tell us two things: For what purpose did you give Mr. Hollis ten
thousand pounds?--To whom was he to pay it? Tell us, ma'am--and we shall
have gone a long way to clearing this affair! And--it's more serious
than you'd think."

Mrs. Lester, who had listened to Starmidge with absorbed and almost
frightened attention, looked anxiously at both men before she replied to
the detective's direct inquiry.

"You will respect my confidence, of course?" she asked at last.
"Whatever I say to you will be in strict confidence?"

"Whatever you tell us, Mrs. Lester," answered Starmidge, "we shall have
to report to our superiors at the Criminal Investigation Department. You
may rely on their discretion--fully. But if there is any secret in
this, ma'am, it will all have to come out, now that it's an affair of
police investigation. Far better tell us here and now!"

"There'll be no publication of anything without Mrs. Lester's knowledge
and consent," remarked Easleby, who guessed at the reason of the lady's
diffidence. "This is a private matter, so far. All that she can tell us
will be for police information--only."

"I shall have to mention the affairs of--some other person," said Mrs.
Lester. "But--I suppose it's absolutely necessary? Now that you know
what you do, for instance, I suppose I could be made to give evidence,
eh!"

"I'm afraid you're quite right, ma'am," admitted Starmidge. "The mystery
of Mr. Hollis's death will certainly have to be cleared up. Now that
this cheque affair is out, you could be called as a witness at the
inquest. Better tell us, ma'am--and leave things to us."

Mrs. Lester, after a moment's reflection, looked steadily at her
visitors. "Very well!" she answered, "I suppose I had better. Indeed, I
have been feeling, ever since my bankers rang me up this morning, that I
should have to tell you--though I still can't see how anything that I
can tell you has to do--that is, precisely--with Mr. Hollis's visit to
Scarnham. Yet--it may--perhaps must have. The fact is, I recently called
in Mr. Hollis, as an old friend, to give me some advice. I must tell you
that my husband died last year--now about eight months ago. We have an
only son--who is an officer in the Army."

"You had better give us his name--and regiment, ma'am," suggested
Starmidge.

Mrs. Lester hesitated a little.

"Very well," she said at last. "He is Lieutenant Guy Lester, of the 55th
Lancers. Stationed where? At present at Maychester. Now