She could not follow him in this subtle explanation, and waited in silence till he began to put certain questions to her. First, with regard to the servants, would she give him full particulars of their number, the nature of their duties, their length of service and so on? She supplied him with the requested information. He entered all this in a private notebook, in a shorthand of his own invention which nobody could read but himself. What did the family consist of? was his next question. “My uncle and aunt, Richard Croxton and myself. Two other people came to the house who were practically of the family, Sir George Clayton-Brookes, my aunt’s brother-in-law, and young Archibald Brookes, his nephew and the son of my aunt’s sister.” These particulars went into the notebook. “I have heard of Sir George, he is well known on the turf, and reputed to be a man of substance. I know nothing of the young man. Has he means of his own, or is he dependent upon his relatives?” “Dependent upon Sir George, I believe,” answered Rosabelle. “We have always understood his uncle makes him a handsome allowance, and will leave him his property.” Mr. Lane asked a few more questions and then closed his notebook. “Well, Miss Sheldon, that is as far as we can go at present. Before I start, I must visit the scene of operations and take a look at this wonderful safe. I take it that will not be easy to accomplish without Mr. Morrice’s knowledge and permission. Is he likely to refuse it?” Rosabelle, needless to say, was a little dismayed. He had refused to call in Scotland Yard, would he peremptorily refuse admission to a private inquirer? She hazarded her fears to Mr. Lane, who thought that he would yield in the matter. The fact that Richard Croxton was prepared to break into his small capital for the purpose of establishing his innocence, should make a favourable impression upon Mr. Morrice, however firmly he believed in the young man’s guilt. If Morrice obstinately refused, he would be forced to revise his opinion of that gentleman, although he was too diplomatic to say as much to Rosabelle. “I will tell you the principal object of my visit, Miss Sheldon. The theft would have to be committed in a great hurry, and there are sure to be finger-marks on the safe. I want to take a photograph of them. If Mr. Morrice does refuse, for reasons sufficient to himself, I shall have to get a photograph of them somehow, and in this I dare say I shall have to avail myself of your co-operation.” He smiled a little as he spoke. It was not the first time by many dozens that he had gone in at the back door where he had been refused entrance at the front, or obtained information he required in spite of every obstacle being put in his way.