Barrant returned to London in the mental disposition¹ of a man who sees an elaborate theory thrown into the melting-pot by an unexpected turn of events. The humbling² thought was that he had allowed a second fish to glide³ through his hands without even suspecting that it was on his line. He had never remotely connected Charles Turold with the murder until Mr. Brimsdown had imparted Mrs. Brierly’s disclosure to him. He had acted promptly⁴ enough on that piece of information, but once again he was too late.

Austin Turold might have felt reassured⁵ if he had known how little his share in the events of that night occupied Barrant’s mind during their last interview. The complexion⁶ Austin’s conduct bore to the detective’s reflection was that of a father who had intentionally⁷ misled the power of authority in order to shield his son. The law took a serious view of that offense⁸, but it was a matter which could be dealt with at leisure in Austin’s case. By his brother’s death Austin Turold had become a man of property and standing⁹. It was the drawback of his wealth that he could not disappear like his son. He was to be found when wanted. The main thing just then was to catch the son, or the girl—or both. Barrant went back to London for that purpose.

As the days slipped away without that end being achieved he became worried and perplexed¹⁰. His own position was an unenviable one, and his thoughts were far from pleasant. He felt that he had failed badly, and that his standing with his superiors in Scotland Yard was under a cloud in consequence. But he could not see where he had actually been at fault. It was such a damned amazing case. In most crimes the trouble was to find sufficient clues, but in this case there were too many. And the inferences

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