TWO WOMEN The surprising information given by the stationmaster impressed the barrister as so much unexpected trover which would assert its value in the progress of events.

He certainly did not anticipate the discovery of three David Humes, though he had hoped to find traces of two.
Before he reached his hotel he experienced a spasm of doubt.

Was his client telling the truth about his movements on that memorable Christmas Eve?
David's story was fully corroborated by the railway official and the servants at the Hall, whose sworn evidence was in Brett's possession.

But how about Hume's counterfeit presentments arriving by the earlier trains--coming from where and bound on what errands?
He resolutely closed down the trap-door opened by his imagination.
"The pit does not yawn for me," he communed, "but for the man who killed Sir Alan.

Assuredly he will fall into it before many days.