Our informant tells us that Braden certainly had on him, when he came to Wrychester, a sort of diagram showing the exact location of the spot where the jewels were hidden--that diagram was most assuredly not found on Braden when we examined his clothing and effects.

It may be that it was wrested from him in the gallery of the clerestory that morning, and that his assailant, or assailants--for there may have been two men at the job--afterwards pitched him through that open doorway, after half-stifling him.

And if that theory's correct--and I, personally, am now quite inclined to it--it'll help a lot if you'll tell us what you know of Braden's--Brake's--antecedents.

Come now, doctor!--you know very well that Braden, or Brake, did come to your surgery that morning and said to your assistant that he'd known a Dr.Ransford in times past! Why not speak ?" Ransford, instead of answering Mitchington's evidently genuine appeal, looked at the New Scotland Yard man.
"Is that your theory ?" he asked.
Jettison nodded his head, with a movement indicative of conviction.
"Yes, sir!" he replied.

"Having regard to all the circumstances of the case, as they've been put before me since I came here, and with special regard to the revelations which have resulted in the discovery of these jewels, it is! Of course, today's events have altered everything.