"When are we going to find a way out of all this miserable business!" she suddenly exclaimed. "Are we any nearer a solution because of what's just happened? Does that help us to finding out what's become of my uncle?" "I suppose one thing's sure to lead to another," said Neale. "That seems to be the detective's notion, anyhow. If Starmidge is so certain that Gabriel Chestermarke knew Hollis, he'll work that for all it's worth. It's my opinion--whatever that's worth!--that Hollis came down here to see the Chestermarkes. Did he see them? There's the problem. If one could only find out--that!" "I wish you and I could do something--apart from the police," suggested Betty. "Isn't there anything we could do?" Neale pointed ahead to the high roof of Joseph Chestermarke's house across the river. "There's one thing I'd like to do--if I could," he answered. "I'd just like to know all the secrets of that place! That there are some I'm as certain as that we're crossing this moor. You see that queer-shaped structure--sort of conical chimney--sticking up amongst the trees in Joseph Chestermarke's garden? That's a workshop, or a laboratory, or something, in which Joseph spends his leisure moments. I'd like to know what he does there. But nobody knows! Nobody is ever allowed in that house, nor in the garden. I don't know a single soul in all Scarnham that's ever been inside either. I'm perfectly certain Mr. Horbury was never asked there. Once Joseph's across his thresholds, back or front, there's an end of him--till he comes out again!" "But--he doesn't live entirely alone, does he?" asked Betty. "As near as can be," replied Neale. "His entire staff consists of an old man and an old woman--man and wife--who've been with him--oh, ever since he was born, I believe! You may have seen the old man about the town--old Palfreman. Everybody knows him--queer, old-fashioned chap: he goes out to buy in whatever's wanted: the old woman never shows. That's the trio that live in there--a queer lot, aren't they?" "It's all queer!" sighed Betty. "But now that this unfortunate man's body has been found--Wallie! do you think it possible he was thrown down that mine? That would mean murder!" "If he was thrown down there, already dead," answered Neale grimly, "it would not only mean murder but that more than one person was concerned in it. We shall know more when they've examined the body and searched the clothing. I'm going round to the police-station when I've seen you back to the hotel--I'm hoping they'll find something that'll settle the one point that's so worrying." "Which point?" asked Betty. "The real critical point--in my opinion," answered Neale. "Who it was that Hollis came to see on Saturday? There may be letters, papers, on him that'll settle that. And if we once know that--ah! that will make a difference! Because then--then----" "What then?" demanded Betty.