Since nothing had been taken from the house, and the old man had been quite unprepared for the attack that was to be made upon him, I set the whole crime down as being one of revenge.

In that case what would the assassin be likely to do after his object was obtained?
Would he vanish into the Bush forthwith, or get away by sea?
After I had finished my inspection of the fence I visited every public-house in the neighbourhood in the hope of finding out whether a man with a wounded hand had been seen in any of them on the night of the murder.

I was totally unsuccessful, however.

No one recollected having seen such a man.

From the hotels I went to various chemists' shops, but with the same result.