Mr. Pawle, an alert-looking, sharp-eyed little man, whom Viner at once
recognized as having been present in the magistrate's court when Hyde was
brought up, smiled as he shook hands with the new visitor.

"You don't know me, Mr. Viner," he said. "But I knew your father very
well--he and I did a lot of business together in our time. You haven't
followed his profession, I gather?"

"I'm afraid I haven't any profession, Mr. Pawle," answered Viner. "I'm a
student--and a bit, a very little bit, of a writer."

"Aye, well, your father was a bit in that way too," remarked Mr. Pawle.
"I remember that he was a great collector of books--you have his library,
no doubt?"

"Yes, and I'm always adding to it," said Viner. "I shall be glad to show
you my additions, any time."

Mr. Pawle turned to the two ladies, waving his hand at Viner.

"Knew his father most intimately," he said, as if he were guaranteeing
the younger man's status. "Fine fellow, was Stephen Viner. Well," he
continued, dropping into a chair, and pointing Viner to another, "this is
a sad business that we've got concerned in, young man! Now, what do you
think of the proceedings we've just heard? Your opinion, Mr. Viner, is
probably better worth having than anybody's, for you saw this fellow
running away from the scene, and you found my unfortunate client lying
dead. What, frankly, _is_ your opinion?"

"I had better tell you something that's just happened," replied Viner. He