Brett proposed dealing with them summarily and in person.
Holden had barely concluded his remarkable narrative when Hume's reply came from Whitby, giving the address of the hotel where Fergusson resided.
Brett went there at once, and found the old butler on the point of retiring for the night.
Fergusson was at first disinclined to commit himself to definite statements.

With characteristic Scottish caution, he would neither say "yes" nor "no" until the barrister reminded him that he was not acting in his young master's interests by being so reticent.
"Weel, sir, I'm an auld man, and mebbe a bit haverin' in my judgment.

Just ask me what ye wull, an' I'll dae my best to answer ye," was the butler's ultimate concession.
"You remember the day of the murder ?" "Shall I ever forget it ?" "Before Mr.David Hume-Fraser arrived at Beechcroft from London, had any other visitors seen Sir Alan ?" This was a poser.

No form of ambiguity known to Fergusson would serve to extricate him from a direct reply.
"Ay, Mr.Brett," came his reply at last.

"One I can swear to." "That was Mr.Robert Hume-Fraser, who met him in the park, and walked with him there about three to four o'clock in the afternoon.