"This is a most lamentable business, Mr. Fanks," he said, when the detective was seated. "I usually go home before five o'clock, but in the interests of our client, Sir Louis Fellenger, I remained, on the chance of seeing you. I am glad to see you." "I came as soon as I was able, Mr. Vaud; but you only sent for me to-day. I wonder you did not wish to see me before." "There was no necessity, my dear sir. We only heard from Sir Louis yesterday that he was prepared to bear all expenses connected with the investigation of the case." "Sir Louis is ill, I believe, Mr. Vaud?" "Sir Louis is never well, sir," said the lawyer impressively. "He is a delicate man, and he is given over to the arduous science of experimental chemistry. The earnestness with which he prosecutes his researches keeps him in a constant state of anxiety; and his health suffers accordingly. He is now at Mere Hall, attended by Dr. Binjoy." "Is Dr. Binjoy with Sir Louis at Mere Hall at this present moment?" "Certainly. Dr. Binjoy never leaves the side of Sir Louis. He has the greatest influence over him. Though I must say," added Vaud, "that even the influence of the doctor could not prevent his patient rising from his sick-bed to attend the funeral of the late baronet." "He must have been fond of his cousin," said Fanks, pointedly. "On the contrary, the cousins had not seen one another for ten years and more," said Mr. Vaud, solemnly. "I do not wish to speak evil of the dead, but the late Sir Gregory was certainly a butterfly of fashion, while the present Sir Louis is a man of science. They never got on well together, and therefore kept out of each other's way." "And very sensible, too," said Fanks, dryly. "Do you happen to know if Dr. Binjoy has been in London lately?" "I happen to know on the best authority--that of Sir Louis--that Binjoy has not been in London for the last six weeks. Sir Louis has been ill for that period; the doctor has not left his bedside." Fanks made a mental note of this answer, and turned the conversation in the direction of the crime. "You know that Fellenger died from poison?" "From blood-poisoning," corrected Vaud. "So I saw in the papers. A most remarkable case, my dear sir. What took our late client to that locality, and why did he submit himself to the tattooing needle?" "I can't say. Are you aware of any motive which might have induced the dead man to have a cross tattooed?" "No, sir. As a matter of fact," continued Mr. Vaud, "the late Sir Gregory and myself were not on the best of terms. He was extravagant, and he resented my well-meant advice. I saw as little of him as of Sir Louis." "Then you are not intimate with Sir Louis?" "I cannot say that I am. Sir Louis has led a secluded life at Taxton-on-Thames. I have only seen him once or twice." "And Dr. Binjoy?" "I have never seen him at all." "Was Sir Louis rich?" "On the contrary, he was very poor. Five hundred a year only."