when we do know a lot more!"

"I set store by platitudes, sir," retorted Harker. "You can't repeat an
established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on
it. But now, till we do know more--you've no doubt been thinking a lot
about this matter, Dr. Bryce--hasn't it struck you that there's one
feature in connection with Brake, or Braden's visit to Wrychester to
which nobody's given any particular attention up to now--so far as we
know, at any rate?"

"What?" demanded Bryce.

"This," replied Harker. "Why did he wish to see the Duke of Saxonsteade?
He certainly did want to see him--and as soon as possible. You'll
remember that his Grace was questioned about that at the inquest and
could give no explanation--he knew nothing of Brake, and couldn't
suggest any reason why Brake should wish to have an interview with him.
But--I can!"

"You?" exclaimed Bryce.

"I," answered Harker. "And it's this--I spoke just now of that man
Glassdale. Now you, of course; have no knowledge of him, and as you
don't keep yourself posted in criminal history, you don't know what his
offence was?"

"You said--forgery?" replied Bryce.

"Just so--forgery," assented Harker. "And the signature that he forged
was--the Duke of Saxonsteade's! As a matter of fact, he was the Duke's
London estate agent. He got wrong, somehow, and he forged the Duke's
name to a cheque. Now, then, considering who Glassdale is, and that he
was certainly a fellow-convict of Brake's, and that I myself saw him
here in Wrychester on the day of Brake's death--what's the conclusion
to be drawn? That Brake wanted to see the Duke on some business of
Glassdale's! Without a doubt! It may have been that he and Glassdale
wanted to visit the Duke, together."

Bryce silently considered this suggestion for awhile.

"You said, just now, that Glassdale could be traced?" he remarked at
last.

"Traced--yes," replied Harker. "So long as he's in England."

"Why not set about it?" suggested Bryce.

"Not yet," said Harker. "There's things to do before that. And the first
thing is--let's get to know what the mystery of that scrap of paper is.
You say you've found Richard Jenkins's tomb? Very well--then the thing
to do is to find out if anything is hidden there. Try it tomorrow night.
Better go by yourself--after dark. If you find anything, let me know.
And then--then we can decide on a next step. But between now and then,
there'll be the inquest on this man Collishaw.