"A message was sent to Rexton." "I have just come from Rexton.

What is it ?" "That man who was arrested for coining, sir ?" "What about him ?" asked the inspector, while Jennings listened with all his ears.

He was far from expecting to hear the reply.
"He is dead, sir," said the policeman.
"Dead! What do you mean?
He was well enough this morning." "Well, sir, he's dead now--poisoned!" "Poisoned!" echoed Jennings, and thought--"Ha! here's an undesirable witness got out of the way." Then he followed in the wake of the inspector, who on hearing the news, hurriedly walked towards the police station.

Here they found that the news was true.

The constable left in charge of the office was greatly agitated, as it seemed he had been lax in doing his duty.