"I think I can guess the nature of the business which has brought you, Sir John; but in any case you are welcome," he said. "Ormsby, how are you?" Sir John cleared his throat. "As I judge, then, you have heard of the singular freak--for at present I can look upon it as nothing more--of your secretary, or whatever he is, Roden Marsh?" "Who gave himself up last night at Sunbridge as being the murderer of my ever to be lamented sister." This from Mr. Ormsby. "I have been from home all morning, and the first I heard of the affair was half an hour ago. I was on the point of driving into Sunbridge when you were announced. But pray be seated." "I am glad to have saved you the journey," remarked Sir John, as he sat down. "My--our--object in coming to see you is to ascertain whether you can throw any light on this most extraordinary business, for, to tell you the truth, we are at a loss to know what steps we ought to take next with the view of either proving or disproving Marsh's statement." "And not feeling sure how the affair might turn out, nor what fresh light you might be able to throw on it, I ordered Draycot, the chief constable, to follow us, so as to be in readiness in case of emergency." "That was really very thoughtful on your part, Ormsby." "Hum--hum. Confound his sneering ways!" remarked Ormsby to himself, with a grunt. "One thing, gentlemen, I may tell you," went on Drelincourt, "which is, that one of the first steps you will have to take will be to set Mr. Marsh at liberty." "Then you are satisfied in your own mind," said Sir John, "that he is not really the criminal he seems so desirous of making himself out to be?" "On that point I am fully satisfied." "What, then, can be the fellow's motive for such an insane proceeding?" demanded Ormsby--reasonably enough. "Is he a madman, or merely a fool?" "He is very far from being either one or the other." "But this is such a terrible crime for any sane man to charge himself with?" interpolated Sir John. "You say, Drelincourt, that one of our first steps must be to set him at liberty," resumed Ormsby. "Now, I don't see that at all. He has seen fit to charge himself with the commission of a most heinous offense, and has put a lot of people to no end of worry and bother; consequently it will rest with him to thoroughly disprove his words before being allowed to regain his liberty. If I had my way, I would treat such pestilent fellows to a month on the treadmill." "It is possible that Mr. Drelincourt may be in a position to throw an unexpected light on the affair," remarked Sir John in his blandest tones. "In that case, of course----" "It will assume an altogether different complexion from the one it wears at present. That goes without saying." It was Drelincourt who completed the sentence. He drummed on the table for a few seconds with his finger tips. Then he resumed: