THE AMBUSH "I am going to ask for your collaboration in another case," said Thorndyke, a day or two later.

"It appears to be one of suicide, but the solicitors to the 'Griffin' office have asked me to go down to the place, which is in the neighbourhood of Barnet, and be present at the _post-mortem_ and the inquest.

They have managed to arrange that the inquest shall take place directly after the _post-mortem_, so that we shall be able to do the whole business in a single visit." "Is the case one of any intricacy ?" I asked.
"I don't think so," he answered.

"It looks like a common suicide; but you can never tell.

The importance of the case at present arises entirely from the heavy insurance; a verdict of suicide will mean a gain of ten thousand pounds to the 'Griffin,' so, naturally, the directors are anxious to get the case settled and not inclined to boggle over a little expense." "Naturally.