"But why should she write to you?" inquired the detective.
"She fancied Dean on escaping might visit me to get my aid to prove his innocence."
"I thought such might be the case myself," said Gebb, thoughtfully, "Did he come near you at any time after his escape?"
"No," said Basson, emphatically, "I never saw him from the time he went into prison. I don't know where he is; I wish I did, as this note shows that Miss Gilmar knows herself to be guilty, and has left some sort of confession behind, to be read after her death and clear Dean."
"Where do you think this confession is to be found?"
"I don't know. She may have hidden it in Kirkstone Hall, or may have had it with her. When I got this note I went at once to the Hall to tax Miss Gilmar with writing it. However, she had fled out of fear of Dean, and I could not learn her whereabouts. The next I heard was her murder at Grangebury under the name of Ligram."
"Do you think Dean' killed her?" asked Gebb, anxiously.
"I don't know. He might have found her and tried to force her into confession, and failing getting her to do so have killed her; but I don't know."
"Well," said Gebb, getting on his legs, "I had an idea myself that there might be a confession concealed in Kirkstone Hall. Now, on the evidence of this note, I am sure of it. I'll go down and search. But tell me frankly, Mr. Basson, do you know where Dean is to be found?"
"No," said Basson, solemnly, "I swear I don't."