.

THE DOUBLE OFFER.
Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
"That's a bit of a platitude, isn't it ?" he suggested.

"Of course we shall know a lot more--when we do know a lot more!" "I set store by platitudes, sir," retorted Harker.

"You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.

But now, till we do know more--you've no doubt been thinking a lot about this matter, Dr.Bryce--hasn't it struck you that there's one feature in connection with Brake, or Braden's visit to Wrychester to which nobody's given any particular attention up to now--so far as we know, at any rate ?" "What ?" demanded Bryce.
"This," replied Harker.