Brett ruminated silently on this fresh information. Like the other pieces in the puzzle, it seemed to have no sort of connection with the cause of the crime. "Why do you say 'setting sun'? How does one distinguish it from the rising sun in embossed or inlaid work?" he asked Hume. "I do not know. I only repeat Alan's remark. I gave the beastly thing to him because he became interested in Japanese arms during his Eastern tour, you will recollect." "Ah, well. That is a nice point for Mr. Okasaki to settle if we chance to come across him. Don't forget, Winter, I want to see that Ko-Katana. Whom did you meet at Sleagill, Hume?" The young man laughed. "Helen, of course." "Any other person?" "No. I told her I might chance to drive out in that direction about five o'clock, so--" "Dear me! You were not at all certain." "By no means. I am at your orders." "Excellent! Then my orders are that you shall meet the young lady on every possible occasion. You took her for a drive?" "Well--er--yes, I did. You do not leave me much to tell." "Did she say anything of importance--bearing upon our inquiry, I mean?" "Nothing. She had not quitted the rectory since we came away. I asked her to pick up any village gossip about the people at the Hall, and let us know at the earliest moment if she regarded it as valuable in any way." "That was thoughtful of you. A great deal may happen there at any moment." A waiter knocked and entered. He handed a letter to Hume. "From Nellie," said David hastily. He opened the envelope and perused a short note, which he gave to Brett. It ran:-- "DEAREST,--I have just heard from Jane, our under-housemaid, that Mr. Capella is leaving the Hall for London by an early train to-morrow. Jane 'walks out' with Mr. Capella's valet, and is in tears. Tell Mr. Brett. I am going to help Mrs. Eastham to select prize books for the school treat to-morrow at eleven. "--With love, yours, "NELLIE." "Who brought this note?" inquired Hume from the waiter as he picked up pen and paper. "A man from Sleagill, sir. Any reply?" "Certainly. Tell him to wait in the tap-room at my expense." He commenced to write. "Any message?" he asked Brett. "Yes. Give Miss Layton my compliments, and say I regret to hear that Jane is in tears. Ask her--Miss Layton--to get Jane to find out from the valet what train his master will travel by." "Why?" "Because I will go by an earlier one, if possible." "But what about me! Confound it, I promised--" "To meet Miss Layton at eleven. Do so, my dear fellow. But come to town to-morrow evening. Winter and I may want you." So the detective sent another telegram to detain that dress suit, and Hume seemed to have quickly conquered his disinclination to visit Stowmarket. CHAPTER X THE BLACK MUSEUM