And in that case all the mystery would be knocked clean out of these affairs--the murder of Phillips, the death of Crone, might prove to be the outcome of some vulgar encounter between them and desperadoes who had subsequently scuttled to safety and were doubtless quaking near at hand, in fear of their misdeeds coming to light; what appeared to be a perfect tangle might be the simplest matter in the world.

So I judged--and next morning there came news that seemed to indicate that matters were going to be explained on the lines which Sir Gilbert had suggested.
Chisholm brought that news to our office, just after Mr.Lindsey had come in.

He told it to both of us; and from his manner of telling it, we both saw--I, perhaps, not so clearly as Mr.Lindsey--that the police were already at their favourite trick of going for what seemed to them the obvious line of pursuit.
"I'm thinking we've got on the right clue at last, as regards the murder of yon man Phillips," announced Chisholm, with an air of satisfaction.
"And if it is the right clue, as it seems to be, Mr.Lindsey, there'll be no great mystery in the matter, after all.

Just a plain case of murder for the sake of robbery--that's it!" "What's your clue ?" asked Mr.Lindsey quietly.
"Well," answered Chisholm, with a sort of sly wink, "you'll understand, Mr.Lindsey, that we haven't been doing nothing these last few days, since yon inquest on Phillips, you know.

As a matter of fact, we've been making inquiries wherever there seemed a chance of finding anything out.