Again--all the correspondence concerning Edmund Gray was carried on between the office and the brokers. There were no letters from Edmund Gray at all. Suppose it should be found impossible to connect Edmund Gray with the transactions carried on in his name. Suppose the real Edmund Gray were to deny any knowledge at all of the transactions. Suppose he were to say that ten years before he had brought a letter of introduction to Mr. Dering, and knew nothing more about him. Well--but the certificates themselves--what about them? Their possession would have to be accounted for. So he turned the matter over and over and arrived at nothing, not even the next step to take. He went back to the Chief and reported what he had discovered: the existence of an Edmund Gray--the letter of recommendation to the landlord. 'Another forgery,' groaned Mr. Dering. 'It is done in the office,' said George. 'It is all done in the office--letters--cheques--everything.' 'The office,' Checkley repeated. 'No doubt about it.' 'Give up everything else, George,' said Mr. Dering eagerly 'everything else. Find out--find out. Employ detectives. Spend money as much as you please. I am on a volcano--I know not what may be taken from me next. Only find out, my partner, my dear partner--find out.' When George was gone, Checkley went after him and opened the door mysteriously, to assure himself that no one was listening. 'What are you going on like that for, Checkley?' asked his master irritably. 'Is it another forgery? It rains forgeries.' 'No--no. Look here. Don't trouble too much about it. Don't try to think how it was done. Don't talk about the other man. Look here. You've sent that young gentleman to find out this business. Well--mark my words: he won't. He won't, I say. He'll make a splash, but he won't find anything. Who found out the last job?' 'You said you did. But nothing was proved.' 'I found that out. Plenty of proof there was. Look here'--his small eyes twinkled under his shaggy eyebrows--'I'll find out this job as well, see if I don't. Why----' He rubbed his hands. 'Ho! ho! I _have found out_. Don't ask me--don't put a single question. But--I've got 'em--oh! I've got 'em. I've got 'em for you--as they say--on toast.' CHAPTER XIII THINGS MORE REMARKABLE After such a prodigious event as the discovery of these unparalleled forgeries, anything might happen without being regarded. People's minds are open at such times to see, hear, and accept everything. After the earthquake, ghosts walk, solid things fly away of their own accord, good men commit murder, rich men go empty away, and nobody is in the least surprised.