"Have no knowledge whatever of any person named John Phillips--Gavin Smeaton." So, for the moment, there was nothing to be gained from that quarter.
Mr.Lindsey and I were at the inn where the body had been taken, and where the inquest was to be held, early next morning, in company with the police, and amidst a crowd that had gathered from all parts of the country.

As we hung about, waiting the coroner's arrival, a gentleman rode up on a fine bay horse--a good-looking elderly man, whose coming attracted much attention.

He dismounted and came towards the inn door, and as he drew the glove off his right hand I saw that the first and second fingers of that hand were missing.

Here, without doubt, was the man whom I had seen at the cross-roads just before my discovery of the murder!.