"I say, Garth," said Fanks, "how much longer will your correspondence take?" "I shall be at your service in ten minutes," replied Garth, without desisting from his occupation. "What do you wish to talk about?" "About the death of your friend, Sir Gregory Fellenger." Garth looked up and turned round with alacrity. "Is the case in your hands, Fanks?" "Yes; and I want some information from you." "I shall be happy to give it. But wait for a few minutes; I am just writing about it to a friend of mine--and yours." "Humph! and the name?" "Ted Hersham, the journalist." They looked at one another, the same thought occupying both their minds. "Has your reason for writing anything to do with the left arm of our friend?" asked Fanks, after a pause. Garth nodded and returned to his work. When he had sealed, directed, and stamped the letter Fanks spoke again. "Garth?" he said; "I say, Garth?" "Yes! What's the matter?" "Don't send that letter till after our conversation." "Ah! You guess why I am writing to him." "My remark of a few moments ago ought to have shown you that," said Fanks, dryly. "Yes; I guess your object, and I want you to leave the case in my hands. It is too difficult a one for you to manage alone." "I know that it is difficult, Fanks, but I wish to solve this mystery." "Because Fellenger was your friend?" asked Fanks. "Because Fellenger was my cousin," replied Garth. The announcement took Fanks by surprise, as he had not known of the relationship. He was aware that Fellenger and Garth had been close friends, but he knew little of the former, save as a club acquaintance, and the latter was very reticent about his private affairs, although he was curious concerning the affairs of others. "So you wish to revenge the death of your cousin," he remarked after a thoughtful moment. Garth shrugged his shoulders. "Hardly that," he replied; "between you and me, I did not care overmuch for Fellenger. He was a bad lot, and we only held together because of our relationship. But I should like to find out what took him to Tooley's Alley and who killed him." "A laudable curiosity. Do you suspect anybody?" "Not a soul. I am as much in the dark as--you are." "I may not be so much in the dark as you think," said the other. "Then why did you ask me to assist you?" retorted Garth, sharply. "See here, Fanks, I will tell you all that I know if you will promise to keep me posted up concerning the progress of the case." Fanks twisted his ring and reflected. "I agree," he said briefly, "but you must not meddle--unless I tell you to do so." "Agreed!" And the pair shook hands on the bargain. "And now," said Fanks, grimly, "that letter, if you please." After a moment's hesitation Garth handed it over. He had a great respect for the mental capacity of his friend, and on the whole he judged it advisable to carry out the agreement which had been concluded. "Though I would send that letter if I were you," he expostulated; "Hersham has----"