"Why not tell us something?
We know now who Braden really was! That's settled.

Do you understand ?" "Who was he, then ?" asked Ransford, quietly.
"He was one John Brake, some time manager of a branch of a London bank, who, seventeen years ago, got ten years' penal servitude for embezzlement," answered Mitchington, watching Ransford steadily.

"That's dead certain--we know it! The man who shared this secret with him about the Saxonsteade jewels has told us that much, today.

John Brake!" "What have you come here for ?" asked Ransford.
"To ask you--between ourselves--if you can tell us anything about Brake's earlier days--antecedents--that'll help us," replied Mitchington.

"It may be--Jettison here--a man of experience--thinks it'll be found to be--that Brake, or Braden as we call him--was murdered because of his possession of that secret about the jewels.