"Have you any idea as to the identity of the real murderer?" "Not the least!" "One more question, then," concluded Selwood. "Are the police to be there when Cox-Raythwaite and I come tonight?" "That I don't know," replied Mrs. Engledew. "All I know is--just what I am ordered to say. Pay them the money--they will tell the truth and take you and the police to the real criminal. One more thing--it is understood that you will not approach the police between now and this evening. That part--the police part--is to be left to them." "I understand," said Selwood. "Very well--we will get out, if you please, and we will go straight to Professor Cox-Raythwaite. At two o'clock I shall ring you up and give you our answer." He hurried Peggie into a taxi-cab as soon as Mrs. Engledew's car had gone away, and they went hastily to Endsleigh Gardens, where Professor Cox-Raythwaite listened to the strange story in dead silence. "Mrs. Engledew--lady living in Herapath Flats--old friend of Jacob's--possessed letters of his--instrument for two men in possession of secret--willing to fork out a thousand of her own," he muttered. "Gad!--I take that to be genuine, Selwood! The only question is for Peggie here--does she wish to throw away nine thousand to save Barthorpe's neck?" "The only question, Professor," said Peggie, reprovingly, "is--can I do it? Can I draw a cheque for that amount?" "Why not?" replied the Professor. "Everything's in order. Barthorpe withdrew that wretched caveat--the will's been proved--every penny that Jacob possessed is yours. Draw a cheque for fifty thousand, if you like!" "And you will go with Mr. Selwood?" asked Peggie, with a touch of anxiety which was not lost on the Professor. "Go with him--and take care of him, too," answered the Professor, digging his big fingers into Selwood's ribs. "Very good. Now stop here and lunch with me, and at two o'clock we'll telephone." He and Peggie stood breathlessly waiting in the hall that afternoon while Selwood was busy at the telephone in an adjacent lobby. Selwood came back to them nodding his head. "All right!" he said. "You and I, Professor, at her flat--tonight, at nine o'clock." CHAPTER XXXI THE INTERRUPTED DINNER-PARTY