"Between ourselves, neither had I," remarked Ayscough heartily. "I told our people that I, personally, was convinced of the young fellow's complete innocence from the very first--and it was I who found him in the shop. It's a most unfortunate thing that he was there, and a sad coincidence that those rings of his were much of a muchness with the rings in the tray in the old man's parlour--but I've never doubted him. No, sir!--I believe all this business goes a lot deeper than that! It's no common affair--old Daniel Multenius was attacked by somebody--somebody!--for some special reason--and it's going to take a lot of getting at. And I'm convinced this Parslett affair is a development--Parslett's been poisoned because he knew too much." "You say you don't know what particular poison was used?" asked Purdie. "It would be something of a clue to know that. Because, if it turned out to be one of a very subtle nature, that would prove that whoever administered it had made a special study of poisons." "I don't know that--yet," answered Ayscough. "But," he continued, rising from his chair, "if you'd step round with me to the hospital, we might get to know, now. There's one or two of their specialists been making an examination. It's only a mere step along the street." Purdie followed the detective out and along Praed Street. Before they reached the doors of the hospital, a man came up to Ayscough: a solid, substantial-looking person, of cautious manner and watchful eye, whose glance wandered speculatively from the detective to his companion. Evidently sizing Purdie up as some one in Ayscough's confidence, he spoke--in the fashion of one who has something as mysterious, as important, to communicate. "Beg your pardon, Mr. Ayscough," he said. "A word with you sir. You know me, Mr. Ayscough?" Ayscough looked sharply at his questioner. "Mr. Goodyer, isn't it?" he asked. "Oh, yes, I remember. What is it? You can speak before this gentleman--it's all right." "About this affair of last night--Parslett, you know," said Goodyer, drawing the detective aside, and lowering his voice, so that passers-by might not hear. "There's something I can tell you--I've heard all about the matter from Parslett's wife. But I've not told her what I can tell you, Mr. Ayscough." "And--what's that?" enquired the detective.