his skull beaten in and dead. I want to know where he got that scrap of
paper. Above everything, Breton, I want to know what he'd got to do
with you!"

He gave the young barrister a keen look, and Breton nodded.

"Yes," he said. "I confess that's a corker. But I think----"

"Well?" said Spargo.

"I think he may have been a man who had some legal business in hand, or
in prospect, and had been recommended to--me," said Breton.

Spargo smiled--a little sardonically.

"That's good!" he said. "You had your very first brief--yesterday.
Come--your fame isn't blown abroad through all the heights yet, my
friend! Besides--don't intending clients approach--isn't it strict
etiquette for them to approach?--barristers through solicitors?"

"Quite right--in both your remarks," replied Breton, good-humouredly.
"Of course, I'm not known a bit, but all the same I've known several
cases where a barrister has been approached in the first instance and
asked to recommend a solicitor. Somebody who wanted to do me a good
turn may have given this man my address."

"Possible," said Spargo. "But he wouldn't have come to consult you at
midnight. Breton!--the more I think of it, the more I'm certain there's
a tremendous mystery in this affair! That's why I got the chief to let
me write it up as I have done--here. I'm hoping that this