ly one creature in the world I ever heard of as having a good
word to say for the man."

"And who might that be?"

"The Hon. Mrs. Brinkworth, widow of his younger brother. You'd think the
man was an angel to hear her sing his praises. Her husband, too, was a
wild sort. Left her up to her ears in debt, without a penny to bless
herself, and with a boy of five to rear and educate. Stavornell seems
always to have liked her. At any rate, he came to the rescue, paid off
the debts, settled an annuity upon her, and arranged to have the boy
sent to Eton as soon as he was old enough. I expect the boy is at the
bottom of this good streak in him if all is told; for, having no
children of his own---- I say! By George, old chap! Why, that nipper,
being the heir in the direct line, is Lord Stavornell now that the uncle
is dead! A lucky stroke for him, by Jupiter!"

"Yes," agreed Cleek. "Lucky for him; lucky for Lady Stavornell; lucky
for Captain Crawford; and _unlucky_ for the Hon. Mrs. Brinkworth and
Mademoiselle Fifi de Lesparre. So, of course---- Sydenham at last.
Good-bye for a little time, Mr. Narkom. Join you at Norwood Junction as
soon as possible, and---- I say!"

"Yes, old chap?"

"Wire through to the Low Level station at Crystal Palace, will you? and
inquire if anybody has mislaid an ironing-board or lost an Indian canoe.
See you later. So long."

Then he stepped up on to the station platform, and went in quest of a
telephone booth.

II

It was after nine o'clock when he turned up at Norwood Junction, as
calm, serene, and imperturbable as ever, and found Narkom awaiting him
in a small private room which the station clerk had placed at his
disposal.

"My dear fellow, I never was so glad!" exclaimed the superintendent,
jumping up excitedly as Cleek entered. "What kept you so long? I've been
on thorns. Got bushels to tell you. First off, as Stavornell's identity
is established beyond doubt, and no time has been lost in wiring the
news of the murder to his relatives, both Lady Stavornell and Mrs.
Brinkworth have wired back that they are coming on. I expect them at any
minute now. And here's a piece of news for you. Fifi's husband is in
England. The Hon. Mrs. Brinkworth has wired me to that effect. Says she
has means of knowing that he came over from France the other day; and
that she herself saw him in London this morning when she was up there
shopping."

"Oho!" commented Cleek. "Got her wits about her, that lady