TO BEECHCROFT Thenceforth, as the French say, events marched.

Robert Frazer faithfully recounted Margaret's statement to the barrister and the detective.

The "documents," copies of which Ooma sent to the ill-fated woman whose sudden accession to wealth had proved so unlucky for her, were evidently those stolen from the drawer in the writing-desk at Beechcroft.
Here, at last, was the motive of the murder laid bare.
The Japanese, by some inscrutable means, became aware that the young baronet possessed these papers, and held them _in terrorem_ over his reputed sister.

In the hands of a third person, an outsider, they were endowed with double powers for mischief.

He could threaten the woman with exposure, the man with the revelation of a discreditable family secret.
He visited the library in order to commit the theft, probably acting with greater daring because he mistook the sleeping David for his cousin.
Having successfully wrenched open the drawer and secured the papers, still holding in his hand the instrument used for slipping back the tiny lock, he turned to leave the room by the open window, and was suddenly confronted by the real Sir Alan, who recognised him and guessed his object in being present at that hour.
Brett had gone thus far in his spoken commentary on the affair as it now presented itself to his mind when Winter asked: "Why do you say 'recognised' him, Mr.Brett?
We have no evidence that Sir Alan had ever seen Ooma ?" "What, none?
Search through your memory.