“I also,” continued the lawyer imperturbably, “have read the account in the newspapers of the interview with Miss Louisa Grison. She declared therein that if the peacock were discovered, the assassin of her brother could be brought to justice. Is that not so?” “Yes,” admitted Berwick readily, “it is so.” “Since we have brought the peacock, which it is necessary to do, in order for Miss Inderwick to obtain possession of the box deposited here over one hundred years ago by Simon Ferrier, you naturally wish to know how we come to possess it.” “But surely Mr. Berwick doesn’t think that we murdered Mr. Grison to obtain this,” said Marie indignantly, touching the glowing splendor of the bird. “No! no! no!” the manager assured her hastily, “nothing was further from my thoughts, my dear young lady. But, as Mr. Fuller sensibly observes, it is necessary for me to safeguard the interests of the bank.” “All the same you did think that I or Mr. Fuller had killed Mr. Grison,” persisted Marie, her obstinacy again coming uppermost. “No! really, really——” “Never mind,” remarked Alan impatiently, and cutting short the man’s protestations, “it is natural that Mr. Berwick should suspect us, in the face of Miss Grison’s statement. Better send for Inspector Moon, who has charge of the Rotherhithe case; and also I must ask you to send to the office of _The Latest News_ for Richard Latimer.” “Why?” asked the man rising and staring. “Because he can prove how I became possessed of the peacock.” “I shall do what you ask, and you will excuse me, Mr. Fuller, if I am rather punctilious in dealing with the matter.” “I quite understand, Mr. Berwick. The affair is an odd one, and when we tell you what we know, you will find it even odder than you suspect. In the meantime, please telephone for Mr. Latimer and Inspector Moon, mentioning my name to both of them, and Miss Inderwick’s also, if you like.” With a look of wonder written all over his ruddy face Berwick departed and personally telephoned for the two necessary persons in question. Marie rather fumed while he was absent, as woman-like she expected to be taken as genuine on her bare word. “He thinks we are swindlers,” she said crossly. “And small blame to him,” rejoined Alan good-humoredly, for it was evident that the gems were all right, as he judged from Berwick’s hints. “You can’t expect the man, my dear, to hand over thousands of pounds worth of jewels without making inquiries.’ “The peacock is enough,” said Marie stubbornly. “The peacock is the cause of the trouble,” retorted her lover; “but here is Mr. Berwick. Well, sir?” “I have received a reply from both,” said the manager, resuming his seat, and looking apologetically at Marie, “they will be here as soon as possible. Pardon me taking these precautions, and perhaps while you are waiting for Inspector Moon and Mr. Latimer, you will explain how you came to find out that the box of Ferrier was in our bank?”