"It is very good of you, Claude, to trouble so about me. Had you asked me earlier I might have gone straight away. But let it rest for a little while. When I have recovered my spirits somewhat I will come to you to ask you to sail next day, or something of the sort." Beyond this, the other could not move him. There was one link in the chain of evidence that would be irrefragable if discovered. Was this "Colonel Montgomery" in any way connected with the house at Putney where the murderer had disposed of the body? If this could be established, the unknown visitor to Raleigh Mansions would experience a good deal of difficulty in clearing himself of suspicion. Bruce was certain that, once the "Colonel" was traced, much would come to light explanatory of Mrs. Hillmer's, and her brother's, dread lest his identity should be discovered. An inquiry addressed to the house agents to whom possible tenants were referred elicited the information that the present owner, a lady, was prepared to let the house annually or on a lease. They enclosed an order to view, which Bruce retained in case he should happen to need it. A second letter gave him the address of the lady's solicitors, Messrs. Small & Sharp, Lincoln's Inn. He called on them as a possible tenant, with a desire to purchase the property outright if his proposal could be entertained. Mr. Sharp, the partner who dealt with the estate, became very suave when the suggestion reached his ears. "You will understand, Mr. Bruce, that your request requires some consideration. The rent my client asks is comparatively low, because the house is old-fashioned, but the splendid riparian position of the property, a free-hold acre on the banks of the Thames at Putney, gives it a highly increased future value. Any figure you may have based on a rental calculation would therefore--" "Not meet the case at all," said the barrister, repressing a smile at the familiar opening move in the game of bargaining. "Precisely." "May I ask who the present owner is?" "Certainly, the lady's name is Small. In fact, she is my partner's wife. Her father, the late Rev. Septimus Childe, purchased the estate some years ago, largely because the house suited his requirements as the head of a successful private school." "Has the estate changed hands frequently then?" "Oh, dear, no. Indeed, it is well understood that the Rev. Mr. Childe acquired it more as a friendly transaction than otherwise. The estate is a portion of the separate estate of the late Lady Helen Montgomery, who married Sir William Dyke, father of the present baronet, who perhaps--good gracious, my dear sir, what is the matter?" Had Bruce been a woman he must have fainted. As it was, the shock of the intelligence nearly paralyzed him. Sir Charles Dyke!--Montgomery!--The house at Putney the property of his mother! What new terror did not this frightful combination suggest?