phick didn't," answered the porter. "But I should say
they wouldn't be long because they'd only got small suit-cases with
them--such as they'd put a day or two's things in, sir."

"All right," said Breton. He turned away towards Spargo who had already
moved off. "What next?" he asked. "Charing Cross, I suppose!"

Spargo smiled and shook his head.

"No," he answered. "I've no use for Charing Cross. They haven't gone to
Paris. That was all a blind. For the present let's go back to your
chambers. Then I'll talk to you."

Once within Breton's inner room, with the door closed upon them, Spargo
dropped into an easy-chair and looked at the young barrister with
earnest attention.

"Breton!" he said. "I believe we're coming in sight of land. You want
to save your prospective father-in-law, don't you?"

"Of course!" growled Breton. "That goes without saying. But----"

"But you may have to make some sacrifices in order to do it," said
Spargo. "You see----"

"Sacrifices!" exclaimed Breton. "What----"

"You may have to sacrifice some ideas--you may find that you'll not be
able to think as well of some people in the future as you have thought
of them in the past. For instance--Mr. Elphick."

Breton's face grew dark.

"Speak plainly, Spargo!" he said. "It's best with me."

"Very well," replied Spargo. "Mr. Elphick, then, is in some way
connected with this affair."

"You mean the--murder?"

"I mean the murder. So is Cardlestone. Of that I'm now dead certain.
And that's why they're off. I startled Elphick last night. It's evident
that he immediately communicated with Cardlestone, and that they made a
rapid exit. Why?"

"Why? That's what I'm asking you! Why? Why? Why?"

"Because they're afraid of something coming out. And being afraid,
their first instinct is to--run. They've run at the first alarm.
Foolish--but instinctive."

Breton, who had flung himself into the elbow-chair at his desk, jumped
to his feet and thumped his blotting-pad.

"Spargo!" he exclaimed. "Are you telling me that you accuse my guardian
and his friend, Mr. Cardlestone. of being--murderers?"

"Nothing of the sort. I am accusing Mr. Elphick and Mr. Cardlestone of
knowing more about the murder than they care to tell or want to tell. I
am also accusing them, and especially your guardian, of knowing all
about Maitland, alias Marbury. I made him confess last night that he
knew this dead man to be John Maitland."

"You did!"

"I did. And now, B