"Shall I request the privilege of looking that garment over?"

"Yes."

The young fellow ducked and left the room. When he returned, it
was with a downcast air.

"Nothing doing," said he.

And then there was silence.

"We only need to find out now that this cutter was not even Miss
Challoner's property," remarked Mr. Gryce, at last, with a gesture
towards the object named, lying openly on the table before him.

"That should be easy. Shall I take it to their rooms and show it
to her maid?"

"If you can do so without disturbing the old gentleman."

But here they were themselves disturbed. A knock at the door was
followed by the immediate entrance of the very person just mentioned.
Mr. Challoner had come in search of the inspector, and showed some
surprise to find his place occupied by an unknown old man.

But Mr. Gryce, who discerned tidings in the bereaved father's face,
was all alacrity in an instant. Greeting his visitor with a smile
which few could see without trusting the man, he explained the
inspector's absence and introduced himself in his own capacity.