The butler removed his master's coat and noiselessly left the room, while Mortmain drained the glass and then carelessly examined the envelope. The names of "Flynt, Steele & Burnham" printed in the upper left-hand corner caught his eye. The names of his own solicitors! That was a peculiar thing. Perhaps Flynt had dropped it—or Flaggs. He turned it over curiously. It was unsealed, as if it had formed one of a package of papers. The baronet lifted the envelope to the lamp and peeped within it. There were three thin sheets of paper covered with writing, and unconsciously he drew them forth and examined them. At the foot of each, in delicate, firm characters, appeared his own name staring him familiarly in the face. In the corners were the unmistakable figures £25,000. He rubbed his forehead and read all three carefully. There could be no doubt of it—they were his own three notes of hand to Lord Gordon Russell. Fate was playing tricks with him again.
"A fire from heaven to consume the notes," Flynt had said. Here were the notes—there was the fire. Had Heaven perhaps really interposed to save him? Was this chance or Providence? With a short breath the baronet grasped the notes and took a step toward the hearth. As he did so the extension telephone by the mantel began to ring excitedly. His heart thumped loudly as, with a feeling of guilt, he relaid the notes upon the table and seized the telephone.
"Yes—yes—this is Mortmain!"
"Richard," came the voice of a friend at the club in anxious tones, "are you there? Are you at home?"
"Yes—yes!" repeated the baronet breathlessly. "What is it?"
"Have you heard the news—the news about Lord Russell?"
Mortmain's head swam with a whirl of premonition.
"No," he replied, trying to master himself, while the perspiration again broke out over his body. "What news? What has happened?"
"Lord Russell was murdered in his library at half after six this evening. Some one gained access to the room and killed the old man at his study table."
"Killed Lord Russell!" gasped Sir Richard. "Have they caught the murderer?"