The fact that they engaged Luckstone to look after their interests argues a guilty knowledge of Whitmore's death.

Then, their silence, their fear of saying something that might incriminate one or all of them--it is impossible to reconcile their conduct with innocence! No.

When you survey the entire case, you cannot escape the conviction that Whitmore met his death at the hands of one of them." "But man alive," broke in the chief, "what evidence have you?
Why, you're further away from the solution of the crime than when you started." "Not at all!" Britz assured him.

"We're going to solve the case to-morrow morning, in this very room." Manning and Greig looked at each other in blank bewilderment.

In the light of Britz's explanation of the case, his confident assertion could only be regarded as a vain boast.