Fordham says that to establish his innocence (or bring about his acquittal, which I suppose means the same thing) a miracle is needed. Not at all. If it is done, common sense will do it. So, to work.
How many persons in the drama? Leaving out Ellen Cameron, who is not connected with the mystery, six.
Mrs. Fordham, John Fordham's stepmother. Dead.
Louis Fordham. Dead.
Barbara, wife of John Fordham. Dead.
Annette, the French maid. Disappeared. No mention of her.
Maxwell. Alive. Where was he?
John Fordham. In prison.
There remained, therefore, only one person upon whom there was a likelihood of laying hands. Maxwell. I must see him. John Fordham would be able to give me his address. I decided to seek an interview with John Fordham early in the morning.
But would it be easy to find Maxwell? He was accessory after the fact. John Fordham seems not to have thought of that. Maxwell, with better knowledge of the law, undoubtedly thought of it. Natural conclusion—Maxwell would keep out of the way. No reason why he should not be tracked. It was something in my line.