“What are you going to do, Colson?” asked the superintendent as he rose to go. “Are you coming back to Frattenbury?” “I want to think a bit, sir. I may cycle in later on. But I’m fairly puzzled just now. There are two men we want to get hold of, anyhow—this artist chap who was staying here, and Moss, opposite.” The superintendent nodded. “We’re bound to do that,” he said. “I expect there’ll be reports when I get back to the station. Well, I’ll leave you now.” Everyone else but the detective having left the inn, Mrs. Yates locked the front door and came into the bar parlour. “Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Colson?” “Yes, please. I should like some strong tea. Then I want you to keep everyone away.” “Trust me for that, sir. Not a soul comes into this house till six, when I’m bound to open. I want to have a little quiet myself, Mr. Colson. What with all these reporters and people asking questions I’m fairly bewildered. I hope there won’t be any more murders here as long as I keeps the ‘Mariner’s Arms,’ I do indeed.” Seated at the table, drinking his tea, his notebook in front of him, Detective-Sergeant Colson deliberately and methodically reviewed the case, making his deductions as he did so, and writing them out concisely. And this was the result when he finally closed his pocket-book: “_Templeton’s object in coming to Marsh Quay._ First, to see Moss. That requires investigation. Secondly, to see his cousin. We know all about that. Thirdly, an interview with some unknown person in Frattenbury, who must have been the last person who saw him before he was murdered. Why did not that person come forward to give evidence? But he might not have lived in Frattenbury itself——he might have spoken, loosely, of the neighbourhood. He might have arranged to see Moss again—or this artist chap—or even Proctor. They are all possible. “_Reason for appointment._ He hinted that he was carrying something valuable. We know what that was. Diamonds. There were probably more than the one we found. Who has them now? “_Clues._ Only four at present of any value—possibly only two. (1) The blotting-paper. Not easy to make out. If deciphered, it might lead to finding out with whom the appointment was made, or what it was about. But very uncertain. (2) The diamond. But that only appears to prove that he had others. (3) The walking-stick. Most important, this. It is pretty certain that the man who thinks he has recovered it is the criminal. If only I hadn’t muddled it! (4) The cigar band. I ought to have spotted that, and not have left it to that confounded parson to find. There may be something in it, certainly.