“Yes, I will examine them. But you realize that if they should yield any evidence, that evidence might be unfavourable?” “Yes; Mr. Brodribb pointed that out, but we are willing to take the risk, and so, I may say, is Robert Fletcher, to whom I put the question.” “Then you have seen Mr. Fletcher since the discovery?” “Yes, I saw him at the police station after his arrest. It was then that he gave me--and also the police--the particulars that I have repeated to you. He had to make a statement, as the dead man’s watch and the bonds were found in his possession.” “With regard to the pistol. Has it been identified?” “No. It is an old-fashioned derringer which no one has ever seen before, so there is no evidence as to whose property it was.” “And as to those share certificates which you spoke of as lying on the desk. Do you happen to remember what they were?” “Yes, they were West African mining shares; Abusum Pa-pa was the name, I think.” “Then,” said Thorndyke,” Mr. Riggs had been losing money. The Abusum Pa-pa Company has just gone into liquidation. Do you know if anything had been taken from the safe?” “It is impossible to say, but apparently not, as there was a good deal of money in the cash-box, which we unlocked and inspected. But we shall hear more to-morrow at the inquest, and I trust we shall hear something there from you. But in any case I hope you will attend to watch the proceedings on behalf of poor Fletcher. And if possible, to be present at the autopsy at eleven o’clock. Can you manage that?” “Yes. And I shall come down early enough to make an inspection of the premises if the police will give the necessary facilities.” Mr. Foxley thanked him effusively, and when the details as to the trains had been arranged, our clients rose to depart. Thorndyke shook their hands cordially, and as he bade farewell to Miss Markham he murmured a few words of encouragement. She looked up at him gratefully and appealingly as she naïvely held his hand. “You will try to help us, Dr. Thorndyke, won’t you?” she urged. “And you will examine that blood very, very carefully. Promise that you will. Remember that poor Robert’s life may hang upon what you can tell about it.” “I realize that, Miss Markham,” he replied gently, “and I promise you that the specimens shall be most thoroughly examined; and further, that no stone shall be left unturned in my endeavours to bring the truth to light.” At his answer, spoken with infinite kindliness and sympathy, her eyes filled and she turned away with a few broken words of thanks, and the good clergyman--himself not unmoved by the little episode--took her arm and led her to the door. “Well,” I remarked as their retreating footsteps died away, “old Brodribb’s enthusiasm seems to have let you in for a queer sort of task; and I notice that you appear to have accepted Fletcher’s statement.”