The philosopher arrived half-an-hour later, having been aroused from his sleep to learn that his presence was required at Headquarters. “Mr. Elk will tell you something which will be public property in a day or two,” said Gordon. “Balder has been arrested in connection with the explosion which occurred in Mr. Elk’s office.” It was necessary to explain to Johnson exactly who Balder was, and Dick went on to tell him of the old man’s visit to Slough. Johnson shook his head. “I didn’t know that Maitland had a friend of that name,” he said. “Balder? What other name had he?” “He called himself Collett-Banson,” said Dick, and a look of understanding came to the face of Johnson. “I know that name very well. Mr. Banson used frequently to call at the office, generally late in the evenings—Maitland spends three nights a week working after the clerks have gone, as I know to my cost,” he said. “A rather tall, good-looking fellow of about forty?” “Yes, that is the man.” “He has a house near Windsor. I have never been there, but I know because I have posted letters to him.” “What sort of business did Collett-Banson have with Maitland?” “I’ve never been able to discover. I always thought of him as a man who had property to sell, for that was the only type of outsider who was ever admitted to Maitland’s presence. I remember that he had the child staying with him for about a week——” “That is, the child in Maitland’s house?” Johnson nodded. “You don’t know what association there is between the child and these two men?” “No, sir, except that I am certain that Mr. Collett-Banson had the little boy with him, because I sent toys—mechanical engines or something of the sort—by Mr. Maitland’s directions. It was the day that Mr. Maitland made his will, about eighteen months ago. I remember the day particularly for a peculiar reason. I had expected Mr. Maitland to ask me to witness the will and was piqued, for no cause, because he brought two clerks up from the office to sign. These little things impress themselves upon one,” he added. “Was the will made in favour of the child?” Johnson shook his head. “I haven’t the slightest knowledge of how the property goes,” he said. “He never discussed the matter with me; he wouldn’t even employ a lawyer. In fact, I don’t remember his ever employing a lawyer all the time I was with him, except for conveyancing work. He told me he had copied the form of will from a book, but beyond feeling hurt that I, an old and faithful servant of his, hadn’t been taken a little into his confidence, I wasn’t greatly interested in the matter. But I do remember that that morning I went down to a store and bought a whole lot of toys, had them packed and brought them back to the office. The old man played with them all the afternoon!” Early in the morning Dick Gordon interviewed the prisoners at Pentonville, and found them in a very obstinate mood.