46838    If they are innocent it would be a cruel injustice, and if they are guilty we should be giving up all chance of bringing it home to them.

46839    No, no, we will preserve them upon our list of suspects.

46840    Then there is a groom at the Hall, if I remember right.

46841    There are two moorland farmers.

46842    There is our friend Dr Mortimer, whom I believe to be entirely honest, and there is his wife, of whom we know nothing.

46843    There is this naturalist Stapleton, and there is his sister, who is said to be a young lady of attractions.

46844    There is Mr Frankland, of Lafter Hall, who is also an unknown factor, and there are one or two other neighbours.

46845    These are the folk who must be your very special study.'

46846    'I will do my best.'

46847    'You have arms, I suppose?'

46848    'Yes, I thought it as well to take them.'

46849    'Most certainly.

46850    Keep your revolver near you night and day, and never relax your precautions.'

46851    Our friends had already secured a first-class carriage, and were waiting for us upon the platform.

46852    'No, we have no news of any kind,' said Dr Mortimer, in answer to my friend's questions.