am people there, Mr. Stipp?" he observed.
"Those names--Horbury--Chestermarke. You don't happen to know 'em?"

"I don't know them," replied the manager, with obvious sincerity.
"Banking people, all of them, aren't they? I might have heard their
names, in a business way, some time--but I don't recall them at all."

"You said that Mr. Markham was here yesterday," suggested Starmidge.
"Did you tell him--you'll excuse my asking, but it's important--did you
tell him that Hollis had called last Friday on behalf of Mrs. Lester?"

"I just mentioned it," replied Mr. Stipp. "He took no particular
notice--except to say that what we claim from young Lester will have to
be--paid."

"You don't know if he knew Hollis?" inquired Starmidge.

The manager shook his head in a fashion which seemed to indicate that
Hollis's case was no particular business of either his or his
principal's.

"I don't think he did," he answered. "Never said so, anyhow. But, I say!
you'll excuse me, now--what is it you're trying to get at? Do you think
Hollis went to Scarnham on this business of young Lester's? And if you
do, why?"

Easleby rose, and Starmidge followed his example.

"We don't know yet--exactly--why Hollis went to Scarnham," said the
elder detective. "We hoped you could help us. But, as you can't--well,
we're much obliged, Mr. Stipp. That your governor over the chimney-piece
there?"

"Taken a few years ago," replied Mr. Stipp carelessly. "I say--you don't
know what Hollis was empowered to offer us, do you?"

The two detectives looked at each other; a quiet nod from Starmidge
indicated that he left it to Easleby to answer this question. And after
a moment's reflection, Easleby spoke.

"Mr. Hollis was empowered to offer ten thousand pounds in full
satisfaction, Mr. Stipp," he said. "And what's more--a cheque for that
amount was found on his dead body when it was discovered. Now, sir,
you'll understand why we want to know who it was that he went to see at
Scarnham!"

Both men were watching the money-lender's manager with redoubled
attention. But it needed no very keen eye to see that the surprise which
Mr. Stipp had already shown at various stages of the interview was
nothing to that which he now felt. And in the midst of his astonishment
the two detectives bade him good-day and left him, disregarding an
entreaty to stop and tell him more.

"My lad!" said Easleby, when he and Starmidge were out in the street
again, "that chap has no