"Humph!" said Fanks again. "I wonder--but that is impossible." "What is impossible?" "Something that came into my head. What it is, does not matter. I shall no doubt prove its impossibility at Mere Hall." "You suspect Sir Louis?" "Such a suspicion did cross my mind. But, as Sir Louis is employing me to hunt down the murderer, he would hardly act in such a way. Never mind that at the present moment, Hersham, but tell me if you have written to your father?" "About the tattooed cross? No, I have not done so yet. I don't see how my father can help you." "I am of another opinion," said Fanks, dryly. "It is my firm conviction that the whole secret of that murder in Tooley Alley lies in the explanation of that tattooed cross. Do not look so scared, Hersham. I do not suspect your father." "I should think not," said Hersham, fiercely. Fanks laughed indulgently, in nowise offended with the indignant tone adopted by the young man. Indeed, he rather admired him for being so ready to take up the cudgels on behalf of his parent. Nevertheless, he stuck to his point, as he was determined to fathom the meaning of the tattooed cross, and he saw no one was so likely to help him to an interpretation as the Rev. George Hersham, Vicar of Fairview, Isle of Wight. "You must do as I ask," he said, "and write to your father. I must know why he had that cross tattooed on your arm." "I don't believe my father had anything to do with it," said Hersham, angrily. "However, as you insist on it, I shall go home and see him. If he tells me, I shall tell you. If he refuses, as he has done before--" "In that case I'll come down to Fairview and see him myself." "As you please," said Hersham, with a feigned air of indifference, but real vexation. "I'll do my best; I can do no more." "Don't be angry, old fellow. I don't wish to vex either you or your father, but you must see that it is important that I should know the meaning of this cross. You will go and see Mr. Hersham?" "Yes; before the end of the week. Will that content you?" "Yes," replied Fanks, in his turn. "And now, before you go, just tell me if you received a letter from Mrs. Boazoph, and if you have brought it with you?" "Now it is strange that you should have guessed that," said Hersham, in astonishment. "I did get a letter from Mrs. Boazoph; I brought it to see what you thought of it. It quite slipped my memory till you spoke of it. Here it is. Came yesterday from Fairview." "From Fairview!" repeated Fanks, making no attempt to take the letter which Hersham held towards him. "Was it sent to that address?" "Yes, care of my father, who forwarded it on to me. See for yourself." "Did Mrs. Boazoph know of your address in the Isle of Wight?" "No, that's odd," added Hersham, staring at Fanks. "How did she get it?" "From Miss Colmer." "I have never given any but my London address to Miss Colmer. I had my reasons for not doing so."