ver, let us give him the
benefit of the doubt. Where did he write from?"

"From Florence, in Italy, where he has lived for four years. He will be
in London next week, and if you want to see him----"

"I'll think of it," interrupted Steel. "There may be no need to trouble
Mr. Franklin. At present I am searching for this clerk of yours, who
went off with Miss Denham."

The lawyer raised his eyebrows with manifest surprise. "A clerk of ours,
Mr. Steel? I don't quite follow you."

"I refer to the man who served a judgment summons on Mr. Morley."

"A boy served that," explained Asher. "The boy who showed you in."

Steel stared hard at the solicitor, trying to understand why he had made
such a statement. "But that is absurd," he remarked. "I know that
nothing was said at the inquest about the matter, as Mr. Morley did not
wish it to be known that he was in such difficulties. But a tall man,
with a reddish beard, dressed in a great-coat, with a white scarf,
served the summons. Afterwards he went to the midnight service in the
parish church, and lured Miss Kent outside by means of a note, which we
cannot find. From what I have gathered this man went with Miss Denham in
Mr. Ware's motor-car. He fled with her, and I fancy he must be either
the assassin or an accessory after the fact."

Asher heard all this with extreme surprise. When Steel concluded he
touched the bell. Alexander responded with his usual cheerful and
impudent air. His master addressed him with some severity. "What about
that summons which was served by you on Mr. Morley, of Rickwell?" he
demanded.

The lad grew crimson to his ears, and looked at the floor much
embarrassed. "I served it all right, sir," he mumbled.

"_You_ served it," struck in Steel, with emphasis. "That is quite
untrue. A tall man with a red beard served it."

"Alexander, tell the truth. What does this mean?"

The boy began to sob, and drew his coat-sleeve across his eye with a
snuffle. "I thought it was all right," he said, "or I should not have
given it to him."

"The summons! You gave it to someone to serve?"

"Yes, sir. To Mr. Wilson, mother's lodger."

"Is he tall? Has he a pale face and a red beard?" asked Steel.

"He has, sir. He's been with mother six months, and was always kind.
When I got the summons he said that he was going into the country, and
would serve it on Mr. Morley."

"Alexander," said Asher in an awful tone, "I gave you money for your
railway fare to go