order to get hold of certain papers which, I feel certain, Ashton made a
habit of carrying on his person--papers relating to his friend Lord
Marketstoke's identity."

Lord Ellingham remained silent for a moment, looking from one visitor to
another. It was very clear to Viner that some train of thought had been
aroused in him and that he was closely pursuing it. He fixed his gaze at
last on the old lawyer.

"Mr. Pawle," he said quietly, "have you any proof--undoubted proof--that
Mr. Ashton did possess papers relating to my long-missing uncle?"

"Yes," answered Mr. Pawle, "I have!" He pulled out the bundle of letters
which he and Viner had unearthed from the Japanese cabinet. "This! It is
a packet of letters written by the seventh Countess of Ellingham to her
elder son, the Lord Marketstoke we are talking of, when he was a boy at
Eton. Your Lordship will probably recognize your grandmother's
handwriting."

Lord Ellingham bent over the letter which Mr. Pawle spread before him.

"Yes," he said, "I know the writing quite well. And--these were in Mr.
Ashton's possession?"

"We have just found them--Mr. Viner and I--in a cabinet in his house,"
replied Mr. Pawle. "They are the only papers we have so far been able to
bring to light. But as I have said, we are convinced there were
others--much more important ones!--in his possession, probably in his
pocketbook."