“It’s impossible to say for the moment,” replied Anthony, “but you must admit that it’s a distinct possibility.” He turned to Daphne Carruthers. “How many people knew you were staying at Seabourne?” he queried. The lady blushed rather charmingly. “Two only,” she answered, “a very special girl-friend—Lois Travers—and——” She hesitated and looked round the company. Bannister noticed her hesitation. “Yes?” he interrogated, “and?” “The Crown Prince here,” she answered with a certain amount of dismay. “I see.” Bannister made an understanding motion with his head and Sergeant Godfrey relaxed his attitude of tension for the moment and permitted himself the luxury of a fugitive smile. “This young lady you mentioned—Miss Travers—I presume that I can regard her as a _confidante_ of yours—yes?” Daphne nodded. “Yes—she has my complete confidence. It was she who recommended the ‘Cassandra’ to me originally—when I came to Seabourne last year. Her fiancé stays here quite a lot, you see.” “Oh,” muttered Bannister, “that’s rather interesting—what’s his name?” “Captain Willoughby.” “Really,” replied the Inspector, with a smile, “that fact, perhaps, is still more interesting—he’s by way of being an acquaintance of mine.” “You’ve met him here, I take it, Inspector?” interjected Anthony. “I have that,” answered Bannister with a set expression. “I was actually in conversation with him when Godfrey here ‘barged in’ and lugged me from a restful holiday into this.” Anthony was beginning to realise that he was confronted with a curious combination of circumstances. The obstinate contention of the Crown Prince concerning the implication of the murderer with the blackmailer might not be so fantastic after all. Here was a certain Captain Willoughby already fitting into the pieces of the puzzle at both ends. He had taken the photograph of Daphne and her Royal admirer during the year before and now he cropped up again in the same place at the very time coincident with the murder. Mr. Bathurst came to the conclusion that the matter would have to receive definite attention. “Give me the address of this Miss Travers, will you?” demanded Bannister. “Forty-four, Crowborough Mansions, Maida Vale.”