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"Can you let me have the facts of this Horbury affair?" "We've come to save you the trouble," answered Polke. "This gentleman Detective-Sergeant Starmidge, of the C.I.D., Mr. Parkinson wants to have a bit of a transaction with you." Parkinson eyed the famous detective with as much wonder as Neale had felt on the previous evening. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "Pleased to meet you, sir I've heard of you.
You don't know what mayn't be happening, or what mayn't have happened in yon place! But look here I can't stop. Me and Sam Barraclough's going off to Wymington now, in his motor he'll be waiting at this minute. You do what I say stop here and watch a bit. And if you see aught, go to Polke and insist on the police searching that place. That's my advice!"
Pellworthy and Betty Fosdyke were talking earnestly in one of the window recesses; Starmidge, at the furthest end of the room, was examining the old oak panelling. "I've sent for Mr. Batterley to give us a hand," said Polke. "I suppose we'd best examine this room in the way he suggested?" Starmidge betrayed no enthusiasm. "If he can do any good," he answered.
"When did you see him last, sir!" asked Starmidge. "Some eight or nine months ago," replied Hollis. "He came to see me, in Birmingham. Previous to that, I hadn't seen him for several years. I ought to tell you," he went on, turning to Polke, "that for a great many years I have lived abroad tea-planting in Ceylon. I came back to England about a year ago, and eventually settled down at Edgbaston.
"Then come on," said Starmidge, dropping into a chair by the editorial desk. "I'll tell you all about it." Polke listened admiringly while the detective carefully narrated the facts of what was henceforth to be known as the Scarnham Mystery. Nothing appeared to have escaped Starmidge's observation and attention.
Of course, she'll have told Polke all the story by this time. As for ourselves what had we better do?" Neale had considered that question as he came along. "There's only one thing to do, my lord," he answered. "We want the solution of a problem: what became of Mr. Horbury last Saturday night?"
"With your leave, I'd like to try an experiment." "What experiment?" demanded Polke. Starmidge pointed to the ten thousand pound cheque, which was still lying on the table. "I'd like to take that cheque across to Chestermarke's Bank, and show it to the partners," he answered. "Good heavens! why?" exclaimed Polke. "I thought you didn't want anybody to know about it."
And what I shall want to find out from them, in that case, is what special purpose? And what had it to do with Scarnham, or anybody at Scarnham? See? And I'll tell you what, Mr. Polke I don't know whether we'll produce that cheque at the inquest on Hollis at first, anyhow.
He was obviously much impressed by the recent developments as related in the newspapers which they had just read, and was deep in thought about them and the possibilities which they suggested to him. "Well!" he said at last, as the high roofs of Scarnham came in view, "we'll hear what Polke has to tell. Something may have happened since those inquest proceedings this afternoon."
"Only just got here, and a bit tired, miss," continued Polke, waving his hand again at the detective. "So I'm just giving him a refresher to liven his brains up. He'll want 'em before we've done." Betty took the chair which Polke offered her, and looked at the stranger with interest.
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