"Yes; stabbed to the heart in Mortality-lane." "Dear, dear!" cried Mr. Harcot in much agitation. "You don't say so! I noticed an account of the tragedy in the _Star_--an early issue, Mr. Darrel, published at two o'clock; but I did not think that a customer of ours was the victim. How very dreadful! Who is the unfortunate gentleman?" "That is what I wish you to tell me, Mr. Harcot." "With pleasure, with pleasure; but if you will excuse my saying so, sir, I did not know that you were an officer of the law." "Nor am I," rejoined Darrel drily. "I am a novelist; but the detective in charge of this case has permitted me to assist him." "Oh, indeed, sir," replied Mr. Harcot, considerably astonished. "If you will permit me, sir, I will look up our books." Washing his hands with invisible soap, and bowing politely, Mr. Harcot vanished, leaving Darrel to his own thoughts. In about ten minutes he returned, looking very pale and concerned. Frank was a trifle surprised at this agitation. "Dear, dear!" gasped the man, sitting down with an air of consternation. "I am shocked, really. Such a respectable gentleman! so old a customer!" "What is the name?" cried Darrel anxiously. "Grent, sir; Jesse Grent, of Wray House, Wraybridge." "Grent--Grent!" muttered Darrel thoughtfully. "I seem to know the name." "Everybody does, Mr. Darrel. Grent and Leighbourne, of Fleet-street." "What! the bankers?" "Yes, sir, yes. Mr. Jesse Grent was the head of the firm and now he is an angel. I hope so, for he was a good man, sir, who paid his bills most regul----" "Thank you, Mr. Harcot," said Frank, cutting short these lamentations, which were a trifle mercenary. "You have told me all I wish to know. Mr. Jesse Grent, banker. H'm!--so he was the red-haired man." Mr. Harcot was about to protest that the late Mr. Grent had white hair, but that Frank, with a curt nod, walked smartly out of the shop. Whereupon Harcot senior went to inform Harcot junior of the loss of a good customer, and to suggest an immediate sending in of the bill to the executors. It was now too late to call at Torry's private office, as it was long after six o'clock before Frank terminated his inquiries; so he went back to his rooms and pondered over his discovery. He had heard of Mr. Grent, who was a rich banker and much respected. That he should be found dead in a disreputable neighborhood, in disguise, added to the mystery of the case. Frank thought over the matter all night, until his brain was on fire; and he was glad when the morning came that he could see Torry. Just as he was considering the advisability of paying a visit, the detective himself made his appearance and looked considerably disturbed. "I say, Mr. Darrel," he burst out, "there are two murderers!" "Two!" "Yes--a man and a woman!" CHAPTER V. "DE MORTUIS NIL NISI BONUM" "A man and a woman!" repeated Darrel thoughtfully. "Who told you that, Mr. Torry?"