peace. This indecision was not like him, but the case was so
perplexing, and such serious issues were involved, that the
young man felt thoroughly worried.

Hitherto he had seen nothing new about the case in the papers,
but on reaching Swindon he bought a few and looked through
them. His search was rewarded by finding an article on the
crime. The inquest had been held, and the jury had brought in
a verdict of "Murder against some person or persons unknown!"
But it was plainly stated that the police could not find a
clue to the assassin. The article in question did not pretend
to solve the mystery, but collocated the facts so as to put
the case in a nutshell.

"The facts are these," said the journal, after a preliminary
introduction. "A quiet maiden lady living at Rose Cottage,
Rexton, received three friends to a card-party. Difference
arising--and such things will arise amongst the best when
cards are in question--two of the friends, Mrs. Herne, an
old lady and life-long friend of the deceased, and Mr. Hale, a
lawyer of repute and the legal adviser of Miss Loach, depart
before ten o'clock. In her evidence Mrs. Herne stated that
she and Mr. Hale left at half-past nine, and her assertion was
corroborated by Mr. Hale himself. Mr. Clancy, the third
friend, left at ten, being shown out by the maid Susan Grant,
who then returned to the kitchen. She left Miss Loach seated
in her usual chair near the fire, and with a pack of cards on
her lap. Probably the deceased lady intended to play a game
of 'Patience'!