Williams went back to the library where Bassett still slept. He looked at his watch--a quarter to nine. He couldn’t understand it--what could Rawson have got hold of on the mainland when it was as plain as printing Mrs. Stokes was the guilty party. He started and moved to the window; the throbbing beat of an engine came through the silence, a low spark of light was advancing from the opposite shore. When he heard the boat grinding against the wharf he waked Bassett. “Rawson’s coming. And it’s nearly nine.” Rawson came in by the window, his eyes blinking in the room’s brightness. He came briskly, with something of theatrical effect in his silent entrance, his purposeful walk to the desk. Bassett at once noticed a change in him, a suggestion of enhanced forces, of faculties recharged with energy. He tried to look stern but satisfaction shone in his eyes and lit his long lantern-jawed face. He was like the bearer of good tidings who would have worn the high smile of triumph if a smile were fitting. “Well,” said Williams, “where the devil have you been?” “Down the coast, twenty-five miles, on roads that would have put anything but a flivver out of commission.” “You got something?” “I did--this time. We’re on the right track now if I’m not much mistaken.” Williams gave an incredulous grunt. He did not believe in new material and in advance placed himself in stubborn opposition: “What did you go down the coast for?” “To find a man called Gabriel Harvey.” Bassett, about to sit down, stopped in surprise: “Gabriel Harvey?-- That’s our launchman.” “Exactly. And I had a devil of a time to find him. Down in a place called White Beach, hidden away with friends in a shack without a telephone.” “But why----” “I’ll tell you.” Rawson dropped into the desk chair, and, his elbows on the arms, leaned forward, his eyes behind their glasses traveling from one face to the other. “I went over there to look into Joe Tracy’s movements. I couldn’t find any one who’d seen him come ashore and learned that the man Gabriel who took him over, had gone to this place White Beach for deep-sea fishing. Not being able to get hold of him I went to the station to see if I could gather up anything. And I did. The baggage man told me Gabriel had been there before he left for White Beach leaving a suit-case and fishing-rod to be held till Tracy called for them. They’re there now. I saw them.” Williams said nothing, not ready with argument till more was divulged. Bassett, in blank amazement, ejaculated: “Why, that’s the most extraordinary thing----”