"I saw him myself examining the book after the inquest.

No, no, Mr.Harker!--the facts are too plain--the evidences too obvious.

And yet--what interest has a retired old tradesman of Wrychester got in this affair?
I'd give a good deal to know what Harker really is doing here--and who his Barthorpe friend is." If Bryce had risen earlier next morning, and had taken the trouble to track old Harker's movements, he would have learnt something that would have made him still more suspicious.

But Bryce, seeing no reason for hurry, lay in bed till well past nine o'clock, and did not present himself in the coffee-room until nearly half-past ten.

And at that hour Simpson Harker, who had breakfasted before nine, was in close consultation with his friend--that friend being none other than the local superintendent of police, who was confidentially closeted with the old man in his private house, whither Harker, by previous arrangement, had repaired as soon as his breakfast was over.