another."

"What is the meaning of all this philosophy, Mr. Field?" Berrington
asked.

"Well, I think it is pretty obvious, if you care to see it. We are
engaged, just for the present, on looking for a private hansom, painted
black, in which is seated a lame gentleman. The rest of our
investigation does not matter just now, because we have beyond doubt
actually traced the parties who conveyed the body of Sir Charles from
the hotel. When the lame gentleman is spoken of you say something about
No. 100, Audley Place. It is quite obvious that you know something of
the man, or at any rate you think you do. May I point out that it is
your duty to help us if you can."

Berrington looked uncomfortable. As a matter of fact he had made up his
mind to say nothing as to Audley Place.

"There are several Audley Places in the Directory," Field went on. "I
am sure you would not put us to the trouble of looking them all up, sir.
Tell me all you know. Anything that you may say will be treated as
confidential."

"I quite see your reasoning," Berrington replied. "Let me tell you that
I should have said nothing--for the present, at any rate--had I not
betrayed myself. Look here, Field, I might just as well inform you that
we are treading on very delicate ground here. As soon as I begin to
speak, Sir Charles's daughter comes into the business."

"You mean Miss Darryll--Mrs. Richford, I should say. How, Colonel?"

"Because I am quite sure that she knows something of the matter. In the
first place you must understand that the marriage was the reverse of a
love match. Sir Charles's affairs were in anything but a prosperous
condition at the time of his death."

"In fact he was on the point of being arrested in connection with a
certain company," Field said coolly. "I got that information from the
City Police. It was a mere piece of gossip, but I did not identify it as
in any way connected with the subsequent tragedy."

"Well, I should not be surprised to hear that it had an important
bearing on the mystery. As far as I could judge after the wedding there
was a quarrel between Mr. and Mrs. Richford----"

"Ah!" Field exclaimed. His face was shrewd and eager. "Can you tell me
what about?"

"Indeed, I cannot. I cannot even guess. But I can't see what that has to
do with it."

"Can't you indeed, sir?" Field asked drily. "Mrs. Richford shall tell me
herself, presently. But we are getting no nearer to the lame gentleman
in Audley Place