One of these was a note, dated from the Adelphi a few days before the tragedy, and written in a stiff, legal hand.

It contained only a few lines: "DEAR SIR,-- "My client will be happy to meet you at any time on Thursday you may be pleased to appoint, either here or at your own address.

Please reply, making an appointment, by return of post.
"Yours faithfully, "W.

BENTHAM." The second document was also in the shape of a letter from a firm of private detective agents and was dated only a day earlier than the lawyer's letter.

It ran as follows: "MY DEAR SIR,-- "In reply to your inquiry, our charges for watching a single person in London only are three guineas a day, including all expenses.