were true, he might be absolutely -innocent. And French’s inclination was to believe the story so far as -it went. The secret might be something discreditable affecting, not -Mr. but Miss Averill, which would account for the man’s refusal to -reveal it. On the other hand could Whymper be hiding information about -the Starvel crime? Was he even shielding the murderer? Could he, -learning what had occurred and finding proof of the murderer’s -identity, have himself set fire to the house with the object of -destroying the evidence? Somehow, French did not think he was himself -the murderer, but if he knew the identity of the criminal he was an -accessory after the fact and guilty to that extent. - -Whether or not he should arrest the young man was to French a problem -which grew in difficulty the longer he considered it. On the whole, he -was against it. If Whymper turned out to be innocent such a step -would, of course, be a serious blunder, but even if he were guilty -there were objections to it. Arrest might prevent him from doing -something by which he would give himself away or at least indicate the -correct line of research. Free, but with arrest hanging over him, the -man would in all probability attempt to communicate with his -accomplice—if he had one—and so give a hint of the latter’s identity. -French made up his mind. - -“I have more than enough evidence to arrest you now,” he said gravely, -“but I am anxious first to put your story to a further test. I will, -therefore, for the present only put you under police supervision. If -you can see your way to complete your statement, I may be able to -withdraw the supervision. By the way, have you got the note Mr. -Averill enclosed with the £500?” - -“Yes, it is in my rooms.” - -“Then come along to your rooms now and give it to me. You had better -hand over the notes also, for which, of course, I’ll give you a -receipt. I shall also want a photograph of yourself and a sample of -your handwriting.” - -When French reached the hotel he took out some samples of Mr. -Averill’s handwriting which he had obtained from Mr. Tarkington and -compared them with that of Whymper’s note. But he saw at a glance that -there was nothing abnormal here. All were obviously by the same hand. - -That evening after racking his brains over his problem it was borne in -on him that a visit to Annecy was his only remaining move. It was not -hopeful, but as he put it to himself, you never knew. He felt there -was nothing more to be learned at Thirsby, but he _might_ find -something at Annecy which would give him a lead. - -He saw Sergeant Kent and urged him to keep a close watch on Whymper’s -movements, then next day he went up to town and put the case before -Chief Inspector Mitchell. That astute gentleman smiled when he heard -it. - -“Another trip to the Continent, eh, French?” he observed dryly. “Fond -of foreign travel, aren’t you?” - -“It’s what you say, sir,” French answered, considerably abashed. “I -admit it’s not hopeful, but it’s just a possibility. However, if you -think it best I shall go back to Thirsby, and——” - -“Pulling your leg, French,” the Chief Inspector broke in with a kindly -smile. “I think you should go to France. You mayn’t learn anything -about the tragedy, but you’re pretty certain to find out Whymper’s -business and either convict him or clear him in your mind.” - -That evening at 8.30 French left Victoria and early next morning -reached Paris. Crossing the city, he bathed and breakfasted at the -Gare de Lyon, and taking the 8.10 a.m. express, spent the day watching -the great central plain of France roll past the carriage windows. For -an hour or two after starting they skirted the Seine, a placid, well -wooded stream garnished with little towns and pleasant villas. Then -through the crumpled up country north of Dijon and across more plains, -past Bourg and Amberieu and through the foothills of the Alps to Culoz -and Aix. At Aix French changed, completing his journey on a little -branch line and reaching Annecy just in time for dinner. He drove to -the Splendid, where Whymper had stayed, a large hotel looking out -across a wide street at the side of which came up what looked like a -river, but which he afterwards found was an arm of the lake. Scores of -little boats lay side by side at the steps along the road, and on the -opposite side of the water stood a great building which he saw was the -theatre, with behind it, the trees of a park. - -After dinner French asked for the manager, and producing his -photograph of Whymper, inquired if any one resembling it had recently -stayed at the hotel. But yes, the manager remembered his guest’s -friend perfectly. He had stayed, he could not say how long from -memory, but he would consult the register. Would monsieur be so -amiable as to follow him? Yes, here it was. M. Whymper?—was it not so? -M. Whymper had arrived on Friday the 8th of October and had stayed for -three nights, leaving on Monday the 11th. No, the manager could not -tell what his business had been nor how he had employed his time. -Doubtless he had gone on the lake. To go on the lake was very -agreeable. All the hotel guests went on the lake. By steamer, yes. You -could go to the end of the lake in one hour, and round it in between -two and three. But yes! A lake of the greatest beauty. - -French had not expected to learn more than this from the manager. He -remembered that in his original letter to Cook Whymper had asked for -Talloires, and he now spoke of the place. Talloires, it appeared, was -a small village on the east side of the lake, rather more than -half-way down. A picturesque spot, the manager assured him, with no -less than three hotels. If monsieur wished to visit it he should take -the steamer. All the steamers called. - -Next morning accordingly French took the steamer from the pleasant -little Quay alongside the park. French thought the lake less lovely -than that of Thun, but still the scenery was very charming. High hills -rose up steeply from the water, particularly along the eastern side, -while towards the south he could see across the ends of valleys snow -peaks hanging in the sky. Villas and little hamlets nestled in the -trees along the shore. - -Right opposite the pier at Talloires was a big hotel and there French, -having ordered a drink, began to make inquiries. But no one had seen -the original of the photograph, or recollected hearing a name like -Whymper. - -Another large hotel was standing close by, and French strolled towards -it beneath a grove of fine old trees which grew down to the water’s -edge. This hotel building had been a monastery and French enjoyed -sauntering through the old cloisters, which he was told, formed the -_salle à manger_ during the hot weather. - -Having done justice to an excellent _dejeuner_, he returned to -business, producing his photograph and asking his questions. And here -he met with immediate success. Both the waiter who attended him and -the manager remembered Whymper. The young architect had, it appeared, -asked to see the manager and had inquired if he knew where in the -neighbourhood a M. Prosper Giraud had lived. When the manager replied -that no such person had been there while he had been manager—over five -years—Whymper had been extremely disconcerted. He had then asked if a -Mme. Madeleine Blancquart was known, and on again receiving a negative -reply, had been more upset than ever. He had left after lunch and the -manager had heard that he had repeated his questions to the police. - -In ten minutes French was at the local gendarmerie, where he learned -that not only had Whymper made the same inquiries, but had offered a -reward of 5000 francs for information as to the whereabouts of either -of the mysterious couple. Interrogations on the same point had been -received from the police at Annecy, so presumably Whymper had visited -them also. - -This supposition French confirmed on returning to the little town. -Whymper had made his inquiries and offered his reward there also and -had seemed terribly disappointed by his failure to locate the people. -He had left his address and begged that if either of the persons was -heard of a wire should be sent him immediately. - -As French made his way back to London he felt that in one sense his -journey had not been wasted. Whymper’s actions seemed on the whole to -confirm his story. French did not believe he would have had the guile -to travel out all that way, and to show such feeling over a failure to -find purely imaginary people. He felt sure that M. Prosper Giraud and -Mme. Madeleine Blancquart did really exist and that Mr. Averill had -mentioned them. If Whymper had invented these people he would have -spoken of them so that his inquiries might be discovered in -confirmation of his statement. If Whymper, moreover, had had -sufficient imagination to devise such a story, he would certainly have -had enough to complete it in a convincing manner. - -The more French considered the whole affair, the more likely he -thought it that there really was a secret in the Averill family, a -secret so important or so sinister that Whymper was willing to chance -arrest rather than reveal it. And if so, it could concern but one -person. Surely for Ruth Averill alone would the young man run such a -risk. And then French remembered that until the fire, that was, until -Whymper’s visit to Starvel, the courtship of the young people had been -going strong, whereas after the tragedy the affair had seemed at a -standstill. There was some secret vitally affecting Ruth. French felt -he could swear it. And what form would such a secret be likely to -take? French determined that on his return he would make some guarded -inquiries as to the girl’s parentage. - -But when he reached London he found a fresh development had taken -place, and his thoughts for some time to come were led into a -completely new channel. - - - -CHAPTER SEVEN - -Posthumous Evidence - -The cause of Inspector French’s change of outlook on the Starvel case -was a note from Sergeant Kent which was waiting for him on his arrival -at Scotland Yard. The sergeant wrote enclosing a letter addressed to -“The Heirs or Assigns of the late Mr. John Roper, Starvel, Thirsby, -Yorkshire, W.R.” The postmaster, he explained, had shown it to him, -asking him if he knew to whom it should be forwarded. Though he did -not suppose it could have anything to do with the tragedy, the -sergeant thought that French should see it. - -“No good,” French thought. “Nothing to me.” Nevertheless he slit open -the envelope and withdrew the contents. - -It was a letter headed “The Metropolitan Safe Deposit Co., Ltd., 25b -King William Street, City,” and read as follows:— - - “Dear Sir or Madam,—We beg to remind you that the late Mr. John Roper - of Starvel, Thirsby, Yorkshire, W.R., was the holder of a small safe - in our strongrooms. The rent of the safe, 30/- (thirty shillings stg.) - is now due, and we should be glad to receive this sum from you or - alternatively to have your instructions as to disposal of its - contents. - “Yours faithfully, - “For The Metropolitan Safe Deposit Co., Ltd.” - -To French it seemed a rather unusual thing that a man in Roper’s -position should require the services of a safe deposit company. He -could not but feel a certain curiosity regarding the object which -required such careful guarding. As things were he supposed he had as -much right as anybody to deal with the affair, and as it was but a -short distance to King William Street, he decided he would go down and -investigate. - -Half an hour later he was explaining the position to the manager. As -far as was known, Roper had no relatives or heirs. His safe would -therefore be given up, and on behalf of Scotland Yard, he, French, -would take charge of its contents. - -The contents in question proved to be a small sealed envelope, and -when French had once again reached the seclusion of his own office he -tore it open and ran his eye over its enclosure. As he did so his eyes -grew round and he gave vent to a low, sustained whistle. To say that -he was at that moment the most astonished man in London would be a -very inadequate description of his sensations. - -The enclosure consisted of a single sheet of gray note paper with an -address, “Braeside, Kintillock, Fife,” printed in small embossed -letters at the top. One side was covered with writing, a man’s hand, -cultivated, but somewhat tremulous. It read:— - - 15_th_ _May_, 1921. - “I, Herbert Philpot, doctor of medicine and at present assistant on - the staff of the Ransome Institute in this town, under compulsion - and in the hope of avoiding exposure, hereby remorsefully confess - that I am guilty of attempting the death of my wife, Edna Philpot, - by arranging that she should meet with an accident, and when this - merely rendered her unconscious, of killing her by striking her on - the temple with a cricket bat. I do not state my overwhelming sorrow - and despair, for these are beyond words. - - “May God have mercy on me, - “Herbert Philpot.” - -French swore in amazement as he read this extraordinary document. Dr. -Herbert Philpot! Surely that was the Thirsby doctor? He turned to his -notes of the case. Yes, the name was Herbert all right. Presumably it -was the same man. At all events it would be easy to find out. - -But what under the sun did the document mean? Was it really a -statement of fact, a genuine confession of murder, written by Philpot? -If so, how had it fallen into the hands of Roper, and what had the man -been keeping it for? Had he been blackmailing Philpot? Or was the -whole thing a forgery? French was completely puzzled. - -But it was evident that the matter could not be left where it stood. -It must be gone into and its monstrous suggestion must be proved or -rebutted. - -French’s hand stole toward his pocket and half unconsciously he filled -and lit his pipe, puffing out clouds of blue smoke while he thought -over this latest development. _If_ the confession were genuine and -_if_ Roper were blackmailing Philpot, Philpot would want to get rid of -Roper. Could it therefore be possible that Philpot was in some way -mixed up with the Starvel crime? Not personally of course; there was -medical evidence that the doctor was ill in bed at the time of the -tragedy. But could he be involved in some way that French could not at -the moment fathom? It seemed too far-fetched to consider seriously, -and yet here was undoubtedly a connection with Roper of the most -extraordinary kind. - -But this was sheer idiocy! French pulled himself together. An -inspector of his service ought to know better than to jump to -conclusions! Hadn’t bitter experience again and again taught him its -folly? Let him get hold of his data first. - -And then French recalled the statement of the landlord of the -Thirsdale Arms in Thirsby. He had taken all that the landlord had said -with a grain of salt—gossips were seldom entirely reliable—but if -Philpot _had_ been gambling to the extent of embarrassing himself -financially. . . . It was worth looking into anyway. - -Obviously the first thing was to make sure that the Philpot of the -confession really was the Thirsby doctor. This at least was easy. He -sent for a medical directory and traced the Thirsby man’s career. A -few seconds gave him his information. - -Herbert Philpot was born in 1887, making him now 39 years old. He -passed through Edinburgh University, taking his final in 1909. For a -year he was at sea and for two more years he worked in one of the -Edinburgh hospitals. In 1913 he was appointed junior assistant at the -Ransome Institution at Kintilloch, where he remained for eight years. -In September 1921—four months after the date of the confession, French -noted—he set up for himself in Thirsby. - -So that was that. French’s interest grew as he considered the matter. -If the confession were genuine, the affair would be something in the -nature of a scoop, not only for himself personally, but even for the -great organisation of the Yard. It would create a first-class -sensation. The powers that be would be pleased and certain kudos and -possible promotion would be forthcoming. - -French left the Yard and drove to the office of _The Scotsman_ in -Fleet Street. There he asked to see the files of the paper for the -year 1921, and turning to the month of May, he began a search for news -of an accident to a Mrs. Philpot at Kintilloch. - -He found it sooner than he had expected. On the 17th May, two days -after the date of the confession, there was a short paragraph headed -“Tragic Death of a Doctor’s Wife.” It read:— - - “The little town of Kintilloch, Fife, has been thrown into mourning - by the tragic death on Tuesday evening of Mrs. Edna Philpot, wife of - Dr. Herbert Philpot, one of the staff of the Ransome Institute. The - deceased lady in some way tripped while descending the stairs at her - home, falling down the lower flight. Dr. Philpot, who was in his - study, heard her cry and rushed out to find her lying unconscious in - the hall. She was suffering from severe concussion and in spite of - all his efforts she passed away in a few minutes, even before the - arrival of Dr. Ferguson, for whom Dr. Philpot had hurriedly - telephoned. Mrs. Philpot took a prominent part in the social life of - the town and her loss will be keenly felt.” - -“It’s suggestive enough,” French thought, as he copied out the -paragraph. “It looks as if she had been alone with him in the house. I -must get more details.” - -He returned to the Yard and put through a telephone call to the -Detective Department of the Edinburgh police, asking that any -information about the accident be sent him as soon as possible. - -While he was waiting for a reply his thoughts reverted to Whymper. He -was rather troubled in his mind about the young architect. While he -was now strongly inclined to believe in his innocence, he was still -not certain of it, and he hesitated upon starting off on this new -inquiry until he had made up his mind definitely about the other -matter. But some further thought showed him that there was no special -reason for coming to an immediate decision about Whymper. Sergeant -Kent was keeping him under police supervision and might well continue -to do so for a day or two more. - -Two days later French received a voluminous dossier of the case from -the authorities in Scotland. There were cuttings from several papers -as well as three columns from the _Kintilloch Weekly Argus_. There was -a detailed report from the local sergeant embodying a short history of -all concerned, and a copy of Dr. Ferguson’s certificate of “death from -concussion, resulting from a fall.” Finally there was a covering -letter from the head of the department, marked “confidential,” which -stated that, owing to some dissatisfaction in the mind of the local -superintendent, the matter had been gone into more fully than might -otherwise have been the case, but that this inquiry having evolved no -suspicious circumstances, the affair had been dropped. - -Considerably impressed and beginning to think he was on a hot scent, -French settled down to study the documents in detail. And the more he -did so, the more determined he became that he would sift the affair to -the bottom. Apart from the possible murder of Mrs. Philpot and the -bringing of her murderer to justice, he saw that if such a crime had -been committed it might have a very important bearing on the Starvel -tragedy. Roper might have been blackmailing Philpot, and though he did -not see how, Philpot might have some association with the crime. -Therefore, from two points of view it was his duty to carry on. - -By the time he had read all the papers twice he had a very good idea -in his mind of what at least was supposed to have taken place. Dr. -Philpot was third in command on the medical staff of the Ransome -Institute, a large mental hospital about a mile from Kintilloch, a -small town in Fifeshire. He was a man of retiring disposition, neither -popular nor exactly unpopular, and pulling but a small weight in the -public and social affairs of the little township. In May 1914 he had -married Miss Edna Menzies, the daughter of the manager of a large -factory near Dundee. Miss Menzies was a pretty young woman with a -vivacious manner and was a general favourite, particularly among the -athletic and sporting sets of the community. - -The Philpots, who had no children, lived at Braeside, a small detached -house some half-mile from the town and a few hundred yards from the -gate of the Ransome Institute. The only other member of the household -was a general servant, Flora Macfarlane, who had been with them for -over three years at the date of the tragedy and who was believed to be -an efficient servant. But she was “ay one for the lads,” as the local -gossips expressed it, and though the breath of scandal had so far -passed her by, dark hints were given and heads shaken when her doings -came under review. - -This girl, Flora, lived only a short distance from Braeside. For some -weeks before the tragedy her mother had been ailing, and she had -formed the habit of running over to see her for a few minutes when her -duties permitted. About 5.30 on the afternoon of the accident she had -asked and obtained permission to make one of these visits, undertaking -to be back in time to prepare dinner. This would normally have meant -an absence of about half an hour. But as the girl left a heavy shower -came on, with the result that, after sheltering under a tree for a few -minutes, she abandoned her purpose and returned to the house some -fifteen minutes earlier than she had expected. Braeside is built on -sloping ground, the hall door being level with the road in front while -the basement kitchen has an independent entrance to the lower ground -behind. Flora used this lower entrance, and as she passed through she -heard Dr. Philpot speaking in a loud and agitated voice. Something in -the sound suggested disaster and she ran up the back stairs to the -hall to see if anything was wrong. There she found Mrs. Philpot lying -on the floor at the foot of the stairs, motionless and the colour of -death. As a matter of fact the lady was then dead, though Flora did -not know this until later. Dr. Philpot, with an appearance of extreme -anguish and despair, was telephoning for help. His call made, he put -down the receiver and then, noticing the girl, cried: “She’s dead, -Flora! She’s dead! She has fallen downstairs and been killed!” He was -terribly upset and indeed seemed hardly sane for some hours. Presently -Dr. Ferguson, the senior medical officer of the Institute, arrived and -a few minutes later Sergeant MacGregor of the local police. - -Dr. Philpot afterwards explained that he was writing letters in his -study when he heard a sudden scream from his wife and a terrible noise -like that of a body falling down the stairs. He rushed out to find -Mrs. Philpot lying in a heap at the bottom of the lower flight. She -was unconscious and a large contusion on her temple showed that she -had struck her head heavily on the floor. He laid her on her back and -tried everything that his knowledge suggested to bring her round, but -it was evident that she had been fatally injured and in a minute or -two she was dead. The doctor had been so busy attending to her that he -had not had a moment to summon aid, but directly he saw that all was -over he telephoned for his chief and the police. - -The lower flight consisted of sixteen steps. At the top was a small -landing. On this the stair carpet was worn and there was a tiny hole. -After the tragedy the edge of this hole next the lower flight was -found to be raised and torn. That, coupled with the fact that the -deceased lady was wearing very high-heeled shoes, suggested the theory -that she had met her death by catching her heel in the carpet while -descending the stairs. - -Such was the gist of the story as understood by French. He thought it -over in some doubt, considering it from various angles. The tale -certainly hung together, and there was nothing impossible in it. -Everything indeed might well have taken place exactly as described, -and French felt that had he not known of the confession, no suspicion -of foul play would have entered his mind. But in the light of the -confession he saw that the events might bear another interpretation. -Philpot was alone with his wife at the time of the occurrence; and he -probably knew beforehand that he would be alone, that Flora had -obtained half an hour’s leave of absence. When Flora returned Mrs. -Philpot was dead. There was no witness of the accident. No one other -than Philpot knew how the lady died. To have staged the accident would -have been easy, and a blow on the temple with some heavy weapon such -as a cricket bat would have produced a bruise similar to that caused -by a fall. Moreover, a resourceful man could have produced the -suggestion that she had tripped by deliberately raising the edge of -the carpet at the hole. Yes, it could all have been done exactly as -the confession suggested. - -Were these the considerations, French wondered, which had caused the -dissatisfaction in the mind of the local superintendent, or were there -still further circumstances throwing suspicion on Philpot? Whether or -not, he felt the case against the doctor was strong enough to justify -a visit to Kintilloch. - -But one point—a vital one—he could settle before starting, or so he -believed. Walking down the Embankment to Charing Cross, he went to the -writing room of the station hotel and wrote a letter on the hotel -paper. - - “5_th_ _November_. - “Dear Sir,—I should be grateful if you would kindly inform me if a - man named Henry Fuller ever worked for you as gardener, and if so, - whether you found him satisfactory. He has applied to me for a job, - giving you as a reference. - - “Apologising for troubling you, - “Yours faithfully, - “Charles Musgrave.” - -French addressed his letter to “Herbert Philpot, Esq., M.D., Thirsby, -Yorkshire, W.R.” and dropping it into the hotel letter box, returned -to the Yard. - -Two days later he called for the reply, explaining to the porter that -he had intended to stay in the hotel but had had to change his plans. -Dr. Philpot wrote briefly that there must be some mistake, as no one -of the name mentioned had ever worked for him. - -But French was not interested in the career of the hypothetical Henry -Fuller. Instead he laid the letter down on his desk beside the -confession and with a powerful lens fell to comparing the two. - -He was soon satisfied. The confession was a forgery. The lens revealed -a shakiness in the writing due to slow and careful formation of the -letters which would not have been there had it been written at an -ordinary speed. French had no doubt on the matter, but to make -assurance doubly sure he sent the two documents to the Yard experts -for a considered opinion. Before long he had their reply. His -conclusion was correct, an enlarged photograph proved it conclusively. - -But even if the confession were forged, French felt that the -circumstances were so extraordinary that he could not drop the matter. -The whole affair smacked of blackmail, and if blackmail had been going -on he thought it might in some way have a bearing on the Starvel -tragedy. At all events, even though a forgery, the confession might -state the truth. It seemed necessary, therefore, to learn all he could -about the affair and he went in and laid the whole matter before his -Chief for that officer’s decision. - -Chief Inspector Mitchell was surprised by the story. - -“It’s certainly puzzling,” he admitted. “If the document were genuine -one could understand it a bit. It’s possible, though it’s not easy, to -imagine circumstances under which it might have been written. It -might, for example, be that Roper had proof of the doctor’s guilt, -which he held back on getting the confession to enable him to extort -continuous blackmail. Even in this case, however, it’s difficult to -see why he couldn’t have blackmailed on the proof he already held. But -none of these theories can be the truth because the document is not -genuine. A forged confession is useless. Why then should Roper value -it sufficiently to store it in a safe deposit? I confess it gets me, -French, and I agree that you should go into it further. I don’t see -that it will help you in any way with the Starvel affair, but you -never know. Something useful for that too may come out. Say nothing to -Philpot in the meantime, but get away to this place in Scotland and -make a few inquiries.” - -That night French took the 11.40 sleeping car express from King’s -Cross. He changed at Edinburgh next morning and, having breakfasted, -continued his journey into Fifeshire in a stopping train. Eleven -o’clock saw him at Cupar, the headquarters of the Kintilloch district, -and fifteen minutes later he was seated in the office of the -superintendent, explaining to that astonished officer the surprising -development which had taken place. - -“They told me from Headquarters that you were not satisfied about the -affair when it occurred,” French concluded. “I wondered if you would -tell me why?” - -“I will surely,” the other returned, leaning forward confidentially, -“but you’ll understand that we hadn’t what you’d call an actual -suspicion. There was, first of all, the fact that it wasn’t a very -common kind of accident. I’ve heard of an occasional person falling -downstairs, but I’ve never heard of any one being killed by it. Then -there was nobody there when it happened except Philpot: there was no -one to check his statement. What’s more, he knew the servant was going -out. The girl’s statement was that Mrs. Philpot was with the doctor in -the study when she asked permission to go. It all looked possible, you -understand. But the thing that really started us wondering was that -the Philpots were supposed to be on bad terms, and it was whispered -that Philpot was seeing a good deal of one of the nurses up at the -Institute. It’s only fair to say that we couldn’t prove either of -these rumors. The only definite things we got hold of were that the -Philpots never went anywhere together, Mrs. Philpot being socially -inclined and he not, and that he and the nurse were seen one day -lunching in a small hotel in Edinburgh. But of course there was -nothing really suspicious in these things and the rest may have been -just gossip. In any case he didn’t marry the nurse. The talk made us -look into the affair, but we thought it was all right and we let it -drop.” - -French nodded. The superintendent’s statement was comprehensive and he -did not at first see what more there was to be learned. But he sat on, -turning the thing over in his mind, in his competent, unhurried way, -until he had thought out and put in order a number of points upon -which further information might be available. - -“I suppose that other doctor—Ferguson, you called him—was quite -satisfied by the accident theory?” - -“Sergeant MacGregor asked him that, as a routine question. Yes, there -was no doubt the blow on the temple killed her and in his opinion she -might have received it by falling down the stairs.” - -“And the servant girl had no suspicion?” - -“Well, we didn’t exactly ask her that in so many words. But I’m -satisfied she hadn’t. Besides, her story was all right. There was -nothing to cause her suspicion—if she was telling the truth.” - -“Is she still in the town?” - -“I don’t know,” the superintendent returned. “I have an idea that she -married shortly afterwards and left. But Sergeant MacGregor will know. -Would you have time to go down to Kintilloch and see him? I could go -with you to-morrow, but I’m sorry I’m engaged for the rest of to-day.” - -“Thank you, I’d like to see the sergeant, but I shouldn’t think of -troubling you to come. I think indeed I shall have to see all -concerned. It’s a matter of form really; I don’t expect to get -anything more than your people did. But I’m afraid I shall have to see -them to satisfy the Chief. You see, there may be some connection with -this Starvel case that I’m on. You don’t mind?” - -“Of course not. I’ll give you a note to MacGregor. These country -bumpkins become jealous easily.” - -“Thank you. I think there’s only one other thing I should like to ask -you, and that’s about Roper. Do you know anything of him?” - -“I don’t, but he might have lived at Kintilloch all his life for all -that. I don’t know the local people very well. The sergeant will help -you there. He is a useful man for his job—a shrewd gossip. There’s not -much happens in his district that he doesn’t know about.” - -A short run in a local train brought French to Kintilloch and he was -not long in finding the local police station and introducing himself -to Sergeant MacGregor. That worthy at first displayed a canny reserve, -but on seeing his superintendent’s note became loquacious and -informative. With the exception of two pieces of information, he had -little to tell of which French was not already aware. Those two items, -however, were important. - -The first was that he had known John Roper well. Roper had been for -six years an attendant at the Ransome Institute. He had been, the -sergeant believed, directly under Dr. Philpot. At all events he and -the doctor knew each other intimately. As to the man’s character; -MacGregor knew nothing against him, but he had not liked him, nor -indeed had many other people. Roper was an able man, clever and -efficient, but he had a sneering, satirical manner and was unable to -refrain from making caustic remarks which hurt people’s feelings and -made him enemies. He left his job and the town some three or four -years after Dr. Philpot as a result of trouble at the Institute, and -so far as the sergeant could tell, no one was very sorry to see the -last of him. The sergeant had supposed he had gone to Brazil, as he -had applied for a passport for that country. He had informed the -sergeant that he had a brother in Santos and was going out to him. - -The second piece of news was that Flora Macfarlane, the Philpots’ -maid, had been married a month or so after Mrs. Philpot’s death, and -to no less a person than John Roper. The girl who had all but -witnessed her mistress’ tragic death had herself five years later been -a victim in that still more terrible tragedy at the old house in -Starvel Hollow. - -As French shortly afterwards walked up the long curving drive of the -Ransome Institute, he felt that he was progressing. He was getting -connections which were binding the isolated incidents of this strange -episode into a single whole, and if that whole was not yet completely -intelligible, he hoped and believed it soon would be. There was first -of all the confession. He had started with the confession as a single -fact, connected incomprehensibly with Roper through the medium of -possession, but not connected with Philpot at all. Now the connection -between Roper and Philpot had been demonstrated. Roper had first-hand -information about the doctor from their respective positions on the -staff of the Institute, and he had as good as first-hand information -about the doctor’s household from the girl he afterwards married. It -all looked bad. Every further fact discovered increased the -probability that Roper was blackmailing Philpot, and that the -confession was a true statement of what had happened. - -French’s interview with Dr. Ferguson was disappointing. He asked first -about Roper and received very much the same information that Sergeant -MacGregor had given him. Roper had been attendant to an invalid -gentleman, a great traveller, with whom he had been over most of -Europe and America. On the invalid’s death he had applied for a job at -the Ransome. He was a fully qualified nurse, very intelligent and -efficient, but he had not been personally liked. He seemed rather -inhuman and did not mind whom he offended with his sharp tongue. He -was, however, good with the patients, except for one thing. On two -occasions he had been found giving troublesome patients unauthorised -drugs to keep them quiet. The first case was not a bad one, and on -promising amendment, he was let off with a caution. When the second -case was discovered he was immediately dismissed. He had not asked -for, nor been given, a discharge. - -Anxious to see whether Roper’s handwriting contained any -idiosyncrasies which had been reproduced in the forged documents, -French with some difficulty obtained some old forms which he had -filled up. These he put in his pocket for future study. - -He then turned the conversation to Philpot. But he was here on -difficult ground and had to be very wary and subtle in his questions. -Between doctors, he knew, there is a considerable freemasonry, and he -felt sure that if Ferguson imagined Philpot was suspected of murder, -he would take steps to put him on his guard; not in any way to take -the part of a murderer, but to see that a colleague in trouble had a -fair chance. That Philpot should get any hint of his suspicions was -the last thing French wanted, as he hoped the man’s surprise at an -unexpected question would force him into an involuntary admission of -guilt. - -At all events Ferguson told him nothing about Philpot that he had not -known before. He asked and obtained permission to interrogate a number -of the staff who remembered the two men, but from none of these did he -learn anything new about either. - -He could see nothing for it, therefore, but to interview Philpot -forthwith, and returning to the station, he caught the last train to -Edinburgh. There he stayed the night, and next day took a train which -brought him through the Border country to Carlisle and thence in due -course to Hellifield and Thirsby. - - - -CHAPTER EIGHT - -Dr. Philpot’s Story - -Doctor Philpot lived in a small detached house at the end of the High -Street of the little town, close enough to the centre of things to be -convenient for patients, and far enough away to have a strip of garden -round his house and to avoid being overlooked by his neighbours. - -The reply to the letter he had written from “Charles Musgrave” about -the mythical gardener told French that the doctor’s consulting hours -were from six to eight o’clock in the evening, and at two minutes to -eight on the day he had returned from Edinburgh French rang the -doctor’s bell. The door was opened by an elderly woman who led the way -to the consulting room. - -There seemed to French a vaguely unprosperous air about the place. The -garden was untended, the railing wanted paint and the house, while -well enough furnished, looked neglected and dirty. French wondered if -these were the outward and visible signs of the betting proclivities -of their owner, of which the hotel landlord had taken so serious a -view. - -Dr. Philpot was seated at a writing table, but he rose on French’s -entry. His appearance was not exactly unprepossessing, but it -suggested a lack of force or personality. Physically he was frail, -neither tall nor short, and washed out as to colouring. His tired, -dreamy-looking eyes were of light blue, his fair hair, thinning on the -top, was flecked with gray and his complexion had an almost unhealthy -pallor. He had well-formed, rather aristocratic features, but his -expression was bored and dissatisfied. He struck French as a dreamer -rather than a practical man of affairs. But his manner was polite -enough as he wished his visitor good-evening and pointed to a chair. - -“I have called, Dr. Philpot, not as a patient, but to consult you on a -small matter of business.” - -Dr. Philpot glanced at the clock on the marble chimney piece. - -“It is just eight,” he answered. “I shall not have any more patients -to-night. I am quite at your service.” - -French sat down and made a remark or two about the weather, while he -watched the man opposite to him keenly but unobtrusively. He was -playing for time in which to ascertain what manner of man this doctor -really was, so that he might handle the interview in the way most -likely to achieve its end. Philpot replied politely but shortly, -evidently at a loss to know why his visitor could not come to the -point. But French presently did so with surprising suddenness. - -“I am sorry, Dr. Philpot, that I am here on very unpleasant business, -and I must begin by telling you that I am a detective inspector from -New Scotland Yard.” - -As he spoke French made no secret of his keen scrutiny. His eyes never -left the other’s face, and he felt the thrill of the hunter when he -noticed a sudden change come over its expression. From inattentive and -bored it now became watchful and wary, and the man’s figure seemed to -stiffen as if he were bracing himself to meet a shock. - -“I regret to say,” French proceeded, “that information has recently -been received by the Yard which, if true, would indicate that you are -guilty of a very serious crime, and I have to warn you that if you are -unable to offer me a satisfactory explanation I may have to arrest -you, in which case anything which you may now say may be used in -evidence against you.” - -French was deeply interested by the other’s reception of this speech. -Dr. Philpot’s face was showing extreme apprehension, not to say actual -fear. This was not altogether unexpected—French had seen apprehension -stamped on many a face under similar circumstances. But what was -unexpected was that the doctor should show no surprise. He seemed -indeed to take French’s statement for granted, as if a contingency -which he had long expected had at last arisen. “He knows what is -coming,” French thought as he paused for the other to speak. - -But Philpot did not speak. Instead he deliberately raised his -eyebrows, and looking inquiringly at French, waited for him to -continue. French remained silent for a moment or two, then leaning -forward and staring into the other’s eyes, he said in a low tone: “Dr. -Philpot, you are accused of murdering your wife, Edna Philpot, at your -home at Braeside, Kintilloch, about 5.30 on the afternoon of the 15th -May, 1921.” - -The doctor started and paled. For a moment panic seemed about to -overtake him, then he pulled himself together. - -“Ridiculous!” he declared coolly. “Your information must be capable of -some other explanation. What does it consist of?” - -“It purports to be the statement of an eyewitness,” French returned, -continuing slowly: “It mentions—among other things—it mentions—a -cricket bat.” - -Again Philpot’s start indicated that the shot had told, but he -answered steadily:— - -“A cricket bat? I don’t follow. What has a cricket bat to do with it?” - -“Everything,” French said grimly: “if the information received is -correct, of course.” - -Philpot turned and faced him. - -“Look here,” he said harshly, “will you say right out what you mean -and be done with it? Are you accusing me of murdering my wife with a -cricket bat, or what are you trying to get at?” - -“I’ll tell you,” French rejoined. “The statement is that you arranged -the—‘accident’—which befell your wife. The ‘accident,’ however, did -not kill her, as you hoped and intended, and you then struck her on -the temple with a cricket bat, which did kill her. That, I say, is the -statement. I have just been to Kintilloch and have been making -inquiries. Now, Dr. Philpot, when I mentioned the cricket bat you -started. You therefore realised its significance. Do you care to give -me an explanation or would you prefer to reserve your statement until -you have consulted a solicitor?” - -Dr. Philpot grew still paler as he sat silent, lost in thought. - -“Do you mean that you will arrest me if I don’t answer your -questions?” - -“I shall have no alternative.” - -Again the doctor considered while his eyes grew more sombre and his -expression more hopeless. At last he seemed to come to a decision. He -spoke in a low voice. - -“Ask your questions and I’ll answer them if I can.” - -French nodded. - -“Did you ever,” he said slowly, “admit to any one that you had -committed this murder?” - -Philpot looked at him in surprise. - -“Never!” he declared emphatically. - -“Then how,” French went on, slapping the confession down on the table, -“how did you come to write this?” - -Philpot stared at the document as if his eyes would start out of his -head. His face expressed incredulous amazement, but here again French, -who was observing him keenly, felt his suspicions grow. Philpot was -surprised at the production of the paper; it was impossible to doubt -the reality of his emotion. But he did not read it. He evidently -recognised it and knew its contents. For a moment he gazed -breathlessly, then he burst out with a bitter oath. - -“The infernal scoundrel!” he cried furiously. “I knew he was bad, but -this is more than I could have imagined! That——Roper is at the bottom -of this, I’ll swear! It’s another of his hellish tricks!” - -“What do you mean?” French asked. “Explain yourself.” - -“You got that paper from Roper—somehow, didn’t you?” The man was -speaking eagerly now. “Even after he’s dead his evil genius remains.” - -“If after my warning you care to make a statement, I will hear it -attentively, and you will have every chance to clear yourself. As I -told you I have learned about the case from various sources. I retain -that knowledge to check your statement.” - -Philpot made a gesture as if casting prudence to the winds. - -“I’ll tell you everything; I have no option,” he said, and his manner -grew more eager. “It means admitting actions which I hoped never to -have to speak of again. But I can’t help myself. I don’t know whether -you’ll believe my story, but I will tell you everything exactly as it -happened.” - -“I am all attention, Dr. Philpot.” - -The doctor paused for a moment as if to collect his thoughts, then -still speaking eagerly though more calmly, he began:— - -“As you have inquired into this terrible affair, you probably know a -good deal of what I am going to tell you. However, lest you should not -have heard all, I shall begin at the beginning. - -“In the year 1913 I was appointed assistant on the medical staff of -the Ransome Institute. One of the attendants there was called Roper, -John Roper: the John Roper who lost his life at Starvel some weeks -ago. He was a sneering, cynical man with an outwardly correct manner, -but when he wished to be nasty, with a very offensive turn of phrase. -He was under my immediate supervision and we fell foul of each other -almost at once. - -“One day, turning a corner in one of the corridors I came on Roper -with his arms round one of the nurses. Whether she was encouraging him -or not I could not tell, but when he saw me he let her go and she -instantly vanished. I spoke to him sharply and said I would report -him. I should have been warned by his look of hate, but he spoke -civilly and quietly. - -“‘I have nothing to say about myself,’ he said, ‘but you’ll admit that -Nurse Williams is a good nurse, and well conducted. I happen to know -she is supporting her mother, and if she gets the sack it will be ruin -to both of them.’ - -“I told him he should have considered that earlier, but when I thought -over the affair I felt sorry for the girl. She was, as he had said, a -thoroughly attentive, kindly girl, and a good nurse. Well, not to make -too long a story, there I made my mistake. I showed weakness and I -made no report.” - -Philpot had by this time mastered his emotion and now he was speaking -quietly and collectedly, though with an earnestness that carried -conviction. - -“But though I hadn’t reported him, Roper from that moment hated me. He -was outwardly polite, but I could see the hatred in his eyes. I, on my -part, grew short with him. We never spoke except on business and as -little as possible on that. But all the time he was watching for his -revenge. - -“In May, 1914, I married and set up house at Braeside. Then came the -war and in ’15 I joined up. After two years I was invalided out and -went back to Kintilloch. Roper, I should say, was exempted from -service owing to a weak heart. - -“On my return after that two years I was a different man. I am not -pleading neurasthenia, though I suffered from shell-shock, but I had -no longer the self-control of my former days. Though I still dearly -loved my wife, I confess I felt strongly attracted to other women when -in their company. Thus it happened—I don’t want to dwell on a painful -subject—that I, in my turn, became guilty of the very offence for -which I had threatened to report Roper.” He spoke with an obvious -effort. “There was a nurse there—I need not tell you her name: she’s -not there now—but she was a pretty girl with a kindly manner. I met -her accidentally in Edinburgh and on the spur of the moment asked her -to lunch. From that our acquaintance ripened and at last, by Fate’s -irony—well, Roper found her in my arms one evening in a deserted part -of the Institute shrubbery. I can never forget his satanic smile as he -stood there looking at us. I sent the girl away and then he disclosed -his terms. The price of his silence was ten shillings a week. If I -would pay him ten shillings a week he would forget what he had seen. - -“Well, just consider my position. The incident was harmless in itself -and yet its publication would have been my ruin. As you probably know, -in such institutions that sort of thing is very severely dealt with. -If Roper had reported me to the authorities my resignation would have -followed as a matter of course. And it was not I alone who would have -suffered. The nurse would probably have had to go. My wife also had to -be considered. I needn’t attempt to justify myself, but I took the -coward’s way and agreed to Roper’s terms. - -“Then there was triumph on his evil face and he saw that he had me. -With outward civility and veiled insolence he said that while my word -was as good to him as my bond, the matter was a business one, and -should be settled in a business way. To ensure continued payment he -must have a guarantee. The guarantee was to take the form of a -statement written and signed by myself, stating—but I can remember its -exact words. It was to say:— - -“‘I, Herbert Philpot, doctor of medicine and at present assistant on -the staff of the Ransome Institute in this town, under compulsion and -in the hope of avoiding exposure, hereby admit that I have been -carrying on an intrigue with Nurse So-and-so of the same institution. -I further admit unseemly conduct with her in the grounds of the -Ransome Institute on the evening of this 2nd October, 1920, though I -deny any serious impropriety.’” - -Philpot was now speaking in low tones with every appearance of shame -and distress, as if the memory of these events and the putting of them -into words was acutely painful to him. His manner was convincing, and -French felt that the story, at least so far, might well be true. - -“You can’t think less of me than I do of myself, Inspector, when I -tell you that at last after a protest and a long argument I submitted -even in this humiliation. I am not trying to justify myself, but I -just couldn’t face the trouble. I wrote the statement. Roper took it, -and thanking me civilly, said he would keep it hidden as long as the -money was paid. But if there was a failure to pay he would send it -anonymously to the Institute authorities. - -“After that everything seemed to become normal again. Every Saturday I -secretly handed Roper a ten-shilling note and our relations otherwise -went on as before. And then came that awful afternoon when my wife -lost her life. - -“I can never forget the horror of that time and I surely need not -dwell on it? If you have made inquiries at Kintilloch you will know -what took place. Every word I said then was the literal truth. I shall -pass on to what happened afterwards, but if there is any question you -want to ask I will try to answer it.” - -“There is nothing so far.” - -“One evening about a week after the funeral Roper called at my house -and asked for an interview. I brought him into my study and then he -referred to the ten shillings a week and said that he was sure I would -see that his knowledge had now become vastly more valuable, and what -was I going to do about it? I said that on the contrary it was now -almost worthless. My wife was dead and I didn’t care what became of -myself. There was only the nurse to think of, and even about her I -didn’t now mind so much, as she had gone to America. At the same time -for peace’ sake I would continue the payments. He need not, however, -think he was going to get any more out of me. - -“His answer dumbfounded me. It left me terribly shaken and upset. He -said he expected I hadn’t known it, but the police suspected me of -murdering my wife, and were making all sorts of inquiries about me. He -pointed out that it was generally believed my wife and I hated each -other: that we were seldom seen together and that she had been -overheard speaking disparagingly of me. Then he said I was alone in -the house when she met her death; no one had seen the accident and -there was only my word for what had taken place. He said it was known -there was a cricket bat in the hall, and that it would be obvious to -any one that a blow on the temple from the flat side of the bat would -look just like a bruise caused by striking the floor. All this, he -said, the police had discovered, but what prevented them taking action -was the fact that they didn’t think they could show a strong enough -motive to take the case into court. That, he said—and I shall never -forget the devilish look in his eyes—that was where he came in. He had -but to go forward and relate the incident in the shrubbery to complete -their case. He explained that he could do it in a perfectly natural -way. He would say that while the affair was only a mere intrigue he -did not consider it his business to interfere, but when it came to -murder it was a different thing. He did not wish to be virtually an -accessory after the fact. - -“His remarks came as a tremendous shock to me. The possibility of such -a terrible suspicion had not occurred to me, but now I saw that there -was indeed a good deal of circumstantial evidence against me. I need -not labour the matter. The result of our long conversation is all you -wish to hear. In the end I was guilty of the same weakness and folly -that I had shown before; I asked him his price and agreed to pay it. -Two pounds a week, he demanded, until further notice, and I gave way. -But when he went on to say that as before he required a guarantee and -must have a written confession of the crime, I felt he had passed the -limit. I refused to avow a crime of which I was not guilty, and dared -him to do his worst. - -“But once again he proved himself one too many for me. With his -cynical evil smile he took two photographs out of his pocket and -handed me one. It was an extraordinarily clear copy of my confession -of the intrigue with the nurse. Then he handed me the other photograph -and at first I just couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a copy of this,” -and Dr. Philpot picked up the note that French had found in Roper’s -safe deposit. - -“I asked him, of course, for an explanation and he admitted brazenly -that he had forged the letter. He had spent the week since the -accident making copy after copy until he had got it perfect. When I -stormed at him and threatened him with arrest he just laughed and said -the boot was on the other foot. He said I needn’t have the slightest -uneasiness, that so long as the money was paid the letter would never -see the light of day. Otherwise the document would be enclosed -anonymously to the police. You may guess how it ended up. I promised -to pay: and I paid.” - -Dr. Philpot’s face looked more gray and weary than ever and his eyes -took on a deeper sombreness as he said these words. He waited as if -for French to speak, but French did not move and he resumed:— - -“After all that had happened, life at Kintilloch became inexpressibly -painful for me and I began to look out for another job. Then I heard -that the principal doctor of this little town was old and in failing -health, and there was a possible opening for a new-comer. I resigned -the Ransome job and set up my plate here. But every week I sent two -treasury notes to Roper. - -“Some fifteen or sixteen months ago, when I had been here between -three and four years, I had a letter from Roper saying that he had -seen an advertisement for a man and wife to act as servants to a Mr. -Averill of Starvel in my neighbourhood. As he had shortly before left -the Ransome he wished to apply. As a matter of fact, I found out later -that he had been dismissed for drugging a patient. I forgot to say -also that he had married my former servant. If, he went on, I would -use my influence with Mr. Averill to get him the job he would cease -his demand for the two pounds a week and send me the note he had -forged. - -“Mr. Averill was by this time my patient, and I mentioned Roper to -him. I could do so with a clear conscience for with all his faults -Roper was an excellent attendant. His wife, Flora, also was a good -servant and I believed they would suit Mr. Averill well. At the same -time I told Mr. Averill just why he had left the Ransome. But Mr. -Averill thought that for that very reason he could get them cheap and -after some negotiations they were engaged. - -“The very same week Roper called on me and said I had kept my word in -the past and he would keep his now. He said he was tired of crooked -going and wished to live straight. He would blackmail me no longer. He -handed me the forged note and watched me put it in the fire. I ceased -paying him the money. From then to the day of his death he was civil -when we met, and no unpleasant subjects were touched on. I began to -believe his reformation was genuine, but now since you show me this I -see he was unchanged. It is evident he must have made a copy of his -forgery and kept one while he let me destroy the other. I wish you -would tell me how you got it. What his motive can have been you may be -able to guess, but I cannot. - -“That, Inspector, is the whole truth of this unhappy affair. I had -hoped never to have to speak of it again, and now that I have told you -of it I trust that the whole miserable business may be decently buried -and forgotten.” - -French nodded gravely. He was puzzled by this long story of the -doctor’s. The tale was certainly possible. As he reviewed each point -he had to admit that not only was it possible, but it was even -reasonably probable. Given a man of weak character as this doctor -appeared to be, and a clever and unscrupulous ruffian, as Roper had -been painted, the whole affair could have happened quite naturally and -logically. Moreover it adequately covered all the facts. - -On the other hand, if Philpot had killed his wife he would tell just -some such tale as this. There was no one to refute it. Roper and his -wife were dead and the nurse had left the country. Of course, it might -be possible to trace the nurse, but it certainly couldn’t be done -easily or rapidly. - -As he turned the matter over in his mind it seemed to French that the -crucial point was the authenticity of the confession. If Philpot had -written it, he had done so because he was guilty and because he, -therefore, could not help himself. However terrible the putting of -such a statement in black and white would be to him, it would be the -lesser of two evils, the alternative being immediate betrayal. But if -the confession were a forgery all this would be reversed. It could -only have come into being in some such way as the doctor had -described. In fact, in his case it would amount to a powerful -confirmation of his story. - -Now, upon this point there was no doubt. The confession definitely -_was_ a forgery. The Yard experts were unanimous, and their opinion -under such circumstances might be taken for gospel. French might -therefore start with a strong bias in favour of Philpot. - -This French realised, and then he found himself again weighed down by -doubt. Was it credible that a man would really pay blackmail for fear -of having an obviously forged confession produced? At first French did -not think so—he would not have done it himself—but as he considered -the special circumstances he saw that this question did not accurately -describe the situation as it would appear to the doctor. In the first -place, Philpot did not know how bad a forgery the document was. It -seemed to him his own writing, and he had no guarantee that it would -not be accepted as such. But he knew that if it were produced he would -almost certainly have the misery of arrest and imprisonment and -possibly of trial also. Moreover, the episode of the nurse would come -out, and the result of the whole business would have been ruin to his -career. If Philpot had been a strong man he would no doubt have faced -the situation, but as it was, French felt sure that he would take the -coward’s way. No, there was nothing in this idea to make him doubt the -man’s story. - -On the contrary, Philpot’s admission that he had submitted to -blackmail was actually in his favour. If he had intended to lie surely -he would have invented a tale less damaging to himself. He had not -hesitated to tell French about the nurse and so present him with the -very motive for his wife’s murder which was lacking in the case -against himself. - -On the whole it seemed to French that the probabilities were on -Philpot’s side and he himself inclined to the view that he was -innocent. Whatever the truth, he saw that he had no case to bring into -court. No jury would convict on such evidence. - -And if here was no evidence to convict the man of the murder of his -wife, there was still less to associate him with the Starvel affair. -In fact there was here no case against him at all. Even leaving -Philpot’s illness out of the question, there was nothing to indicate -any connection with the crime. It would be just as reasonable to -suspect Emerson or Oxley or even Kent. - -French had an uncomfortable feeling that he had been following -will-o’-the-wisps both in this affair and in Whymper’s. The -circumstances in each had been suspicious and he did not see how he -could have avoided following them up, but now that he had done so it -looked as if he had been wasting his time. Ruefully he saw also that -he had rather got away from his facts. He had forgotten that the -motive of the Starvel crime had not to be sought in anything indirect -or ingenious or fanciful. The motive was obvious enough and -commonplace enough in all conscience; it was theft. And such a motive -French could not see actuating either Philpot or Whymper. - -No, he must get back to the facts. Who had stolen the money? That was -what he had to find out. And he would not get it the way he was going. -He must start again and work with more skill and vision. First, he -must reassure this doctor, and then he must get away to some place -where he could think without interruption. - -“I am sorry, Dr. Philpot, to have had to give you the pain of -reopening matters which I can well understand you would have preferred -to leave closed. It was necessary, however, that my doubts on these -matters should either be confirmed or set at rest. I may say that I -accept your story and am satisfied with the explanation you have given -me. I hope it may be possible to let the affair drop and at the -present time I see no reason to prevent it.” He arose. “I wish you -good-night, doctor, and thank you for your confidence.” - - - -CHAPTER NINE - -The Value of Analysis - -The next morning was fine and bright, with an invigorating autumn nip -in the air. The kind of day for a good walk, thought French, as after -breakfast he stood in the hotel coffee room, looking out on the placid -life of the little town, exemplified at the moment in the dawdling -passage of three tiny children with school satchels over their -shoulders. He liked the place. He had taken a fancy to it on that -first evening of his arrival, and what he had seen of it since had -only confirmed his first impression. The surroundings also seemed -attractive, and he hoped to explore them more fully before he left. - -As he stood gazing into the main street it occurred to him that for -his explorations no time more propitious than the present was likely -to offer. For the moment he was at a dead lock in his case. After he -had finished writing out the doctor’s statement on the previous -evening he had thought over the affair and he had not seen his way -clear. What he required was a detailed study of the whole position in -the hope of lighting on some further clue or line of research. And -what better opportunity for such contemplation could there be than -during a long tramp through lonely country? Surely for once duty and -inclination coincided? - -Whether this latter was strictly true or not, ten minutes later saw -him starting out with a stick in his hand and a packet of sandwiches -in his pocket. He turned in the Starvel direction, and climbing up the -side of the valley, came out on the wide expanse of the moor. Ahead of -him it lay, stretching away in irregular undulating waves into the -gray-blue distance, with here and there a rounded hill rising above -the general level. For miles he could see the ribbon of the road -showing white against the browns and greens of the grass where it -wound up over shoulders and ridges and mounted the far sides of -hollows. Extraordinarily deserted was the country side, a solitude -quite astonishing in so densely populated a land as this of England. - -For a time French tramped on, his mind occupied with his surroundings, -but gradually it turned back to his case and he began reckoning up his -progress, and considering how he could best attack what still remained -to be done. And the more he thought of it, the less rosy the outlook -seemed. Ruefully he had to admit that in point of fact he was -practically no further on than when he started. He had done a good -deal of work, no doubt, but unfortunately it had brought him only a -negative result. His researches into the movements of Whymper and -Philpot had been unavoidable, but these had proved side lines and he -did not believe that either would help him with the main issue. - -He let his mind rest once again on Philpot’s statement. If it were -true, Roper showed up very badly. From every point of view he seemed a -thorough-paced blackguard. Though this had come out more particularly -from the doctor’s story it was fairly well-confirmed by what French -had been told at Kintilloch. Neither Sergeant MacGregor nor Dr. -Ferguson had a good word to say about the man. No one appeared to like -him, and in the end he had been dismissed from the Institute for a -fault of a particularly serious nature. - -But he was a clever rascal also. French was amazed when he considered -how he had succeeded in worming himself into old Averill’s confidence. -Even making allowances for the old man’s weak-minded senility, it was -almost incredible that this shifty scoundrel should have been trusted -with a secret which Whymper would risk a murder charge rather than -reveal. - -French tramped on, pondering over the matter in his careful, -painstaking way. Yes, that was the point. Misers were proverbially -suspicious, and Averill’s knowledge of Roper’s break at the Ransome -would not tend to increase his trust in him. His confidence was -certainly rather wonderful. - -And then French suddenly stood stock still as an idea flashed into his -mind. Was his confidence not too wonderful to be true? Had Roper -really wormed his way thus far into old Averill’s confidence? He had -not hesitated to blackmail Philpot; had he played some similar trick -on Whymper? - -As French considered the suggestion, a point which had before seemed -immaterial now took on a sinister significance. Though Averill was -represented as the moving spirit of the affair, his connection with it -had never been directly proved. Roper, and Roper alone, had appeared. -It was true that a note purporting to come from Averill had been -produced, but in the light of Philpot’s revelation of Roper’s skill as -a forger, who had written it? Was there any reason why Roper should -not have engineered the whole thing? - -French reviewed the circumstances in detail. The first move was -Roper’s. He had met Whymper outside the church gate and told him that -Mr. Averill wished to see him, asking him to go out there that -evening. Secretly, mind you; no one was to know of the visit. Whymper -had accordingly gone out. But he had not seen Averill. He had seen -Roper, and Roper only. It was true that he was presented with a note -purporting to be from Averill, but had Averill written it? French -remembered that the handwriting was extremely like Averill’s, but in -the absence of any reason for suspecting its authenticity he had not -given it the careful scrutiny which he might have done. That was an -error he must repair at once, and if the shadow of a doubt was aroused -in his mind he must send the papers to the Yard for expert opinion. - -Altogether it undoubtedly looked as if the whole of the Whymper -episode might have been Roper’s work. But if so, what about the £500? -Surely in this case Roper must have stolen it? And if he had stolen -it—French grew almost excited as step after step revealed itself—if -Roper had stolen it, did it not follow that he had murdered Averill, -rifled the safe, taken out the notes and replaced them with burnt -newspapers? - -And then French saw a step farther. If he were right so far, Roper’s -motive in the Whymper incident became clear as day. If Roper had -stolen thousands of pounds’ worth of notes he must find out whether it -was safe to pass them. Were the numbers of the notes known? This was a -matter of vital importance, and it was one on which he could not -possibly ask for information. If suspicion became aroused, to have -made inquiries on the point would be fatal. He must therefore arrange -for some one else to pass a number of the notes, and preferably a -number of those most recently acquired by Averill. Moreover, this -person must not, if suspected, be able to account satisfactorily for -their possession. Given the knowledge of Whymper’s feeling for Ruth -and some acquaintance with Averill’s family affairs, a clever and -unscrupulous man like Roper could easily have invented a story to make -Whymper his dupe. - -All this, French recognised, was speculation. Indeed it was little -more than guesswork. But it was at least a working theory which -covered all the facts, and he believed it was worth while following it -up. - -He turned aside off the road, and sitting down in the thin, autumn -sunshine with his back against an outcropping rock, slowly filled and -lit his pipe as he pursued his cogitations. - -If Roper had stolen the notes and put burnt newspapers in the safe, he -must have intended to burn the house. And here again the motive was -clear. In no other way could he so conveniently get rid of Averill’s -body and the traces of his crime. In fact, the plan had actually -succeeded. It was not the doings at Starvel which aroused suspicion, -but Whymper’s passing of the note some three weeks later. The -coroner’s court had brought in a verdict of accidental death. If -Tarkington had not kept the numbers of the notes sent out to Averill -and advised his headquarters that those notes had been destroyed, no -doubts would ever have arisen. - -But just here was a snag. Could so able a man as Roper have bungled so -hideously as to have allowed himself and his wife to be caught in the -trap he had arranged for Averill? Or had he intended to murder Mrs. -Roper also? There was certainly no evidence for suspecting this. But -whether or not, what terrible Nemesis could have overtaken Roper? Had -he really been drunk and paid for his indulgence with his life? French -did not think so. He could not devise any convincing explanation of -Roper’s death, and he began to wonder if this objection were not so -overwhelming as to upset the theory of the man’s guilt which he had -been so laboriously building up. - -He gazed out over the wide expanse of the moor with unseeing eyes as -he dreamily puffed at his pipe and wrestled with the problem. And then -a further point occurred to him. Did not this theory of the guilt of -Roper throw some light on Ruth Averill’s visit to York? French had -noted it as a curious coincidence that she should have left the house -on the day before the tragedy. But now he wondered if it was a -coincidence. Had her absence been arranged; arranged by Roper? He -reconsidered the facts from this new angle. - -First, it was significant that all the arrangements had been carried -through by Roper. Just as in Whymper’s case, Mr. Averill was supposed -to be the prime mover, but his power was manifested only through -Roper. Roper it was who handed Ruth the note from Mrs. Palmer-Gore; -doubtless a forged note. Roper had produced the ten pounds. Roper had -arranged about the journey, and Roper had used his influence to -prevent Ruth from seeing her uncle. When she had persisted she found -the old man asleep, breathing heavily and looking queer and unlike -himself. As to the cause of that appearance and that sleep French -could now make a pretty shrewd guess. Roper had been faced with a -difficulty. He could not keep Ruth from her uncle without arousing -suspicion. Nor could he allow her to have a discussion with him or his -plot would have been exposed. He had, therefore, taken the only way -out. He had drugged the old man. Ruth could pay her visit, but she -would learn nothing from it. - -French was thrilled by his theory. It was working out so well. He was -congratulating himself that at last he was on the right track, when -another snag occurred to him and brought him up, as it were, all -standing. - -The Palmer-Gore invitation could not have been forged! Had Mrs. -Palmer-Gore not written it, the fact would have come out on Ruth’s -arrival at York. - -Here was a rather staggering objection. But the more French thought -over the case as a whole, the more disposed he became to believe in -Roper’s guilt. The man was a clever scoundrel. Perhaps he had been -able to devise some way to meet this difficulty also. - -On the whole French was so much impressed by his theory that he -determined to go into it without loss of time in the hope that further -research would lead to a definite conclusion. - -He ate his sandwiches, then leaving his seat in the lee of the rock, -walked back to Thirsby. Among his papers was the letter which Roper -had given to Whymper, and this he once again compared with the samples -of old Mr. Averill’s handwriting he had obtained from Tarkington. - -Possibly because of the doubt now existing in his mind, this time he -felt less certain of its authenticity. After some study he thought -that some further samples of the genuine handwriting might be helpful, -and walking down to Oxley’s office, he asked if the solicitor could -oblige him with them. Oxley handed him four letters, and when French -had critically examined these he found his suspicions strengthened. -While by no means positive, he was now inclined to believe Whymper’s -was a forgery. He therefore sent the lot to the Yard, asking for an -expert opinion to be wired him. - -In the meantime he decided he would concentrate on a point which he -felt would be even more conclusive than forged letters: the matter of -Mrs. Palmer-Gore’s invitation to Ruth. If Roper had got rid of Ruth so -that the coast might be clear for the robbery, he had provided the -invitation. He had either written it himself or he had arranged the -circumstances which caused Mrs. Palmer-Gore to do so. If he had done -either of these things he was pretty certain to be guilty. - -The only way to learn the truth was to interview Mrs. Palmer-Gore. -French therefore took the evening train to York, and nine o’clock -found him at Oakdean, Ashton Drive, asking if the lady of the house -could see him. - -Mrs. Palmer-Gore was a big, rather untidy, kindly-looking woman of -about fifty. French, rapidly sizing her up, introduced himself in his -real character, apologised for his late call and begged her kind -offices. If she wouldn’t mind his not giving her the reason of his -inquiry for the moment, he should like to ask a question. Would she -tell him just why she had asked Miss Ruth Averill to York some eight -weeks previously? - -Mrs. Palmer-Gore was naturally surprised at the inquiry, but when she -understood that the matter was serious she answered readily. - -“Why, I could scarcely have done anything else. Mr. Averill’s note was -phrased in a way which would have made it difficult to refuse.” - -“Mr. Averill’s note? I didn’t know he had written.” - -“Yes, he wrote to say that he hoped he was not presuming on an old -friendship in asking me whether I would invite Ruth to spend a day or -two. He explained that she had recently been rather run down and -depressed, and that the one thing she wanted—a day or two of cheerful -society—was just the thing he couldn’t give her. If I would condone a -liberty and take pity on her he did not think I would regret my -action. He went on to say Ruth was greatly interested in roses, and as -he was sure I was going to the flower show, he wondered if I would add -to my kindness by allowing her to accompany me. He said that Ruth was -longing to see it, but that he had no way of arranging for her to go.” - -“I’m quite interested to hear that,” French returned. “It rather falls -in with a theory I have formed. Had you often had Miss Ruth to stay -with you?” - -“Never before. In fact I had only seen her three or four times. Some -twelve years ago I spent a day at Starvel and she was there. Besides -that I met her with Mr. Averill a couple of times in Leeds.” - -“But you were pretty intimate with Mr. Averill surely? I don’t want to -be personal, but I want to know whether your intimacy was such that -you might reasonably expect him to ask you to put his niece up?” - -Mrs. Palmer-Gore seemed more and more surprised at the line the -conversation was taking. - -“It’s a curious thing that you should have asked that,” she declared. -“As a matter of fact, I was amazed when I read Mr. Averill’s letter. -He and I were friendly enough at one time, though I don’t know that -you could ever have called us intimate. But we had drifted apart. I -suppose we hadn’t met for five or six years and we never corresponded -except perhaps for an exchange of greetings at Christmas. His letter -was totally unexpected.” - -“You thought his asking for the invitation peculiar?” - -“I certainly did. I thought it decidedly cool. So much so, indeed, -that I considered replying that I was sorry that my house was full. -Then when I thought what a terrible life that poor girl must have led -I relented and sent the invitation.” - -“It was a kind thing to do.” - -“Oh, I don’t know. At all events I am glad I did it. Ruth is a sweet -girl and it was a pleasure to have her here and to let my daughters -meet her. I would have given her as good a time as I could if she had -not been called away.” - -“You haven’t kept Mr. Averill’s letter?” - -“I’m afraid not. I always destroy answered letters.” - -“You recognised Mr. Averill’s handwriting, of course?” - -“Oh yes. I knew it quite well.” - -“Now, Mrs. Palmer-Gore, I am going to ask you a strange question. Did -you ever suspect that that letter might be a forgery?” - -The lady looked at him with increasing interest. - -“Never,” she answered promptly. “And even now when you suggest it I -don’t see how it could have been. But, of course, it would explain a -great deal. I confess I can hardly imagine Mr. Averill writing the -note. He was a proud man and the request was not in accordance with my -estimate of his character.” - -“That is just what I wanted to get at,” French answered as he rose to -take his leave. - -What he had learned was extraordinarily satisfactory. It looked very -much as though his theory about Roper was correct. The great snag in -that theory had been Mrs. Palmer-Gore’s invitation, and now it was -evident that Roper could have arranged for it to be given. Some remark -of Mr. Averill’s had probably given the man Mrs. Palmer-Gore’s name, -and by skilful questions he could have learned enough about her to -enable him to construct his plot. - -As French sat in the smoking room of his hotel, not far from the great -west front of the minster, he suddenly saw a way by which he could -establish the point. The letter Mrs. Palmer-Gore had received had -stated that Ruth was longing to see the flower show. Was she? If she -was, the letter might be genuine enough. If not, Averill could -scarcely have written it, and if Averill had not written it no one but -Roper could have done so. - -It was with impatience at the slowness of the journey that French -returned next morning to Thirsby to apply the final test. He was lucky -enough to catch Ruth as she was going out and she took him into the -drawing-room. - -“I was talking to a friend of yours a little while ago, Miss Averill,” -French said when they had exchanged a few remarks: “Mrs. Palmer-Gore, -of York.” - -“Oh yes?” Ruth answered, her face brightening up. “How is she? She was -so kind to me, especially when the terrible news came. I can never -forget her goodness.” - -“I am sure of it. In the short time I was with her I thought she -seemed most attractive. You went to York to see the flower show?” - -Ruth smiled. - -“That was the ostensible reason for her asking me. But, of course, -show or no show, I should have been delighted to go.” - -“I dare say; most people like to visit York. You hadn’t then been -looking forward to the show?” - -“I never even heard of it until Mrs. Palmer-Gore mentioned it in her -letter. But naturally I was all the more pleased.” - -“Naturally. You’re a skilful gardener, aren’t you, Miss Averill?” - -She smiled again and shook her head. - -“Oh, no! But I’m fond of it.” - -French, in his turn, smiled his pleasant, kindly smile. - -“Oh, come now, I’m sure you are not doing yourself justice. Mr. -Averill thought a lot of your gardening, didn’t he?” - -“My uncle? Oh, no. I don’t think he knew anything about it. You -remember he was an invalid. He hadn’t been in the garden for years.” - -“But do you mean that you never discussed gardening with him? I should -have thought, for example, you would have talked to him of this York -flower show.” - -“But I thought I explained I didn’t know about that until Mrs. -Palmer-Gore’s letter came, and after it came my uncle was too ill to -speak about anything.” - -Here was the proof French had hoped for! - -With some difficulty keeping the satisfaction out of his voice, he -continued his inquiries. - -“Of course I remember you told me that. But I must get on to business. -I’m sorry to have to trouble you again, Miss Averill, but there are -one or two other questions I have thought of since our last meeting. -Do you mind if I ask them now?” - -“Of course not.” - -French leaned forward and looked grave. - -“I want to know what kind of terms Roper was on with his wife. You -have seen them together a good deal. Can you tell me?” - -Ruth’s face clouded. - -“I hate to say anything when the two poor people are dead, but if I -must tell the truth, I’m afraid they were not on good terms at all.” - -“I can understand what you feel, but I assure you my questions are -necessary. Now please tell me what exactly was the trouble between -those two?” - -“Well,” Ruth said slowly, and an expression almost of pain showed on -her face, “they had, I think—what is the phrase?—incompatibility of -temperament. Mrs. Roper had a very sharp tongue and she was always -nagging at Roper. He used to answer her in a soft tone with the -nastiest and most cutting remarks you ever heard. Oh, it was horrible! -Roper really was not a nice man, though he was always kind enough to -me.” - -This was really all that French wanted, but he still persisted. - -“Can you by any chance tell me—I’m sorry for asking this question—but -can you tell me whether Roper was attached to any other woman? Or if -you don’t know that, have you ever heard his wife mention another -woman’s name in anger? Just try to think.” - -“No, I never heard that.” - -“Have you ever heard them quarrelling?” - -“Once I did,” Ruth answered reluctantly. “It was dreadful! Roper said, -‘By ——,’ he used a terrible curse—‘I’ll do you in some day if I swing -for it!’ And then Mrs. Roper answered so mockingly and bitterly that I -had to put my hands over my ears.” - -“But she didn’t make any definite accusation?” - -“No, but wasn’t it dreadful? The poor people to have felt like that to -one another! It must have been a terrible existence for them.” - -French agreed gravely as he thanked Ruth for her information, but -inwardly he was chuckling with delight. He believed his theory was -proved, and once it was established, his case was over. If the -murderer lost his life in the fire Scotland Yard would no longer be -interested in the affair and he, French, could go back to town with -one more success added to the long list which already stood to his -credit. - -He returned to the Thirsdale Arms, and getting a fire lighted in his -room, settled down to put on paper the data he had amassed. - - - -CHAPTER TEN - -Whymper Speaks at Last - -By the time French had completed his notes the theory he had formed -had become cut and dry and detailed. He was immensely delighted with -it and with himself for having evolved it. Except for the failure to -explain Roper’s death it seemed to him flawless, and for that one weak -point he felt sure that a simple explanation existed. In the hope of -lighting on some such he decided before putting away his papers to go -once more in detail over the whole case as he now saw it. - -First there was the character of Roper. Roper was a clever and -unscrupulous man with a cynical and discontented outlook on life. He -was, in fact, the sort of man who might have planned and carried out -the Starvel crime. - -His anxiety to get the job at Averill’s was an interesting feature of -the case. It must have been a poor job for a man who had been male -nurse in the Ransome Institute. It was not only a hard and thankless -job in itself, but it meant being buried in one of the bleakest and -most barren solitudes of England. Moreover, such a job would lead to -nothing, and as Averill was paying, it was unlikely that the salary -was other than miserable. Of course after dismissal from the Institute -Roper might have been glad of anything, but French did not feel -satisfied that this really explained the matter. His thoughts took -another line. - -The belief in Averill’s wealth was universal and Roper could scarcely -have failed to hear of it when inquiring about the place. The -feebleness of the old man and the isolation of the house were, of -course, patent. Was it too much to conclude that the idea of robbery -had been in Roper’s mind from the first? If so, a reason why he had -ceased to blackmail Philpot might be suggested. The doctor was the one -person in the neighbourhood who knew his real character. If anything -untoward happened at Starvel, the doctor would immediately become -suspicious. It was, therefore, politic to suggest a reformation of -character to Philpot, and the best way in which this could be done was -undoubtedly the way Roper had chosen. But he was not going to spoil -the affair by haste. This was the one great effort of his life and he -was out to make a job of it. No time nor trouble nor inconvenience was -too great to devote to it. So he waited for over a year. How many a -wife murderer, thought French, has aroused suspicion by marrying the -other woman within the twelve months. Roper was not going to make the -mistake of acting too soon. - -During this time of waiting the man had doubtless been perfecting his -scheme. And then another factor had entered into it. He had come to -hate his wife. Why not at one fell stroke achieve both wealth and -freedom? The same machinery would accomplish both. - -In the nature of the case French saw that all this must necessarily be -speculative, but when he came to consider the details of the crime he -felt himself on firmer ground. - -The first move was to get Ruth Averill out of the way, and here the -_modus operandi_ was clear. Roper had evidently either heard enough -about Mrs. Palmer-Gore from Mr. Averill to give him his idea, or he -had discovered her existence from old letters. He had forged the note -to her from Averill, and intercepting its reply, had used its -enclosure to induce Ruth to go to York. As he couldn’t prevent the -girl from visiting her uncle, he had drugged the old man so that the -fraud would remain hidden. - -His next care was to make sure that Averill’s bank notes could be -passed without arousing suspicion; in other words, that their numbers -were unknown. To this end the fraud on Whymper was devised. Whymper -was to be used to test the matter, and in the event of the theft being -discovered, Whymper was to pay the penalty. So Whymper was brought out -to the house on the night of the crime and there given the fateful -money, being told some yarn which would make him spend it in a -mysterious way for which he would be unable to account. That that yarn -was connected with something discreditable about Ruth’s parents French -shrewdly suspected, and he determined to see Whymper again and try to -extract the truth from um. - -Whymper duped and sent away from Starvel, French thought he could -picture the next sinister happenings in the lonely old house. Averill -first! The frail old man would prove an easy victim. Any method of -assassination would do which did not involve an injury to the -skeleton. A further dose of the drug, smothering with a pillow, a -whiff of chloroform: the thing would have been child’s play to a -determined man, particularly one with the training of a male nurse in -a mental hospital. - -Then Mrs. Roper! How the unfortunate woman met her end would probably -remain for ever a mystery. But that she died by her husband’s hand -French was growing more and more certain. - -Witnesses to the theft removed, the safe must have claimed Roper’s -attention next. French in imagination could see him getting the keys -from under their dead owner’s pillow, opening the safe, and packing -the notes in a suitcase. How it must have gone to Roper’s heart to -leave the gold! But obviously he had no other course. Gold wouldn’t -burn. It must therefore be found in the safe. Then came the -substitution and burning of the newspapers. Here Roper made his first -slip. Doubtless he was counting that the safe would fall to the ground -level when the floor it stood on burned away and the churning of the -sovereigns would reduce the paper ashes to dust. But there he had been -wrong. Enough was left to reveal the fraud. - -There was plenty of petrol and paraffin in the house and Roper’s next -step must have been to spill these about, so as to leave no doubt of -the completeness of the holocaust. In that also he was only too -successful. - -So far, French felt he was on pretty firm ground. He was becoming -convinced that all this had happened, substantially as he had imagined -it. But now came the terrible snag. Or rather two snags, for the one -did not entirely include the other. The first was: What had happened -to Roper? The second: Where was the money? - -The more French puzzled over the first of these problems the more he -came to doubt his first idea that some quite simple explanation would -account for it. That nearly every criminal makes some stupid and -obvious blunder during the commission of his crime is a commonplace. -Still French could not see so astute a man as Roper making a blunder -so colossal as to cost him his life. What super-ghastliness had -happened upon that night of horrors? Had Roper started the fire before -killing his wife and been overcome by fumes while in the act of -murder? Had he taken too much drink to steady his nerves and fallen -asleep, to meet the fate he had prepared for others? French could -think of no theory which seemed satisfactory. - -Nor could he imagine where the money might be. Was it burned after -all? Had the receptacle in which it had been packed been left in the -house and had its contents been destroyed? Or had Roper hidden it -outside? Here again the matter was purely speculative, but French -inclined to the former theory. All the same he determined that before -he left the district he would make a thorough search in the -neighbourhood of the house. - -There was still the matter of the Whymper episode to be fully cleared -up, and French thought that with the help of his new theory he might -now be able to get the truth out of the young man. Accordingly he left -the hotel and walked up the picturesque old street to the church. -Whymper was busily engaged with a steel tape in giving positions for a -series of new steps which were to lead up to the altar and French, -interested in the operation, stood watching until it was complete. -Then the young fellow conducted him for the second time to the vestry -room, and seating himself, pointed to a chair. - -“As no doubt you can guess, I’ve come on the same business as before,” -French explained in his pleasant, courteous tones. “The fact is, I’ve -learned a good deal more about this Starvel business since I last saw -you, and I want to hear what you think of a theory I have evolved. But -first, will you tell me everything that you can of your relations with -Roper?” - -“I really hadn’t any relations with Roper except what I have already -mentioned,” Whymper returned. “Of course I had seen him on different -occasions, but the first time I spoke to him was the first time I -called on Miss Averill. He opened the door and showed me into the -drawing-room. The next time I went we spoke about the weather and so -on, but I had no actual relations with him until the night of the -tragedy, when he gave me Mr. Averill’s message at the church gate.” - -“It never occurred to you to doubt that the message did come from Mr. -Averill, I suppose?” - -“Of course not,” Whymper answered promptly. “You forget the note Mr. -Averill sent me when I got to Starvel.” - -“I don’t forget the note. But suppose I were to suggest that Roper had -forged the note and that Mr. Averill knew nothing whatever about it? I -should tell you that it has been established that Roper was a very -skilful forger.” - -“Such an idea never occurred to me. Even if Roper was a skilful forger -I don’t see why you should think he forged this note. What possible -motive could he have had?” - -“Well, I think we possibly might find a motive. But let that pass for -the moment. Go over the circumstances again in your mind and let me -know if you see any reason why Roper should not have arranged the -whole business himself.” - -Whymper did not at once reply. French, anxious not to hurry him, -remained silent also, idly admiring the pilasters and mouldings of the -octagonal chamber and the groining of the old stone roof. - -“I don’t see how Roper could have done it,” Whymper said presently. -“There’s the money to be considered. The £500 couldn’t have been -forged.” - -“No. But it could have been stolen, and I have no doubt it was.” - -“Surely not! You don’t really believe Roper was a thief?” - -“At least he might have been. No, Mr. Whymper, you haven’t convinced -me so far. Does anything further occur to you?” - -“Yes,” said Whymper: “the story he told me. No one could have known it -but Mr. Averill.” - -French leaned forward and his face took on an expression of keener -interest. - -“Ah, now we’re coming to it,” he exclaimed. “I suggest that that whole -story was a pure invention of Roper’s and that it had no foundation in -fact. Now tell me this.” He raised his hand as Whymper would have -spoken. “If the story were true would you not have expected to hear -something of M. Prosper Giraud and Mme. Madeleine Blancquart at -Talloires?” - -Whymper seemed absolutely dumbfounded at the extent of the other’s -knowledge. - -“Why,” he stammered with all the appearance of acute dismay, “how do -you know about that? I never mentioned it.” - -“You did,” French declared. “To the police at Talloires. I traced you -there and found out about your inquiries. It was perfectly simple. If -the story had been true would you not have had an answer to your -inquiries?” - -A sudden eagerness appeared in the young man’s face. He leaned forward -and cried excitedly:— - -“My Heavens, I never thought of that! I supposed Roper had made a -mistake about the address. Oh, if it could only be so!” He paused for -a moment, then burst out again: “You may be right! You may be right! -Tell me why you thought it might be Roper’s invention. I must know!” - -“In the strictest confidence I’ll tell you everything,” French -answered and he began to recount, not indeed everything, but a good -many of the reasons which had led him to believe in Roper’s guilt. -Whymper listened with painful intensity, and when the other had -finished he seemed almost unable to contain his excitement. - -“I must know if you are right,” he cried, springing from his chair and -beginning to pace the room. “I must know! How can I be sure, -Inspector? You have found out so much; can’t you find out a little -more?” - -“That’s what I came down for, Mr. Whymper,” French said gravely. “I -must know too. And there’s only one way out of it. You’ve got to tell -me the story. I’ll not use it unless it’s absolutely necessary. But -I’ll test it and get to know definitely whether it’s fact or fiction.” - -Whymper paused irresolutely. - -“Suppose,” he said at length, “suppose, telling you the story involved -letting you know of a crime which had been committed—not recently; -many, many years ago. Suppose the criminal had escaped, but my story -told you where you could find him. Would you give me your word of -honour not to move in the matter?” - -French glanced at him sharply. - -“Of course not, Mr. Whymper. You know it is foolish of you to talk -like that. Neither you nor I could have knowledge of that kind and -remain silent. If you learn of a crime and shield the criminal, you -become an accessory after the fact. You must know that.” - -“In that case,” Whymper answered, “I can’t tell you.” - -French became once more suave, even coaxing. - -“Now, Mr. Whymper, that is quite an impossible line for you to take -up. Just consider your own position. I have ample evidence to justify -me in arresting you for the theft of Mr. Averill’s money. If I do so, -this story that you are trying to keep to yourself will come out: not -privately to me, but in open court. Every one will know it then. By -keeping silent now you will defeat the very object you are striving -for. Attention will be forced on to the very person you are trying to -shield. And when it comes out you will be charged as an accessory. On -the other hand, if you tell me the whole thing here and in private you -will ease your mind of a burden and may clear yourself of suspicion of -the theft. And with regard to the other crime we may find that it is a -pure invention and that no such thing ever took place. Now, Mr. -Whymper, you’ve got to take the lesser risk. You’ve got to tell me. As -I say, I’ll not use your evidence unless I must.” - -Whymper made no reply and French, recalling his theory that the secret -concerned Ruth’s parentage, decided on a bluff. - -“Well,” he said, quite sharply for him. “If you won’t speak I shall -have to get the information from Miss Averill. I shall be sorry to -have to force her confidence about her parents, but you leave me no -option.” - -The bluff worked better than French could have hoped. Whymper started -forward with consternation on his face. - -“What?” he cried. “Then you know?” Then realising what he had said, he -swore. “Confound you, Inspector, that was a caddish trick! But you -won’t get any more out of me in spite of it.” - -French tried his bluff again. - -“Nonsense,” he answered. “It would be far better for Miss Averill that -you should tell me than that she should. But that’s a matter for you. -If you like to tell me, well; if not, I shall go straight to her. Look -here,” he leaned forward and tapped the other’s arm, “do you imagine -that you can keep the affair secret? I’ve only got to trace Mr. Simon -Averill’s history and go into the matter of Miss Ruth’s parentage and -the whole thing will come out. It’s silly of you.” He waited for a -moment, then got up. “Well, if you won’t, you won’t. You’ll come along -to the station first and then I’ll go to Miss Averill.” - -Whymper looked startled. - -“Are you going to arrest me?” - -“What else can I do?” French returned. - -Whymper wrung his hands as if in despair, then motioned the Inspector -to sit down again. - -“Wait a minute,” he said brokenly. “I’ll tell you. I see I can’t help -myself. It is not that I am afraid for myself, but I see from all you -say that I have no alternative. But I trust your word not to use the -information if you can avoid it.” - -“I give you my word.” - -“Well, I suppose that is as much as I can expect.” He paused to -collect his thoughts, then went on: “I have already explained to you -about Roper meeting me when I reached Starvel and his saying that Mr. -Averill was too ill to see me, and you have seen the letter that I -took to be from Mr. Averill, stating that he did not wish to put the -matter in question in writing, that Roper was his confidential -attendant, that he understood the affair in question and had been -authorised to explain it to me. Of course on receipt of that letter I -was prepared to believe whatever I heard, and I did believe it.” - -“Quite natural,” French admitted suavely. - -“Roper began by saying that his part in the affair was very -distasteful to him, that he felt he was intruding into a family and -very private matter, but that he had no alternative but to carry it -through as Mr. Averill had given him definite instructions to do so. -He added that he was particularly sorry about it, as the matter was -bound to be very painful to me. It was about Miss Averill.” - -Whymper was evidently very reluctant to proceed, but he overcame his -distaste after a moment’s hesitation and in a lower voice continued:— - -“He went on to ask me, again with apologies, whether Mr. Averill was -correct in believing I wished to marry Miss Averill. If I did not, he -said the information would be of no interest to me and he need not -proceed with the matter. But if I did wish to marry her there was -something I should know. - -“As a matter of fact, I wanted the marriage more than anything else on -earth, and when I said so to Roper he gave me the message. He told me -that, a few days before, Mr. Averill had received a letter which upset -him very much and, Roper thought, had brought on his illness. But -before I could appreciate the significance of the letter he would have -to explain some family matters. - -“Mr. Simon Averill had a brother named Theodore—I shall call them -Simon and Theodore to distinguish them. As a young man Theodore had -all the promise of a brilliant career. He had gone into business in -London and held a very good position as French representative of his -firm. He had married a French lady of old family and great beauty. One -child was born, a daughter, Ruth. - -“But unfortunately he was not steady, and as time passed he grew -wilder and wilder and his relations with his wife became more and more -strained. At last when Ruth was four years old and they were living in -London, there was some fearful trouble which finished him up. - -“Roper did not know the details, but it was a scandal in some illicit -gambling rooms in London. Theodore was caught cheating. They were all -half drunk and in the row that followed a man was killed. It was never -known who actually fired the shot, but Theodore was suspected. At all -events he disappeared and was never heard of again. It was the last -straw for his wife and she collapsed altogether. She brought Ruth, a -child of four, to Simon, begged him to look after her, and then -committed suicide. - -“Nothing more was heard of Theodore Averill and every one concerned -believed him dead. Simon’s surprise may be imagined then, when during -the last two or three days he received a letter from him. This was the -letter which I told you had upset him so much. - -“I didn’t see the letter, but Roper told me it said that Theodore was -living under the name of Prosper-Giraud at Talloires in Savoy. He had -escaped from London to Morocco and after wandering about for a year or -two had entered the French Foreign Legion. After serving several years -he left that and went to Talloires, where he supported himself by -writing short stories for the magazines. He did fairly well, and was -comfortable enough, but recently a disastrous thing had happened to -him. He had been in poor health for some time and had begun to talk in -his sleep. His old housekeeper, Mme. Madeleine Blancquart, must have -listened and heard something which gave his secret away, for one -morning she came to him and said she had discovered all, and asked -what he was going to pay to have the matter kept from the English -police. He was unable to give what she demanded and for the sake of -his family he prayed his brother Simon to help him. If Simon wouldn’t -do so, nothing could save him. He would be brought to England and -perhaps executed, and Simon and Ruth would have to bear the shame.” - -The recital of these facts was evidently very painful to Whymper, but -he went on doggedly with his statement. - -“Simon in his delicate state of health was much upset by the whole -thing, so Roper said. If the story was true he was willing to make -some allowance, both because he didn’t wish to have his brother come -to such an end and also for his own and Ruth’s sake. He had, -therefore, replied sending twenty pounds, and saying that he would -either go over himself to Talloires or send a representative within a -month to discuss the situation. - -“He found he was too feeble to go himself and for the same reason he -couldn’t well spare Roper, so he cast round for some one who could do -it for him, and he thought of me. He thought that if I wanted to marry -Miss Averill the secret would be safe with me and also I should be -just as anxious to have the matter settled as he was. - -“Of course I agreed to go. You can understand that I really hadn’t any -option, though as far as I was concerned myself I didn’t care two pins -what Theodore had done or hadn’t done. Roper said Simon would be -extremely relieved to hear my decision. He said also that Simon did -not wish me to go for about three weeks, lest it would look too eager -and Mme. Blancquart would think she had frightened us. - -“Roper went on to say that Simon was giving me £500. Out of this I was -to take my expenses and the balance was to buy off Mme. Blancquart. He -did not want me to give her a lump sum, but to arrange a monthly -payment which she would know she would lose if she informed. I was to -find some one in Talloires who would take the money and dole it out -for a percentage. The _curé_ possibly might do it, or I could employ a -solicitor. He left the arrangements to my judgment. In any case I was -to make the best bargain I could with the woman. - -“That was all on the Wednesday night before the fire started. Then -came the tragedy. With Simon dead I didn’t know what on earth to do. -Of course I saw that I must carry out my promise just the same, and go -out to Talloires and try to arrange for Theodore’s safety, but I -thought that if Simon’s money went to Ruth, Theodore might try to make -trouble with her. However, I could do nothing until I saw him and Mme. -Blancquart, and I arranged to go to Talloires at the end of the three -weeks as Simon had asked me. - -“You can guess the rest. I took the money and went to Talloires. But -as you know, I could find no trace either of Prosper Giraud or Mme. -Blancquart. - -“I was in a difficulty then. I had no doubt that the message was -really Simon’s. It never occurred to me that Roper could invent the -story or steal the money, and when I failed to find the people I -simply thought he had made a mistake in the address. I was pretty -bothered, I can tell you. I was expecting every day to read of -Theodore’s arrest, and I could do nothing to prevent it.” The young -man was very earnest as he added: “I swear to you that what I have -told you is the literal truth. I don’t know whether you will believe -me, but whether or not, I am glad I’ve told you. It is a tremendous -weight off my mind, and if you can prove that the story was only -Roper’s invention I’ll be ten thousand times more relieved.” - -French felt that he might very well believe the statement. Not only -had Whymper’s manner changed and borne the almost unmistakable impress -of truth, but the story he told was just the kind of story French was -expecting to hear. No tale that he could think of would have better -suited Roper’s purpose: to make this young fellow change stolen bank -notes the possession of which he could not account for. The more -French thought it over in detail, the more satisfied he felt with it. -It was true that there were two minor points which he did not fully -understand, but neither would invalidate the tale, even if -unexplained. Of these the first was: Why had Roper asked Whymper to -wait three weeks before going to France? And the second: If the young -man was as enamoured of this girl as he pretended to be, why had he -not proposed to her so as to be in a proper position to offer her his -protection? - -A little thought gave him the answer to the first of these problems. -Evidently no suspicion must fall on Whymper other than through the -notes. If he were to rush away directly the tragedy occurred, any -general suspicion which might have been aroused might be directed -towards him for that very reason. That would be no test of the safety -of passing the notes. But if three weeks elapsed before he made a -move, suspicion must depend on the notes alone. - -With regard to the second point French thought he might ask for -information. - -“I don’t want to be unnecessarily personal, Mr. Whymper, but there is -just one matter I should like further light on. You were, I understand -you to say, anxious to marry this young lady and desired to protect -her from trouble with Mme. Blancquart. If that were so, would it not -have been natural for you to propose to her and so obtain the right to -protect her?” - -Whymper made a gesture of exasperation. - -“By Heaven, I only wish I had! It might have come out all right. But, -Inspector, I have been a coward. To be strictly truthful, I was -afraid. I’ll tell you just what happened. After the tragedy I was very -much upset by this whole affair. And it made me awkward and -self-conscious with Miss Averill to have to keep secret a thing which -concerned her so closely. I tried not to show it in my manner, but I -don’t think I quite succeeded. I think my manner displeased her. At -all events she grew cold and distant, and—well! there it is. I didn’t -dare to speak. I was afraid I would have no chance. I thought I would -wait until I found something out about her father. Then when this -began to seem impossible, I determined to risk all and speak, but then -you came threatening me with arrest for theft. I couldn’t propose -until that was over. And the question is, is it over now? Are you -going to arrest me or how do I stand?” - -“I’m not going to arrest you, Mr. Whymper. You have given me the -explanations I asked for, and so far I see no reason to doubt your -story. I am glad you have told me. But though I believe you, I may say -at once that I believe also the whole thing was Roper’s invention. Why -did he not show the letter he alleged Theodore Averill had written?” - -“I don’t know. I assumed there was something further in it which Mr. -Averill wished to keep from Roper and me.” - -French shook his head. - -“Much more likely it didn’t exist and he wanted to save the labour and -risk of forging it. Now, Mr. Whymper, there is only one thing to be -done. You or I, or both of us together must go to Miss Averill and ask -her the truth. I do not mean that we must tell her this story. We -shall simply ask her where her father lived, and where she was born. -Records will be available there which will set the matter at rest.” - -Whymper saw the common sense of this proposal, but he said that -nothing would induce him to ask such questions of Miss Averill. It -was, therefore, agreed that French should call on her and make the -inquiries. - -Ruth was at home when French reached the Oxleys’, and she saw him at -once. French apologised for troubling her so soon again, and then -asked some questions as to the possible amount of petrol and paraffin -which had been at Starvel on the night of the fire. From this he -switched the conversation on to herself, and with a dexterity born of -long practice led her to talk of her relatives. So deftly did he -question her, that when in a few minutes he had discovered all he -wished to know, she had not realised that she had been pumped. - -In answer to his veiled suggestions she told him that her father’s -name was Theodore Averill, that he had lived in Bayonne, where he had -held a good appointment in the wine industry, and that he had married -a French lady whom he had met at Biarritz. This lady, her mother, had -died when she was born and her father had only survived her by about -four years. On his death she had come to her uncle Simon, he being her -only other relative. She was born in Bayonne and baptised, she -believed, by the Anglican clergyman at Biarritz. Her father was a -member of the Church of England and her mother a Huguenot. - -“This,” French said when, half an hour later, he was back in the -vestry room of the old church, “will lead us to certainty. I will send -a wire to the Biarritz police and have the records looked up. Of -course, I don’t doubt Miss Averill’s word for a moment, but it is just -conceivable that she might have been misled as to her birth. However, -we want to be absolutely sure.” - -He wired that evening and it may be mentioned here that in the course -of a couple of days he received the following information:— - -1. Mr. Theodore Averill was a wine merchant and lived at Bayonne. - -2. Mr. Averill and Mlle. Anne de Condillac had been married in the -English church at Biarritz on the 24th of June, 1905. - -3. Mrs. Averill had died on the 17th of July, 1906, while giving birth -to a daughter. - -4. This daughter, whose name was Ruth, was baptised at the Anglican -church, Biarritz, on the 19th of August, 1906. - -5. Mr. Theodore Averill had died on the 8th of September, 1910, his -little four-year old daughter then being sent to England. - -So that was certainty at last. Roper was the evil genius behind all -these involved happenings. He it was who had got Ruth away from the -doomed house; he had sent Whymper off to pass the stolen notes so that -he might learn if their numbers were known; he had murdered Simon -Averill; he had stolen the notes from the safe; he had murdered his -wife; he had burned the house. All was now clear—except the one point -at which French, trembling with exasperation, was again brought up. -What had happened to Roper? What blunder had he made? How had he died? -And again; where was the money? Was it hidden or was it destroyed? - -As French went down to the police station to tell Sergeant Kent he -might withdraw his observation on Whymper, he determined that next -morning he would begin a meticulous and detailed search of the ground -surrounding the ruins in the hope of finding the answer to his last -question. - -But next morning French instead found himself contemplating with a -growing excitement a new idea which had leaped into his mind and which -bade fair to change the whole future course of his investigation. - - - -CHAPTER ELEVEN - -A Startling Theory - -Inspector French’s change of plans was due to a new idea which -suddenly, like the conventional bolt from the blue, flashed across the -horizon of his vision. - -For some reason he had been unable to sleep on that night on which he -had completed his proof that the Whymper incident had been engineered -by Roper. French, as a rule, was a sound sleeper: he was usually too -tired on getting to bed to be anything else. But on the rare occasions -when he remained wakeful he nearly always turned the circumstance to -advantage by concentrating on the difficulty of the moment. His brain -at such times seemed more active than normally, and more than one of -his toughest problems had been solved during the hours of darkness. It -was true that he frequently reached conclusions which in the sober -light of day appeared fantastic and had to be abandoned, but valuable -ideas had come so often that when up against a really difficult case -he had thankfully welcomed a sleepless night in the hope of what it -might bring forth. - -On this occasion, when he had employed all the conventional aids to -slumber without effect, he turned his attention to the one problem in -the Starvel Hollow tragedy which up to now had baffled him: the cause -of Roper’s fate. How had the man come to lose his life? What terrible -mistake had he made? How had Nemesis overtaken him? French felt he -could see the whole ghastly business taking place, excepting always -this one point. And the more he thought of it, the more difficult it -appeared. It seemed almost incredible that so clever a man should have -blundered so appallingly. - -He had asked himself these questions for the hundredth time when there -leaped into his mind an idea so startling that for a moment he could -only lie still and let his mind gradually absorb it. Roper’s death -seemed the incredible feature of the case, but _was this a feature of -the case at all?_ _Had Roper died?_ What if his death was a fake, -arranged to free him from the attentions of the police so that he -might enjoy without embarrassment the fruits of his crime? - -French lay trying to recall the details of a paragraph he had read in -the paper a year or two previously and wondering how he had failed up -to the present to draw a parallel between it and the Starvel Hollow -affair. It was the account of the burning of a house in New York. -After the fire it was found that a lot of valuable property had -disappeared and further search revealed the remains of two human -bodies. Two servants were believed to have been in the house at the -time, and these bodies were naturally assumed to have been theirs. -Afterwards it was proved—French could not remember how—that the two -left in the house had planned the whole affair so as to steal the -valuables. They had visited a cemetery, robbed a grave of two bodies, -conveyed these to the house, set the place on fire and made off with -the swag. Had Roper seen this paragraph and determined to copy the -Americans? Or had the same idea occurred to him independently? - -How Roper might or might not have evolved his plan was however, a -minor point. The question was—had he evolved and carried out such a -plan? Was he now alive and in possession of the money? - -It was evident there were two possible lines of inquiry, either of -which might give him his information. - -The first was the definite identification of the body which had been -found in the position of Roper’s bed. Was there any physical -peculiarity about Roper which would enable a conclusion to be reached -as to whether this body was or was not his? It was true that the -remains had been examined by Dr. Emerson and unhesitatingly accepted -as Roper’s, but the doctor had had no reason for doubt in the matter -and might therefore have overlooked some small point which would have -led to a contrary conclusion. - -The second line of inquiry was more promising. If Roper had carried -out such a fraud he must have provided a body to substitute for his -own. Had he done so, and if he had, where had this body been obtained? - -Here was an act which, French felt, could not have been done without -leaving traces. Roper had proved himself a very skilful man, but the -secret acquisition of a dead body in a country like England was an -extraordinarily difficult undertaking, and of course the more -difficult an action was to carry out, the greater were the chances of -its discovery. Proof or disproof of his theory would be quickly -forthcoming. - -Hour after hour French lay pondering the matter, and when shortly -before daylight he at last fell asleep, he had laid his plans for the -prosecution of his new inquiry. - -He began by calling on Dr. Emerson. The doctor was writing in his -consulting room when French was shown in, and he rose to greet his -visitor with old-fashioned courtesy. - -“Sorry for troubling you again, doctor,” French began with his -pleasant smile, “but I wanted to ask you a question. It won’t take -five minutes.” - -“My dear sir, there is no hurry. I’m quite at your disposal.” - -“Very good of you, Dr. Emerson, I’m sure. It’s really a matter more of -idle curiosity than a serious inquiry. I was thinking over that -Starvel affair, and I wondered how you were able to identify the -bodies. It was a phrase in the evidence that struck me. I gathered -that you said that the bodies of each of the three occupants of the -house were lying on the sites of their respective beds. I should like -to ask if that was stated from definite identification of the remains, -or if it was merely a reasonable and justifiable assumption?” - -“If that is what you read, I am afraid I have not been correctly -reported. I certainly never said that the body found at each bed was -that of the owner of the bed. That they were so I have no doubt: from -every point of view I think that is a reasonable and justifiable -assumption, to use your own phrase. But actual identification was -quite impossible. It is rather an unpleasant subject, but fire, -especially such a furnace as must have raged at Starvel, destroys -practically all physical characteristics.” - -“But you were able to tell the sex and age of the victims?” - -“The sex and approximate age, yes. Given a skeleton or even certain -bones, that can be stated with certainty. But that is a very different -thing from identification.” - -“I thought I was right,” French declared. “I had always heard that was -the result of fire, and therefore was puzzled. Identification of burnt -remains has however been frequently established from rings or jewelry, -has it not?” - -“Certainly, though there was nothing of the kind in the instance in -question. Indeed, such identification would have been almost -impossible in any case. In that intense heat gold rings or settings -would have melted and the stones themselves would have dropped out and -would only be found by an extraordinarily lucky chance.” - -French rose. - -“Quite so. I agree. Well, I’m glad to know I was right. We Yard -Inspectors are always on the look-out for first-hand information.” - -So the first of the three lines of inquiry had petered out. The bodies -were unidentifiable, and therefore so far as that was concerned, his -theory might be true or it might not. - -As he strolled slowly back to the hotel, French considered his second -clue: the provision by Roper of a body to take the place of his own. - -From the first the difficulty of such a feat had impressed French, and -as he now thought of it in detail, this difficulty grew until it -seemed almost insurmountable. Where could bodies be obtained? Only -surely in one of three ways: from a medical institution, from a -cemetery, and by means of murder. - -With regard to the first of these three, it was true that bodies were -used for medical purposes, for dissection, for the instruction of -students. But they were not obtainable by outside individuals. French -thought that it would be absolutely impossible for Roper to have -secured what he wanted from such a source. So convinced of this was he -that he felt he might dismiss the idea from his mind. - -Could then the remains have been obtained from a cemetery? - -Here again the difficulties, though not quite so overwhelming, were -sufficiently great as almost to negative the suggestion. Of one thing -French felt convinced; that neither Roper nor any other man in Roper’s -position could have carried out such an enterprise singlehanded. One -or more confederates would have been absolutely necessary. To mention -a single point only, no one person would have had the physical -strength to perform such a task. No one person, furthermore, could -have taken the requisite precautions against surprise or discovery, -nor could one person have carried out the needful transport -arrangements between the cemetery and Starvel. - -The whole subject, as French thought out its details, was -indescribably gruesome and revolting. But so interested was he in its -purely intellectual side—as a problem for which a solution must be -found—that he overlooked the horror of the actual operations. For him -the matter was one of pure reason. He did not consider the human -emotions involved except in so far as these might influence the -conduct of the actors in the terrible drama. - -Assuming then that the remains had not been procured from a cemetery, -there remained but one alternative—murder! Some unknown person must -have been inveigled into that sinister house and there done to death, -so as to provide the needful third body! If Roper were guilty of the -Starvel crime as French now understood it, it looked as if he must -have been guilty of a third murder, hitherto unsuspected. - -Here was food for thought and opportunity for inquiry. Who had -disappeared about the time of the tragedy? Was any one missing in the -neighbourhood? Had any one let it be known that he was leaving the -district or going abroad about that date? Instead of being at the end -of his researches, French was rather appalled by the magnitude of the -investigation which was opening out in front of him. To obtain the -necessary information might require the prolonged activities of a -large staff. - -He was anxious not to give away the lines on which he was working. He -decided therefore not to make his inquiries from Sergeant Kent at the -local station, but to go to Leeds and have an interview with the Chief -Constable. - -Accordingly, unconsciously following the example of Oxley and -Tarkington several weeks earlier, he took the 3.30 train that -afternoon and two hours later was seated in Chief Constable -Valentine’s room at police headquarters. The old gentleman received -him very courteously, and for once French met some one who seemed -likely to outdo him in suavity and charm of manner. - -“I thought, sir, my case was over when I had cleared up the matter of -the bank notes passed to Messrs. Cook in London,” French declared as -he accepted a cigarette from the other’s case, “but one or two rather -strange points have made me form a tentative theory which seems -sufficiently probable to need going into. In short——” and he explained -with business-like brevity his ideas about Roper with the facts from -which they had sprung. - -The Chief Constable was profoundly impressed by the recital, much more -so than French would have believed possible. - -“It’s a likely enough theory,” he admitted. “Your arguments seem -unanswerable and I certainly agree that the idea is sufficiently -promising to warrant investigation.” - -“I’m glad, sir, that you think so. In my job, as you know, there is -always the danger of being carried away by some theory that appeals -because of its ingenuity, while overlooking some more commonplace -explanation that is much more likely to be true.” - -“I know that, and this may of course be an instance. I am glad, -however, that you mentioned your theory to me. It is an idea which -should be kept secret, and I shall set inquiries on foot without -giving away the Starvel connection.” - -“Then, sir, you can’t recall any disappearances about the time?” - -“I can’t. And I don’t expect we shall find any. Do you?” - -“Well, I was in hope that we might.” - -Major Valentine shook his head. - -“No, Inspector; there I think you’re wrong,” he said with decision. -“If Roper really carried out these crimes, he’s far too clever to -leave an obvious trail of that kind. We may be sure that if he -inveigled some third person to the house and murdered him, a -satisfactory explanation of the victim’s absence was provided. You -suggested it yourself in your statement. The man will ostensibly have -left his surroundings, never to return. If he was a native he will -have gone to America or some other distant place. If he was a visitor -he will have left to return home. Somehow matters will have been -arranged so that he will disappear without raising suspicion. Don’t -you think so?” - -“Yes, sir, I certainly do. But it’s going to make it a hard job to -trace him.” - -“I know it is. If he lived in a large town it will be so hard that we -probably shan’t succeed, but if he came from the country or a village -the local men should have the information.” - -“That is so, sir. Then I may leave the matter in your hands?” - -“Yes, I’ll attend to it. By the way, where are you staying?” - -French told him, and after some desultory discussion, took his leave -and caught the last train back to Thirsby. He was partly pleased and -partly disappointed by his interview. He had hoped for the -co-operation of the Chief Constable, but Major Valentine had gone much -further than this. He had really taken the immediate further -prosecution of the investigation out of French’s hands. French was -therefore temporarily out of a job. Moreover French had the contempt -of the Londoner and the specialist for those whom he was pleased to -think of as “provincial amateurs.” And yet he could not have acted -otherwise than as he had. The organisation of the police with all its -ramifications was needed for the job, and the Chief Constable -controlled the organisation. - -Next morning after he had brought his notes of the case to date, -French left the hotel, and walking in the leisurely, rather aimless -fashion he affected in the little town, approached the church. It had -occurred to him that he would spend his enforced leisure in an -examination of the cemeteries in the immediate district, to see if any -local conditions would favour the operations of a body-snatcher. - -Owing to the renovation, the church gate was open and French, passing -through, turned into the graveyard surrounding the picturesque old -building. It also was old—old and completely filled with graves. As -French leisurely strolled round the paths, he could not find a single -vacant lot. Even on the wall of the church itself there were -monuments, one of which bore the date 1573 and none of which were -later than 1800. Though the place was carefully tended there were no -signs of recent interments, and French was not therefore surprised to -learn from one of the workmen that there was a new cemetery at the -opposite end of the town. - -He stood looking round, considering the possibilities of grave -robbing. The church was almost in the centre of the town and the -graveyard was surrounded on all sides by houses. In front was the old -High Street, fenced off by a tall iron railing and with a continuous -row of houses and shops opposite. The other three sides were bounded -by a six-foot wall, the two ends abutting on the gables and yards of -the High Street houses, and the back on a narrow street called Church -Lane, again with houses all the way along its opposite side. There -were heavy wrought iron gates leading to both Church Lane and High -Street. - -The longer French examined the place, the more certain he became that -the robbery of a grave by less than three or four persons was an -absolute impossibility. However, he saw the sexton and made sure that -both gates were locked on the night in question. - -He next paid a similar visit to the new cemetery. Here the -difficulties were not quite so overwhelming as it was farther from the -town and much less overlooked. At the same time even here they were so -great as to make theft practically impossible. - -In the afternoon he tramped to the only other cemetery in the -district—that of a village some three miles north-east of Starvel. But -again his investigations met with a negative result and he definitely -put out of his mind the theory that Roper had robbed a grave. - -For two days he kicked his heels in Thirsby, hoping against hope that -he would hear something from Major Valentine and wondering whether he -should not go back to London, and then he accidentally learned a fact -which gave him a new idea and started him off on a fresh line of -investigation. - -As a forlorn hope it had occurred to him that he would call again on -Ruth Averill to inquire whether she could think of any one who might -have visited Starvel after she left for York. He did not expect an -affirmative reply, but he thought the inquiry would pass the time as -profitably as anything else. - -Ruth, however, had known of no one. - -“We never had a visitor, Mr. French,” she went on, “rarely or ever. -Except those three or four calls of Mr. Whymper’s of which I told you, -I don’t think a single person had come to the place for a year. Why -should they?” - -“It must have been lonely for you,” French said sympathetically. - -“It was lonely. I didn’t realise it at the time, except just after -coming back from school, but now that I have plenty of people to speak -to I see how very lonely it was.” - -“You didn’t feel able to make confidants of the Ropers? Of course,” -French went on hastily, “I know they were only servants, but still -many servants are worthy of the fullest confidence.” - -Ruth shook her head. - -“No, I didn’t feel that I could make friends with either. It was not -in the least because they were servants. Some of the cottagers were -even lower socially, and yet they were real friends. But there was -something repellent about the Ropers, or at least I thought so. I was -never happy with either of them. And yet both were kind and attentive -and all that. Of course, there was Mr. Giles. He was always friendly, -and I enjoyed helping him with his insects. But I didn’t really see a -great deal of him.” - -French felt sorry for the young girl, as he thought of the unhappy -life she must have led. - -“I think I understand how you feel,” he returned gently. “Personality -is a wonderful thing, is it not? It is quite intangible, but one -recognises it and acts on it instinctively. And that Mr. Giles whom -you mentioned. Who is he, if it is not an impertinent question?” - -“Oh, he is dead,” Ruth answered sadly and with some surprise in her -tones. “Did you not hear about him? He lived close to Starvel—at -least, about half a mile away—but his cottage was the nearest house. -He was dreadfully delicate and, I am afraid, rather badly off. He was -wounded in the War and was never afterwards able to work. He was -interested in insects and kept bees. He collected butterflies and -beetles and wrote articles about them. Sometimes I used to help him to -pin out his specimens. He taught me a lot about them.” - -“And you say he died?” - -“Yes, wasn’t it tragic? The poor man died just at the time of the -Starvel affair. It was too terrible. When I came back from York I -found he had gone too.” - -French almost leaped off his seat as he heard these words. Was it -possible that in his careless, half-interested inquiries he had -blundered on to the one outstanding fact that he needed? Could it be -that Mr. Giles’ death represented Roper’s search for a body? That he -was his third victim? - -Crushing down his eagerness French did his best to simulate a polite -and sympathetic interest. - -“How terrible for you, Miss Averill!” he said with as real feeling in -his tones as he could compass. “One shock added to another. Tell me -about it, if it is not too painful a recollection.” - -“Oh no, I’ll tell you. He fell ill a few days before I went to -York—influenza, Mrs. Roper thought, but he must have been fairly bad -as he had Dr. Philpot out to see him. Both the Ropers were certainly -very good to him. They went up and nursed him, for the woman who -usually looked after him had not time to stay with him for more than -an hour or so in the day. I went up and sat with him occasionally, -too. On the morning I went to York he seemed much worse. I called on -my way into Thirsby, and he was lying without moving and was terribly -white and feeble looking. His voice also was very faint. He just said -he was comfortable and had everything he wanted. Mrs. Roper said that -if he didn’t soon get better she would send Roper in for Dr. Emerson. -Dr. Philpot, I should explain, had just gone down with influenza.” - -“And what was the next thing you heard?” - -“Why,” Ruth made a little gesture of horror, “the next thing I knew of -it was that we met the funeral. It was awful. It was the second day -after the fire. I wanted to go out and see Starvel, and Mrs. Oxley -drove me out in their car. When we were coming back, just as we -reached the point where the Starvel road branches off, we saw a -funeral coming in along the main road. It was trotting and we waited -to let it pass on. Mr. Stackpool—that’s the vicar—and Dr. Emerson were -there and they told us whose it was. Of course we joined them. _Poor_ -Mr. Giles. I _was_ sorry for him. But nothing could have been done. -Dr. Emerson said he became unconscious the same day that I saw him, -and passed away without suffering. That was something to be thankful -for at least.” - -“Indeed, yes,” French agreed with feeling. “I wonder if I haven’t -heard about Mr. Giles. He was a very tall old man, wasn’t he, and -walked with a stoop?” - -“Oh no, he wasn’t specially tall or old either. Just medium height and -middle age, I should say. Nor did he walk with a stoop. You must be -thinking of some one else.” - -“I suppose I must,” French admitted, and as soon as he reasonably -could he took his leave. - -That he now held in his hand the solution of the mystery he no longer -doubted. He would have wagered ten years of his life that this Giles’ -remains had been taken from the wreck of Starvel and interred under -the name of John Roper. Such a supposition, moreover, was consistent -with the medical evidence. Dr. Emerson had stated at the inquest that -the third body was that of a man of middle height and middle age. -This, of course, had been taken as applying to Roper, but it might -equally apply to Giles. It was certainly a lucky thing for Roper’s -scheme that a person so suitable for his diabolical purpose should -happen to live so near to the scene of the crime. Or more probably, it -was this very fact that had suggested the idea of the substitution to -Roper. - -But if Giles had been murdered, what about Dr. Emerson’s certificate? -In this wretched case the solution of one problem only seemed to lead -to another. French felt that he had still further work before him ere -he could begin the second stage of his case—the search for Roper. Lost -in thought he returned to the Thirsdale Arms for lunch. - - - -CHAPTER TWELVE - -A Somewhat Gruesome Chapter - -To inquire of a fully fledged and responsible medical man whether he -has or has not given a false death certificate, without at the same -time ruffling his feelings is an undertaking requiring a nice judgment -and not a little tact. As French once again climbed the steps to Dr. -Emerson’s hall door early that same afternoon, he felt that the coming -interview would tax even his powers of suave inquiry. In a way, of -course, it didn’t matter whether the doctor’s feelings were ruffled or -not, but both on general principles and from a desire to prevent his -witness becoming hostile, the detective was anxious to save the -other’s face. - -“How are you, doctor? Here I am back to worry you again,” French began -pleasantly as he was shown in to the consulting-room. They chatted for -a few moments and then French went on: “I wanted to ask you in -confidence about an acquaintance of Miss Averill’s, a Mr. Giles who -died recently. You knew him?” - -“I attended him. I attended him for some years until Dr. Philpot came, -then he took him over as well as most of my other country patients. I -am not so young as I was and the arrangement suited us both. He died -while Dr. Philpot was ill, and I went out and gave the necessary -certificate.” - -“So I gathered, and that’s why I came to you. What a curious -coincidence it was that this man should pass away at the very time of -the fire! That all four of Miss Averill’s closest acquaintances should -die at practically the same time is, you must admit, as strange as it -is tragic.” - -Emerson looked at his visitor curiously. - -“Strange enough and tragic enough, I admit,” he answered, “but such -coincidences are not infrequent. It is my experience that coincidences -which would be deemed too remarkable for a novel constantly occur in -real life.” - -“I quite agree with you. I have often said the same thing. Mr. Giles -was an invalid, was he not?” - -“Yes, from what he told me the poor fellow had a rather miserable -life. He was always delicate, and when he volunteered in 1914, he was -rejected because of his heart. As the war dragged on the authorities -became less particular and in 1917 he was re-examined and passed for -foreign service, wrongly, as I think. However, that’s what happened. -He went to France and in less than a month he was in hospital, having -been both gassed and wounded. As a result his heart became more -seriously affected. Even five years ago he was in a state in which -death might have occurred from a sudden shock, and myocarditis is a -complaint which does not improve as the years pass.” - -“Then it was myocarditis he died of?” - -“Yes. He had an attack of influenza on the previous Thursday. When Dr. -Philpot got laid up and asked me to take his patients over he told me -he had seen Mr. Giles and that he was in a bad way. The influenza made -an extra call on the poor man’s heart which no doubt hastened his end, -but the actual cause of death was myocarditis.” - -“Does this disease leave any infallible signs after death? I mean, can -a doctor say definitely from the mere inspection of the remains that -death was due to it and to no other cause? Don’t think me impertinent -in asking. I told you we inspectors were always out after first-hand -information.” - -Dr. Emerson raised his eyebrows as if to indicate delicately that the -question was perhaps not in the best taste, but with only the -slightest hint of stiffness he replied:— - -“In this case the question does not arise. This man was in a serious -condition of health; his heart might have failed at any moment. -Moreover, he was suffering from influenza, which puts an extra strain -on the heart. Dr. Philpot gave it as his opinion that he would not -recover. When therefore I learned that he had died suddenly I was not -surprised. It was only to be expected. Further, when I examined him he -showed every sign of death from heart failure.” - -“But that is just the point, doctor. Excuse my pressing it, but I -really am interested. For my own information I should like to know -whether these signs that you speak of were absolutely peculiar to a -death from heart disease. I understood, please correct me if I am -wrong, but I understood that only an autopsy could really establish -the point beyond question.” - -Dr. Emerson hesitated. - -“These are very peculiar questions,” he said presently. “I think you -should tell me what is in your mind. It seems to me that I am equally -entitled to ask how the death of Mr. Giles affects the cause of the -Starvel fire?” - -French nodded, and drawing forward his chair, spoke more -confidentially. - -“You are, doctor. I had not intended to mention my suspicion, but -since you have asked me, I’ll answer your question. I will ask you to -keep what I am about to say very strictly to yourself, and on that -understanding I must tell you that I’m not connected with an insurance -company: I’m an inspector from Scotland Yard. Certain facts which I do -not wish to go into at present have led me to suspect that Mr. Giles -may have been murdered. I want to make sure.” - -Dr. Emerson stared as if he couldn’t have believed his ears, and his -jaw dropped. - -“God bless my soul!” he cried. “_Murdered?_ Did I hear you say -murdered?” - -“Yes,” said French, “but I am not sure about it. It is only a -suspicion.” - -“A pretty nasty suspicion for me, after my certificate! But you -couldn’t be right. The very idea is absurd! Who could have murdered -such a harmless man, and badly off at that!” - -“Well, I think it might be possible to find a motive. But if you don’t -mind, I’d really rather not discuss what may prove to be a mare’s -nest. However, you see now the object of my questions. I want to know -the possibilities from the medical point of view. Perhaps you will -tell me about that autopsy?” - -Dr. Emerson was manifestly disturbed by French’s suggestion. He moved -uneasily in his chair and gave vent to exclamations of scepticism and -concern. “Of course,” he went on, “I’ll tell you everything I can, and -I needn’t say I most sincerely hope your suspicion is unfounded. You -are perfectly correct on the other point. Only an autopsy can -establish beyond question the fact of a death from myocarditis. If I -had had the slightest doubt in Mr. Giles’ case I should have required -one before giving a certificate. But I had no doubt, and with all due -respect to you I have none now.” - -“You may be right, doctor. I’ll tell you as soon as I know myself. In -the meantime thank you for your information and not a word to a soul.” - -French left the house with a deep satisfaction filling his mind. Dr. -Emerson’s admission was what he had hoped for and it very nearly -banished his last remaining doubt. But he felt that he ought to get -Dr. Philpot’s views also. Philpot had seen the man before death and -his evidence would certainly be required if the matter went further. - -Accordingly, he turned in the direction of the younger man’s house, -and a few minutes later was entering a consulting-room for the second -time that day. - -“Good-afternoon, doctor,” he said, with his usual cheery smile. “I’ve -come on my old tack of looking for information. But it’s a very simple -matter this time: just one question on quite a different subject.” - -Dr. Philpot was looking changed: old and worn and despondent. French -was rather shocked at his appearance. He was sitting forward in his -chair, hunched over the fire, with his head resting in his hands and a -look of brooding misery on his features. He looked like a man upon -whom a long expected blow had at last fallen; a man at the end of his -tether, who does not know which way to turn for relief. And then, -somewhat to French’s surprise, the cause came out. - -“Of course, of course,” the other murmured, rousing himself as if from -an evil dream. “If you want to know anything from me ask it now, for -I’m leaving the town almost at once.” - -French was genuinely surprised. - -“Leaving the town?” he repeated. “You don’t mean——? Do you mean for -good?” - -“For good, yes. And I don’t want ever to see the cursed place again. -But it’s my own fault. I may as well tell you, for you’ll hear it soon -enough. I have failed.” - -“Financially, you mean?” - -Philpot glanced at his visitor with sombre resentment. - -“Financially, of course. How else?” he growled. “It was never a land -flowing with milk and honey, this place, but for the last few months -my position has been getting more and more impossible. The only things -I get plenty of are bills—bills everywhere, and no money to meet them. -I’ve struggled and fought to keep my end up, but it has been no good. -When I came, I couldn’t afford to buy a practice, and though I’ve not -done so badly owing to Dr. Emerson’s giving up his more distant -patients, I haven’t built up quickly enough and my little capital -couldn’t stand the strain. Another three or four years and I might -have got my head above water.” He made a gesture of despair. “But -there it is and complaining won’t help it.” - -French’s natural reaction was to show sympathy with any one in -trouble, and he could not help feeling sorry for this doctor who had -made a mess of his life and who now, nearing middle age, was going to -have to begin all over again. But when he remembered what the landlord -of the Thirsdale Arms had told him of the man’s gambling proclivities, -his sympathy was somewhat checked. To continue gambling when you know -that your indulgence is going to prevent your paying your just debts -is but a short way removed from theft. Of course, French did not know -how far the landlord’s story was true, so it was with relief that he -reminded himself that he was not Philpot’s judge, and that his -business was simply to get the information he required as easily and -pleasantly as he could. - -“I am exceedingly sorry to hear what you say,” he declared gravely, -and he was not altogether a hypocrite in making his manner and tone -express genuine regret. “It is a terrible position for any one to find -himself in and I can well understand how you feel. But, though bad, -you must not consider it hopeless. Many a man has passed through a -similar trouble and has come out on top in the end.” - -Philpot smiled faintly. - -“I appreciate your kindness,” he answered. “But don’t let us talk -about it. I told you in order to explain my departure and because you -would hear it in any case. But if you don’t mind, I would rather not -speak of it again. You said something about a question, I think?” - -“Yes, but first I must ask just this. You say you are leaving here. -Suppose through some unexpected development in this Starvel case you -are wanted to give evidence. Can I find you?” - -“Of course. I am going to a friend in Glasgow who says he can find me -a job. I shall be staying with Mrs. MacIntosh, of 47 Kilgore Street, -Dumbarton Road.” - -French noted the address. - -“Thanks. I do not think I shall want you, but I should be remiss in my -duty if I failed to keep in touch with you. The other question is -about a friend of Miss Averill’s, a man named Giles, who died about -the time of the fire. I wish you would tell me what he died of.” - -Dr. Philpot looked at him in surprise. Then something approaching a -twinkle appeared in his eye. - -“Hullo! Another—er—unexpected development? Is it indiscreet to -inquire?” - -“It is,” French answered, “but I’ll tell you because I really want my -information. It may be a very serious matter, Dr. Philpot, and I am -mentioning it in strict confidence only. I have certain reasons to -suppose that Mr. Giles may have been murdered and I want to get your -views on the possibility.” - -Dr. Philpot’s astonishment at the announcement was quite as marked as -that of his _confrère_, but he made less effort to conceal his -scepticism. - -“My dear Inspector! You’re surely not serious? Giles? Oh come now, you -don’t expect me to believe that? What possible motive could any one -have for doing such a thing?” - -French did not explain the motive. He said he didn’t claim -infallibility and admitted he might be wrong in his theory. He was -simply collecting facts and he wanted any the other could supply. - -“Well,” Philpot declared, “these are the facts so far as I know them.” -He crossed over to an index, and rapidly looking through it, withdrew -a card. “This is the man’s record. He was seriously ill to begin with: -he had a heart affection which might have killed him at any moment. I -have attended him for years and his disease was growing worse. His -life in fact was precarious. That is your first fact. - -“The second is that during the week before his death he developed -influenza. I went out and saw him on the Thursday. I believed that his -days were numbered and I expected to hear of his death at any time. He -did die, if I remember correctly, on the following Tuesday. I did not -see him then, as I was myself down with ’flu, but Dr. Emerson saw him -and he can tell you if his death was natural. I don’t know, Inspector, -what you are basing your opinion on, but I can say with certainty that -I shall be surprised if you are right.” - -“It is your outlook on the matter which most strongly supports my -suspicion,” French rejoined: “yours and Dr. Emerson’s, for I have seen -him and his is the same. He was expecting that Mr. Giles would die -from his disease, consequently when he did die he assumed that the -disease was the cause. Perfectly naturally, mind you: I’m not -criticising him. But my point is that his preconceived idea made him -less critical than he might otherwise have been.” - -“Ingenious no doubt, but to me unconvincing. However, it is not my -affair, but yours. Is there any other question that you wish me to -answer?” - -French rapidly reflected. He thought that there was nothing more. -Between these two men he had got what he wanted. - -“I don’t think there is, doctor,” he returned. “I’m afraid your -information hasn’t helped me on much, but after all it was facts that -I wanted. I’ll not detain you any longer. Allow me just to say that I -hope your present difficulties will be short-lived and that you may -soon settle down satisfactorily again.” - -So, as far as the medical testimony was concerned, his theory about -Giles’ murder might well be true. Dr. Emerson had really been very lax -and yet, French imagined, most medical men in similar circumstances -would have acted as he had done. But whether that was so or not, -Emerson had jumped to conclusions and had signed the death certificate -without having really taken any trouble to ascertain the cause of -death. And this, if necessary, he could be made to admit in the -witness box. - -French saw that only one thing would settle the matter. Giles’ coffin -must be opened and the contents examined. - -To obtain the necessary powers from the Home Office was a simple -matter in London, where the request could be put through direct from -the Yard. But here in Yorkshire it must come from the local -authorities. French decided therefore that his proper course would be -to put the additional facts that he had learned before Major Valentine -and let that officer see to the rest. It was not a matter upon which -he cared to telephone or write, so having made an appointment by wire, -he once again took the afternoon train for Leeds. - -“I believe, sir, that I have found where that third body was -obtained,” he began, as he took his seat for the second time in the -Chief Constable’s room. “It is, of course, only theory, indeed, you -might almost say guess-work, but I think it works in. The nearest -inhabitant to Starvel, a man living alone, died on the night before -the fire.” French went on to relate in detail what took place and to -give his views thereon. - -The Chief Constable heard him in silence, and then sat for some -moments thinking the matter over. - -“I’m afraid I don’t feel so sanguine about it as you seem to,” he said -at last. “At the same time I agree that the matter must be settled by -an examination of the coffin. But I shall be surprised if Giles’ body -is not found within it.” - -“It may be, sir, of course,” French admitted. “But I’m glad you agree -that we should make sure. In that case there is no object in delay. -Will you obtain the necessary exhumation order, or is there anything -you wish me to do in the matter?” - -“No, I’ll see to it. You may arrange with Kent to get the work done. -Let Kent arrange for a magistrate to be present. A representative will -be required from the Home Office, of course?” - -“I’m afraid so, sir.” - -“Then you may expect the order in a day or two. I shall be very much -interested to hear the result. It will be impossible to keep the -affair quiet?” - -“I’m afraid so. There will be too many concerned in it.” - -“Quite. Well, you must get up some tale about it. What are you going -to say?” - -“I haven’t thought yet, sir. I’ll dish out something when the time -comes.” - -When French reached Hellifield on his return journey he found Oxley on -the platform. - -“You been travelling also, Inspector?” Oxley greeted him. “I’ve just -been to Penrith for the day. These connections always make me curse. -They’re all arranged to and from Leeds, but people going to or from -the north have to kick their heels here for the best part of an hour -each way.” - -“Can’t please everybody, Mr. Oxley,” French remarked tritely. - -“You think not?” Oxley smiled. “Well, how’s the case?” - -“Nothing doing for the moment. I was in seeing Dr. Philpot this -morning. He seems in a bad way, poor fellow.” - -Oxley looked grave. - -“It’s a bad case, I fear.” He glanced round and his voice sank. “From -what I’ve heard and by putting two and two together I shouldn’t wonder -if he’ll only pay two or three shillings in the pound. All gone to the -bookies, or nearly all. You know, Inspector, between ourselves, when a -man’s in debt all round, as he is, it’s not just the game to go -putting his last few pounds on horses.” - -“It’s a fact, Mr. Oxley. Of course, one must remember that the gambler -plunges in the hope of pulling something off. If he had had some bits -of luck he might have put himself square.” - -“That’s true, and you can imagine any one taking the risk. If he wins -his whole trouble is over, while if he loses he is little the worse. -He may as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb. But you haven’t told -me how the case is getting on.” - -It was natural enough that Oxley should be interested in his -investigations, but French thought he pushed his curiosity a little -too far. They met fairly often—sometimes, he thought, not entirely by -accident—and every time Oxley made a dead set at him to learn what he -was doing and if he had reached any conclusions. French did not like -being pumped, and as a result he became closer than ever. On this -occasion it taxed even his skill to put the solicitor off without -unpleasantly plain speaking, but he managed it at last and the talk -drifted into other channels. Oxley was in his usual state of rather -boisterous good humor, and before the train stopped at Thirsby he -regaled French with the gossip of the district and told a number of -the highly flavoured stories in which his soul delighted. - -Coincidence ordained that French should meet at the station the one -person whose curiosity as to the progress of the investigation was -even keener than Oxley’s—Tarkington’s clerk, Bloxham. Bloxham never -lost an opportunity of fishing for information, and French had little -doubt that their frequent “unexpected” meetings were carefully -prearranged. On the present occasion the man joined French with a -“Walking to the hotel, Mr. French? I’m just going that way too,” and -immediately began to ask leading questions. But French’s feelings were -still somewhat ruffled from his encounter with Oxley, and for once -Bloxham received as direct and decisive a reply as his heart could -wish. - -“Sorry, Mr. French,” he stammered, staring at French in considerable -surprise. “I’m afraid we outsiders must bother you a lot. I was -interested because of the notes, you understand, but of course if the -thing is confidential that’s another matter.” - -“That’s all right,” French returned, recovering his temper. “Come and -have a drink.” - -Two days later the exhumation order came, and that same night shortly -after twelve o’clock a little party emerged from the local police -station, and separating at the door, set off by various routes in the -direction of the cemetery. Inspector French walked down the High -Street with Dr. Laming, the Home Office representative, Sergeant Kent -with Colonel Followes, the local magistrate from whom French had -obtained the warrant for Whymper’s arrest, went via Cross Lane, while -a sturdy policeman armed with tools disappeared down a parallel -street. - -The night was dark and cloudy, with a cold south-westerly wind which -gave promise of early rain. There was a thin crescent moon, though its -light penetrated but slightly through the pall of cloud. The men -shivered and turned up their collars as they faced the raw damp air. - -The five met within the gates of the cemetery, which were opened to -them by the caretaker and relocked behind them. Two gravediggers were -in attendance. In the darkness and silence the little company moved -off, and led by the caretaker, crossed the ground towards its -north-easterly corner. - -The place was very secluded. It lay on the side of a gently sloping -hill whose curving bulk screened it from the town. It was tastefully -laid out and well kept, but to the little party, with their minds full -of their gruesome mission, it seemed eerie and sinister. The shrubs -and bushes which French had so much admired on his previous visit, now -presented shadowy and menacing forms which moved and changed their -positions as the men passed on. Presently a beam from an acetylene -bicycle lamp flashed out and the caretaker called a halt. - -“This is it,” he said in a low voice, pointing to the long narrow -mound of a grave. - -Silently the two gravediggers advanced, and stretching a tarpaulin on -the grass alongside the mound, began to remove the sods. Then they -dug, first through dark soil and then through yellow, which they -heaped up in a pyramid on the tarpaulin. They worked steadily, but a -whole hour had passed before with a dull thud a spade struck something -hollow. - -“We’re down at last,” the caretaker said, while the diggers redoubled -their efforts. - -Gradually the top of the coffin became revealed and the men, -undermining the walls of their excavation, worked the clay out from -round the sides. Presently all was clear. - -As the interment had taken place only some two months earlier the -coffin was still perfectly sound. Raising it was therefore an easy -matter. Ropes were lowered and passed through the handles, and with a -steady pull, the sinister casket came away from the clay beneath and -in a few seconds was lying on the grass beside the hole. French, -holding his electric torch to the brass plate, could read the -inscription: “Markham Giles, died 14th September, 1926. Aged 36.” - -Meanwhile the sturdy policeman had come forward with a screwdriver and -was beginning to withdraw the screws holding down the lid. Every one -but the case-hardened Home Office official felt a thrill of excitement -pass over him as the fateful moment approached. Only Dr. Laming and -French had before taken part in an exhumation, and the feelings of the -others were stirred by the gruesome nature of the operations and -thoughts of the ghastly sight which they expected would soon meet -their eyes. With French it was different. He was moved because his -reputation was at stake. So much depended for him on what that raised -lid would reveal. If he had put all concerned to the trouble and -expense of an unnecessary exhumation, it would count against him. He -found it hard to stand still and to preserve a suitable attitude of -aloofness while the constable slowly operated the screwdriver. - -At last the screws were removed and the lid was carefully raised and -lifted clear. And then the eyes which had been bulging with -anticipated horror, bulged still more with incredulous amazement. -There was no sign of Markham Giles’ body or any other! Instead, the -coffin was half-full of dark, peaty earth; and when this earth was -sifted nothing was found embedded in it. - -The sight produced varying emotions in the onlookers. The uninitiated -broke into exclamations of wonder: French felt such a wave of -satisfaction sweep through him that he could have shouted in his -delight: Dr. Laming contented himself with a quick glance and a murmur -of “One for you, French. Congratulations.” All felt that they had -assisted in a unique experiment, the result of which had triumphantly -vindicated the authorities. - -This, then, was the end of the mystery. The conclusion which French -had reached by analysis and deduction had been tested and had proved -true, and that proof established at one and the same time the whole of -the steps of his line of reasoning. Roper was guilty of one of the -most diabolical plots ever conceived in the mind of a criminal. He had -allowed nothing to stand in his way. He had sacrificed the lives of no -less than three people in order that he might with the greater -security steal his employer’s money. Every part of his devilish scheme -was made clear, except one—his present whereabouts. French determined -that he would immediately begin to trace him and that nothing would -induce him to stop until he had succeeded. - -It was not long before the news of the discovery leaked out. When -French came down to breakfast next morning he found three reporters -waiting for him, and he had hardly begun to speak to them when a -fourth arrived. - -“That’s all right, gentlemen,” he said pleasantly. “I am from Scotland -Yard after all, and I’ll tell you as much as I can. I only wish I knew -more! As to what may or may not lie behind it I cannot hazard a guess; -we are about to go into that. But the fact is that we received secret -information—I can’t give away the source—you may say an anonymous -letter if you like—but information was forthcoming which led us to -believe that the poor gentleman, Mr. Giles, had become the victim of a -gang of criminals. The story was to the effect that he had been -murdered by chloroform or poison, and that after he had been coffined, -the gang returned and removed the body, disposing of it in some other -way. That was all, but it obviously suggested that the gang in -question was that of the burglars who, as you are aware, have been -active in these parts for many months, and that they had emptied the -coffin in order to find a temporary safe deposit for their booty. -That, at all events, was a possible explanation. On going into the -matter I thought it was worth while testing the story by exhuming the -coffin, and sure enough, the body was gone. But the other suggestion -about the burglars’ swag wasn’t so happy. When we opened the coffin we -found it half-full of earth: about the weight of the deceased. -Needless to say we searched it thoroughly, but there was nothing else -in it. So, whatever the motive of the crime, it was not to find a safe -hiding place for valuables.” - -The reporters were voluble in their interest and in the joy they -evidently felt in the scoop vouchsafed them. - -“Some story that, Inspector,” they cried. “Tell us more and we’ll give -you a good write up.” - -But French smilingly shook his head. - -“Sorry it’s all I’m at liberty to give away,” he declared. “Come now, -gentlemen, I haven’t done so badly for you. Plenty of men in my -position wouldn’t have told you anything.” - -“But do you not think,” said one, the least vociferous of the four, -“that your theory may have been right after all? Is it not possible -that the stuff was hidden in the coffin as you suggested, but was dug -up and removed by the gang before you made your exhumation?” - -“I thought of that,” French declared brazenly, “and you may be right, -though there were no signs of it. However, that is one of the things -to be gone into.” - -When French had breakfasted he went to see the undertaker who had -conducted Giles’ funeral, and there he received some information which -still more firmly established the theory he had evolved. - -“The whole arrangements,” explained Mr. Simkins, the proprietor, in -the course of the conversation, “were carried out to Mr. Roper’s -orders. Mr. Roper said that Mr. Giles had had an idea he mightn’t get -over the attack, and he had handed him the money for his funeral, -asking him to see to it as he had no relative to do it. There were -twelve pounds over when the ground was bought, and Mr. Roper handed -the money to me and told me to do the best I could with it. He said he -thought the best plan would be to get the body coffined that -afternoon—it was a Wednesday—and have the funeral on the Friday. He -said the doctor thought the coffining should be done as soon as -possible, and while the day of the interment didn’t really matter, -Friday would suit as well as any. That was the reason he gave for the -arrangement, for you know, sir, in inexpensive funerals at such a -distance, we generally do the coffining just before the funeral and so -make the one journey do. But that was the way it was done.” - -“I understand,” French continued. “Mr. Giles died on the Tuesday, the -coffining was done on the Wednesday, and the funeral took place on the -Friday. That right?” - -“That’s right, sir.” - -It seemed to French that the undertaker’s statement demonstrated the -sole remaining steps of Roper’s plan so completely that every detail -of that hideous night now stood revealed in all its ghastliness. He -had not only murdered Markham Giles, but he had arranged that the body -should lie coffined in the lonely house on the night of the major -tragedy. On that night he and probably Mrs. Roper must have opened the -coffin, taken out the remains, replaced them with the proper weight of -earth, and once more screwed down the lid. A small handcart such as -French had noticed in the unburnt outhouse at Starvel would serve to -convey the remains to the Hollow, where they were to be used in such a -terrible way to bolster up the deception. - -Truly, it was a well-thought-out scheme! And how nearly had it -succeeded! But its success would be short-lived. With set teeth and -frowning brow French vowed to himself that he would not rest until he -had the monster who had done this deed safely under lock and key. - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEEN - -The Piece of Yellow Clay - -All that day Inspector French’s thoughts kept reverting to that tense -moment in the cemetery when the lid of the coffin had been raised and -his theory had been so dramatically established. The memory filled his -mind with a deep satisfaction. He felt that he had achieved nothing -less than a veritable triumph. Other cases he had handled well, indeed -he thought he might say brilliantly. But in no previous case had he -solved his problem by such a creative effort of the imagination. He -had imagined what might have happened, he had tested his theory, and -he had found it had happened. The highest kind of work, this! His -superiors could not fail to be impressed. - -But there was more than that in it. Seldom had he known of a case -which contained such arresting and dramatic features. When the facts -became known they would make something more than a nine days’ wonder. -The old miser, living meanly in his decaying house at the bottom of -that sinister hollow on the lonely moor; the hoarded thousands in his -safe; the terrible conflagration which wiped out in a night the whole -building and everything it contained; the discovery that the tragedy -was no accident, but that murder lurked behind it; the other murder, -when Markham Giles was done to death for a purpose too dreadful and -gruesome to contemplate without a thrill of horror; these things would -make the Starvel Hollow crime re-echo round the world. It would be the -crime of the century. No one could fail to be moved by it. - -And all would react to his, French’s advantage. For a moment he -allowed himself to dream. Chief Inspector Armstrong was getting old. -He must soon retire . . . French ran over in his mind his possible -successors. Yes, it was conceivable . . . With this brilliant case to -his credit it was almost likely . . . A ravishing prospect! - -But French was at heart too sound a man to waste time in day-dreaming -while there was work to be done. He had pulled off a _coup_ and had -every reason to be pleased with himself, but he had not completed his -case. He had solved his problem, but he had not found his criminal. -Until Roper was under lock and key he could not relax his efforts or -look for his reward. - -As he went over, point by point, all that he knew of the missing man, -he saw that there were two matters upon which he should obtain further -information before starting his search. Roper’s statement to the -undertaker was capable of verification. Had Dr. Emerson stated that -Giles’ body required to be coffined without delay? If Roper had lied -on this point, it would still further confirm the case against him. -The second matter was a search of Giles’ cottage. It was not a hopeful -line of inquiry certainly, but it could not be neglected. Some clue to -the tragedy might be forthcoming. - -First, then, it was necessary to see Dr. Emerson, and a few minutes -later French was seated once again in his consulting-room. The doctor -greeted him anxiously. - -“I’m glad you called, Inspector,” he exclaimed. “I was going up to the -hotel to look for you. This is a terrible development.” - -“You’ve heard then, Dr. Emerson?” - -“Just this moment. I met Kent and he told me. It is an amazing affair, -almost incredible. What does it all mean, Mr. French? Can you -understand it?” - -“I am afraid, sir, it means what I said on my last call; that Mr. -Giles was murdered.” - -Dr. Emerson made an impatient gesture. - -“But good gracious, man, that doesn’t explain it! Suppose he was -murdered: where is his body? Have you a theory?” - -French hesitated. He felt tempted to disclose his suspicions to this -old man, whose interest and good faith were so self-evident. But his -habit of caution was too strong. - -“I have a theory, Dr. Emerson,” he answered, “but so far it is only a -theory and I don’t like to discuss it until I am reasonably sure it is -true. I shall know in a short time and then I will tell you. In the -meantime perhaps you will excuse me. But I want to ask you one more -question. Roper saw you about the funeral arrangements?” - -“Yes. He said that Giles had given him some money for the purpose and -that he would see that the best use was made of it.” - -“You thought it necessary, I understand, to have the coffining done -without delay?” - -Dr. Emerson looked up sharply. - -“I thought it necessary? Certainly not. You’re mistaken there.” - -“Is that so?” French returned. “I thought you had told Roper that it -must be hurried on. You didn’t?” - -“Never. I never even discussed the matter with him. I never thought of -it. As a matter of fact there was no need to depart in any way from -the usual procedure.” - -“That’s all right, doctor. Now there is one other point. Let us assume -that murder was committed. I want you to tell me from the appearance -of the body how that murder might have been done. If you are able to -do so it might lead me to a clue.” - -Emerson sprang to his feet and began pacing the room. - -“Merciful powers! That’s a nice question to ask me, after my giving a -certificate of death from myocarditis!” he exclaimed. - -“I know, doctor.” French spoke soothingly. “But none of us are -infallible, and if you made a mistake it’s only what every one does at -one time or another. Your reasons for giving the certificate were very -convincing, and if they were not sound in this case it is only because -this case is one in a million. Don’t worry about the certificate. -Instead, just sit down and recall the appearance of the body and see -if you can think of another cause of death. If you’re not able to give -a definite opinion we can still get something by elimination. I take -it, for example, the man’s skull was not battered in nor his throat -cut? That limits the affair. You see what I mean?” - -“Oh, I see right enough, and naturally I’ll give you all the help I -can. But tell me first, have you found the body?” - -“No, nor have I the faintest idea where to look. That will be my next -job, I suppose. I don’t even say it’s murder. But it may be, and if -you can answer my question it might be a considerable help.” - -Dr. Emerson thought for some moments. - -“Well,” he said at last, “I must admit that murder is _possible_, -though I don’t for a moment believe death occurred otherwise than as I -said. As to possible methods, there were no obvious wounds on the body -and violence in the literal sense is therefore unlikely. A sharp blow -over the heart or on the stomach might have caused heart failure -without leaving physical marks, but in such a case the features would -have looked distressed. For the same reason death from the shock of a -sudden fright or start may be ruled out. It is of course true that -certain kinds of poison might have been administered. A whiff of -hydrocyanic acid gas would cause almost instantaneous death and -produce the same appearance as death from natural causes. An injection -of cocaine would do the same where there was heart disease, and there -are other similar agents. But in these cases the difficulty of the -average man in obtaining the substances in question and also in -knowing how to use them if obtained, is so great that I think they -might all be ruled out. No, Inspector, amazing as your discovery -seems, I cannot think you are right in assuming murder.” - -“But,” thought French, though he did not put his thought into words, -“if the man you suspect spent the best years of his life as male nurse -in a medical institution, these difficulties pretty well vanish.” But -he concealed his satisfaction, and, instead, simulated disappointment. - -“That seems very reasonable, doctor, I must admit. At the same time I -shall have to put inquiries in hand as to whether any one recently -tried to obtain cocaine or those other things you have mentioned. Of -course, I don’t say that necessarily I am right in my ideas.” - -“I don’t think you are right, though I confess I’m absolutely lost in -amazement about that coffin. Come now, Inspector, you must know more -than you pretend. Are your ideas hopelessly confidential?” - -French shook his head, then said, “I can tell you, doctor, that I know -nothing more than I have already mentioned. I may have a surmise, but -you will agree that I could not repeat mere surmises which might also -be slanders against perfectly innocent persons. If I find that my -theories seem to have a basis on fact I may ask for your further help, -but at present I see no signs of that. You’ll agree that I’m right?” - -Emerson admitted it, and after some further conversation French took -his leave. So far everything was going satisfactorily. Each new fact -which he learned tended to strengthen his theory. And incidentally and -unexpectedly he had come on another piece of evidence, circumstantial -of course, but none the less strong. According to Dr. Emerson, the -murder was most likely to have been committed by methods which Roper -alone, of all the people that French could think of, had the knowledge -and the ability to employ. French’s satisfaction was intense as he -noted the cumulative effect of his discoveries. By this method of -cumulative circumstantial evidence was he accustomed to find suspicion -grow to certainty and certainty to proof. - -So much for the first of the two inquiries French had set himself to -make. There remained the investigation of the late Markham Giles’ -cottage, and after a snack of early lunch at the hotel, he started out -along the Starvel road. - -It was dull and rather cold, but a pleasant day for walking. French -tramped along, enjoying the motion and the extended view offered by -the wide, open spaces of the moor. Though, owing to the atmosphere, -the colouring was neither so warm nor so rich as it had previously -appeared, there was a fascination in the scenery which strongly -appealed to him. He had found a similar though keener charm in -Dartmoor, which he had once explored on the occasion of a visit to a -cracksman doing time in the great prison at Princetown. Indeed -Dartmoor and Exmoor both figured on his list of places to be visited -when time and money should permit. - -Diverging from the Starvel road at the point where Ruth Averill and -Mrs. Oxley had joined the deceased man’s funeral, French skirted the -edge of the Hollow and in a few minutes reached the cottage. It was a -tiny box of a place, but strongly built, with stone walls and slated -roof. Its architecture was of the most rudimentary kind, a door and -two windows in front and at the back being the only relieving features -in the design. The house stood a short distance back from the road in -the middle of a patch of cultivated ground. Behind was a row of wooden -beehives. - -French looked round him. As far as he could see he was the only living -thing in all that stretch of country. The town, nestling in the valley -up which he had come, was hidden from sight below the edge of the -moor. The three or four houses standing at wide intervals apart seemed -deserted. No one appeared on the road or on the moor. - -He walked up the little path to the door and busied himself with the -lock. It was too large for his skeleton keys, but a few moments’ work -with a bit of bent wire did the trick, and presently he was inside -with the door closed behind him. - -The house consisted of three rooms only, a sitting-room, a bedroom, -and a kitchen. A narrow passage separated the last two of these, the -front portion of which formed a porch and the back a pantry. The -atmosphere was heavy and nauseating, and this was soon explained by -the fact that everything seemed to have been left just where it was -when Giles died. The clothes were still on the bed and there was -mouldy and decaying food in the pantry. Dust was thick over -everything; indeed it was a marvel to French where so much dust should -have come from in the heart of the country. - -He opened the doors to let the atmosphere clear and then began one of -his meticulous examinations. He did not expect to find anything of -interest, yet he searched as if the key to the whole mystery lay -waiting to be discovered. But after an hour he had to admit failure. -There was nothing in the place from which he could get the slightest -help. - -Reluctantly he locked the doors and started back to Thirsby. He walked -slowly, scarcely conscious of his surroundings as he racked his brains -in the hope of seeing some other clue which might bring him more -result. At first he could think of nothing, then another line of -investigation occurred to him which, though it seemed hopelessly -unpromising, he thought he might pursue. - -He had been thinking that if his main theory were correct Giles’ body -must have been conveyed from his cottage to Starvel, probably during -the darkness of that tragic Wednesday night. How had this been done? -He had noticed in the single outhouse of Starvel which remained -unburnt a light handcart, and it had before occurred to him that this -cart might have been used. He now thought he would go down to Starvel -and have another look at the outhouse and this handcart. A miracle -might have happened and some helpful clue been left. - -He turned aside from the road, and crossing the lip of the Hollow, -went down to the ruins in the centre. The outhouse was a small stone -shed built up against the yard wall. Through the broken and -cobweb-covered window he could see that it contained the handcart, a -few gardening tools and some old broken crates and other rubbish. The -door was secured with a rusty chain and padlock of which the key had -disappeared. - -A few seconds’ work with his bent wire unfastened the lock and he -pushed open the door and entered. The place was unspeakably dirty and -he moved gingerly about as he began to look over its contents. But he -was just as meticulous and thorough in his examination as if it were -the throne room of a palace. - -He had completed his work and was about to retire disappointed when -the presence of a small scrap of yellow clay which he had observed on -entering, but to which he had given no attention, suddenly struck him -as being slightly puzzling. It was shaped like a half-moon, the inner -edge showing a definite curve. Evidently it had caked round a man’s -heel and had dropped off, possibly as the heel had become drier in the -shed. French looked round and presently he saw two more pieces. One -was stuck to the rim of the left wheel of the handcart as if the wheel -had rolled over a clod and picked it up, the other was on the left leg -as if the leg had been put down on a similar clod which had stuck in -the same way. - -It was, of course, evident that the handcart had been not only wheeled -over a place where there was yellow clay, but had been set down there. -At first French saw nothing remarkable in this, but now it occurred to -him that he had not noticed any clay of the colour in the -neighbourhood. Where then had the pieces been picked up? - -He had seen similar clay on the previous night, but not close by. The -heap of stuff removed in opening the grave down in Thirsby was just -that kind of material. He had noticed it particularly in the light of -the acetylene lamp. It was of a characteristic light yellow and very -stiff and compact like puddle. But he had seen nothing like it up on -the moor. The soil all about was dark coloured, almost peaty. - -He cast his thoughts back to that scene in the graveyard and then he -recalled another point. He had looked down into the grave when the -coffin was being raised, and he now remembered that the sides of the -opening had shown black soil over the clay. A layer of some three feet -six or four feet of dark, peaty soil had covered the yellow. French -whistled softly as the possible inference struck him. - -A worn but still serviceable looking spade stood in the corner of the -shed. French picked it up, and going a few yards out on to the moor, -began to dig. He was not particularly expert, and before he had worked -for many minutes he was in bath of perspiration. But he persevered and -the hole grew until at a depth of nearly three feet he found what he -wanted. The spade brought up a piece of hard, compact clay of a light -yellow colour. - -French had grown keenly interested as he filled in the hole and -removed the traces of his work. With a feeling of suppressed -excitement he returned to the shed and carefully packed the half-moon -shaped cake of clay in a matchbox. Then locking the door, he went out -again on the moor and stood looking round him as he pondered the facts -he had just learned. - -The handcart had been recently set down in and wheeled across a patch -of yellow clay. This almost certainly had been done on the last -occasion it had been used, otherwise the clay would have been knocked -off on subsequent journeys. For the same reason the place must have -been close to Starvel. There was no exposed clay near Starvel, but it -was to be found at a depth of some three feet below ground level. - -From this it surely followed that some one had dug a hole near Starvel -and wheeled the handcart to the edge before it was filled in. - -French went a step farther. If he was correct that the body of Markham -Giles had been brought to Starvel on that tragic night it was almost -certain that the handcart had been used, as there was no other way, so -far as he could see, in which the terrible burden could have been -carried. But so long a journey would have knocked the clay off the -wheel; therefore the journey to the hole had been made _after_ that -with the body. Further, the handcart could scarcely have been used -since the fire: the tragedy was then over and the surviving actor had -left the district. - -Did these considerations not suggest that Roper, having brought -the man’s body to Starvel, had loaded up his booty on the -handcart—possibly there were old silver or valuable ornaments as -well as the bank notes—wheeled it out on the moor and buried it -so as to hide it safely until he could come back and remove it? - -French recalled his reasons for thinking that the booty might have -been so hidden. All those notes—assuming there was nothing else—would -have had a certain bulk. Probably a suitcase would have been necessary -to carry them. A man with a suitcase is a more noticeable figure than -one without. Would it not have been wise for a criminal fleeing from -justice to hide the stuff, provided he could find a safe place in -which to do so? Moreover—and this was the strongest point—had Roper -been arrested without the notes nothing could have been proved against -him. He could say he had escaped from the fire by the merest piece of -good fortune or he could simulate loss of memory from the shock. Or -again he could explain that he had feared to come forward lest he -should be suspected. No matter what might have been thought, he was -safe. But let him be found with the notes in his possession and he was -as good as hanged. - -French, looking round him there in the centre of the great Hollow, -felt his spirits rising as he wondered if he were about to make the -greatest _coup_ of the whole case. - -His question now was: Where would Roper make his cache? Not near the -road where the disturbed earth would be visible to a chance passerby. -Not near the house in case some of the crowds attracted by the fire -should make an unexpected find. But not too far away from either lest -he himself might have difficulty in locating the place. - -French began to walk round the house in circles of ever increasing -radius, scrutinising the ground for traces of yellow clay. And so he -searched until the evening began to draw in and dusk approached. - -And then, as he was coming to the conclusion that it was getting too -dark to carry on, he found what he wanted. Out on the open moor at the -back of the house and at the bottom of a tiny hollow were unmistakable -traces of recent digging. The ground over a few square feet was marked -with scraps of disintegrating yellow clay and the sods with which the -hole was covered still showed cut edges. - -French was overwhelmed with delight. That he had found something of -value, most probably a cache containing the stolen money, he had no -doubt. Scarcely could he restrain his desire to open the hole again -then and there. But it was getting dark and he had no lamp. He thought -two witnesses would be desirable, so he curbed his impatience, noted -carefully the position of the marks, and regretting the necessity for -leaving it unguarded, set off on his return journey. - -He called to see Sergeant Kent and arranged that he and a constable -should meet him at the outhouse at eight o’clock on the following -morning. At the hotel he dined, and saying that he had to take the -night train to Carlisle, asked for a packet of sandwiches. Then he -left the town and walked out once more to Starvel. - -His mind was not at rest until he had again visited the site of the -hole and made sure it remained undisturbed. Then, determined to take -no chances, he re-entered the outhouse, and seating himself at a -window from which he could see the hollow in the light of the moon, -lit his pipe and composed himself to watch. - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEEN - -The Secret of the Moor - -That night in the lonely shed beside the gaunt, blackened walls of the -old house, proved one of the longest French had ever spent. But there -was no escape from the vigil. If Averill’s hoard lay beneath the sods -a few yards away, the place must be watched. Roper might come for the -swag at any time and French could not run the risk of its being -snatched at the last moment from his own eager clutches. - -He pulled a couple of old boxes to the window, and sitting down, made -himself as comfortable as he could. But time dragged leadenly. He -watched while the moon crept slowly across the sky, he speculated over -the tragic business on which he was engaged and indulged in waking -dreams of the time when he should be Chief Inspector French of the -C.I.D., but nothing that he could do seemed to shorten the endless -hours. He was cold, too, in spite of his heavy coat. He longed to go -out and warm himself by a brisk walk, but he dared not risk betraying -his presence. In the small hours he ate his sandwiches, and then he -had to fight an overwhelming desire for sleep, intensified by the fact -that he had been up a good part of the previous night. But his -vigilance was unrewarded. There was no sign of a marauder, and as the -first faint glow of dawn began to show in the east, he saw that he had -had all his trouble for nothing. Altogether he was not sorry when just -before eight o’clock Sergeant Kent and the constable put in an -appearance, and as he stepped out to meet them he heaved a sigh of -heartfelt relief. - -“You’re here before us,” Kent greeted him in surprise. - -“That’s right, but I was too early. Now, sergeant, I asked you to come -out here for rather an unusual purpose: in fact, so that we might dig -a hole. Here is a spade and we’ll go and begin at once.” - -The sergeant looked as if he wondered whether French hadn’t gone off -his head, but he controlled his feelings and with his satellite -followed the other’s lead. - -“I want you,” went on French when they had reached the site of his -discovery, “to see just why I wish to dig this hole at this place,” -and he showed him the traces of the yellow clay and the cut sods. “You -see, some one has buried something here, and I want to find out what -it is.” - -Kent in a non-committal silence seized the spade and began digging. -The constable then tried his hand, and when he had had enough, French -relieved him. So they took it in turns while the hole deepened and the -heap of soil beside it grew. - -Suddenly the spade encountered something soft and yielding which yet -resisted its pressure. Kent, who was using it, stopped digging and -began to clear away the surrounding soil, while the others watched, -French breathlessly, the constable with the bovine impassiveness which -he had exhibited throughout. - -“It’s a blanket, this is,” the sergeant announced presently. -“Something rolled up in a blanket.” - -“Go on,” said French. “Open it up.” - -Kent resumed his digging. For some minutes he worked, and then he -straightened himself and looked at French wonderingly. - -“Lord save us!” he exclaimed in awed tones. “It’s uncommon like a -human corpse.” - -“Nonsense!” French answered sharply. “It couldn’t be anything of the -kind. Get on and open it and then you’ll know.” - -The sergeant hesitated, then climbed heavily out of the hole. - -“Well, look yourself, sir,” he invited. - -French jumped down, and as he gazed on the outline of the blanket -covered object, his eyes grew round and something like consternation -filled his mind. The sergeant was right! There was no mistaking that -shape! This was a grave that they were opening and the blanket was a -shroud. - -French swore, then controlled himself and turned to the sergeant. - -“You’re right, Kent. It’s a body sure enough. Clear away the soil -round it while the constable and I get that shed door off its hinges.” - -The task of raising the uncoffined and decaying remains on to the -improvised stretcher was one which French could never afterwards think -of without a qualm of sick loathing, but eventually it was done and -the men slowly carried the shrouded horror to the shed. There the door -was placed upon a couple of boxes and French, clenching his teeth, -turned back the blanket from the face. - -In spite of the terrible ravages of time both Kent and the constable -immediately recognised the distorted features. The body was that of -Markham Giles! - -The discovery left French almost speechless. If Markham Giles’ body -was here, _whose was the third body at Starvel?_ Was the whole of his -case tumbling about his ears? Once again he swore bitterly and once -again pulled himself together to deal with the next step. - -“This means an inquest,” he said to Kent. “You and I had better get -back to Thirsby and notify the coroner and so forth, and this man of -yours can stay here and keep watch.” - -They walked down to the little town almost in silence, French too full -of his new problem to indulge in conversation, and the sergeant not -liking to break in upon his companion’s thoughts. On arrival Kent got -in touch with the coroner while French rang up Major Valentine. - -“No, sir, I don’t know what to make of it,” he admitted in answer to -the major’s sharp question. “It certainly does look as if the man I -suspected was dead after all. But I would rather not discuss it over -the ’phone. Could I see you, sir, if I went down to Leeds?” - -“No, I’ll go to Thirsby. I’d like to look into the matter on the spot. -There will be an inquest, of course?” - -“Yes, sir. Sergeant Kent is arranging it with the coroner. We shall -want an autopsy also. One of the things I wanted to know is who you -think I should have to make it. But you can tell me that when you -come.” - -Major Valentine replied that he would drive over in his car and would -pick up French at the police station at two p.m. on his way out to -Starvel. - -It was now getting on towards midday, but French decided that he would -have time to make an inquiry and get lunch before the Chief -Constable’s arrival. He therefore turned into High Street and walked -to Pullar’s, the largest shoe shop of the town. - -“Mr. Pullar in?” he asked pleasantly. He had met the man in the bar of -the Thirsdale Arms and there was a nodding acquaintance between the -two. - -“I suppose you haven’t heard of our discovery, Mr. Pullar?” French -began when he was seated in the proprietor’s office. The whole -business was bound to come out at the inquest, so he might as well -enlist the other’s goodwill by telling him confidentially something -about it. - -Mr. Pullar cautiously admitted he hadn’t heard anything unusual. - -“This is unusual enough for any one,” French assured him, and he told -of the finding of the grave on the moor, though making no mention of -his doubts and fears about Roper. - -Mr. Pullar was duly impressed and repeatedly begged that his soul -might be blessed. When he had absorbed the news French turned to the -real object of his call. - -“I thought that maybe you could give me a bit of help, Mr. Pullar. -You’d perhaps be interested to know how I got on to the thing. Well, -it was in this way.” He took from the matchbox the piece of clay he -had found on the floor of the shed. - -“I picked this up in the shed, and as that sort of clay is covered -everywhere here with three feet of dark soil, it followed that some -one had dug a hole more than three feet deep.” - -Mr. Pullar expressed his admiration of the other’s perspicacity with -the same pious wish as before. - -“Now you see,” French continued, “this clay was sticking to a shoe. It -probably got a bit dry in the shed and dropped or got knocked off. -Now, Mr. Pullar, can you tell me what kind of a shoe it was?” - -Mr. Pullar shook his head. With every wish to assist, he was doubtful -if he could answer the question. He picked up the piece of clay and -turned it over gingerly in his fingers. - -“Well,” he said presently, pointing to the hollow curve, “that’s been -sticking round the outside of a heel, that has. If it had been a toe -it would have been squeezed flatter. But that’s the square-edged mark -of a heel.” He looked interrogatively at French, who hastened to -interject: “Just what I thought, Mr. Pullar. A man’s heel.” - -“Yes, a man’s heel I would think: though, mind you, it’s not easy to -tell the difference between a man’s and some of these flat heeled -shoes women wear now.” - -“I thought it was a man’s from the size.” - -“No: it might be either a big woman or a small man. Sevens, I should -say.” He got up and put his head through the office door. “Here, John! -Bring me three pairs of gents’ black Fitwells: a six and a half, a -seven and an eight: medium weight.” - -When the shoes came Mr. Pullar attempted to fit the circle of clay to -the curve of each heel. French was delighted with the thorough and -systematic way he set about it. He tried with all three sizes, then -roared out for a pair of sixes and a pair of nines. - -“It’s no good, Mr. French,” he said when he had tested these also. -“Look for yourself. It’s smaller than a nine, but you can’t tell any -more than that. It might be a six or a seven or an eight. It isn’t -sharp enough to say.” - -French looked for himself, but he had to admit the other’s conclusion -was correct. The prints presumably had been made by a man with rather -small feet, and that was all that could be said. - -French was disappointed. He had hoped for something more definite. -Roper admittedly had rather small feet, but the same was true of -numbers of other men. - -He bade Mr. Pullar good day and returned to the hotel for lunch. But -he soon learned that the worthy shoe merchant had made the most of his -opportunities. Scarcely had he sat down when the reporter of the local -paper hurried into the coffee room and excitedly demanded details of -the great find. And behind him appeared the hotel proprietor and a -number of clients who had been supporting British industries in the -bar. - -French saw there was nothing for it but capitulation. Good-humouredly -he told his story, merely stipulating that after his statement to the -reporter he should not be troubled further until he had finished his -lunch. This was agreed to, but it is sad to relate that French did not -entirely play the game. His repast ended, he slipped out through the -yard, and by devious ways reached the police station unnoticed. Major -Valentine drove up as he arrived and in a few seconds the two men were -whirling out along the Starvel road, while French told his story in -detail. - -“It’s really an extraordinary development,” the Chief Constable -commented. “You assumed that Giles had been murdered in order to -obtain his body for the Starvel fraud. If you were correct it followed -that his coffin would be empty. You opened his coffin and it was -empty. A more complete vindication of your line of reasoning it would -be hard to imagine. And now it turns out that the body was not used -for the Starvel fraud; therefore the whole of your reasoning falls to -the ground. If you had not made a mistake and acted on false premises -you would not have discovered the truth. Peculiar, isn’t it?” - -“Peculiar enough, sir. But I wish I could agree with you that I had -discovered the truth. It seems to me I am further away from it than -ever.” - -“No; the correction of an error is always progress. But I’m not -denying,” Major Valentine went on with a whimsical smile, “that there -is still something left to be cleared up.” - -French laughed unhappily. - -“I don’t like to think of it,” he said. “But the post-mortem may tell -us something. According to my previous theory this man was murdered. -Now this discovery raises a certain doubt, though personally I have -very little. But in any case we have no proof. Therefore I thought we -should want a post-mortem.” - -“Undoubtedly. We’ll get Dr. Lingard of Hellifield. This the shed?” - -“Yes, sir. The body’s inside.” - -A few minutes sufficed to put the chief constable in possession of all -the available information and the two men returned to the car. - -“You know,” the major declared as he restarted his engine, “if this -man was murdered it doesn’t say a great deal for that Dr. Emerson. He -gave a certificate of death from natural causes, didn’t he?” - -“If you ask my opinion,” French answered gloomily, “he didn’t examine -the body at all. I saw him about it. It seems the man had been -suffering from heart disease for years. He also had a touch of -influenza some days before his death which might have caused heart -failure. Dr. Emerson practically admitted he had assumed this had -happened. He also admitted that anyhow only a post-mortem could have -made sure.” - -“Careless and reprehensible, no doubt. But, French, I wonder whether -we shouldn’t all have done the same in his circumstances. The idea of -foul play in such a case would never enter any one’s head.” - -“That’s what he said, sir. Until I told him about the empty coffin he -scouted the suggestion. When I mentioned that he didn’t know what to -say.” - -“He’ll be required at the inquest?” - -“Of course, sir. And the other doctor, Philpot. He attended the man -during his illness.” - -They ran rapidly into the town and pulled up at the police station. -Kent, recognising his visitor, hurried obsequiously to meet them. - -“Good-evening, Kent,” the major greeted him. “Inspector French has -just been telling me of this affair. Have you heard from the coroner?” - -“Yes, sir, I saw him about it. To-morrow at eleven he’s fixed for the -inquest.” - -“Where?” - -“At the courthouse. He asked that the remains might be brought in -before that.” - -“It’s not allowing much time for the post-mortem. Better see the -coroner again, Kent, and get him to take evidence of identification -and adjourn for a week. I’ll arrange with Dr. Lingard about the -post-mortem at once, and will you, French, get in touch with the local -doctors. Meanwhile as we’re here let us settle about the evidence.” - -Kent led the way to his room and there a discussion took place on the -procedure to be adopted at the inquest. A list of the witnesses was -drawn up with a note of the testimony which was to be expected from -each. Certain facts, it was considered, should be kept in the -background, and Kent was instructed to see the coroner and ask him to -arrange this also. When the business was complete the major rose. - -“Then I shall see you at the adjourned inquest, Kent. French, if -you’ll come along I’ll give you a lift as far as your hotel. As a -matter of fact I’d like to have a chat with you,” he went on when they -had left the police station. “This new development is certainly very -puzzling and I’d like to discuss it in detail. Have you a private -sitting room?” - -“Not all the time. I’ve had one once or twice for an evening when I -had work to do, but ordinary times I don’t have it. We can get it all -right now though.” - -“Well, you arrange it while I see to the car. And order some tea. -You’ll join me in a cup, won’t you?” - -“Thank you, I should like to.” - -In a few minutes a fire of logs was crackling in the rather dismal -private sitting room of the Thirsdale Arms. Until tea was over the -major chatted of men and things apart from the case, but when the -waiter had disappeared with the tray and the two men had settled -themselves with cigars before the fire he came to business. - -“I admit, French, that I am not only tremendously interested in this -case, but also extremely puzzled. From what you say, that’s your -position also. Now just to run over two or three points. I take it -there is no doubt as to motive?” - -“No, sir, we may take it as gospel that Mr. Averill’s thirty thousand -pounds were stolen and that that’s the key of the whole affair.” - -“You suspected Whymper at first?” - -“Yes, at first sight things looked bad for him. I needn’t go over the -details: he had some of the stolen money in his possession and had -been to the house on the night of the tragedy and so on. But I went -into the thing thoroughly and I was satisfied that Roper had made him -his dupe. Whymper’s all right, sir. We shall get nothing there.” - -“I hear he and Miss Averill are to be married.” - -“So I heard, in fact he told me himself. He wanted to propose and then -this affair made him hold back. But as soon as I told him I was not -going to arrest him he went straight to the lady and told her the -circumstances and asked her to marry him. She accepted him and the -wedding is to take place soon.” - -“I know his father in Leeds and I’m glad to hear that he’s definitely -out of trouble. Then you suspected Philpot?” - -“I suspected Philpot because of his connection with Roper, though -there was nothing directly connecting him with the Starvel crime. But -I soon saw that I was on the wrong track there too. He accounted for -everything that seemed suspicious, and what was more, any points of -his statement which in the nature of the case could be corroborated, -were corroborated by other witnesses. Besides, he was ill at the time: -there was the evidence of his housekeeper and others as well as Dr. -Emerson’s testimony that he was unable to leave his bed. And there was -his failure. If he had just obtained £30,000 he wouldn’t have allowed -the bailiff in.” - -“Might not that have been a trick to put people off the scent?” - -“No, sir, I don’t think so. If he had been guilty he wouldn’t have -shown sudden evidence of wealth, but he wouldn’t have gone bankrupt -either—just for fear it might be taken as a trick. Of course, sir, I’m -aware that none of this is absolutely conclusive. There was absence of -evidence of guilt, but not proof of innocence, and, of course, illness -can be faked and so on. But the thing that really cleared Philpot in -my mind was the conduct of Roper. It’s impossible to consider this -case without considering Roper’s conduct.” - -“I know, and I really agree with you. Still let us exhaust the -possibilities. You thought of other people, I suppose?” - -“I thought of every one else in the place almost. Oxley, Tarkington, -Emerson and several others; even Kent I considered. But there wasn’t a -shred of evidence against any of them. The only other real alternative -to Roper is the burglars—the gang who have been operating for some -months past. But here again Roper’s conduct comes in. If Roper wasn’t -guilty he wouldn’t have acted as he did.” - -The chief constable smoked in silence for some moments. - -“I think all you say is very sound. Now just run over the case against -Roper and I shall try to pick holes.” - -“First, sir, there was the man’s character; vindictive, unscrupulous, -a blackmailer, and as well as that a skilful forger. Admittedly this -description came from Philpot, but all that could be known to -outsiders was confirmed by the sergeant and many others at Kintilloch. -Roper was the only person we know of, other than the burglar gang, who -had the character and the ability to commit the crime.” - -“Not convincing, but go on.” - -“Not convincing alone, no doubt; but it does not stand alone. -Secondly, there was the getting of Miss Averill out of the way; -thirdly, there was the Whymper episode and fourthly, the matter of -Giles’s funeral.” - -“That’s all right except that when we find Giles’s body was not burned -the whole case falls to the ground.” - -French threw the stub of his cigar into the fire. - -“Don’t you believe it, sir. None of what I have been saying falls to -the ground. Though I admit the motive of this Giles business is not -clear, the facts remain and their significance remains. I don’t now -follow all Roper’s scheme, but I still believe he is our man.” - -Major Valentine nodded decisively. - -“So do I, French, and we shall get him all right. Then you’ve no -theory of where the third body came from?” - -“I believe Roper enticed some other poor devil to the house and -murdered him also. I think, sir, we’ll have to try again to find out -if any one disappeared about that time.” - -“I’ll see to it, but I’m not hopeful of doing better than before.” - -Major Valentine showed signs of breaking up the conference, but French -raised his hand. - -“A moment, sir, if you please. I was thinking that this inquest gives -us a chance that perhaps we should take advantage of. No more of those -notes have come through. What, sir, would you say was the reason for -that?” - -“Well, if we’re right about Roper being alive, I suppose because he’s -afraid.” - -“That’s what I think. And this business will make him still more -afraid. Now I wonder if we couldn’t set his mind at ease for him.” - -“I don’t quite follow.” - -“Why, this way. Suppose that I was very frank in my evidence—very -frank and open and comprehensive. Suppose that I should tell about the -notes; about their numbers having been taken, and about the one -turning up in London, and robbery being thereby suspected and my being -sent down to investigate. Suppose I explained that I had succeeded in -tracing that note and had found that it had been given by Mr. Averill -himself to a friend, and that the whole transaction was perfectly in -order. But suppose I conveyed that only the numbers of the last batch -of notes—say, twenty twenties—were known. Wouldn’t that do the trick?” - -“You mean that if the numbers of only twenty notes were known, Roper -would feel safe in changing the others?” - -“Quite so. Furthermore, if nothing was said about the ashes being -newspaper he would think that the suspicion of robbery had been -dispelled by the discovery that the note passed in London was all -right.” - -“It’s worth trying. If he rises to it you’ll get him.” - -“Right, sir. Then I’ll advise the coroner beforehand. Or perhaps you -would do so?” - -“I’ll do it. Well, I must be getting home. I’m glad to have had this -talk and I hope your scheme will meet with success.” - -Next morning the inquest opened and formal evidence of identification -of the remains of the late Markham Giles was taken. The proceedings -were then adjourned for seven days to enable the police to prosecute -inquiries. - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEEN - -French Baits His Trap - -That day week was a red letter day in the history of Thirsby. The -story of French’s discoveries, by this time common property, had -created an absolute furore in the little town. Never had such a series -of tragedies and thrills disturbed its placid existence. Never had -interest risen to such fever heat. It was therefore not surprising -that every available seat in the courthouse was occupied long before -the hour of the adjourned inquest, and that a queue of eager, pushing -people, unable to gain admittance, stretched away in a long column -from its door. But the police had seen to it that all who were -particularly interested in the tragedy had obtained places. In the row -usually reserved for barristers sat Oxley with Ruth Averill, who had -been summoned to attend as a witness, and Mrs. Oxley, who looked on -the girl as her charge and insisted on accompanying her. Whymper, now -an accepted lover, sat next Ruth, and behind were Tarkington, Bloxham, -Emerson, Philpot and the police doctor, Lingard. Major Valentine and -French were together in the seat usually occupied by the clerk of the -Crown, while Kent, looking harassed and anxious, was standing in the -body of the court, fumbling with a sheaf of papers and whispering to -his subordinates. - -The coroner was that same Dr. Lonsdale who had acted in a similar -capacity some nine weeks earlier when the inquiry into the death of -the three victims of the Starvel fire had taken place. He also seemed -worried, as if he feared the elucidation of these mysterious -happenings might try his powers beyond their capacity. - -The preliminaries having been gone through already, the coroner began -to take evidence immediately, and Dr. Emerson was called. - -“You attended the late Mr. Markham Giles?” the coroner asked when he -had obtained the other’s name and qualifications. - -“I attended him up to five years ago, when Dr. Philpot took the case -over. Owing to Dr. Philpot’s being ill at the time of his death I was -again called in.” - -“For what complaint did you formerly attend the deceased?” - -“Myocarditis. It was a disease of some years’ standing.” - -“Myocarditis is heart disease, isn’t it? Was the deceased badly -affected?” - -“Five years ago, fairly badly. I have no doubt that at the time of his -death he was much worse, as the disease is incurable and progressive.” - -“We can no doubt get that from Dr. Philpot. When did you hear of Mr. -Giles’s death, Dr. Emerson?” - -“On Wednesday morning, 15th September.” - -“Who told you of it?” - -“John Roper, the Starvel man-servant.” - -“Did you go out to Starvel and examine the body?” - -“Yes, I did, after first consulting Dr. Philpot on the case.” - -“Oh, you saw Dr. Philpot. And what was the result of your -consultation?” - -“Dr. Philpot told me that Mr. Giles had developed influenza, and that -he had seen him on Thursday. He was very weak and Dr. Philpot did not -expect him to get over it.” - -“Then you examined the body?” - -“Yes, I went out to Starvel immediately.” - -“And what opinion did you then form as to the cause of death?” - -“I believed it to be myocarditis.” - -“And you gave a certificate to that effect?” - -“I did.” - -“Did you make any specific examination of the remains on which you -based your opinion?” - -“Yes, so far as it was possible without a post-mortem.” - -“And you were quite satisfied that you had made no mistake?” - -“I was quite satisfied.” - -“That will do in the meantime. Please do not go away, Dr. Emerson, as -I may have some further questions to put to you later.” - -Dr. Philpot was then called. He corroborated the evidence of the last -witness in so far as it concerned himself. He had attended Mr. Giles -during the past five years. Deceased was suffering from myocarditis, -which had become worse and of which he might have died at any moment. -On the Thursday prior to his death witness had been informed by Roper, -Mr. Averill’s man-servant, that deceased seemed rather seriously ill, -and he went out to see him. Deceased was feeble and witness believed -that he was very near his end. Witness did not think he could live -more than three or four days. When he heard of his death it was only -what he had expected. - -Ruth Averill was the next witness. She was nervous, but the sergeant -was deferential to her and the coroner fatherly and kind. Her evidence -was soon over. In answer to a number of questions she deposed that she -had known Mr. Giles fairly well and had been to sit with him on -different occasions during his illness. On the Tuesday of that tragic -week she had left Starvel to pay a short visit to York, and on her way -into Thirsby she had called to see him. He had seemed very weak and -frail. He could scarcely speak. Ruth had spent about ten minutes with -him and had then driven on to Thirsby. She had never seen him again. - -A number of persons were then called relative to the funeral. The -clerk from the Town Hall who dealt with interments, the caretaker of -the new cemetery, the undertaker and such of his men as had assisted, -gave evidence in turn. The coroner was extremely detailed in his -questions, and when he had finished the whole history of the sad -affair stood revealed, with the exception of one point. - -This was Roper’s false statement to the undertaker that the body -required to be coffined without delay. It had been decided that -nothing must leak out connecting the death of Giles with Starvel, and -it spoke volumes for the coroner’s skill that he was able to obtain -the other details of the interment while keeping Roper’s duplicity -secret. - -From the united testimony given it seemed that Markham Giles had died -at some time during the Tuesday night. Roper had stated to more than -one witness that Mrs. Roper had gone out to see him about eight -o’clock on that evening, when she found him weak, but fairly easy and -showing no sign of any early collapse. About nine the next morning, -Wednesday, she went over again to find that the man had been dead for -some hours. Mr. Giles was lying in the same position as he had -occupied on the previous evening, and from the peaceful expression on -his face it looked as if he had passed away painlessly. Mrs. Roper had -gone back for her husband, who had returned with her to the cottage. -There they had done what they could, and Roper had then gone into -Thirsby and made arrangements for the funeral. First he had reported -the death to Dr. Emerson. Then he had called at the Town Hall and -purchased a grave, going on to the new cemetery to see the site. -Lastly, he had visited the undertaker, arranging the details of the -funeral. - -The undertaker had known Mr. Giles, and later, on that day, the -Wednesday, he had sent out two men with a coffin which he believed -would be of the right size. His estimate had proved correct and the -men had placed the remains in the coffin, screwing down the lid and -leaving all ready for the funeral. - -On the second day, the Friday, the interment took place. The same men -who had coffined the remains lifted the coffin into the hearse, and -they declared that they saw no signs of the screws having been -tampered with or of the presence of any person in the house during -their absence. The funeral was conducted in the customary manner, and -when the grave had been filled none of those who had been present -imagined that anything out of the common had taken place. Roper had -paid all the bills in advance, saying that the deceased had had a -premonition of his death and had handed him the sum of fifteen pounds -to meet the expenses. - -French was the next witness. The coroner had been carefully primed as -to his evidence also, and asked only general questions. - -“Now, Mr. French, you made some unexpected discoveries about this -matter?” - -“I did, sir.” - -“Will you please tell the jury in your own words the nature of these -discoveries and how you came to make them.” - -This was French’s opportunity. Speaking respectfully and with an air -of the utmost candour, he told very nearly the truth. Deliberately he -slightly coloured the facts, coloured them with the object and in the -hope that somewhere Roper would read what he had said—and be deceived -into coming into the open. - -“I was sent here,” he explained, “on a matter arising out of the fire -at Starvel. I made certain inquiries and received certain information. -As to the truth of the information I cannot of course bear testimony, -but I cannot explain the steps I took unless I mention it. With the -object of accounting for my actions, sir, is it your wish that I do -so?” - -“If you please, Mr. French. We quite understand that your actual -evidence is confined to matters which came under your own observation. -That does not prevent you introducing explanatory matter as to how you -got your results.” - -“Very good, sir. According to my information the following was the -state of affairs which had obtained prior to my being sent down here. -The late Mr. Averill had a sum of money amounting to several thousand -pounds stored in a safe in his bedroom. This was given in evidence at -the inquest on the victims of the Starvel tragedy. It was not then -mentioned, but it was the fact—always according to my information—that -that money had consisted largely of twenty-pound notes. Mr. Averill -was in the habit of sending to the bank the various cheques, dividends -and so forth by which he received his income. By his instructions -these were cashed and the money was returned to Starvel in the form of -twenty-pound notes, which the old gentleman placed with the others in -his safe. All these notes were believed to have been destroyed in the -fire. But it so happened that the numbers of the last consignment—ten -notes, for £200—were taken by the bank teller before the notes were -sent out to Starvel, and these notes were reported to the bank’s -headquarters as being destroyed. When, therefore, some three weeks -after the tragedy one of them turned up in London, questions were -asked. Reasons were given for believing that this particular note had -been in Mr. Averill’s safe at Starvel on the night of the fire, so the -suggestion at once arose that the fire was not an accident, but a -deliberate attempt to hide a crime of murder and burglary. I was sent -down to investigate the affair, and I may say that I found out who had -passed the note and satisfied myself beyond question that he had -received it in a legitimate manner, and that all his actions were -perfectly correct and in order. It followed, therefore, that the -finding of the note did not in reality support any theory of crime -such as had been put forward.” - -While French was speaking the proverbial pin could have been heard, -had any one tried the experiment of dropping it in the courthouse. He -had, to put it mildly, the ear of his audience. Every one listened, -literally, with bated breath. Though it was vaguely known that he was -a detective working on the Starvel case, the story that he himself had -circulated had been generally accepted; that he was employed on behalf -of certain insurance companies to ascertain the cause of the outbreak. -To find that the pleasant-spoken, easygoing stranger whom the -townspeople had almost begun to accept as one of themselves, was none -other than a full-fledged inspector from Scotland Yard, investigating -what had been at first suspected to be a triple murder of an unusually -terrible and sinister kind, was a discovery so thrilling as completely -to absorb the attention of all. - -“While engaged in clearing up the Starvel affair,” French went on, “a -hint was conveyed to me that I was working on the wrong case: that if -I wanted a real mystery I should drop what I was at and turn my -attention to the death and burial, particularly the burial, of Mr. -Giles. With your permission, sir, I do not feel at liberty to mention -the source from which this hint came. It was very vague, but we men -from the Yard are taught to pick up vague hints. I thought over the -matter for some days before I guessed what might be meant. Could Mr. -Giles’s coffin have been used as a hiding place for stolen goods? I -knew, of course, of the many burglaries which had taken place in the -surrounding country during the last six months. I knew also that if -burglars wished to hide their swag, no better place could be devised -than a coffin. There it would be safe until the hue and cry had died -down and from there it could be recovered when desired. If this theory -were true, the gang of burglars would either have heard of Mr. Giles’s -death and used the circumstances to their advantage, or they would -have arranged the circumstance by murdering him. In either case they -would have taken the remains from the coffin, buried them somewhere -close by, and replaced them with the stolen articles.” - -French paused and a wave of movement swept over the crowded assembly -as its members changed their cramped positions. Seldom had the public -had such a treat and they were not going to miss any of it. There was -an instantaneous stiffening to concentrated attention as French -resumed:— - -“After careful consideration I thought the matter serious enough to -warrant action. I therefore obtained an order to open the grave, and -there I found that my suspicions were well founded. There was no body -in the coffin, but on the other hand there was no swag. The coffin was -half-full of earth. But this did not of course invalidate the theory I -have outlined. It only meant that if that theory were true we were -late; that at some time within the past nine weeks the burglars had -visited the churchyard and removed the stuff. This might or might not -have happened.” - -Again French paused and this time the coroner remarked quietly:— - -“And then, Mr. French?” - -“Then, sir, I returned to the gentleman’s cottage and made a further -investigation. Eventually I found traces of yellow clay lying about. -All the soil in the district is dark, but at the grave I had noticed -that a layer of dark soil covered a bed of similar yellow clay. So I -dug a hole and found, as I expected, that this bed of clay extended -under the moor also. It therefore seemed certain that some one had dug -a hole in the vicinity, and on searching the moor I found the place. I -took Sergeant Kent and a constable out, and the three of us re-opened -the hole and found the body just as these gentlemen”—indicating the -jury with a gesture—“have seen it.” - -The police made no attempt to subdue the buzz of repressed though -excited conversation which arose as French ceased speaking. The -coroner was still laboriously writing down French’s statement, but he -soon laid his pen down and spoke. - -“You have made such a complete statement, Mr. French, that I have but -little to ask you. There are just one or two small points upon which I -should like further information,” and he went on to put his questions. - -The coroner was a clever man and he played up well to the request of -the police. To the public he continued to give the impression of a -careful, painstaking official, laboriously trying to obtain all the -facts in a difficult and complicated matter; in reality his questions -were futile in every respect except that they directed attention away -from the features of the case which the authorities wished kept -secret. The result was that when he had finished and asked if any one -else desired to put a question, all were convinced that there was no -more to be learnt and embarrassing topics were avoided. - -“Dr. Reginald Lingard!” - -The tall, thin, ascetic looking man seated beside Philpot rose and -went into the box. He deposed that he practised at Hellifield and was -the police surgeon for the district. - -“Now, Dr. Lingard,” began the coroner, “at the request of the -authorities did you make a post-mortem examination of the remains of -the late Mr. Markham Giles, upon which this inquest is being held?” - -“That is so.” - -“And did you ascertain the cause of death?” - -“I did.” - -“Will you tell the jury what that was.” - -“The man died from shock following a large injection of cocaine.” - -“But an injection of cocaine is surely not fatal?” - -“Not under ordinary circumstances. But to a person suffering from -myocarditis a large injection is inevitably so.” - -Though the evidence of French ought to have prepared every one for -such a _dénouement_, there was a gasp of surprise at this cold, -precise statement. It was only a few minutes since Dr. Emerson had -been heard to testify that he had given a certificate of death from -heart disease without mention of cocaine, and that he had no doubt as -to the correctness of his diagnosis. What, every one wondered, would -Emerson say to this? - -“I suppose, doctor, you have no doubt as to your conclusion?” - -“None whatever.” - -“Could this cocaine have been self administered?” - -“Undoubtedly it could.” - -“With what object?” - -Dr. Lingard gave a slight shrug. - -“It is universal knowledge that many persons are addicted to the drug. -They take it because of its enjoyable temporary effects. It might have -been taken with that motive in this instance, or it might have been -taken with the knowledge that it would cause death.” - -“You mean that Mr. Giles might have committed suicide?” - -“From the medical point of view, yes.” - -“Might it also have been administered by some other person?” - -“Unquestionably.” - -“With what object, Dr. Lingard?” - -“It is not easy to say. Possibly in ignorance or through error or with -a mistaken desire to give the patient ease, or possibly with the -object of causing his death.” - -“You mean that the action might have been wilful murder?” - -“Yes, that is what I mean.” - -Again a movement ran through the tense audience. The coroner frowned -and paused for a moment, then resumed:— - -“Do you know of any legitimate object—any legitimate object -whatever—for which the cocaine might have been administered? Could it, -for example, have been intended as a medicine or restorative?” - -“I do not think so. In my opinion the drug could only have been -administered in error, or with intent to kill.” - -“Do you consider that the deadly nature of cocaine is known to the -public? I mean, is that knowledge not confined to those with some -medical training?” - -“I think the danger to a weak or diseased heart is pretty generally -known. Most people are aware that deaths have occurred by its use, for -example, by dentists, and that for this reason it is now seldom -employed as an anesthetic.” - -The coroner slowly blotted his manuscript. - -“Now, Dr. Lingard, injections are administered with a hypodermic -syringe, are they not?” - -“That is so.” - -“Is there any other way in which they can be given?” - -“No.” - -“Was such a syringe found in the present instance?” - -Dr. Lingard did not know. He had examined the body only, not the house -in which the death had occurred. The coroner turned to another point. - -“Did the body show any sign of the injection having been forcibly -administered?” - -“No, but force sufficient to leave traces would not have been -necessary.” - -“Would death from this cause leave traces other than those -ascertainable from a post-mortem?” - -Dr. Lingard hesitated very slightly. - -“I do not think so,” he answered. “If it did they would be very faint -and it would be easy to overlook them.” - -“Was Dr. Emerson at the post-mortem?” - -“He was.” - -“Have you anything else to tell us, anything which you think might -throw further light on this extraordinary affair?” - -No, Dr. Lingard had nothing, and Dr. Emerson was recalled. He declared -emphatically that he had never had any suspicion that the deceased -might have been addicted to the cocaine habit. - -“You have heard the evidence the previous witness gave as to the cause -of the deceased’s death. Do you from your present knowledge agree with -his conclusions?” - -“Completely,” Dr. Emerson answered. The man looked harassed and -careworn, but his bearing remained dignified. - -“Then how do you account for your certificate that death occurred from -natural causes?” - -Dr. Emerson made a gesture of helplessness. - -“How can I account for it except in the one way?” he replied. “I was -misled by the facts. I admit being in error, but I do not think that -under the circumstances any doctor in the world would have acted -otherwise than as I did.” - -“Now, Dr. Emerson,” the coroner leaned forward and looked keenly at -his witness, “tell me this. Did you really examine the body at all -after death?” - -“I certainly examined it. And I examined it with reasonable care, and -neither then nor at any time since until I heard of this extraordinary -development had I the slightest doubt that my certificate was -incorrect.” He paused, then, as the coroner did not speak, went on -again. “You will admit that under the circumstances the idea of murder -was the last that would occur to any one. Five days earlier Dr. -Philpot had seen the man: he was then at the point of death. He told -me he expected to hear of his death at any moment. When I heard of it -I went out and examined the body. It had all the appearance of death -from myocarditis. Only a post-mortem could have told the difference: -only a post-mortem did tell the difference. As you know a post-mortem -is seldom held unless there is suspicion of foul play. In this case -there was none. I deeply regret that I was misled, but I believe in -all honesty that there is no one who would not have acted as I did -under similar circumstances.” - -The coroner bowed and turned to the jury. - -“As Dr. Emerson has spoken so fully and frankly on this matter, I do -not think that I am called upon to refer to it further. He no doubt -realises how regrettable it was, for if suspicion had been aroused at -the time instead of nine weeks later it might have made all the -difference in capturing the criminal. In saying this I am not -suggesting that blame attaches to him. Would any one like to ask Dr. -Emerson any further question before he stands down?” - -No one responded to the invitation, and Dr. Philpot was recalled. He -deposed that he had never seen any indications of the cocaine habit -about deceased, and he did not believe that considering the state of -his heart he could have used it. - -Sergeant Kent was then sworn. He said that on learning the result of -the post-mortem he had proceeded to the deceased’s cottage and had -there made a detailed search for cocaine or a hypodermic syringe, but -without finding traces of either. The undertaker’s men, recalled, also -declared that they had seen nothing of the kind while attending to the -body. - -There being no further witnesses the coroner made a short businesslike -statement summing up the evidence. As to the cause of death, he said, -there could be no doubt. The medical evidence was complete and -undisputed. Deceased had died as the result of an injection of -cocaine, which his diseased heart was unable to stand. That injection -might or might not have been self-administered. The evidence of both -doctors was that in their opinion the deceased was not a victim of the -cocaine habit, and it was for the jury to consider the probability of -his having used it in this instance. He would direct their attention -to another point. Had the fatal dose been self-administered, the -syringe must have remained on or beside the bed. It had not been -found. Who then had removed it and why? On the other hand if the jury -considered the dose had been given by some other person or persons, -they must consider with what motive this had been done. If they -believed a genuine error had been made they would return a verdict of -death from misadventure, but if upon weighing all the circumstances -they rejected the possibility of error they would return a verdict of -wilful murder. - -For nearly an hour the jury deliberated, and then they brought in the -expected verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons -unknown. - -“You did that quite well,” Major Valentine assured French as the two -men walked to the former’s car after the inquiry. “If Roper is alive -and reads your evidence—and he is certain to do that if he is in the -country—he will think he is safe and may start changing the notes. By -the way, are you sure that Tarkington and that clerk of his won’t give -you away about the numbers of the notes? Your evidence must have -sounded peculiar to them.” - -“I thought of that,” French answered, “and I saw them both and warned -them. They’ll hold their tongues.” - -“I suppose no one has been trying to get just that information out of -them?” - -“No, sir. I asked them that first thing, but no one had.” - -Before Major Valentine left he discussed with French the steps that he -would take to try to find out whether any one had disappeared at the -time of the fire. The inquiry had already been made, but this time it -was to be pressed much more energetically. At the same time the watch -for the stolen notes was to be redoubled, and French undertook to -arrange that a general memorandum on the subject would be sent to all -the banks in the country. - -A third line of research was suggested by the medical evidence, and -this French and the major agreed to work jointly. The most searching -inquiries were to be made for any one who had obtained or tried to -obtain cocaine or a hypodermic syringe during a period of several -weeks prior to the tragedy. - -In addition to these three there was, of course, the most important -and hopeful line of all, a direct search for Roper. French undertook -to organise this with as little delay as possible. - -After discussing the situation for nearly two hours the two men -parted, hopeful that their several efforts would before long place the -key of the mystery in their hands. - - - -CHAPTER SIXTEEN - -A Double Recall - -When French settled down to consider how the search for Roper could -best be carried out he saw that he was up against a very much steeper -proposition than had appeared at first sight. - -There were two ways in which he could attack the problem. He could -attempt to trace the man’s movements from the night of the fire and go -on step by step until he found him, or he could try to discover his -present whereabouts, irrespective of how he had arrived there. - -The first method was not very hopeful. Not only was there little to go -on, but such trail as the man must have left was cold. It was now over -two months since the tragedy, and while the passage of a wanted man -during the week previous to an inquiry might be remembered by porters, -taxi-men or others who come in contact with the public, few would -recall having seen a stranger two months earlier. - -Direct search, French thought, was much more promising. For this he -had behind him the whole of the amazingly complete and far-reaching -organisation of the police. If Roper had not left the country he would -find it hard to evade recognition by some one of the thousands of -constables and detectives who would be looking out for him. - -French remembered that the Kintilloch sergeant had mentioned that -Roper had applied for a passport to Brazil, and he began operations by -writing to the Yard to send a man to the Passport Office to obtain a -copy of the photograph lodged. Then he set to work to compile a -description of Roper. He saw Oxley, Whymper, Ruth and one or two -others and got down from them details of the man’s appearance. From -these he synthesised the following:— - -“Wanted for murder. John Roper. Age 34; height about 5 ft. 9 inches; -slight build; thick, dark hair; dark eyes with a decided squint; heavy -dark eyebrows; clean shaven; sallow complexion; small nose and mouth; -pointed chin; small hands and feet; walks with a slight stoop and a -quick step; speaks in a rather high-pitched voice with a slight -Lowland Scotch accent.” - -On the whole French was pleased with the description. It was more -complete than was usually obtainable from unofficial sources. It had -not, of course, been volunteered by any of his informants, but had -been gradually reached by persistent questions on each feature in -turn. He sent it to the Yard, asking that it be published in the next -issue of the Police Gazette along with a copy of the photograph -obtained from the Passport Office. This meant that within three or -four days every police officer in the land would be applying it to -newcomers of less than ten weeks’ standing. If Roper had not escaped -abroad or was not lying hidden in the most populous district of some -great town there was a very good chance that he might be found. - -In his letter to the Yard French had also asked that systematic -inquiries should be made at the various seaports and from steamship -lines to try to find out if the man had left the country. He suggested -concentrating on lines running to Brazil or calling at places from -which other lines ran to Brazil. Air lines to the Continent he -included as well as the ordinary cross-channel services, though from -these he scarcely expected a result. - -Next he determined to make, so far as he could, lists of the -attendant’s friends, places where he had spent his holidays, and any -other details of his life that could be ascertained. Frequently he had -found that such vague inquiries produced valuable results. It was a -speculative move, of course, but he thought it would be worth a couple -of days’ work. - -As Kintilloch was the most likely place to pick up such information, -he travelled for the second time to the little Fifeshire town. There -he interviewed every one who, he thought, might help him, but entirely -without result. Even when he visited the home of the late Flora Roper -and discussed the affair with the unfortunate woman’s mother he -learned nothing valuable. - -As he was leaving Kintilloch it occurred to him as a last forlorn hope -that possibly Dr. Philpot might be able to assist. The address the -doctor had given him was in Glasgow, and to return via Glasgow was but -little out of his way. He decided he would pay the call on chance. - -About five o’clock that afternoon, therefore, he turned from Dumbarton -Road into Kilgore Street and looked up No. 47. It was a rather decayed -looking apartment house of a shabby-genteel type, and the landlady who -answered his ring gave him the same impression of having fallen on -evil days. Rather a comedown, French thought, for a man who had -occupied a comfortable villa standing in its own grounds, to be -reduced to this semi-slum lodging house. With a momentary feeling of -pity he inquired if Dr. Philpot was at home. - -“There’s no Dr. Philpot lives here,” the woman answered in complaining -tones. “There’s a _Mr._ Philpot, if that’s who you mean.” - -“He may not be a doctor; I’m not sure,” French returned. “The man I -mean is fair-haired with a thin face, and could only have come to you -within the last week.” - -“Yes, that’s him all right. But he isn’t in.” - -“When do you expect him?” - -“He generally comes in about six or half-past.” - -“Then I’ll call back.” - -French strolled about the parks around Kelvinside until his watch -warned him to return to Kilgore Street. Philpot had just arrived. He -seemed glad to see French and told of his new life with an eagerness -that the latter thought rather pathetic. - -“I hated that place, Inspector,” he went on. “I didn’t realise it -while I was there, but now that I have left I am surprised how much I -hated it. But I believe I’m going to like my new work. I’ve got a job, -you know.” - -“Glad to hear it,” French returned cheerily. “I hope it’s a good one.” - -“It’s too soon to say that. I’m now a commission agent. It is by the -kindness of an old friend. He has let me have one of his side lines to -see how I get on. It doesn’t sound a promising proposition, but I -confess I’ve been surprised at its possibilities since I started. It -concerns the marketing of inventions. My friend keeps in touch with -the patent agents and approaches all the smaller patentees, then if -the thing looks good I try to find a manufacturer or a market. I am to -pay him a percentage of all my takings and already I’ve been in touch -with five inventions, all of which are doing very well. If my luck -holds I hope some day to be able to square all those people I now owe -money to in Thirsby. Then my idea is to get across to the States and -start afresh.” - -French offered his congratulations and as soon as he reasonably could -switched the conversation over to Roper. Philpot seemed considerably -surprised, but he willingly discussed the attendant and obviously did -his best to satisfy his visitor. He gave a good deal of information, -but only one piece seemed to French at all useful. - -Roper had occasionally visited Peebles. What he had gone for Philpot -did not know, but he believed his family lived there. Roper had once -referred to his widowed mother and had spoken of going to Peebles to -see her. - -“I’m sorry not to be able to give you more help,” Philpot apologised -when French at last showed signs of coming to an end. “I suppose it -would be indiscreet to inquire what you’re after?” - -French hesitated. He had avoided mentioning his theory to any one -except Chief Inspector Mitchell and Major Valentine, and his working -principle in such cases was reticence. For a moment he was tempted to -confide in Philpot, then habit triumphed and he prevaricated. - -“My dossier of the case is not complete without all the information I -can put into it. It is academic, of course, but I like to do things -thoroughly. Gets you a reputation for efficiency, you know. One can’t -afford to sneeze at it. Well, doctor, I’m glad to have seen you and I -hope your good luck will continue.” - -It was evident that Philpot realised that he had been put off, but he -made no further reference to the subject, and his good-bye was cordial -enough. French in his kindly way was pleased to see that the man had a -chance of making good, and his congratulations and good wishes were -really sincere. - -After some thought he determined to follow up the doctor’s clue and -next morning he went to Peebles. There he had little difficulty in -finding Roper’s mother. She kept a huckster’s shop in the poorer part -of the town, but it was evident that she was getting too old for the -work, and that business was not flourishing. She was suspicious at -first, but under the genial influence of French’s manner she thawed -and presently became garrulous. French was soon satisfied that she had -no idea that her son might be alive. He pumped her with his usual -skill, pretending he was a former acquaintance of Roper’s, but in the -end also he was unable to learn anything helpful. - -He returned to Thirsby and began a series of inquiries at the nearby -railway stations, posting establishments, inns and villages, in the -hope of coming on some trace of the quarry. But the trail was too old. -For three days he worked early and late, but nowhere did he learn of -any mysterious stranger who might prove to be the missing man. He was -indeed about to give up in despair, when his labours were brought to -an unexpected conclusion. Chief Inspector Mitchell wired an urgent -recall to the Yard. - -It was by no means the first of such recalls that French had received, -though it was not usual to interrupt an officer who was actually -engaged in investigating a case. The incident always bred a slight -uneasiness. The possibility of having made some serious blunder was -ever present. And French was aware that his most unhappy experiences -had almost invariably followed periods of exaltation and -self-satisfaction. Chief Inspector Mitchell was an exceedingly shrewd -man and he had a perfectly uncanny way of delving to the bottom of -problems and of seeing clues that other people missed. French -earnestly hoped that it was not so in the present instance. - -He travelled up by the night train and early next morning reported at -the Yard. There he found his fears were groundless. The Chief -Inspector, so far from grumbling, was in a very good mood and almost -complimented him on what he had done. - -“Well, French, you’re up against it again, are you? What were you busy -at when you got my wire?” - -French explained. - -“You can do something better. Read that.” - -It was the typewritten note of a telephone conversation. It appeared -that at four o’clock on the previous evening the manager of the -Northern Shires Bank in Throgmorton Avenue had rung up to say that two -twenty-pound notes bearing numbers on the list supplied in connection -with the Starvel Hollow crime had been passed into the bank that -afternoon. The cashier had just at that moment made the discovery, but -unfortunately he was unable to remember from whom he had received -them. - -“By Jove, sir!” French exclaimed. “Then Roper is in town!” - -“It looks like it if your theory is right,” the Chief Inspector -admitted. “I sent Willis across at once and he saw the cashier. But -the man couldn’t say where the notes had come from. Willis got him to -prepare a list of all the lodgments he had received that day, -intending, if you didn’t turn up, to go round the people to-day with -Roper’s description. You had better see him and find out what he has -done. I want you to take over from him at once as he is really on that -Colchester burglary.” - -“Very good, sir. Do you know if the notes were together: if they -seemed to have come in from the same party?” - -“Willis asked that. They were not near each other in the pile. Of -course, the argument is not conclusive, but the suggestion is that -they came in separately.” - -“If that is so it looks as if Roper was changing them systematically.” - -“Possibly. In that case we may expect more notes to come in. That’ll -do, French. Go and see Willis and start right in.” - -Inspector Willis was seated at the desk in his room, apparently trying -to reduce to some sort of order the chaotic heap of papers which -covered it. - -“Hullo, French! Come in and take a pew,” he greeted his visitor. “I -don’t know any one I’d be better pleased to see. If you hadn’t turned -up within another ten minutes I was going out about those blessed -notes, but now I shall be able to get down to Colchester on the next -train. I’m on that burglary at Brodrick’s, the jewellers. You heard -about it?” - -“The Chief mentioned it, but I have heard no details. Interesting -case?” - -“Nothing out of the way. The place was broken into from a lane at the -back and the safe cut with a oxyacetylene jet. They got about six -thousand pounds’ worth. It happened that Brodrick had just sent a lot -of stuff to town, else they’d have cleared twice that.” - -“Any line on the men?” - -“It was Hot Alf and the Mummer, I believe. It was their style, and Alf -was seen in the town two days before. But I’ve not got anything -definite yet. There’s a fearful muck of stuff about it: look at all -this.” He indicated the litter on the table. - -“No fingerprints?” - -“Nope. But I’ll get them through the fences. I’ve only to sit tight -and they’ll give themselves away. But what about your do? I’ve got it -finished, thank the Lord! There it is.” He pointed to a little heap of -papers apart from the others. “There’s more in it, the Chief hinted, -than stolen notes, but he didn’t say what it was.” - -“There’s pretty well everything in it so far as I can see,” French -rejoined. “Murder—quadruple murder—theft, arson and body-snatching.” - -Willis whistled. - -“Body-snatching? Good Lord!” he exclaimed. “You don’t often hear of -that nowadays.” - -“You don’t,” French admitted, “but this was not ordinary -body-snatching. You remember the case: a fire at Starvel in which the -three occupants of the house were supposed to be burned? Well, one -wasn’t. He burgled the place and escaped with the swag: those notes -that you were on to to-day. But he had to have a body to represent -himself, so he murdered a neighbour and burned his in the house.” - -“Lord, French! That’s quite a tale. It would make a novel, that would. -How did you get on to it?” - -French gave a somewhat sketchy résumé of his activities and so led the -conversation back to the notes. “The Chief said you would give me the -details so that I could get ahead with it to-day.” - -“Right-o. The Chief called me in about four yesterday afternoon and -said he’d just had a ’phone from the Northern Shires Bank that two of -the Starvel notes had been paid in, and as you weren’t there, I’d -better take over. So I went and saw the teller. He couldn’t say who -had given him the notes, as it was only when he was balancing his cash -after the bank closed that he recognised the numbers. I got him to -make me a list of the lodgments during the day. That took a bit of -time, but he had it at last. Then I went through it with him and we -eliminated all the entries at which he was sure that no twenty-pound -note was handled. That left just under two hundred possibles. Then I -brought the list home and went over it again, ticking off people or -firms who do not usually take in cash from the public, like -shipowners, manufacturers and wholesale dealers. Of course, these are -possibles, but not so likely as the others. It was rough and ready, -but I wanted to tackle the most probable first. You follow me?” - -“Of course. I should have done the same.” - -“I waited up until I had put the probables in location order, and here -is the list ready for you.” - -“Jolly good, Willis. I’m sorry you had so much trouble. I’ll carry on -and hope for the best.” - -“You’ll get it all right,” Willis opined as he settled down again to -his work. - -All that day and the next French, armed with the list and with Roper’s -photograph and description, went from place to place interviewing -managers and assistants in shops and business firms. But all to no -purpose. Nowhere could he obtain any trace of the elusive twenty-pound -notes, nor had any man answering to the description been seen. And -then to his amazement he was taken off the inquiry. - -Like other officers of the C.I.D., it was his habit to keep in as -close touch with headquarters as possible while pursuing his -investigations. At intervals therefore during these two days he called -up the Yard and reported his whereabouts. It was during one of these -communications that for the second time in two days he received an -urgent recall. - -In this case it was a summons which he could obey promptly, and twenty -minutes after receiving the message he was knocking at the door of -Chief Inspector Mitchell’s room. - -One glance at the Chief’s face showed him that at least there was no -trouble brewing, Mitchell greeting him with a half smile. - -“Sit down, French,” he said, “and listen to me. I want to tell you a -story.” - -After glancing at a few papers which he took from a drawer, he began -to speak. - - - -CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - -Concerning Wedding Rings - -“This morning about 10.30,” said the Chief Inspector, “we had a ’phone -from Inspector Marshall of the Whitechapel District. He wanted to know -whether we had had any recent reports of thefts of small jewellery, as -he had come across some in connection with a scrap between two -lightermen. It seems that about ten o’clock last night a constable on -patrol heard cries coming from an entry off Cable Street, as if some -one was being murdered. He ran down and found a man on the ground with -another belabouring him furiously with his fists. The constable pulled -the victor off, to find his opponent was little the worse. The fellow -was really more frightened than hurt. The constable would have -dismissed the affair with a good-humoured caution to both, had it not -been that in the heat of the explanations the cause of the quarrel -came out. The men had obtained some jewellery, which both claimed, and -when the constable saw the stuff he didn’t wait for further -discussion, but marched them both off to Divisional Headquarters. -Marshall questioned them and reported their statements with his -inquiry. - -“The whole thing so far was purely commonplace, and if the jewellery -had consisted of ordinary trinkets I should have thought no more about -it. But the nature of the stuff tickled my fancy and I grew -interested. You would hardly guess what they had. Wedding rings!” - -“I certainly shouldn’t have guessed that, sir.” - -“I don’t suppose you would. Well, that’s what they had. Thirty-nine -wedding rings on a cord. They were all much of the same size and -value. And there was not another ring. They were searched, but nothing -else was found on them. - -“Marshall, of course, asked them where they got them, and their answer -was more interesting still. It appeared that the victor, James Gray, -was the skipper of a Thames lighter and the vanquished, William -Fuller, was his ‘crew.’ A third man was on board who looked after the -engine, but he didn’t come into the affair. Gray stated that about -8.30 that same evening they were working empty down the river. They -had left a cargo of Belgian coal at an up-river works and were running -down to their moorings for the night. They usually stopped about six, -but trouble with their engine had delayed them on this occasion. It -was rather a dirty night, raining and very dark and blowing a little. -Gray, the skipper, was at the helm and Fuller was forward acting as -look-out. The third man was below at the engines. Just as they began -to emerge from beneath the Tower Bridge Fuller heard a smack on the -deck beside him. He looked down and in the light of some of the shore -lamps saw some bright objects rolling about on the planks. On picking -one up he was astonished to find it was a wedding ring. He began to -search and found several others, but the skipper swore at him for not -minding his job, and he had to let the remainder lie. When they -reached their moorings he tried again, but Gray was curious and came -forward and found a ring himself. Then they had a proper look with -lanterns and recovered the thirty-nine. Immediately, as might be -expected, a row broke out. Both men wanted the rings. Fuller said they -had fallen beside him and he had found all but one or two, but Gray -held that he was skipper and that anything that came on the ship was -his. They had to bury the hatchet temporarily so as not to give away -the secret to their engineer, but the quarrel broke out again ashore, -Fuller’s cries attracting our man. What do you think of that, French? -A good story, isn’t it?” - -“Like a book, sir. Just a bit humorous too, if you don’t mind my -saying so.” - -There was a twinkle in Chief Inspector Mitchell’s eye as he -continued:— - -“Oh, you think so, do you? Well, anyhow, as I say, I was interested. -The men’s mentality I found quite intriguing. I wondered how much -imagination they had between them. Marshall described them as slow, -unintelligent, bovine fellows. Now, such men could never have invented -a tale like that. If they had been making it up they would have said -they found a bag of rings in the street. The idea of wedding rings -having been thrown over the parapet of the Tower Bridge just as they -were passing beneath would only occur to men of imagination, and to -have got all the details right would have involved a very considerable -gift of invention as well. Do you see what I’m getting at, French? -Their story shows too much imagination for their intelligences as -described by Marshall, and therefore I am disposed to accept it.” - -Chief Inspector Mitchell paused and looked at French as if expecting a -comment. - -“I follow you all right, sir, and what you say sounds reasonable to -me. And yet it’s not very likely that any one would throw thirty-nine -wedding rings into the Thames off the Tower Bridge, for I take it it -was into the river and not on to the boat they were intended to go.” - -“I should say undoubtedly.” Mitchell sat for a moment drumming with -his fingers on his desk and looking thoughtfully out of the window. -“You think the whole thing’s unlikely, do you? Perhaps you are right. -And yet I don’t know. I think I can imagine circumstances in which a -man might be very anxious to get rid of thirty-nine wedding rings. And -what’s more, to throw them over the parapet of the Tower Bridge at -8.30 in the evening seems to me a jolly good way of getting rid of -them. How would you have done it, French?” - -French glanced at his superior in some surprise. He could not -understand the other’s interest in this commonplace story of stolen -rings. Still less could he understand why he had been interrupted in -his useful and important work to come and listen to it. However, he -realised that it would be tactless to say so. - -“I don’t know, sir,” he answered slowly. “I suppose to throw ’em in -the river would be the best way. But he should have seen there was -nothing passing underneath.” - -“Ah, now that is an interesting point also. But first, does anything -else strike you?” - -French looked wary. - -“Just in what way, sir?” - -“This. Suppose you want to throw a package into the river and you want -to do it absolutely unobserved. Where will you do it?” - -“I see what you mean, sir. That bridge at that time of night is about -as deserted as any of the London bridges.” - -“Exactly, that’s what I mean. There is evidence there of selection -which would never strike a man like these bargees. But you say he -ought to have seen the boat. Why should our unknown not have looked -out for passing boats? I’ll tell you, I think. Though the bridge is -_comparatively_ deserted, it is _not_ deserted. To look over the -parapet far enough to see the water below would have attracted -attention. A suicide might have been feared. Some officious person -might have come forward. No, the unknown would simply chuck his parcel -over without even turning his head, secure in the belief that even if -by some miracle it was found, the contents would never be traced to -him. Do you agree?” - -“Seems quite sound, sir.” - -“It may be sound or it may not,” Mitchell returned. “All that I have -been saying to you may be the merest nonsense. But it shows, I think, -that the story these men told may be true. The chances of its being -true are sufficiently great to warrant investigation before they are -charged with theft. You agree with that?” - -This time French felt no doubt. - -“Oh, yes, sir, I agree with that certainly. The men could not be -convicted without going into their story.” - -The Chief Inspector nodded as if he had at last reached the goal for -which he had so long been aiming. - -“That’s it, French. Now will you start in and do it?” - -French stared. - -“Me, sir?” he exclaimed as if unable to believe his ears. “Do you wish -me to take it up?” - -The other smiled satirically. - -“I don’t know any one who could do it better.” - -“And drop my present case?” - -“Only temporarily,” the Chief assured him. “A day or so will make -little difference to your own affair, and I have no one else to send -on this one. Look into it and try and find out if any one dropped -those rings off the bridge, and if so, who he was and why he did it. -When you have done that you can go ahead with the Starvel affair.” - -French was completely puzzled. This was very unlike the line the Chief -usually took. - -“Of course, sir, it’s what you say; but do you not think it is very -urgent that this bank-note business be followed up while the trail is -warm? Every day that passes will make it more difficult to get the -truth.” - -“That applies even more strongly to this other affair. But it has the -advantage of probably being a shorter inquiry. With luck you can -finish it off to-morrow, and if so, that will delay the larger case -only very slightly.” - -French saw that whatever might be the Chief’s motive, he had made up -his mind. - -“Very good, sir,” he returned. “I’ll go down to Whitechapel at once -and get started.” - -“Right, I wish you would.” - -French was conscious of not a little exasperation as he walked to -Charing Cross and there took an eastward bound train. A few hours -might make all the difference between success and failure in the -Starvel case, and here he was turned on to this other business during -the very period when it was most important he should be on his own -job. He could not understand what was at the back of the Chief -Inspector’s mind. Apparently he suspected a crime, though what crime -he had in view French could not imagine. Marshall could have dealt -with ordinary petty theft. But if Mr. Mitchell suspected a serious -crime and if, as he said, no other officer was available to -investigate the affair, his attitude would be explained. - -But whether it were explained or not orders were orders, and French -with an effort switched his mind off John Roper and on to lightermen -and wedding rings. On arrival at Divisional Headquarters he saw -Inspector Marshall and heard his account of the affair, which was -almost word for word that of the Chief Inspector’s. - -“I don’t know what the Chief’s got in his mind,” French grumbled. -“Here was I on that Starvel case and on a hot scent too, and why he -should switch me off on to this affair I can’t see. He’s got some bee -in his bonnet about it. He believes these fellows’ yarn and he wants -me to find the man who threw the rings over.” - -Marshall made noises indicative of surprise and sympathy. “I shouldn’t -have thought the Chief Inspector would have stood for that dope,” he -remarked. “What are you going to do about it?” - -French didn’t exactly know. He supposed he had better hear the men’s -story for himself, though, of course, after his colleague had examined -them his doing so would be only a matter of form to satisfy the Chief. -Then he would think over the affair and try to plan his next move. - -But rather to his own surprise, French found himself considerably -impressed by the two men’s personalities and the way they told their -story. Both were heavy and slow-witted and, French judged, without any -imagination at all, and both seemed reasonably honest. After he had -questioned them he felt very much inclined to accept his Chief’s view -and to believe the tale. - -“You say you found the rings by the light of a hand lamp,” he went on -presently. “Very good. Come along down with me to this boat of yours -and we’ll have another look by daylight. Perhaps you missed a few.” - -The men didn’t think so, but they were very willing to do anything -which got them out of the police station. They led the two inspectors -to the dirtiest wharf that French had ever seen, and there hailing a -man in a wherry, the four were put aboard the Thames lighter _Fickle -Jane_. - -She was a long low craft more like a canal boat than a lighter. -Nine-tenths of her was hold, but at one end there was a tiny fo’csle -and at the other an equally diminutive engine-room. She was steered by -a small wheel aft. - -“Now,” French said to the “crew,” “go and stand just where you were -when the rings came down.” - -Fuller moved to the fo’csle and took up a position on the port side of -the companion. - -“And where did the rings strike?” - -“Couldn’t just say to a foot, guv’nor,” the man answered, “but abaht -that there bolt ’ead or maybe a bit forra’d.” - -The point he indicated was starboard of the companion and mid-way -between it and the side of the boat. French saw that objects falling -at that point might scatter in any direction, and he began a careful -search for further rings. - -In less than a minute he found one. It had rolled down along the strip -of deck at the side of the hold and jammed itself in a crack of the -coaming timbers. - -This discovery seemed to French to prove the men’s story completely. -He took their addresses and told them they were free and that if the -owner of the rings could not be found they would be returned to them. -He wanted them, however, to come up with him to the Tower Bridge and -show him the exact point at which the incident had occurred, but for -this they would be paid. - -He was frankly puzzled as he stood looking over the parapet of the -bridge after Gray and Fuller had gone. As far as he could see there -was absolutely nothing in the nature of a clue to the person he -sought. The rings were probably stolen, but not, he imagined, from a -jeweller. Rather, he pictured some street row in which a hawker had -been relieved of his stock-in-trade. Though, if this had been done, he -could not imagine why the stock should have been thrown away. - -There were, of course, some obvious steps to be taken, but French -hesitated over them because he did not think any of them could bring -in useful information. However, he couldn’t stand there all day, and -he might as well get on with all the lines of inquiry that suggested -themselves. - -First, he called at the Yard and arranged that any constables who had -been on patrol duty on or near the Tower Bridge at 8.30 the previous -evening should be found and sent to him for interrogation. Then with -the rings in his pocket he went to a small jeweller’s shop in the -Strand, of which he knew the proprietor. - -“I want your help, Mr. Alderdice,” he said as they shook hands in the -little private room at the back of the shop. “I’m trying to find some -one who amuses himself by throwing wedding rings into the Thames,” and -he told his story, concluding: “Now I wondered if you could tell me -anything about these rings which would help me. Have you heard of any -thefts of rings? Is there any way of identifying or tracing these? -Might they be sold by a hawker, or would they be more probably from a -jeweller’s shop? Any information that you could give me would be most -gratefully received.” - -Mr. Alderdice, a precise, dried-up little man, rubbed his chin -thoughtfully. - -“Well, you know, Mr. French,” he said, “I don’t believe that I can -think of anything in my trade about which I could give you less help. -There are, as you know, millions of wedding rings in this city alone, -and they are all more or less alike. In fact, sir, you might as well -try to identify a given nail in an ironmonger’s bin. I don’t think -it’s possible. Needless to say though, I’ll do what I can. Let me see -the rings.” - -He took the bunch, nattily untied the knot on the cord which held -them, and taking the rings one by one, examined each carefully. - -“They are all of eighteen carat gold,” he said in the manner of an -expert pronouncing a deliberate judgment. “They are fairly well the -same size and thickness and would sell from thirty to thirty-five -shillings each, according to weight. I do not know much about the -hawkers you refer to, but I should imagine that they would content -themselves with a rather inferior article, and that these rings were -sold by reputable jewellers. I have not heard of any cases of robbery -of such rings. I do not see how you or any one else could trace their -sales, but of course that is speaking from my point of view: you -gentlemen from the Yard have a wonderful way of finding out things.” - -French made a grimace. “I’m afraid my job’s not very hopeful,” he -bewailed as he thanked his friend and took his leave. - -He walked slowly back to the Yard, thinking intently. This was one of -those hateful jobs in which you had to work from the general; to deal -with the whole of the possible sources of information concerned. He -would now have to apply to all the jewellers’ shops in London—a -tremendous job. How much he preferred working from the particular! In -that case, to complete the parallel, he would get a clue which would -lead to the one shop or group of shops he required. But here the -situation was reversed. He would have to deal with all jewellers, and -he did not know exactly what he was to ask them. - -He made several drafts and at last produced a circular which he -considered satisfactory. In it he said that the Yard desired to trace -a person who had got rid of forty wedding rings on the night of -Monday, 6th December, of which the particulars were as followed, and -that he would be obliged for any information which might help. In -particular he wished to know whether any wedding rings had disappeared -or been stolen recently. Failing that he would be grateful for the -description as far as it could be ascertained, of all persons who had -bought wedding rings within the previous four days, with the date and -approximate hour of the purchase. Replies, which would be treated as -entirely confidential, were to be sent to Inspector French at New -Scotland Yard. - -He set some men to work with directories to find out the addresses of -jewellers in London and made arrangements to have the necessary copies -of his circular prepared and delivered. Then he organised a staff to -deal with the replies when they came in. Finally, having cleared his -conscience with regard to the rings episode, he returned to his work -on the bank-note case, picking up the thread at the point at which he -had left off. - -By next morning several hundred answers to his circular had been -received and others were arriving continuously. Reluctantly he gave up -the bank-note question and went to his office to have a look over -them. - -In accordance with his instructions, his staff had prepared a -statement to which they added the information given in each reply. One -column they had headed “Robberies and Disappearance of rings,” and a -glance down this showed French that none such had occurred. In a -number of other columns they had put information about purchasers. -These columns were headed with certain details of appearance, such as -estimated age—over or under thirty, forty-five and sixty; tall, medium -and short, dark and fair, with and without glasses, and so on. By this -means it became possible to determine whether the same person might -have dealt in more than one shop. - -There were a great many columns and comparatively few entries in each, -and of those in the same column nearly all were distinguished by -differences in other columns. Of course the vast number of the -descriptions were vague and incomplete and most of the shops recorded -purchases in connection with which the assistants could recall nothing -of the purchaser. But this was only to be expected, and French worked -with such results as he could get. - -Of the 631 replies entered up, French gradually eliminated 625. The -remaining six he examined more carefully, whistling gently as he did -so. They were all under the general divisions, “Homburg hat,” “fawn -coat,” “dark,” “with moustache,” and “with glasses.” But this in -itself conveyed little. It merely indicated a possibility. But when he -found that four of the six shops were in the same street and that the -purchases in all four had been made on the same day and at almost the -same hour, his interest suddenly quickened. French considered that the -matter was worth a personal call, and leaving the Yard, he drove to -the first of the six and asked to see the manager. - -“We’re very sorry to have given you all this trouble,” he began as he -produced the reply they had sent in, “but the matter is really -important. This may be possibly the man we want. Could I see the -assistant who attended to him?” - -In a few seconds a Mr. Stanley was produced and French asked him to -repeat his description of his customer. - -“I remember the man quite clearly, sir,” Stanley answered. “He had -very dark hair and a thick, dark moustache and dark glasses. He wore a -soft, gray Homburg hat and a fawn-coloured coat.” - -“It is a pleasure to deal with you, Mr. Stanley,” French smiled. “You -are certainly very observant. Now tell me, how do you come to remember -the man so clearly?” - -“I don’t think there was any special reason, sir. Unless it was that I -happened to look out of the window and saw him get out of a taxi, and -that sort of fixed my attention on him. The taxi waited while he was -in the shop and he got into it again and drove off when he had bought -the ring.” - -This was very satisfactory. If the customer was really the man French -wanted, here was a clue and a valuable one. To find the taxi which had -stopped at the shop at a given time on the previous day should not be -difficult. He continued his questions. - -“At what hour was that?” - -“About half-past eleven,” the salesman said after some thought. “I -couldn’t say for sure, but it was about an hour before I went for -dinner and that was at half-past twelve.” - -“He didn’t seem at all agitated, I suppose?” - -“No, sir. Not more than most of them.” Stanley smiled knowingly, and -French felt that only for the sobering presence of the manager a wink -would have conveyed the man’s thought. “Most of them are a bit, shall -we say, nervous. But this man was just the same as the rest. He gave a -size and said he wanted a medium weight, and that was all that -passed.” - -French nodded, and reverting to the description, tried for some -further details with which to augment it. Though he had complimented -Stanley on it, he realised that as it stood it was of little use. But -the young man was unable to improve on his former effort and French -was about to thank the two men and leave the shop when Stanley chanced -to drop a phrase which sent the detective into a white heat of -excitement and made him marvel at Chief Inspector Mitchell’s -perspicacity and his own obtuseness. - -“And there was nothing in the slightest degree out of the ordinary in -the whole transaction, no matter how trivial?” he had asked as a sort -of general finale to his catechism, more as a matter of form than -because he hoped to gain any information, and it was in reply that the -assistant, after saying: “No, sir, I don’t think so,” had pronounced -the priceless words: “Unless you would call changing a large note out -of the ordinary. The man hadn’t enough loose change to make up the -thirty-five shillings and he asked me to change a twenty-pound note.” - -“What!” roared French with a delighted oath, springing to his feet in -his excitement. So that was it! He saw it all now! Like a flash this -whole mysterious business of the wedding rings became clear as day. -And the Chief had guessed! Moreover the Chief had given him a broad -hint and he, like the _ass_ that he was, had missed its meaning! He -sat down and wiped his forehead. - -Who was this mysterious individual, this dark-haired man with -moustache and glasses, but Roper! Roper it was who had been going -about buying wedding rings, and Roper it was who naturally found that -he must get rid of such incriminating purchases at the earliest -possible moment. The whole thing was clear! For every ring a £20 note, -a tainted £20 note, a £20 note from Mr. Averill’s wrecked safe up at -Starvel. And for every £20 note got rid of over £18 of good, clean, -untraceable money brought in. It was a scheme, a great scheme, worthy -of the man who had devised the crime as a whole. - -As these thoughts passed through his mind French saw that the fact -that the elusive purchaser had a moustache and glasses while Roper -wore neither by no means invalidated his conclusion, but rather -strengthened it. To a person of Roper’s mental calibre a moustache -would appear one of the best of disguises, while a man with a squint -had practically no option but to wear tinted glasses if he wished to -preserve his incognito. From disgust at his job French had suddenly -swung round to enthusiasm. He had not now the faintest doubt that some -forty-eight hours earlier, Roper, alive and in the flesh, had been in -that very shop, having dealings with the salesman, Stanley. And then -came the delightful thought that with so fresh a trail and with such a -multiplicity of clues, the man’s capture was a question of a very -short time only. The steps to be taken were obvious, and the first was -to find the taxi-man who had driven him round. This must be put in -hand without delay. - -He crushed down his impatience and turned once more to his companions, -who had been regarding him with not a little surprise. - -“That is important information you have just given me, Mr. Stanley,” -he declared. “Now can you tell me if this is the man?” He handed over -one of Roper’s photographs. - -And then his enthusiasm received a check. The salesman looked -doubtfully at the card and shook his head. - -“I don’t know,” he said slowly. “I couldn’t just be sure. It’s like -him and it’s not like him, if you understand what I mean. The man who -came here had a moustache.” - -“A false one,” French suggested. - -The other brightened up. - -“My word, but it might have been,” he exclaimed. “I noticed it looked -queer, now I come to think of it. It was very thick and long; thicker -and longer than you generally see. And what you might call fuzzy round -the top. Not like a real moustache. Yes, sir, I believe you’re right. -It looked just like a wad of hair set on.” - -French laid a scrap of paper over the mouth. - -“Now look “again.” - -Once more Stanley shook his head. - -“No, sir, it’s no good. I couldn’t say for sure. You see that -photograph shows his hair and his forehead and his eyes. Well, I -didn’t see any of those. He had tinted glasses and he wore his hat low -down near his eyebrows. I couldn’t tell. It might have been him and it -might not.” - -“Well, if you can’t you can’t, and that’s all there is to it. Now -another point. Have you the twenty-pound note?” - -The manager disappeared, returning in a moment with a handful of -money. - -“Here are seven twenty-pound notes: all of that value we hold,” he -explained. “I cannot tell you certainly whether that paid in by your -friend is among them; but it probably is, as the cashier thinks she -did not give such a note in change and no lodgment was made at the -bank since the sale.” - -Eagerly French compared the numbers of the seven with those on his -list, but this time he had no luck. If one of these had come from -Starvel it was one of which Tarkington had not retained the number. - -In spite of this French was certain that he had discovered the truth. -But he felt that before acting on his theory he must put it to the -proof. Fortunately there was a very obvious way of doing so. If he -traced another sale and found that another £20 note had been tendered, -no further doubt could possibly remain. - -Pausing only to ascertain from the salesman that his customer had -spoken with a Scotch accent, French hurried down the street to the -next address on his list. There he had a somewhat different question -to put to the manager. He was looking for a man who had within the -last three or four days bought a wedding ring and who had paid for it -with a £20 note. No, the manager need not be apprehensive. The note -was good and the whole business in order: it was simply a question of -tracing the man. - -Inquiries speedily produced the desired information. A Mr. Russell was -sent for who had sold the ring in question. He remembered the -purchaser, a slightish man of medium height with a heavy black -moustache, a sallow complexion and tinted glasses. Owing to the latter -he had not noted the colour of the man’s eyes, but he had observed -that his hair was long and very dark and that his hands were small. He -thought the man might be the original of the photograph, but he could -not be sure. When the bill had been made out the man had searched his -pockets and had been unable to produce sufficient change. He had said: -“I’m afraid I’m short: I thought I had another ten-shilling note. Can -you change twenty pounds?” The salesman had replied, “Certainly, sir,” -and the man had handed over a £20 note. Both the salesman and the -cashier had examined it carefully and both were satisfied it was -genuine. Unfortunately it had since been paid away and they could not -therefore produce it. - -This information resolved French’s last doubt and he hailed a taxi and -ordered the man to hurry to the Yard. He was more than delighted with -his day. At long last he was on a hot trail. With the vast resources -of the C.I.D. at his disposal it could not now be long before he had -his hands on the criminal of Starvel and had accomplished that triumph -which was to be another milestone on the road which led to promotion. - - - -CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - -Cumulative Evidence - -Inspector French’s satisfaction in this new development was but -slightly marred by his knowledge that a certain amount of the credit -for it must be allotted to his Chief. Mr. Mitchell had certainly -spotted the true significance of the discarding of the wedding rings, -but French now saw that this was a comparatively unimportant -achievement. In the first place it was not due to superior ability, -but to the lucky accident that the rings had fallen on the lighter -instead of going overboard. In the second—and this French thought -fundamental—the episode at the best had only hastened matters. If he -had been left alone he would certainly have traced one of the notes. -Perhaps indeed this would have proved quicker in the end. - -But what, French asked himself, had led to the whole dénouement? Was -it not his, French’s, foresight and ingenuity at the inquest? He had -devised and skilfully baited a trap for his victim, and lo! the victim -had walked into it with the most commendable promptness. He had fallen -for the dope, as French’s former acquaintance, Mrs. Chauncey S. Root -of Pittsburgh, would have put it. And now a little energetic action -and the man would pay the price of his folly. - -For some time after reaching his room French busied himself in putting -in motion against the ingenious purchaser of rings the great machine -of which he was a part. A telephone warning was sent to all stations -that the man whose description had already been circulated in -connection with the Starvel murders had disguised himself with a -moustache and tinted glasses and had recently been in London occupied -in certain business involving taxis and wedding rings. A number of men -were put on to trace the taxi or taxis employed, others to try to -obtain further information at the jewellers’, while still others were -sent round the hotels in the hope of picking up a scent. It was not -indeed until the late afternoon that French had time to settle down -really to consider where he now stood. - -In the first place it was clear not only that Roper had remained in -the country, but that he had kept himself in touch with events in -Thirsby. Of course this latter did not mean much, for the -circumstances of the Starvel case had created widespread interest and -the details which came out at the inquest were fully reported in the -papers. But Roper had evidently been uncertain as to how much the -police knew, and French’s evidence had had the desired reassuring -effect. - -It might, of course, have happened that Roper’s hand had been forced. -He might have run out of cash to live on or he might have required a -lump sum, say, to leave the country. But whatever the reason, he had -determined on a coup. And very cleverly he had arranged it. He must -have made over £18 a purchase, and if he bought forty rings in a day -his profits would amount to over £700. £700 a day was not bad. - -The following day was Sunday, but by Monday evening reports had begun -to come in from French’s little army of workers. Sixteen more shops -had been found at which Roper had bought rings and changed £20 notes, -and one of these notes bore a Starvel number. Moreover it had been -established that his activities had extended over at least three days. -Inquiries at the fashionable restaurants had revealed the fact that on -the Tuesday a man answering Roper’s description had paid for his lunch -at the Carlton with a similar note. French received these items -thankfully, and having made a skeleton time-table of the three days in -question, fitted each item into its appropriate place. - -But none of those who had come in contact with Roper had been able to -add to his knowledge of the man or to give a clue to his present -whereabouts. It was not indeed until the middle of the following -forenoon that information came in which promised more satisfactory -results. - -Within ten minutes of each other two telephone messages were received -stating that taximen who drove Roper had been found. These men on -discovery had been ordered to report themselves at the Yard, and they -arrived almost simultaneously. French had them up to his room in turn. - -The first driver said he had been hailed by a man of the description -in question about 10.0 a.m. on Tuesday of last week. The fare had -explained that he wished to engage his vehicle up till one o’clock. He -was a traveller in precious stones and he wished to be taken to -certain jewellers of which he had a list. The taximan had done as he -was asked. Starting near the Marble Arch, he had visited one jeweller -after another during the whole morning. Shortly after one the fare had -instructed him to drive to Marylebone Station, which was then close -by. There the taxi had been paid off, the fare disappearing into the -station. - -Asked if he could remember all the shops he called at, the man said he -thought he could, and French at once despatched Sergeant Carter with -him to drive over the same ground and make inquiries _en route_. - -The second taximan had a very similar story to tell. About three -o’clock on the Thursday afternoon he was driving slowly down Aldwych, -when he was hailed by a man of the description the sergeant had given -him. The man had engaged him by the hour and had told him of his -business in precious stones and they had driven to a number of -jewellers, ending up about five-thirty at Malseed’s, in the Strand. -There the man had paid him off and he had seen him entering the shop -as he drove away. - -This driver also said he could remember the places at which he had -called, and French sent another of his satellites round with him to -amass information. - -As far as it went, this was satisfactory enough. If the other taximen -could be found, every minute of Roper’s three days would soon be -accounted for. And it would be a strange thing if amongst all those -with whom he had come in contact, some one person had not learnt or -noticed anything which would help to find him. French could recall -many instances where a chance recollection of some physical -peculiarity, of some word or phrase uttered, of some paper or small -article dropped, had led to the identification of a criminal and he -thought the chances of similar good fortune in the present instance -were not too remote. - -All through the afternoon information continued to come in, and when -he had added the items to his skeleton time-table he found that he had -learnt where thirty-one rings had been bought and where Roper had -lunched on each of the three days in question. Of course, this -information did not directly help with his present problem, but there -were two other items of news which seemed more promising. - -The first was that seven of the thirty-one shop assistants who had -been interviewed had noticed a fresh cut on Roper’s thumb, small, but -peculiarly shaped. This was an additional identification which might -be useful in dealing with waiters, dining-car attendants, hotel -porters and others who would be likely to observe a customer’s hand. - -The second item French received with deep satisfaction. Roper had -spent the Tuesday night at the Strand Palace Hotel. This seemed to -negative the suggestion that the man was living in London, and French -therefore became much more hopeful of the prospects of finding his -whereabouts on the Thursday night, the point at which he must start if -he was to succeed in tracing him. - -But it was not until the next afternoon that his hopes were fulfilled. -When he reached the Yard after lunch he found that a telephone message -had just been received from Sergeant Elliott, who was working the -hotels in the Bloomsbury area. Roper, the man reported, had spent the -Thursday night at the Peveril Hotel in Russell Square. - -Within twenty minutes French had reached the building. Sergeant -Elliott was waiting for him in the lounge. - -“How did you get on to him?” French asked, after they had greeted each -other heartily and withdrawn into a quiet corner. - -“Just pegging away, sir; no special clue. This is the sixteenth hotel -I’ve been to. But I think there’s no doubt it’s him. He turned up here -about 7.15 on Thursday evening and asked for a room. On the plea of -having a chill he had a fire in his room and dined there. Next morning -he paid his bill to the waiter and left about 9.45.” - -“Did he take a taxi?” - -“Not from the hotel, sir. He just walked out, carrying a small -suitcase in his hand.” - -“Wasn’t taking any risks. Confound him for giving us all this trouble. -See Elliott, you look round and get hold of the men who were on point -duty hereabouts on Friday morning. Some of them may have noticed him. -Then go round to the nearby Tube Stations. I’ll go back to the Yard -and get the taxis and the terminal stations worked. You follow me?” - -“Right, sir. I’ll go now.” - -French turned to the manager’s office to check his subordinate’s -information. There his inquiries speedily convinced him that Roper had -indeed stayed in the hotel. It was true that he had registered under -the name “Jas. Fulton, Manchester,” but the handwriting set the matter -at rest. That it was Roper’s, French had no doubt whatever. - -Except that one of the waiters had noticed the cut on the man’s right -thumb, this unfortunately was the only result of his inquiries. Though -he was as thorough and painstaking as ever, he could find no clue to -the man’s present whereabouts. - -Returning to the Yard, he recalled the men who were engaged on the -hotels and jewellers’ shops and set them new tasks. Some of them were -to look for a taximan who had taken up a fare of the suspect’s -description in the neighbourhood of Russell Square about 9.45 on the -morning of the previous Friday, the remainder were to visit the great -stations in the hope of learning that the same man had left by train. - -French was accustomed to prompt and efficient service, but when within -an hour the wanted taximan had been found, he could not but admit -pleasurable surprise. He therefore paid a somewhat unusual compliment -to his subordinate on his prowess, and told him to fetch the man -along. - -The driver proved to be a big brawny Irishman. He stated he had picked -up a fare like the man described at the Russell Square end of -Southampton Row about the hour named. The man had carried a small -suitcase and had been walking away from the Square. The driver had not -seen his face clearly, as he had his collar turned up and his hat -pulled low, but when French heard that he spoke with a Scotch accent, -he felt that things were going as they should. It was therefore with -keen interest that he waited for a reply to the question, where had he -driven him? - -“To Gracechurch Street, sorr,” the man answered, “to a block o’ -buildings half-way down the street on the left-hand side.” - -“Could you find it again?” - -“I could, sorr, surely.” - -“Then drive there.” - -An inspection of the plates at each side of the entrance door showed -that the “block o’ buildings” contained eleven suites of offices. -French stood contemplating the names and wondering in which of the -firms Roper had been interested. - -None of them seemed very promising at first sight. There were two coal -merchants, a chemical analyst, a stockbroker, an engineer and -architect, three shipping firms and three commission agents. Of these -the shipping firms seemed the most hopeful and French decided to start -with them. - -Obtaining no information at the shipping offices, he went on to the -remaining firms, and at the seventh he struck oil. The office boy at -Messrs. Dashwood and Munce’s stockbrokers, remembered such a man -calling at the hour in question. He had, he believed, seen Mr. -Dashwood, and it was not long before French was seated in the senior -partner’s room. - -Mr. Dashwood, a tall, thin man with a shrewd expression and keen eyes, -listened attentively while French stated his business. - -“I admit,” he said, “that the description you give resembles that of -our client. But you must be aware, Inspector, that a client’s dealings -are confidential, and unless you can prove to me that this is really -the man you want and that it is my duty to discuss his business I do -not think I feel called on to say any more.” - -“I thoroughly appreciate your position,” French returned suavely, “and -under ordinary circumstances agree that you would be absolutely right. -But these circumstances are not ordinary. Firstly, here are my -credentials, so that you will see that I really am an officer of -Scotland Yard. Secondly, I must take you into my confidence to the -extent of telling you that the man is wanted for a very serious crime -indeed—a triple murder, in fact. You will see, therefore, that you -cannot keep back any information about him which you may possess.” - -Mr. Dashwood shrugged. - -“What you say alters the matter. Tell me what you wish to know.” - -“First, your client’s name and address.” - -Mr. Dashwood consulted a small ledger. - -“Mr. Arthur Lisle Whitman, c/o Mr. Andrew Macdonald, 18 Moray Street, -Pentland Avenue, Edinburgh.” - -“Was he an old client?” - -“No, I had never seen him before.” - -“And what was his business?” - -“He wished us to purchase some stock for him.” - -“Oh,” said French. “Did he pay for it?” - -“Yes, he paid in advance.” - -“In notes of £10 and less in value, I suppose?” - -Mr. Dashwood shot a keen glance at the other. - -“That’s right,” he admitted. “It seemed a peculiar way of doing -things, but he explained that he was a bookmaker and had been doing -some big business lately.” - -“What was the amount?” - -“Roughly two thousand pounds.” - -“No twenty-pound notes, I suppose?” - -“None. He counted it out here, and ten was the highest value.” - -French was delighted. There was no doubt he was on the right track. -Further, three days at £700 just made the required sum. - -“In what stock were you to invest?” - -“Brazilian. A thousand in Government five per cents, and the rest in -rails.” - -This was satisfactory too. French remembered Roper’s Brazilian -passport. At the same time he was slightly puzzled. Surely the man was -not mad enough to imagine he could get out of the country? Still, if -he thought he was not suspected he might try to do so. - -“Where was the interest to be paid? Did he say he was going out?” - -“Yes. He said he was sailing in a few weeks and that he already had an -account in the Beira Bank at Rio, to which the dividends were to be -paid.” - -French laid his photograph and description on the other’s desk. - -“That the man?” - -Mr. Dashwood examined the photograph and slowly read and re-read the -description. - -“I don’t know,” he said at last. “At first glance I should say not, -but on consideration I’m not so sure. If it was he, he was disguised.” - -“I have reason to believe he was disguised.” - -“Then probably it was he. The features which he couldn’t alter, such -as his height and build, correspond all right.” - -“Have you got a specimen of his handwriting?” - -Yes, Mr. Dashwood had his signature to certain forms. French gazed at -the four specimens of “Arthur Lisle Whitman” which were produced. And -then he felt himself up against the same difficulty which had -confronted Mr. Dashwood. At first sight the signatures were not so -obviously Roper’s as those in the Peveril register, but as French -examined them he felt more and more satisfied that the man had indeed -written them, though he had obviously made some attempt at disguise. - -French was more than pleased with his interview when, after warning -Mr. Dashwood to keep the affair secret, he took his departure. In the -first place the whole of Roper’s scheme of escape was at last -revealed. The man had evidently set himself two problems, first, to -change his possibly incriminating twenty-pound notes in such a way -that any which might afterwards be identified should not be traceable -to him, and secondly, to get this money into Brazilian securities, -payable in Brazil, with a similar immunity from risk. And very -cleverly he had solved both these problems. - -But he had made an error, and French smiled grimly as he thought of -it. He had given an address to Dashwood and Munce. A bad, a fatal -error! A trip to Edinburgh for French, and Master John Roper’s career -would meet with a sudden check. And with that the Starvel Hollow crime -would be avenged and French—he hoped against hope—would come in for -his reward. - -Could he not, French wondered, find out something about that address -without leaving London? He turned into a telegraph office and sent a -wire to the Edinburgh police. Early next morning there was a reply. - -It seemed that Mr. Andrews Macdonald of 18 Moray Street, Pentland -Avenue, through whom “Mr. Arthur Lisle Whitman” was to be approached, -was a small tobacconist with a rather shady reputation. It was evident -therefore that Roper had adopted a time-honoured expedient to obtain -his correspondence secretly. Letters could be addressed to Macdonald -and for a consideration they would either be re-addressed to Roper or -be kept till called for. In either case Macdonald would not know who -his client really was or where he was to be found, in the event of -questions from inquisitive seekers. - -French saw that Macdonald, at least if he was a man of strong -character, could give a lot of trouble. He would admit that he kept -letters for Whitman, but would state that Whitman always called for -these and that he did not know where his client was to be found. And -the closest watch kept by the police might be quite unavailing. French -remembered a case in point in the East End. Here a small newsagent had -been chosen as the intermediary, and though the place was kept under -observation for several weeks, the criminal was never seen. It was -only when he was captured through an entirely different line of -research that the reason came out. The newsagent had guessed his -establishment was being shadowed and he had exhibited a prearranged -sign. He had placed a certain article in a certain place in his -window. The criminal, riding past in a bus, had seen the danger signal -and had kept away. - -In the present instance French wished if possible to avoid the chance -of a similar expensive and irritating delay. If he could devise some -other method of attack, this clue of the tobacconist could be kept as -a last resource. - -He took his problem home with him that night, and after he had dined -he drew an arm-chair up to the fire and settled down comfortably with -his pipe to think the thing out. For a considerable time he pondered, -then at last he thought he saw his way. He worked at the details of -his plan until he was satisfied with them, then with a smile of -triumph on his lips and deep satisfaction in his heart he knocked the -ashes out of his pipe, switched off the lights and went up to bed. - - - -CHAPTER NINETEEN - -The Last Lap - -Next morning Inspector French was early occupied in making the -necessary preparations for his great _coup_. The first of these -involved a visit to Messrs. Dashwood and Munce, and the business day -had scarcely begun when he presented himself once more at their -office. - -“I am sorry, Mr. Dashwood, for troubling you so soon again,” he -apologised, “but I want to ask you one other question. Can you tell me -whether Mr. Whitman saw your partner during his call? In other words, -if Mr. Whitman were to meet Mr. Munce, would he recognise him?” - -Mr. Dashwood raised his eyebrows, but he answered without hesitation. - -“Mr. Whitman was shown in to me, and so far as I know, he did not meet -my partner. But Mr. Munce is in his room. We can ask him.” - -The junior partner was a more good-natured looking man than Mr. -Dashwood, and French was sorry he had not had to deal with him -throughout. - -“No, I didn’t see him,” he said with a pleasant smile. “As a matter of -fact I was out at the time you mention. I went over——” he looked at -Dashwood—“to see Troughton about eleven and I did not get back till -after lunch.” - -French nodded. - -“Now, gentlemen,” he went on, “I am obliged for what you have told me -and I am going to ask for your further help in this matter. What I -want is very simple. If any letter or wire or telephone call comes to -you from Whitman will you please advise me before replying? That is -all.” He repeated to Mr. Munce what he had already told Mr. Dashwood -as to his suspicion of Whitman’s criminality, stating that under the -circumstances he felt sure he could count on the assistance of both -gentlemen. - -Mr. Dashwood hemmed and hawed and was inclined to demur. He was, he -pointed out, a stockbroker, not a detective, and he didn’t see why he -should be involved in Inspector French’s machinations. If the -Inspector wished to make an arrest it was up to him to do it himself. -But fortunately for French, Mr. Munce took the opposite view. - -“Oh, come now, Dashwood, hang it all,” he protested, “we’ll have to do -what the Inspector wants. If this Whitman is a murderer we’re pretty -well bound to. Besides, Mr. French doesn’t want us to make any move, -only to sit tight and not spoil his plans. What do you say, now?” - -Mr. Dashwood made a gesture as if washing his hands of the whole -affair, and announced stiffly that if his partner considered such -action in accordance with the traditional relations between -stockbroker and client he would not press his own views. Mr. Munce -thereupon smiled genially at French and assured him that he could -count on his wishes being carried out. - -This was all right so far as it went, and it paved the way for -French’s next proceeding. Going to the nearest telegraph office, he -saw the postmaster, showed him his credentials, and explained that he -wished to send a reply prepaid telegram, the answer to which was not -to be delivered at its address, but was to be sent to him at Scotland -Yard. Then drawing a form towards him he wrote:— - - “To Whitman, care of Macdonald, 18 Moray Street, Pentland Avenue, - Edinburgh. - - “Serious fall in Brazilian stocks impending. Advise modification of - plans. Would like an interview. Munce travels to Aberdeen by 10.0 - a.m. from King’s Cross, Tuesday. Could you see him at Waverley where - train waits from 6.15 to 6.33? - “Dashwood & Munce.” - -This, French thought, should draw Roper. Unless the man was -extraordinarily well up in Brazilian politics, of which the chances -were negligible, he would suspect nothing amiss. And if he did not -suspect a trap he would almost certainly turn up. Not only would he -really be anxious about his money, but he would see that it would be -suspicious not to show such anxiety. - -All the same French believed that the telegram should be confirmed by -a letter. In the ordinary course of business such a letter would -necessarily follow, and Roper might notice the omission. - -To ascertain the form of Messrs. Dashwood and Munce’s correspondence -French adopted a simple expedient. He wrote confidentially to the firm -saying he had just learnt that the man in whom he was interested had -particularly small ears, and asking whether Mr. Dashwood had noticed -Whitman’s. This letter he sent by hand and in an hour back came an -answer. It took a comparatively short time to print a similar letter -form, and on this French typed the following with the same coloured -ribbon and spacing:— - - “Dear Sir,—Confirming wire sent you to-day. We beg to state that we - have just had confidential advices from our agents in Brazil, - warning us that unsettled conditions are imminent which are likely - to depress Government securities considerably. Under these - circumstances we feel that we would like to discuss the question of - your investments, as we think you would be wiser to modify your - original proposals. In such matters a personal interview is more - satisfactory than correspondence, and as Mr. Munce happens to be - passing through Edinburgh next Tuesday, we thought perhaps it might - be convenient to you to see him at the station. The train waits long - enough to enable him to explain the situation fully. - Yours faithfully,” - -French copied the “Dashwood and Munce” signature and despatched the -letter by the evening mail. He was in hopes that it would allay any -suspicion the telegram might have raised in Roper’s mind, while at the -same time involving no reply to the stockbrokers other than that of -the prepaid wire which would be delivered at the Yard. - -The next point to be considered was the matter of Roper’s -identification. French did not believe he could manage this himself. -He had never seen the man. He had, of course, a copy of the photograph -on the passport, but he did not consider this sufficient. In a matter -of such importance he dared not leave a loop-hole for mistake. He felt -he must have some one who knew Roper there to assist him. - -He thought at once of Ruth Averill. Of all the persons he had come -across she probably knew Roper’s appearance best. But he felt the job -was not one for a young girl and he cast round for some one else. - -No one at Thirsby seemed suitable. Several people there had been -acquainted with Roper, but he did not think any had known him -sufficiently intimately to penetrate a disguise, should the man still -be wearing one. Nor did he believe any one at Kintilloch would be much -better, though for a while he considered getting Sergeant McGregor. - -Finally, he decided that he would ask Philpot. Philpot had known Roper -intimately at the Ransome and had seen him at intervals up till the -tragedy. He was now in Glasgow: nearer than any one else that French -could get. Moreover, Philpot hated Roper and would no doubt be glad to -put the final spoke in his wheel. French was sure he would come for -the asking. - -Accordingly he drew a sheet of paper to him and wrote:— - - “_Strictly private and confidential,_ - - “New Scotland Yard. - “Dear Dr. Philpot,—You will be surprised to hear from me, and - particularly to learn that I believe I have got my hands on the man - wanted for the affair I have been working on. I do not wish to give - details in a letter, but it is a man whom you know well and whom we - all thought to be dead. You can probably guess from this. - - “We have found that under an alias he has been transferring his money - abroad, and in the name of the stockbrokers concerned I have asked - him to meet their junior partner at Waverley Station, Edinburgh, on - Tuesday next at 6.15 p.m. on the arrival of the 10.0 a.m. from - King’s Cross. The junior partner will not be there, but I shall, and - I hope to make the arrest. - - “My difficulty is that I cannot myself identify the wanted man. In - this I want your kind help. Will you please meet me under Scott’s - Monument at 5.0 p.m.? I shall then ask you to accompany me to the - station and from some inconspicuous place keep a look-out for him. - When you see him you will tell me and I shall do the rest. - - “I ask you to assist me in this, and feel sure that when you - consider all the circumstances of the case you will agree to do so. - - “Will you please wire your decision on receipt of this letter. - - “Yours faithfully, - “Joseph French.” - -For the next few hours French was like the proverbial hen on the hot -griddle. Every time his telephone bell rang he snatched up the -receiver hoping that the caller was the post office from which he had -sent his message. Every time the door opened he looked up eagerly to -see if it was not an orange coloured telegraph message that was being -brought in. He found it hard to settle to work, so much depended on -his plans succeeding. - -When, therefore, about four in the afternoon a wire was brought to -him, he had to exercise real self-control not to snatch the paper from -the messenger. And then he could have laughed with delight. The -message had been handed in at the General Post Office in Edinburgh, -and read:— - - “To Dashwood and Munce, - “Dover House, - “Gracechurch Street, - “Your wire. Will meet Munce as suggested. - “Whitman.” - -So far, so very excellent! Here was the major difficulty overcome! On -Tuesday evening the public career of John Roper would come to a sudden -stop. The end of the case was at last in sight. - -Early the next morning a second telegram was handed to French, which -gave him almost equally great satisfaction. It was from Philpot and -read:— - - “Will meet you place and time stated.” - -There was now just one other point to be settled. Roper was coming to -the station to meet Munce. But Munce was not going to Edinburgh. Some -one must therefore take his place. - -It would be better to have some one as like Munce in appearance as -possible. In spite of the statement of the partners, Roper might have -got a glimpse of Munce or at least have had his description. In view -of this very summons he might make it his business to learn what the -man was like. French considered his brother officers and he soon saw -that Inspector Tanner, with a slight make-up, could present himself as -a very passable imitation of the junior partner. The men were about -the same build and colouring, and an alteration in the cut of Tanner’s -hair, a pair of spectacles, different clothes and a change of manner -would do all that was necessary. - -French went to Tanner’s room and arranged the matter. Tanner was to -call and see Munce on some matter of a prospective investment which -would afterwards fall through, and while there observe his model. He -would then make himself up and travel to Edinburgh by the 10.0 a.m. -from King’s Cross. On reaching Waverley he would co-operate with -French as circumstances demanded. - -To enable him to keep his appointment with Philpot, French found he -must leave London on the Monday night. He therefore took the 11.35 -p.m. from Euston, and about eight o’clock the next morning reached -Princess Street Station. He had not been to Edinburgh for years, and -emerging from the station, he was struck afresh with the beauty of the -gardens and the splendour of the Castle Rock. But Princess Street -itself, which he had once thought so magnificent, seemed to have -shrunk, and its buildings to have grown smaller and plainer. “Too much -foreign travel,” he thought, vaguely regretful of his change of -outlook; “the towns abroad certainly spoil one for ours.” - -He spent most of the day in exploring the historic buildings of the -old town, then as five o’clock approached he entered the Princess -Street Gardens, and strolling towards Scott’s Monument, took his stand -in an inconspicuous place and looked around him. - -Almost immediately he saw Philpot. The doctor was muffled in a heavy -coat, a thick scarf high about his ears, and fur-lined gloves—a -get-up, French shrewdly suspected, intended more as a disguise from -Roper than a protection from the cold. He was approaching from the -Waverley Station direction, walking slowly, as if conscious that he -was early. French moved to meet him. - -“Well, doctor, this is very good of you. A surprising development, -isn’t it?” - -Philpot shook hands, and glancing round, said eagerly: - -“Look here, I want to understand about it. I was quite thrilled by -your letter. You tell me you know the Starvel murderer, and you seem -to hint that it is Roper—at least, I don’t know whom else you can -refer to. But surely, Inspector, you couldn’t mean that?” - -“Why not?” - -“Why not? Why, because— I don’t know, but the idea seems absolutely -absurd. Roper’s dead. If he is not dead, whose was the third body -found? Are you really serious?” - -“Yes,” French said in a low tone. “I am quite satisfied that Roper -escaped from that house and that some poor devil was murdered and -buried in his place. And what’s more, I’ll have him in an hour’s time. -Come. Let us walk to the station and take up a position before he -arrives.” - -They moved off, while Philpot clamoured for further details. French, -true to his traditions of caution, was not overcommunicative, but he -explained some of the reasons which had led him to believe in Roper’s -guilt, and told of the purchases of rings which the man had made to -get rid of his tainted money. Philpot evinced the keenest interest and -plied the other with questions. - -French told him as much as his training would allow, which was as -little as he conveniently could, and then he switched the conversation -on to the coming scene. Did Philpot know the station? If so, where had -they best hide so as to see the train arrive while remaining -themselves unobserved? - -On reaching the platform French introduced himself to the -station-master and explained his business. He had arranged for Tanner -to travel in the last first-class compartment in the train, and he now -found out from the station-master where this coach would stop. -Opposite was the window of one of the offices, and on French asking -whether they might use it for reconnoitring purposes, the -station-master at once gave them the unrestricted use of the room. -There, hidden from view by a screen, the two men took up their -positions and began to scrutinise those who were assembling on the -platform to meet the train. - -Philpot was fidgety and nervous, and from one or two remarks that he -made, French saw the direction in which his thoughts were running. -Evidently he was afraid that if he assisted in Roper’s capture, the -man would round on him and try to make trouble for him about Mrs. -Philpot’s death. In vain French attempted to reassure him. He was -clearly uneasy in his mind, but presently he seemed to master his -fears and concentrated his attention on the platform outside. - -Time passed slowly until the train was almost due. A large number of -persons had collected and were strolling slowly up and down or -standing talking in little groups. French and his companion watched -the moving throng from behind their screen, but no one resembling -Roper put in an appearance. This, however, was not disconcerting. It -was not unlikely that the man had also taken cover and was waiting -until he saw some one who might be Munce before coming out into the -open. - -French, as the time dragged slowly away, was conscious of the thrill -of the hunter who waits before a clump of jungle for a hidden -man-eater. The crisis that was approaching was almost as important to -him as the tiger’s exit to the sportsman. This was the last lap of his -case, the climax of the work of many weeks. If he carried off his -_coup_ all would be well; it would bring the affair to a triumphant -conclusion, and to himself possibly the reward he coveted. But if any -slip took place it would be a bad look-out for him. There was his and -Tanner’s time besides the expense of these journeys to Scotland, not -to speak of his own loss of prestige. No, French felt he could not -afford to miss this chance, and insensibly his brows contracted and -his lips tightened as he stood waiting for what was coming. - -Presently a movement amongst the passengers on the platform and a -heavy rumble announced the advent of the express. The huge engine with -its high-pitched boiler and stumpy funnel rolled slowly past, followed -by coach after coach, brightly lighted, luxurious, gliding smoothly -by. A first-class coach stopped opposite the window and French, gazing -eagerly out, presently saw Tanner descend and glance up and down the -platform. - -Now was the moment! Roper could not be far away. - -But Tanner continued to look searchingly about him. The additional -bustle of the arrival waxed and waned and the platform began to clear, -people drifting away towards the exit or clustering round carriage -doors close to the train. And still no sign of Roper. - -The express was timed to wait for eighteen minutes, and of these at -least fifteen had slipped away. Porters were already slamming doors, -and the guard was coming forward, lamp in hand, ready to give the -right away signal. Tanner stepped forward clear of the train and once -again gazed up and down the platform, then as the hands of the clock -reached the starting time he turned back and retrieved his suitcase -from the compartment. The guard whistled and waved his green lamp, the -coaches began to glide slowly away, the dull rumble swelled up and -died away, and in a second or two some rapidly dwindling red lights -were all that were left of the train. - -French was almost speechless from chagrin. Had his plan failed? Was it -possible that Roper had been one too many for him? Had the man -suspected a plant and kept away from the station? Or was he even now -in some hidden nook on the platform doubtful of Tanner’s identity and -waiting to see what would materialise? - -As the minutes slipped away French, unspeakably disappointed, found -himself forced to the conclusion that the affair had miscarried. Roper -must have become alive to his danger. Perhaps he had suspected -French’s wire and had replied as he did merely in order to gain time -to disappear. Perhaps by this time the clue of the tobacconist’s shop -itself was a washout. French swore bitterly. - -But they could not remain in the office for ever, nor could Tanner be -left to pace the platform indefinitely. With a word of explanation to -Philpot, French passed out, and the two men strolled in the direction -of Tanner. French greeted him quietly and introduced Philpot, and the -three stood talking. - -“Washout?” Tanner said laconically, glancing at his colleague. - -“Looks like it,” French admitted, and turning to Philpot, began to -apologise for having brought him from Glasgow on a wild goose chase. -“I’m sorry that I can’t stay and offer you hospitality either,” he -went on. “I must get round to police headquarters and start some -further inquiries. But let us go and have a parting drink to our -mutual good luck in the future.” - -They passed into the refreshment room, French pre-occupied and, for -him, somewhat brusque, Tanner frankly bored, and Philpot showing -evidences of mixed feelings of disappointment and relief. - -“I wish you people weren’t so infernally close about your business,” -the doctor complained as they stood at the bar waiting for the three -small Scotches and sodas French had ordered. “Here am I, vastly -interested in the affair and anxious to know what your further chances -are, and you’re as close as a pair of limpets. Surely I know so much -that a little more won’t hurt. Do you think you’ll get him soon?” - -French laughed disagreeably. - -“I don’t say exactly how soon,” he answered grimly, “but you may take -it from me that we’ll get him all right. We have a hot scent. We’ll -have the man before any of us are much older. Well, doctor, here’s -yours.” - -He tossed off his whisky, while Philpot, picking up his glass, -murmured his toast. And then suddenly French stiffened and stood -motionless, staring at the other’s hand. There in the flesh at the -right hand side of his right thumb and projecting slightly on to the -nail was an almost healed cut of a peculiar shape: a shape which -French had had described and sketched for him by seven of the men who -had sold rings to the changer of twenty-pound notes in London! -French’s brain whirled. Surely, surely, it couldn’t be! - -Philpot noted the other’s change of expression and followed the -direction of his gaze. Then with a sudden gesture of rage and despair -he dropped his glass, and his left hand flashed to the side pocket of -his coat. French had noticed that this pocket bulged as if it -contained some round object of fair size such as an apple or an -orange. Philpot drew out a dark-coloured ball of some kind and began -desperately fumbling at it with his right hand. And then French saw -what the man was doing. The object was a Mills’ bomb and he was -pulling out the pin! - -With a yell to Tanner for help, French flung himself on the doctor, -and clutching his left hand, squeezed it desperately over the bomb. -The pin was out, but the man’s hand prevented the lever from moving. -If his grasp were relaxed for even an instant nothing could save all -three from being blown to atoms! - -Philpot’s mild and gentle face was convulsed with fury. His lips -receded from his teeth and he snarled like a wild beast as he -struggled wildly to release his grip. His right fist smashed furiously -into French’s face and he twisted like an eel in the other’s grasp. -Then Tanner also seized him and the three men went swinging and -rolling and staggering about the room, knocking over tables and chairs -and sweeping a row of glasses from the bar. Philpot fought with the -fury of desperation. To the others it seemed incredible that so slight -a man could show such strength. He strove desperately to free his left -hand from French’s clasp, while French with both hands tried for -nothing but to keep it tightly closed on the bomb. - -But the struggle was uneven and only one end was possible. Gradually -Tanner improved his grip until at last he was able to use a kind of -jiu-jitsu lock which held the other steady at the risk of a broken -right arm. This lock he was able to maintain with his left hand, while -with the other he took the pin of the bomb from the now nerveless -fingers and with infinite care, French shifting his hands to allow of -it, slipped the pin back into place. A moment later the bomb lay -safely on the counter, while its owner sat faint and exhausted and -securely handcuffed. - -By the good offices of the barmaid French was able to wash the blood -from his face, and a few minutes later a taxi was procured, and almost -before the excited throng on the platform had learnt what was amiss, -the three actors in the little drama had vanished from their ken. - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY - -Conclusion - -The identity of the criminal known, it took Inspector French but a -short time to compile a complete and detailed account of that terrible -series of crimes which comprised what had become known as the Starvel -Hollow Tragedy. Herbert Philpot, once he understood that the evidence -against him was overwhelming and that nothing could save him from the -scaffold, broke down completely and made a confession which cleared up -the few points which from their nature it was impossible that French -could have learnt otherwise. - -The first act of the Inspector, on lodging his prisoner in jail, was -to visit his rooms in Glasgow. There in a battered leather portmanteau -he discovered a large cashbox of hardened steel which when broken open -was found to contain the balance of Mr. Averill’s money. With the -£2000 which had been paid to Messrs. Dashwood and Munce, no less a sum -than £36,562 was recovered, no doubt all the old miser had possessed. -Ruth Averill therefore received her fortune intact, and between the -consequent easing of her circumstances and her engagement to Pierce -Whymper, she found the happiness which had been denied her during her -early years. - -The history of the crime, as French at last presented it, made very -terrible reading. Like most accounts of human weakness and guilt, it -arose from small beginnings and increased stage by stage, until at -last almost inevitably it reached its frightful consummation. - -The trouble first arose in that house near the Ransome Institute in -Kintilloch, when Dr. Philpot discovered that he and his wife had -nothing in common and that their marriage had been a fatal blunder. -There is no need to recount the steps by which they drifted apart: it -is enough to say that within two years of the wedding their hatred was -mutual and bitter. Then Philpot became intimate with the nurse whom -Roper afterwards found him embracing in the Institute shrubbery, and -from that time the idea of getting rid of his wife by murder was never -far from the doctor’s mind. At first he did not see how this could be -done, but as he brooded over the problem a method presented itself, -and coldly and deliberately he made his preparations. - -First, he selected a time when his wife should be alone with him in -the house. Taking advantage of Flora’s absence one afternoon, he made -a pretext to get Mrs. Philpot up to the bedroom landing. Silently he -slipped upstairs after her and across the top of the lower flight he -tied a dark-brown silk cord. Then, returning to the study, he called -to her for Heaven’s sake to come quickly for the house was on fire. -She rushed down, caught her foot in the cord, and fell headlong to the -hall below. She was stunned though not killed, but Philpot was -prepared for this eventuality. Seizing the only implement he could -find, a cricket bat, he struck her savagely on the temple, killing her -instantaneously. As he expected, the blow made a bruise such as she -might have received from the fall, and no suspicion was aroused by it. - -But an unexpected contingency had given Philpot away. He had supposed -that the servant, Flora, had really gone to visit her sick mother. But -in this he was mistaken. It was to see, not her mother but her lover, -Roper, that the girl had left the house, and this afternoon, like many -another before it, she met him in a near-by copse. There, just after -they had greeted each other, a heavy shower came on, and Flora had -proposed an adjournment to the kitchen for shelter. To this Roper had -agreed, and they had just settled down therein for their fifteen -minutes’ chat when they heard Philpot’s shout to his wife, followed in -a moment by Mrs. Philpot’s scream of terror and the crash of her fall. -Flora involuntarily sprang to her feet and ran up the stairs from the -basement to the hall. But she was transfixed by the sight which met -her eyes and she stood rigid, gazing at Philpot. Roper had by this -time crept up the stairs behind her, and both actually saw the doctor -commit the murder. Flora was about to reveal herself, but Roper’s grip -tightened upon her wrist and held her motionless. Watching thus, they -saw Philpot rapidly examine the body, and apparently satisfied that -life was extinct, wipe the cricket bat and replace it in the stand. -Then he ran upstairs and removed the silk cord, afterwards stooping -over the floor on the half-way landing. They could not see what he was -doing, but the evidence given later as to the hole in the carpet made -his action clear. - -Then followed a dramatic moment. When Philpot came downstairs he found -Roper and Flora standing in the hall, and they soon let him know that -they had witnessed the whole of his terrible proceedings. Philpot -attempted to bluster, but he was quite unable to carry it off, and at -last he asked Roper what he proposed to do. - -Roper, in his way quite as unscrupulous as the doctor, had instantly -thought how he might turn the affair to his own advantage, and he -quickly stated his terms. If Philpot would increase his ten shillings -a week to forty, thus enabling Roper and Flora to marry in comfort, -the evidence against him would be withheld. Philpot protested, but -Roper was adamant and the doctor had to give way. Had that been all -that Roper required, the matter would have been settled in five -minutes. But the attendant pointed out that unless he had some -material proof of the crime, his hold over Philpot would be gone by -the evening: if he did not give his testimony at once he would have to -explain later why he had withheld it. He would therefore follow the -precedent he had set in the case of the nurse, and would require from -Philpot a signed confession of the murder. He swore solemnly to keep -this secret as long as the money was paid, but with equal solemnity -swore to send it anonymously to the police the first time the two -pounds failed to materialise. Again Philpot blustered, but again he -had to give way. But he pointed out that a confession would take some -time to prepare, and that if he wrote it then and there the body would -be cold before the police and another doctor were called in, which -would give the whole affair away. Roper admitted this difficulty and -proposed the following solution. He would give Philpot until nine -o’clock that night to write it. If it was not forthcoming Flora and he -would visit the police station with the yarn that Flora alone had seen -what had taken place—but without revealing herself to Philpot; that -she had been so frightened she did not know what to do; that she had -consulted him, Roper, and that he had told her she must immediately -reveal what she knew. - -Philpot had perforce to agree to this, and by nine o’clock the -confession was ready. But Philpot with perverse ingenuity found a way -of tricking his adversary and rendering it useless. He was an -extraordinarily clever draughtsman and had frequently amused himself -by forging the handwriting of others. Now he forged his own. He wrote -the confession out, and then copied it, letter by letter, _upside -down_. The result was a passable imitation of his own handwriting, but -one which any expert would recognise as a forgery. If the document -were produced his denial of its authorship would be accepted without -question. - -But Philpot did not wish the document to be produced. It was too -horribly credible, and inquiries by the police might easily lead to -some discovery which would convict him. With all the appearance of -reluctant good faith he therefore handed over the document and -promised to pay the two pounds a week with the utmost regularity. -Roper, believing in the value of his instrument and fearing Philpot -might make an effort to regain it, rented a box in a safe deposit and -stored it there. - -Some four months later Philpot, as already stated, left the Ransome -Institute and put up his plate at Thirsby. There he speedily made the -acquaintance of Mr. Averill. The old man indeed called him in, -thinking that the fees of a newcomer who had to make his way would be -less than those of a well-established practitioner. - -When Roper was dismissed from the Institute he wrote to Philpot asking -if he could help him towards getting another job, and it was while -thinking over this request that the first idea of the crime entered -the doctor’s mind. His plan was if possible to get Averill to dismiss -his servants and to employ the Ropers in their places. Then he -intended to get the couple to join with him in the murder of Averill -and the theft of his money. - -At first Philpot’s only idea was to obtain as firm a hold over the -Ropers as they had over him, so as to free himself not only from the -serious financial drain of their blackmail, but also from the terrible -haunting fear that sooner or later they would betray him. But further -consideration showed him a way by which he could get enormously more -than this. By it not only would he achieve absolute safety in -connection with his wife’s death, but the whole of Averill’s wealth -might be his. It was no doubt a very terrible plan, for it involved -committing two other murders, but fear and greed had by this time -rendered Philpot almost inhuman and he cared for nothing but his own -welfare. By this plan both the Ropers were to be done to death in such -a way that suspicion could not possibly fall on himself. Even -suspicion that a crime had been committed at all was unlikely, but if -this by some unforeseen circumstance were aroused, it would certainly -be believed that Roper had not died, but had committed the crime -himself. After careful thought Philpot decided to put his plan into -operation. - -First, he sent Roper a note to meet him at a secluded point on -Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, and there he put up his proposal. Roper -listened eagerly and accepted with alacrity. But in the course of -conversation he made an admission and suggested a modification which -amazed the doctor, but which, as it fell in with the latter’s secret -plan, he agreed to after some show of objection. Roper, it appeared, -had also made a mistake in his marriage. He had also grown to hate his -wife and would go to any lengths to regain his freedom. In the light -of the doctor’s proposal he saw his chance. Old Averill was to be -murdered and to cover up the crime an accident was to be staged. Very -well: Mrs. Roper could be got rid of at the same time. The same -accident would account for both deaths. The two men discussed the -ghastly details, and by the time they parted the whole hideous affair -was cut and dry. Briefly, the plan was as follows:— - -Roper should first arrange his getaway, and while still living at -Kintilloch should apply for a passport for Brazil. Inquiries about him -would come to the local police, who would certify that he was the -original of the photograph enclosed and that the matter was in order. -Roper would drop a hint that he had a brother in Santos whom he had -often thought of joining, a course which he proposed to follow now -that he had left the Ransome. On receipt of the passport he would -obtain the necessary visa. - -Philpot in the meantime was to see Averill and try to get him to -dismiss his servants and install Roper and his wife in their places. -As a matter of fact he found this an easy task. Working on the old -man’s weakness, Philpot explained that having left the Ransome under a -cloud, Roper would be thankful to take a job at a greatly reduced -salary. This was enough for Averill, and he at once gave his people -notice and offered their positions to the Ropers. - -The couple thereupon settled down at Starvel, and by living exemplary -lives sought to establish a reputation for integrity which would tend -to support the accident theory to be put forward later. Philpot -insisted that for at least a year they were to carry out their duties -quietly, so that no one would think the “accident” came suspiciously -soon after their advent. “We are going to make all the money we want -for the rest of our lives,” he would say to Roper. “No precaution is -too great to be observed.” - -Philpot told Roper quite openly that he wished to use the crime to -free himself from the other’s blackmail. Roper on his part accepted -the position, as he considered the money would be worth it, and also -as he believed that his hold over Philpot would remain strong enough -to protect him completely. The two scoundrels therefore concluded -their evil compact, deciding to act jointly in all respects and so to -bear equal responsibility. After the crime Roper was to emigrate to -Brazil, the idea that he had lost his life being suggested by the -dreadful expedient of leaving a third body in the house, which, it was -hoped, would be taken for his. - -The procuring of this third body was not the least of their -difficulties. Markham Giles was to be the victim; in fact it was -Giles’ existence which had suggested the plan to Philpot. The man was -known to be in poor health, and a few doses of a mild poison would -make it poorer still. The result was that his death at the critical -time excited no comment. - -Philpot was to assist in the murders, and partly as a safeguard -against night callers, and partly to establish an alibi, he determined -to fake illness. He therefore took to his bed on Thursday evening, -telling his housekeeper he had influenza. The symptoms were easy to -simulate and a doctor knows ways of raising the temperature. His -housekeeper and the aged Dr. Emerson were easily deceived, and on the -two dreadful nights of crime he was able to leave his house unheard -and unsuspected. - -For the safe working of the scheme it was necessary that Ruth Averill -should be got rid of. We have seen how this was done, but it -unexpectedly involved drugging her uncle to prevent the fraud from -becoming known. The plan was, of course, Philpot’s. He supplied all -the necessary forged letters and the ten pounds, but Roper carried out -the actual details. Ruth left for York on the Tuesday, and that -evening after dusk had fallen Roper and Philpot met secretly at -Markham Giles’ cottage, and there in cold blood the two miscreants -murdered the unfortunate man by a forcible injection of cocaine. They -left him in bed, Roper undertaking to “discover” his death next -morning. On that fatal Wednesday morning he arranged the funeral in -such wise that the body would be coffined and left in the house that -night. - -The Whymper episode had been thought out to learn whether or not the -numbers of Averill’s notes were known. Roper would not murder the old -man without Philpot’s actual assistance, lest the doctor might evade -his share of responsibility, so he kept him drugged to enable the £500 -to be obtained. Whymper on that Wednesday evening was brought out to -Starvel and made the accomplices’ dupe. - -On that same fateful evening Roper laid the foundation of the accident -theory by simulating drunkenness in Thirsby. Of course it was a lucky -chance for him that George Mellowes should overtake him on the way -home, but even without this he believed he had arranged sufficient -evidence of his condition. - -Then came the hideous deeds of that tragic night. Under cover of -darkness Philpot went out to Starvel and there with almost incredible -callousness and deliberation first Mrs. Roper and then Averill were -done to death by throttling, their bodies being laid on their -respective beds. Next the safe was robbed and the contents packed in -two despatch cases, half for Philpot and half for Roper. The -newspapers were burned in the safe, the latter locked, and the key -replaced under Averill’s pillow. Finally, petrol was poured over the -house, ready to be set alight at the proper moment. - -The next step was to bring over the body of Markham Giles. Philpot and -Roper took the handcart from the outhouse and went across the moor to -the unfortunate man’s cottage. There they opened the coffin, with -diabolical coolness took out the remains, laid them on the handcart, -placed a suitable weight of earth in the coffin and screwed down the -lid. They wheeled the body to Starvel, and carrying it upstairs, left -it on Roper’s bed. - -All this time Philpot had carried out his part of the affair so -wholeheartedly that any suspicion that might have lurked in Roper’s -mind as to his companion’s good faith had been completely dispelled. -But Philpot had been only biding his time until his dupe had given him -all the assistance that he required with his own even more hideous -plan. - -As they turned to set fire to the house Philpot moved rapidly behind -his victim and suddenly with all his strength struck him in the back -with a large knife which he had secreted in his pocket. Roper, stabbed -to the heart, fell and died in a few seconds. - -There were now in that sinister house the bodies of no less than four -murdered persons—Giles, Averill and the two Ropers. But of these only -three must be found. Philpot had foreseen the difficulty and quickly -and methodically he proceeded to meet it. One of the four bodies must -be buried, so that no suspicion of untoward or unusual events might -afterwards be aroused, and no investigation as to the identity of the -fourth victim might lead to the truth. He chose that of Giles for two -reasons. First, it was the lightest, and second, if identification of -any of them should prove possible, it would obviously be safer to have -those of Averill and the Ropers found. The interment accomplished, he -transferred Roper’s portion of the money to his own despatch case, set -the house on fire and returned unseen to Thirsby. - -Philpot was pretty certain that no suspicion would fall on him, but to -safeguard himself still further he adopted yet another subterfuge. -Some months before the crime he began deliberately to lose money by -betting. When the crime was committed he was known to be in low water, -and he was careful afterwards to continue gambling, even to the extent -of ruining his ostensible career and going through the bankruptcy -courts. In this way he hoped to dispel any suggestion that he had -recently come into money, and give a reasonable excuse for quitting -Thirsby. - -From what French had told him, Philpot realised that the numbers of -some of the stolen notes were known, and French’s announcement at the -inquest he did not fully believe, fearing a trap. His ready money was, -however, by this time exhausted, and he set to work to devise means -not only to obtain more, but also to transfer a nest-egg to Brazil, to -which country it had all along been his intention to emigrate. - -The arrangements for this journey he had carried out with the same -careful regard to detail which had characterised his other actions. -Hidden in the cashbox with Averill’s money French found a passport -made out for Brazil in the name of Arthur Lisle Whitman, with a -photograph of Philpot, viséed and complete and—a forgery. The way in -which this had been done showed the man’s extraordinary ingenuity once -again. He had obtained in the ordinary way a passport for himself for -holidaying in France. Roper’s passport with its Brazilian _visé_ he -had searched for and stolen before setting fire to the house. Of these -two he had built up a new one, using certain pages from each. From his -own book he took the description of himself, his stamped photograph -and the vacant pages at the back. On certain blank pages from Roper’s -he forged both the printing and writing where he could not suitably -alter his own, as well as obtaining a model of the Brazilian _visé_, -which he also forged. - -The wretched criminal’s last move, the meeting with French at -Waverley, was on his part a throw of the dice. On receipt of the wire -to Whitman through the Edinburgh tobacconist he half-suspected a trap, -and of course the plan became apparent when French’s letter to himself -arrived. He saw, however, that he was either quite safe or -irretrievably lost. If French had no inkling of the truth it was -evident that he must keep the appointment and continue to play his -game. On the other hand, if French knew, nothing could save him, and -he would make an end of things for all concerned with his Mills’ bomb. - -To bring this tale of the Starvel Hollow Tragedy to a close it remains -only to be said that after a dramatic trial Herbert Philpot paid for -his crimes with his life, while to turn to a happier side of the -picture, Pierce Whymper and Ruth Averill were united in the bonds of -holy matrimony where both found the happiness which at one time had -seemed likely to be denied them. - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - -This transcription follows the text of the edition published by -Grosset & Dunlap in 1927 (by arrangement with Harper & Brothers). -However, the following alterations have been made to correct what are -believed to be unambiguous errors in the text: - - * “be would consult” to “he would consult” (Ch. VI); - * “the man” to “The man” (Ch. IX); - * “arroused” to “aroused” (Ch. X); - * “oxyacetlene” to “oxyacetylene” (Ch. 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