Quarles had not interrupted me. He had listened to my narrative, his features set, his eyes closed, the whole of his mind evidently concentrated on the story. As I stopped I looked at Zena. "I wonder the housekeeper did not look out of her bedroom window to see that it was Michael Hall who left the house," Zena said slowly. "She slept at the back of the house," I returned. "I had not thought of that." And then, after a pause, during which her grandfather's eyes remained fixed upon her as though he would compel her to say more, she went on: "How was it, since they are early risers in Thornfield, that Mrs. Ashworth had to wait twenty minutes before anyone came? The house isn't isolated, is it?" "No. I understand it is in the middle of the village street." "There may be something in that question, Wigan," said Quarles, becoming alert. "Tell me, are the house and its contents still untouched?" "I believe so. According to Mrs. Ashworth, Mr. Parrish appears to have had only one relation living--a nephew, named Charles Eade. He lives in Birmingham, and at the trial said he knew nothing whatever about his uncle, and had not seen him for years." "Any reason?" "No; the family had drifted apart. I am simply stating what came out in the evidence." "About the will," said Quarles. "Was any provision made for Mrs. Ashworth in it?" "No; it leaves everything to Hall, and there is a recommendation to sell the books in London, except a few which are specially mentioned as being of no value intrinsically, and which Hall is advised to read. According to Hall, the old gentleman talked much about literature, and declared that the whole philosophy of life was contained in about a score of books. I have a copy of the list given in the will." "Who witnessed the signature to the will?" Quarles asked. "A lawyer in Pershore and his clerk. This was the only business transaction the lawyer had had with Mr. Parrish, and he knew little about him." "I think we must go to Birmingham," said Quarles. "Sometimes there is only one particular standpoint from which the real facts can be seen, and I fancy Birmingham represents that standpoint for us. I suppose you can arrange for us to have access to Mr. Parrish's house at Thornfield, Wigan?" "I will see about that," I answered. "Are you sure Michael Hall is not guilty?" asked Zena. "Were he guilty I should not have seen him," answered Quarles decidedly. "His poor wife!" said Zena. "Pray, dear, that we may carry sunlight to her again," said the professor solemnly. I thought that our journey to Birmingham was for the purpose of interviewing Parrish's nephew, but it was not. Quarles got a list of the leading secondhand booksellers there. "A bookworm, Wigan, remains a bookworm to the end of his days. Although nothing has been said about it, I warrant Mr. Parrish bought books and had them sent to Thornfield." "He might have bought them in London," I said. "I think it was Birmingham," said Quarles.