“The only possible means being?” Sir Edward asked. “I guess I’d offer a reward,” Mr. Coulson admitted. Sir Edward did not hesitate for a moment. “Your idea is an excellent one, Mr. Coulson,” he said. “It has already been mooted, but we will give it a little emphasis. Tomorrow we will offer a reward of one thousand pounds for any information leading to the apprehension of either murderer.” “That sounds bully,” Mr. Coulson declared. “You think that it will have a good effect upon your friends in Washington?” “Me?” Mr. Coulson asked. “I know nothing about it. I’ve given you my personal opinion only. Seems to me, though, it’s the best way of showing that you’re in earnest.” “Before we quit this subject finally, Mr. Coulson,” Sir Edward said, “I am going to ask you a question which you have been asked before.” “Referring to Hamilton Fynes?” Mr. Coulson asked. “Yes!” “Get your young man to lay his hand on that copy of the Comet,” Mr. Coulson begged earnestly. “I told that pushing young journalist all I knew and a bit more. I assure you, my information isn’t worth anything.” “Was it meant to be worth anything?” Sir Edward asked. Mr. Coulson remained imperturbable. “If you don’t mind, Sir Edward,” he said, “I guess we’ll drop the subject of Mr. Hamilton Fynes. We can’t get any forwarder. Let it go at that.” There was a knock at the door. Sir Edward’s secretary ushered in a tall, plainly dressed gentleman, who had the slightly aggrieved air of a man who has been kept out of his bed beyond the usual time. “My dear Bransome,” he said, shaking hands, “isn’t this a little unreasonable of you? Business at this hour of the night! I was in the midst of a most amusing conversation with a delightful acquaintance of your wife’s, a young lady who turned up her nose at Hegel and had developed a philosophy of her own. I was just beginning to grasp its first principles. Nothing else, I am quite sure, would have kept me awake.” Sir Edward leaned across the table towards Mr. Coulson. Mr. Coulson had risen to his feet. “This gentleman,” he said, “is Mr. Smith.” The newcomer opened his lips to protest, but Sir Edward held out his hand. “One moment,” he begged. “Our friend here--Mr. J. B. Coulson from New York--has brought a letter from America. He is sailing tomorrow,--leaving London somewhere about eight o’clock in the morning, I imagine. He wishes to take back a verbal reply. The letter, you will understand, comes from a Mr. Jones, and the reply is delivered in the presence of--Mr. Smith. Our friend here is not personally concerned in these affairs. As a matter of fact, I believe he has been on the Continent exploiting some patents of his own invention.”