o do with the matter which
was uppermost in his thoughts. He had had no expectation of any
registered letter, no idea of anything that could cause any
correspondent of his to send him any communication by registered post.
There was no possibility of recognizing the handwriting of the sender,
for there was no handwriting to recognize: the address was typewritten.
And the postmark was London.

Brereton carefully cut open the flap of the envelope and drew out the
enclosure--a square sheet of typewriting paper folded about a thin wad
of Bank of England notes. He detached these at once and glanced quickly
at them. There were six of them: all new and crisp--and each was for a
hundred and fifty pounds.

Brereton laid this money aside and opened the letter. This, too, was
typewritten: a mere glance at its termination showed that it was
anonymous. He sat down at Bent's desk and carefully read it through.

There was no address: there was nothing beyond the postmark on the
envelope to show where the letter came from; there was absolutely
nothing in the contents to give any clue to the sender. But the wording
was clear and plain.

"MR. GIFFORD BRERETON,--Having learnt from the newspapers that you
are acting as counsel for John Harborough, charged with the murder
of a man named Kitely at Highmarket, I send you the enclosed L900
to be used in furthering Harborough's defence. You will use it
precisely as you think fit. You are not to spare it nor any
endeavour to prove Harborough's innocence--which is known to the
sender. Whenever further funds are needed, all you need do is to
insert an advertisement in the personal column of _The Times_
newspaper in these words: _Highmarket Exchequer needs
replenishing_, with your initials added. Allow me to suggest that
you should at once offer a reward of L500 to whoever gives
information which will lead to the capture and conviction of the
real murderer or murderers. If this offer fails to bring
information speedily, double it. I repeat that no pains must be
spared in this matter, and that money to any amount is no object.
The sender of this letter will keep well informed of the progress
of events as narrated in the newspapers, to which you will please
to afford all proper information."

Brereton read this extraordinary communication through three times; then
he replaced letter and bank-notes in th