"Well, as to that," he said, "and if we are to judge only by what
we read in the papers, they are curious, without a doubt. But I
am not supposing for one moment that you fellows at Scotland Yard
don't know more than you've let on to the newspapers. You keep
your discoveries out of the Press over here, and a good job, too,
but you wouldn't persuade me that you haven't some very distinct
theory as to how that crime was worked, and the sort of person
who did it. Eh, Mr. Jacks?"
"We are perhaps not quite so ignorant as we seem," the Inspector
answered, "and of course you are right when you say that we have
a few more facts to go by than have appeared in the newspapers.
Still, the affair is an extremely puzzling one,--as puzzling, in
its way," Mr. Jacks continued, "as the murder on the very next
evening of this young American gentleman."
Mr. Coulson nodded sympathetically. The drinks were brought, and
he raised his glass to his guest.
"Here's luck!" he said--"luck to you with your game of human
chess, and luck to me with my woollen machinery patents! You were
speaking of that second murder," he remarked, setting down his
glass. "I haven't noticed the papers much this morning. Has any
arrest been made yet?"
"Not yet," the Inspector admitted. "To tell you the truth, we
find it almost as puzzling an affair as the one in which Mr.
Hamilton Fynes was concerned."
Mr. Coulson nodded. He seemed content, at this stage in their
conversation, to assume the role of listener.
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