He had crossed the bridge of Lochan and was climbing the steep
ascent which led to the heathy plateau separating that stream
from the Garple before he had got his mind quite clear on the case.
FIRST, Loudon was in the plot, whatever it was; responsible for
the details of the girl's imprisonment, but not the main author.
That must be the Unknown who was still to come, from whom Spidel took his
orders. Dobson was probably Loudon's special henchman, working directly
under him. SECONDLY, the immediate object had been the jewels, and they
were happily safe in the vaults of the incorruptible Mackintosh.
But, THIRD--and this only on Saskia's evidences--the worst danger to
her began with the arrival of the Unknown. What could that be?
Probably, kidnapping. He was prepared to believe anything of people
like Bolsheviks. And, FOURTH, this danger was due within the next
day or two. Loudon had been quite willing to let him into the
house and to sack all the watchers within a week from that date.
The natural and right thing was to summon the aid of the law, but,
FIFTH, that would be a slow business with Loudon able to put spokes
in the wheels and befog the authorities, and the mischief would be
done before a single policeman showed his face in Dalquharter.
Therefore, SIXTH, he and Heritage must hold the fort in the meantime,
and he would send a wire to his lawyer, Mr. Caw, to get to work
with the constabulary. SEVENTH, he himself was probably free from
suspicion in both Loudon's and Dobson's minds as a harmless fool.
But that freedom would not survive his reappearance in Dalquharter.
He could say, to be sure, that he had come back to see his auntie,
but that would not satisfy the watchers, since, so far as they knew,
he was the only man outside the gang who was aware that people
were dwelling in the House. They would not tolerate his presence
in the neighbourhood.