Mr.Graves, on the other hand, was a real person.

I had seen him amidst the tragic circumstances that had probably heralded his death, and had brought away with me, not only a lively recollection of him, but a feeling of profound pity and concern as to his fate.

The villain Weiss, too, and the terrible woman who aided, abetted and, perhaps, even directed him, lived in my memory as vivid and dreadful realities.

Although I had uttered no hint to Thorndyke, I lamented inwardly that I had not been given some work--if there was any to do--connected with this case, in which I was so deeply interested, rather than with the dry, purely legal and utterly bewildering case of Jeffrey Blackmore's will.
Nevertheless, I stuck loyally to my task.

I read through the depositions and the will--without getting a single glimmer of fresh light on the case--and I made a careful digest of all the facts.