"With reference to that case," his companion commenced, "the facts were all so simple that there was no need for the prosecution to consider any other motive than the obvious one of attempted robbery. Therefore, no very searching investigation has been made into the dead man's papers. Yesterday afternoon, it occurred to me to look them through once more, in case anything had been overlooked. I came across a clumsy sort of document purporting to be the deeds of a gold-mine. I should not have taken any particular notice of it but for the title of the mine." "Well?" "It was the Little Anna Gold-Mine," Hardaway continued. "These deeds stated that Sinclair himself was the sole owner." "A very extraordinary document," Deane remarked. "I suppose you couldn't manage things so that I could have a look at it?" "It would be quite impossible," the lawyer answered. "Mine was, of course, a privileged inspection, and I am going beyond my duty in mentioning this affair to you. It certainly did seem very singular." "Especially," Deane remarked, with a faint, hard smile, "since you are in a position to know that I have paid for the defence of the prisoner." "It is not my business to connect such facts," the lawyer remarked. "Someone will appear upon the scene sooner or later, of course," Deane said, "and claim this man's effects." "Naturally," Hardaway answered, "although, except for this rather remarkable document, they do not seem to have been very valuable." "If you should hear of anyone," said Deane, "I should be glad if you would let me know without a second's delay." "I will do so," the lawyer promised. The bell tinkled. The men at the bar finished their drinks, threw away their cigarettes, and hurried off. Deane and his companion rose to their feet. "Hardaway," Deane said, "some of the papers are talking about a reprieve for this man Rowan. Will it come to anything, do you think?" "I do not know," the lawyer answered cautiously. They moved along the passage leading down to the stalls. Deane held his companion back until the little throng of hurrying men had passed by. "Listen, Hardaway," he said, "I speak to you as one speaks to the dead, because you know the secrets of your profession, and because I trust you. Is there any way in which a man of great wealth, who had the command of money say up to fifty thousand pounds,--is there any way in which such a man could help towards obtaining a reprieve?" Hardaway hesitated for a moment. "Of course," he admitted, "influence is always a useful thing. Those who have the ruling of these matters are sometimes hesitating between two minds. A very straw might turn the balance." Deane nodded his head. He looked for a moment behind. His hand rested upon the curtain which led into the stalls. There was not a soul in sight. The play had recommenced.