Seeing that Miss Beale was consumed with anxiety to hear an
intelligible version of the tragedy, Theydon at once recited all, or
nearly all, that was known to him. The only points he suppressed were
those with reference to the gray car and the ivory skull. The lady
listened attentively and with more self-control than he gave her
credit for.

Bates came in with a laden tray, on which a boiled egg appeared. Mrs.
Bates had used her discretion, and decided that any one who had set
out from Oxford so early in the day must be in need of more solid
refreshment than tea and toast. Thus cozened, as it were, into eating,
Miss Beale tackled the egg, and Theydon was glad to note that she made
a fairly good meal, being probably unaware of her hunger until the
means of sating it presented itself.

But she missed no word of his story, and when he made an end, put some
shrewd questions.

"I take it," she said, "that the strange gentleman who visited my
niece on Monday night posted the very letter which I received by the
second delivery yesterday?"

"That is what the police believe," replied Theydon.

"Then it would seem that she resolved to come to me at Iffley as the
result of something he told her?"

"Why do you think that?"

"Because I heard from her only last Saturday, and she not only said