iss Fosdyke, of course--but as soon as the inquest is
adjourned--as it'll have to be--I shall slip back to town and see those
bankers. I don't know, but I don't think it's likely that Mr. Hollis
would have ten thousand pounds always lying at his bank. I should say
this ten thousand has been lodged there for a special purpose. And what
I shall want to find out from them, in that case, is--what special
purpose? And--what had it to do with Scarnham, or anybody at Scarnham?
See? And I'll tell you what, Mr. Polke--I don't know whether we'll
produce that cheque at the inquest on Hollis--at first, anyhow. The
coroner's bound to adjourn--all he'll want tomorrow will be formal
identification of the body--all other evidence can be left till later.
I've wired for Simmons--he'll be able to identify. No--we'll keep this
cheque business back till I've been to London. I shall find out
something from Vanderkistes--they're highly respectable private bankers,
and they'll tell me----"

At that moment a policeman entered the room and presented Polke with a
card.

"Gentleman's just come in, sir," he said. "Wants to see you particular."

Polke glanced at the card, and read the name aloud, with a start of
surprise: "Mr. Leonard Hollis!"

CHAPTER XIX

THE DEAD MAN'S BROTHER

Polke hastily followed the policeman from the room--to return
immediately with a quiet-looking elderly gentleman in whom Neale and
Starmidge saw a distinct likeness to the dead man.

"His brother!" whispered Polke, as he handed a chair to the visitor. "So
you've seen about this in the newspapers, sir?" he went on, turning to
Mr. Leonard Hollis. "And you thought you'd better come over, I suppose?"

"I have not only read about it in the newspapers," answered the visitor,
"but I last night--very late--received a telegram from my brother's
clerk--Mr. Simmons--who evidently found my address at my brother's
rooms. So I left Birmingham--where I now live--at once, to see you. Now,
have you heard anything of my brother?"

Polke shook his head solemnly and warningly.

"I'm sorry to say we have, sir," he replied. "You'd better prepare for
the worst news, Mr. Hollis. We found the body this morning--not two
hours ago. And--we don't know, as yet, how he came by his death. The
doctors say it may have been pure accident. Let's hope it was! But there
are strange circumstances, sir--very strange!"

Hollis quietly rose from his chair.

"I suppose I can see him?" he ask