Mr. Deede Dawson, in spite of the jejune nature of the communication,
read it very carefully and indeed even went so far as to examine the
letter through a powerful magnifying-glass.

But he made no discovery by the aid of that instrument, and he
neglected, for no man thinks of everything, to expose the letter to
a gentle heat, which was what Dunn did when, presently, he received
it, apparently unopened and with not the least sign to show that it
had been tampered with in any way whatever.

Gradually, however, as Dunn held it to the fire, there appeared
between the lines fresh writing, which he read very eagerly, and
which ran:

"Jane Dunsmore, born 1830, married, against family wishes, John
Clive and had one son, John, killed early this year in a motor-car
accident, leaving one son, John, now of Ramsdon Place and third in
line of succession to the Wreste Abbey property."

When he had read the message thus strangely and with such
precaution conveyed to him, Dunn burnt the letter and went that day
about his work in a very grave and thoughtful mood.

"I knew it couldn't be a mere coincidence," he mused. "It wasn't
possible. I must manage to warn him, somehow; but, ten to one, he
won't believe a word, and I don't know that I blame him--I shouldn't
in his place. And he might go straight to Deede Dawson and ruin
everything. I don't know that it wouldn't be wiser and safer to say
nothing for the present, till I'm more sure of my ground--and then
it may be too late."