"That's it," said the Commissioner, "wrecked outside Valladolid; three killed, many injured—do you remember who was killed?"
"Yes," said Elk slowly, "a Frenchman, whose name I've forgotten; Mr. Arthur Saintsbury, a King's Messenger—by George!"
The connection dawned upon him, and T. B. grinned.
"Killed whilst carrying despatches to the King of Portugal," he said.
"Those despatches related to the proposed withdrawal of native labour—much of which is recruited in Portuguese West Africa." He paused a moment, and added as an afterthought, "His despatch-box was never found."
There was silence.
"You suggest?" said Elk suddenly.
"I suggest there is an intelligent anticipator in existence who is much too intelligent to be at large." The Commissioner walked to the door.
He stood for a moment irresolutely.
"I offer you two suggestions," he said: "the first is that the method which our unknown operator is employing is not unlike the method of Mr. George Baggin, who departed this life some time ago. The second is that, if by any chance I am correct in my first surmise, we lay this ghost for good and all."