"I understood that Hall had pawned things of some value before this salver," said Quarles; "jewelry belonging to his wife, for instance. Why didn't he give his own name then?" "It is rather the importance of the article which counts than its actual value," said the assistant. "In this case I have no doubt the prisoner would have said that he had temporarily borrowed the salver. He must redeem it presently; it was an important matter, and by giving his own name the transaction seemed almost honest." Quarles nodded, as though this argument impressed him; then he said suddenly: "What is George Cross like?" "That was the false name Hall used." "Did you comment upon the fact when he pawned the salver in his own name?" "No." "It would have been natural to do so, wouldn't it?" "Perhaps; but we were busy at the time, and----" "And it didn't occur to you," said Quarles. "Now I suggest that when you picked out Hall you were really identifying the man you knew as George Cross, and that the man who pawned the salver and gave the name Hall was a different person altogether." "No." "Are you sure the salver was not pawned by a woman?" "Certain." "But you might reconsider your original statement if I produced another man?" "If such a person exists, why has it not been suggested to me, say, by a photograph?" The professor nodded and smiled, but I could get nothing out of him that evening, not even whether he was hopeful or not. Next morning we went to Thornfield. I had arranged that we should be allowed to visit the house. For the time being, the local constable had the keys, and we went to his house first. Quarles set him talking about the crime at once. "Is Mrs. Hall still in the village?" he asked. "Yes, sir. That's her cottage yonder," and he pointed down the village street. "Poor thing, we all sympathize with her." "And Mrs. Ashworth, is she still here?" "No, sir. She was willing, I believe, to remain in charge of Mr. Parrish's house, but it was decided that I should have the keys and look after it. She took a room in the village until after the trial; then she left." "How long had she been with Mr. Parrish, constable?" "About a year, sir. You're not thinking she had anything to do with the murder, are you? She wasn't equal to it. She is a little bit of a woman, and it was a tremendous blow which killed Mr. Parrish." "It was quite early in the morning when she discovered the dead man, wasn't it?" "Yes; before the village was awake." "What do you know about Mr. Parrish's nephew?" "I understand he claims the property as next-of-kin," said the constable; "but he hasn't been near the place, so I don't suppose he expects to be much richer for his uncle's death."