George asked if Edmund Gray was newly arrived. No. It appeared that he had been in the Inn for a long time. 'But then,' his informant added, 'he may have been here a hundred years for all we know: we never think of our neighbours in Chambers. Opposite is a man whose name has been over the door as long as I can remember anything. I don't know who he is or what is his business. I don't even know him by sight. So with Mr. Edmund Gray. If I were to meet him on the stairs, I should not be any the wiser. You see, I am only here in the daytime. Now, the other man on the second floor I do know something about, because he is a coach and was a Fellow of my College. And the man in the garrets I hear about occasionally, because he is an old barrister who sometimes defends a prisoner.' At the Steward's office George put the same question. 'I am a solicitor,' he said. 'Here is my card. I am most anxious to see Mr. Edmund Gray, of No. 22. Could you save me time by letting me know at what hour he is in his Chambers?' They could tell him nothing. Mr. Gray was not a tenant of the Inn. Very likely he was a residential tenant who came home in the evenings after business. Everything learned is a step gained. Whether Edmund Gray was a man or a Long Firm, the name had been on the door for many years. But--many years?--could a confederacy of swindlers go on for many years, especially if they undertook such mighty schemes for plunder as this business? Next he went to the address of the landlord. He was a house agent in Bloomsbury, and apparently a person of respectability. 'If you could tell me,' George began with the same question, 'at what hours I could find your tenant in his Chambers; or if you could give me his business address, we should be very greatly obliged. We want to find him at once--to-day, if possible, on very important business.' 'Well, I am sorry, very sorry--but--in fact, I don't know anything about my tenant's hours, nor can I give you his place of business. I believe he has no business.' 'Oh! But you took him as a tenant. You must have had some references.' 'Certainly. And upon that I can satisfy you very shortly.' He opened a great book and turned over the pages. 'Here it is--to No. 22, South Square, Gray's Inn, Second floor, north side--Edmund Gray, gentleman. Rent 40_l_. a year. Date of taking the rooms, February, 1882, at the half-quarter. Reference, Messrs. Dering and Son, Solicitors, New Square, Lincoln's Inn.' 'Why--you mean that he referred to us--to Messrs. Dering and Son--in the year 1882!' 'That is so. Would you like to see the letter which we received on application? Wait a moment.' He rang the bell, and a clerk appeared, to whom he gave instructions. 'I am bound to say,' the landlord went on, 'that a more satisfactory tenant than Mr. Gray does not exist. He pays his rent regularly by Post-office order every quarter, on the day before quarter day.'