Sir Walter had written at the end: 'The best man we ever had.

Better than Scudder.

He would go through hell with a box of bismuth tablets and a pack of Patience cards.' I went into the little back smoking-room, borrowed an atlas from the library, poked up the fire, and sat down to think.

Mr Blenkiron had given me the fillip I needed.

My mind was beginning to work now, and was running wide over the whole business.