The men in the room turned with undisguised interest as the door opened again, and a big, fresh-coloured countryman, well wrapped up in a stout travelling coat, stepped into the room and took a sharp glance at its occupants. He was evidently a well-to-do farmer, this, and quite at his ease--but there was a certain natural anxiety in his manner as he turned to the official, who sat at the desk in the centre of the group. "You're aware of my business, sir?" he asked quietly. "I understand you're the brother of the Stephen Purvis we're wanting to find in connection with this Praed Street mystery," answered the official. "You've read of that in the newspaper, no doubt, Mr. Purvis? Take a seat--you want to tell us something? As a matter of fact, we're all discussing the affair!" The caller took the chair which Ayscough drew forward and sat down, throwing open his heavy overcoat, and revealing a whipcord riding-suit of light fawn beneath it. "You'll see I came here in a hurry, gentlemen," he said, with a smile. "I'd no thoughts of coming to London when I left my farm this morning, or I'd have put London clothes on! The fact is--I farm at a very out-of-the-way place between Moretonhampstead and Exeter, and I never see the daily papers except when I drive into Exeter twice a week. Now when I got in there this morning, I saw one or two London papers--last night's they were--and read about this affair. And I read enough to know that I'd best get here as quick as possible!--so I left all my business there and then, and caught the very next express to Paddington. And here I am! And now--have you heard anything of my brother Stephen more than what's in the papers? I've seen today's, on the way up." "Nothing!" answered the chief official. "Nothing at all! We've purposely kept the newspapers informed, and what there is in the morning's papers is the very latest. So--can you tell us anything?" "I can tell you all I know myself," replied John Purvis, with a solemn shake of his head. "And I should say it's a good deal to do with Stephen's disappearance--in which, of course, there's some foul play! My opinion, gentlemen, is that my brother's been murdered! That's about it!" No one made any remark--but Mr. Killick uttered a little murmur of comprehension, and nodded his head two or three times.