"Evidently!" agreed the solicitor. "Of course, there's no need to give notice to these two foreigners--yet. It'll take a little time to settle the estate, and you can let them stay on awhile. I know who they are--your grandfather mentioned them--two medical students, of University College. They're all right. Well, now, that completes the schedule. As regards administering the estate--" A sudden gentle but firm knock at the side-door brought Zillah to her feet again. "I know that knock," she remarked. "It's Ayscough, the detective. I suppose he may come in, now?" A moment later Ayscough, looking very grave and full of news, had joined the circle round the table. He shook his head as he glanced at Mr. Penniket. "I came on here to give you a bit of information," he said. "There's been an important development this afternoon. You know the name of this Stephen Purvis that's been mentioned as having been about here? Well, this afternoon his brother turned up from Devonshire. He wanted to see us--to tell us something. He thinks Stephen's been murdered!" "On what grounds?" asked the solicitor. "It turns out Stephen had sent Mr. Multenius a rare fine diamond--uncut--from South Africa," answered Ayscough. "Worth every penny of eighty thousand pounds!" He was closely watching Zillah and Melky as he gave this piece of news, and he was quick to see their utter astonishment. Zillah turned to the solicitor; Melky slapped the table. "That's been what the old man fetched from his bank that day!" he exclaimed. "S'elp me if I ain't beginning to see light! Robbery--before murder!" "That's about it," agreed Ayscough. "But I'll tell you all that's come out." He went on to narrate the events of the afternoon, from the arrival of Mr. Killick and his companions at the police station to the coming of John Purvis, and his three listeners drank in every word with rising interest. Mr. Penniket became graver and graver. "Where's Mr. Killick now--and the rest of them?" he asked in the end. "Gone to find that American chap--Guyler," answered Ayscough. "They did think he might be likely--having experience of these South African matters--to know something how Stephen Purvis may have been followed. You see--you're bound to have some theory! It looks as if Stephen Purvis had been tracked--for the sake of that diamond. The thieves probably tracked it to this shop--most likely attacked Mr. Multenius for it. They'd most likely been in here just before young Lauriston came in." "But where does Stephen Purvis come in--then?" asked Mr. Penniket. "Can't say yet--," replied Ayscough, doubtfully. "But--it may be that he--and Levendale--got an idea who the thieves were, and went off after them, and have got--well, trapped, or, as John Purvis suggests, murdered. It's getting a nicer tangle than ever!" "What's going to be done?" enquired the solicitor.