you, to a London Press agency that'll distribute it amongst all the
London papers at once?" asked Starmidge. "You know what I mean?"

"I can," answered Parkinson. "And principal provincials, too. It'll be
in all the evening papers this very night, sir."

"Then come on," said Starmidge, dropping into a chair by the editorial
desk. "I'll tell you all about it."

Polke listened admiringly while the detective carefully narrated the
facts of what was henceforth to be known as the Scarnham Mystery.
Nothing appeared to have escaped Starmidge's observation and attention.
And he was surprised to find that the detective's presentation of the
case was not that which he himself would have made. Starmidge did no
more than refer to the fact that Lady Ellersdeane's jewels were missing:
he said nothing whatever about the rumours that some of Chestermarke's
securities were said to have disappeared. But on one point he laid great
stress--the visit of the little gentleman with the large grey moustache
to the Station Hotel at Scarnham on the evening whereon John Horbury
disappeared, and to the fragments of conversation overheard by Mrs.
Pratt. He described the stranger as Mrs. Pratt had described him, and
appealed to him, if he read this news, to come forward at once. Finally,
he supplemented his account with a full description of John Horbury,
carefully furnished by the united efforts of Polke and Parkinson, and
wound up by announcing the five hundred pounds reward.

"All over England, tonight, and tomorrow morning, sir," said Parkinson,
gathering up his copy. "Now I'm off to wire this at once. Great engine
the Press, Mr. Starmidge!--I dare say you find it very useful in your
walk of life."

Starmidge followed Polke into the Market-Place again.

"Now for that reward bill," he said. "I don't set so much store by it,
but it's got to be done. It all helps. There's Miss Fosdyke--going to
have a try at her bit."

He pointed down the broad pavement with an amused smile. Miss Betty
Fosdyke, attired in her smartest, was just entering the portals of
Chestermarke's Bank.

CHAPTER X

THE CHESTERMARKE WAY

Mrs. Carswell herself opened the door of the bank-house in response to
Miss Fosdyke's ring. She started a little at sight of the visitor, and
her eyes glanced involuntarily and, as it seemed to Betty, with
something of uneasiness, at the side-door which led into the
Chestermarkes' private parlour. And Betty immediately interpr