"Really," says the solicitor, "I don't know if I can give you any information----" "Yes, you can! I am engaged to Miss Pethram, and I am going to marry her as soon as I can. I don't want her money for myself, but I want her to get her rights." "Mr. Maxwell," said Dombrain, solemnly, "the late Sir Rupert was a great friend of mine, and I would do anything for his daughter, but I'm afraid that she inherits nothing but two thousand shares." "Oh, indeed! In what company?" "In the Pole Star Silver Mining Company, Limited Melbourne, Australia." "Are they worth anything?" "Not even the paper they are written on." "Hump!" said Archie, thoughtfully, "from what I heard of Sir Rupert, I should hardly think he was a fool, and no one but a fool would invest his money in a rotten company. Do you know anything of Australian mining?" "I know New Zealand," replied Mr. Dombrain, evasively, "but I'm not acquainted with Australia. The mine may turn up trumps. On the other hand it may not." "Are these shares all the property left by Sir Rupert?" "Yes! He had land in New Zealand; but when he came in for the title he sold it all, and invested the money in these shares. He thought he would be able to save money from the Thornstream rents, to leave to his daughter, but as he occupied the position of master such a short time, of course he saved nothing." "And the new baronet, Sir Thomas, will do nothing for Miss Pethram?" "Nothing!" "What a scoundrel!" Mr. Dombrain shrugged his shoulders, and declined to commit himself to an opinion,--a legal opinion is worth seven shillings and sixpence, so there is no use wasting that amount. "By the way," said Archie, as he was going, "what do you think of this murder?" "I think it is a most mysterious affair," said Dombrain, after a pause. "I can't account for it; I was staying in the house as you know, and left Sir Rupert in his study quite hearty. I heard no pistol shot, and in the morning he was dead. Most extraordinary." "Had Sir Rupert any enemies?" "My dear sir, we all have enemies," replied Dombrain, evasively. "I dare say; but one's enemies don't go as far as murder as a rule," answered Archie, dryly. "No! no! that is true. But really, Mr. Maxwell, you know as much about the murder as I do, and I dare say are as completely in the dark." "I shan't be in the dark long." "How so?" "Because I'm going to find out who murdered Sir Rupert." "Take my advice and don't try," said Dombrain slowly. "Why not?" demanded Maxwell, looking at him keenly. "Because you'll discover nothing. How can you? The police have failed." "I don't believe in the police much," replied Archie lightly. "I may succeed where others have failed. Good-bye. Mr. Dombrain, I am going to see Miss Pethram, and will probably see you again about these shares." When Maxwell had departed the solicitor sat in deep thought for a few minutes. "I wonder," he said at length, "I wonder if he knows anything about Mrs. Belswin."