e been a big man. He had a
heavy face with a big jaw, thin lips, and a vindictive expression."

Willis, though not given to jumping to conclusions, felt suddenly
thrilled, and he made up his mind that an early development in the case
would be the taking of the impressions of Captain Beamish's right thumb
and forefinger.

He asked several more questions and, going over the story again, took
copious notes. Then for some time he sat in silence considering what he
had heard.

At first sight he was inclined to agree with Merriman, that the deceased
had met his death at the hands of a member of the syndicate, and if so,
it was not unlikely that all or most of the members were party to it.
From the mere possibility of this it followed that the most urgent thing
for the moment was to prevent the syndicate suspecting his knowledge. He
turned again to his visitor.

"I suppose you realize, Mr. Merriman, that if all these details you have
given me are correct, you yourself are in a position of some danger?"

"I know it, but I am not afraid. It is the possible danger to Miss
Coburn that has upset me so much."

"I understand, sir," the inspector returned sympathetically, "but it
follows that for both your sakes you must act very cautiously, so as to
disarm any suspicions these people may have of you."

"I am quite in your hands, inspector."

"Good. Then let us consider your course of action. Now, first of all
about the inquest. It will be held this evening at five o'clock. You
will have to give evidence, and we shall have to settle very carefully
what that evidence will be. No breath of suspicion against the syndicate
must leak out."

Merriman nodded.

"You must identify the deceased, and, if asked, you must tell the story
of your two visits to the clearing. You must speak without the slightest
hesitation. But you must of course make no mention of the changing of
the lorry numbers or of your suspicions, nor will you mention your visit
to Hull. You will explain that you went back to the clearing on the
second occasion because it was so little out of your way and because you
were anxious to meet the Coburns again, while your friend wanted to see
the forests of Les Landes."

Merriman again nodded.

"Then both you and your friend must avoid Scotland Yard. It is quite
natural that you should rush off here as you did, but it would not
be natural for you to return. And there is no reason why Mr. Hilliard
should come at all.