"We can explain that presently, sir," Sir James Brownsmith said, suddenly breaking off the whispered conversation with Townsend. "The poor fellow is half beside himself with terror. I know I am quite irregular, sir, but this is an extraordinary case. If I may make a suggestion——" "Would it not be better to call the next witness?" the Coroner asked. "Inspector Townsend tells me he has a full solution of this strange affair." There was a visible flutter among the pressmen present. Without further ado Harold Denvers was called. From his place he could see Angela’s black figure in the doorway. The same barrister who had represented the Crown at the inquiry into the Streatham affair faced Harold with a smile. It was quite evident that he knew the whole history. "You were present here last night when Sir Clement’s body was found?" he asked. "Yes, sir. I had called to see Sir Clement on important business. I called here to desire the return of the Crimson Moth you see close above you." All eyes were turned upwards to where the scarlet crowd of blossoms hovered. The stranded ropes sagged and bagged now so that some of the blooms were almost in reach. A little later there was a hiss of steam, and the cords tightened to the moisture as if some human hand had raised the beautiful garlands. As to the loveliness of the Cardinal Moth there was only one opinion. "So that is the strange bloom," Counsel said. "Do orchids of that class require constant moisture?" "Some of them do," Harold explained. "You see the Cardinal Moth came originally from a hot swamp, probably in Borneo or on the West Coast of Africa. You see that is on a very coarsely-woven Manilla rope." "Are we not wandering from the point?" the Coroner suggested. "On the contrary, sir, we are sticking very closely to it," the barrister retorted. "Now tell me, is not this same Cardinal Moth supposed to be endowed with magic powers?" "That is the idea. Perhaps I had better say once more what I have already stated elsewhere. For generations the Cardinal Moth guarded or was supposed to guard the inner temple of Ghan in Koordstan. The form and beauty of the Moth travelled until it was known to most collectors. Two or three people made up their minds to steal it; it matters little who they were. They did steal it and divided it into three portions. Two of these portions were lost, and the third came into my hands. The plant above your head is the one that was stolen from the greenhouse at Streatham, where I put it for safe custody." "Have you any idea who stole it?" "Yes, it was taken away by Paul Lopez after the death of Count Lefroy’s representative, who had nearly stolen a march on Lopez." "But Lopez never murdered that man." "You think somebody else did?" "Indeed, I don’t. That man was not murdered at all, neither was Manfred, or Sir Clement Frobisher."