and that
you are an expert in deciphering documents and the like, and
I have come across certain things here in connection with
this case which are beyond me. I can assure you that if you
could make it convenient to spare me even a few hours of
your valuable time you would put me under great obligations
to you.

"Yours truly,

"THOMAS SCARTERFIELD."

I read this letter twice over before handing it to Mr. Raven. Its
perusal seemed to excite him.

"Bless me!" he exclaimed. "How very extraordinary! What strange
mysteries we seem to be living amongst? You'll go, of course,
Middlebrook?"

"You think I should?" I asked.

"Oh, certainly, certainly!" he said with emphasis. "If any of us can
do anything to solve this strange problem, I think we should. Of
course, one hasn't the faintest idea what it is that the man wants.
But from what I observed of him the other evening, I should say that
Scarterfield is a clever fellow--a very clever fellow who should be
helped."

"Scarterfield," I remarked, glancing at Miss Raven and at Mr.
Cazalette, who were manifesting curiosity, "has made some discoveries
at Blyth--about the Netherfield man--and he wants me to go over there
and help him--to elucidate something, I think, but what it is, I don't
know."

"Oh, of course, you must go!" exclaimed Miss Raven. "How exciting! Mr.
Cazalette! aren't you jealous already?"

"No, but I'm curious," answered Mr. Cazalette, to whom I had passed
the letter. "I see the man wants something deciphered--aye, that'll be
in your line, Middlebrook. Didn't I tell all of you, all along, that
there'd be more in this business than met the eye? Well, I'll be
inquisitive to know what new developments have arisen! It's a strange
fact, but it is a fact, that in affairs of this sort there's often
evidence, circumstantial, strong, lying ready to be picked up. Next
door, as it were--and as it is evidently in this case, for Blyth's a
town that's not so far away."

Far away or near away, it took me some hours to get to Blyth, for I
had to drive to Alnwick, and later to change at Morpeth, and again at
Newsham. But there I was at last, in the middle of the afternoon, and
there, on the platform to meet me was the detective, as rubicund and
cheerful as ever, and full of gratitude for my speedy response to his
request.

"I got your telegram, Mr. Middlebrook," he remarked as