It was typical of him that Jack was the first person who came to his mind when he learnt of Thalia Drummond’s arrest. He was fond of the boy, fonder than Jack could guess, and he knew, even better than Yale, how heavily the weight of Thalia Drummond’s guilt would lie upon the man who loved her. Jack had already received his shock. The news of the girl’s arrest had been published in the stop-press columns of the late editions, and when Parr arrived he was the picture of desolation. “She must have the best lawyers procurable,” he said quietly. “I don’t know that I ought to take you into my confidence, Mr. Parr, because you naturally will be on the other side.” “Naturally,” said the inspector, “but I’ve got a sneaking regard for Thalia Drummond, too.” “You?” said Jack in astonishment. “Why, I thought----” “I’m human,” said the inspector. “A criminal to me is just a criminal. I have no personal grudge against the men I have arrested. Truland, the poisoner, whom I sent to the gallows, was one of the nicest fellows I’ve ever met, and I got quite fond of him after a bit.” Jack shuddered. “Don’t talk of poisoners and Thalia Drummond in the same breath,” he said testily. “Do you honestly believe she is the leading spirit of the Crimson Circle?” Mr. Parr pursed his thick lips. “If somebody came to me and told me the Archbishop was the leading light, I shouldn’t be surprised, Mr. Beardmore,” he said. “By the time this Crimson Circle business is settled, we are all going to have shocks. I started my investigations prepared to believe that anybody might be the Crimson Circle--you, or Marl, the Commissioner or Derrick Yale, Thalia Drummond--almost anybody.” “And you still hold that opinion?” asked Jack with an attempt at a smile. “For the matter of that, Mr. Parr, you yourself might be the villain of the piece.” Mr. Parr did not deny the possibility. “Mother thinks----” he began, and this time Jack did actually laugh. “Your grandmother must be a remarkable personality; has she views on the Crimson Circle?” The inspector nodded vigorously. “She always has had, since the first murder. She put her finger down on the very spot, Mr. Beardmore, but mother always could do that sort of thing. I’ve had my best inspirations from her; in fact, all the----” He stopped himself. Jack was amused, but he was pitying, too. This man, so ill-equipped by nature for his work, had probably won himself a high place in the police service by dogged unimaginative persistence. In every service men had reached near to the top with no other merit than their seniority. It was just a little fantastic at this moment, when the keenest brains were exercised to lay this bizarre association by the heels, to hear this stout man talking solemnly of the advice he had received from his grandmother! “I must come along and renew my acquaintance with your aunt,” said Jack.