he explained, "but that I thought this gentleman"--he inclined his
head toward the Queen's Messenger--"was about to contribute some facts
of which I was ignorant. He, however, has told us nothing, and so I
will take up the tale at the point where Lieutenant Sears laid it down
and give you those details of which Lieutenant Sears is ignorant. It
seems strange to you that I should be able to add the sequel to this
story. But the coincidence is easily explained. I am the junior member
of the law firm of Chudleigh & Chudleigh. We have been solicitors for
the Chetneys for the last two hundred years. Nothing, no matter how
unimportant, which concerns Lord Edam and his two sons is unknown to
us, and naturally we are acquainted with every detail of the terrible
catastrophe of last night."

The Baronet, bewildered but eager, sank back into his chair.

"Will you be long, sir!" he demanded.

"I shall endeavor to be brief," said the young solicitor; "and," he
added, in a tone which gave his words almost the weight of a threat,
"I promise to be interesting."

"There is no need to promise that," said Sir Andrew, "I find it much
too interesting as it is." He glanced ruefully at the clock and turned
his eyes quickly from it.

"Tell the driver of that hansom," he called to the servant, "that I
take him by the hour."

"For the last three days," began young Mr. Chudleigh, "as you have
probably read in the daily papers, the Marquis of Edam has been at the