So much for Stoner's memorandum.

But did it refer to the same event to which Kitely made reference in his memorandum?
It seemed highly probable that it did.

It seemed highly probable, too, that the M.
& C.of Kitely's entry were the Mallows & Chidforth of Stoner's.

And now the problem narrowed to one most serious and crucial point--were the Mallows and Chidforth of these references the Mallalieu and Cotherstone of Highmarket.
Speculating on this possibility, Brereton after his solitary dinner went into Bent's smoking-room, and throwing himself into a chair before the fire, lighted his pipe and proceeded to think things out.

It was abundantly clear to him by that time that Kitely and Stoner had been in possession of a secret: it seemed certain that both had been murdered by some person who desired to silence them.