think it will be well if I ask for information through the newspapers."

"There is one matter we haven't mentioned," said Mrs. Killenhall. "Just
after we got settled down here, Mr. Ashton went away for some days--three
or four days. That, of course, may be quite insignificant."

"Do you know where he went?" asked Mr. Pawle.

"No, we don't know," answered Mrs. Killenhall. "He went away one Monday
morning, saying that now everything was in order we could spare him for a
few days. He returned on the following Thursday or Friday,--I forget
which,--but he didn't tell us where he had been."

"You don't think any of the servants would know?" asked Mr. Pawle.

"Oh, dear me, no!" replied Mrs. Killenhall. "He was the sort of man who
rarely speaks to his servants--except when he wanted something."

Mr. Pawle looked at his watch and rose.

"Well!" he said. "We shall have to find out more about my late client's
habits and whom he knew in London. There may have been a motive for this
murder of which we know nothing. Are you coming, Mr. Viner? I should like
a word with you!"

Viner, too, had risen; he looked at Miss Wickham.

"I hope my aunt called on you this morning?" he asked. "I was coming with
her, but I had to go round to the police-station."