"Have the pool dragged for the body and Felix Briarfield arrested."
"Before doing so it would be advisable to find Rose Strent or her father."
"Why so?"
"Because they only can give positive evidence as to the committal of the crime. Failing them, Felix may slip through your fingers."
"They won't show up or give evidence for their own sake."
"In that case they must be found and forced into confession," said the doctor quickly. "And what about Felix and Miss Bellin?"
"They are now in town--Mrs. and Miss Bellin in Swansea Square, and Felix at his chambers in Jermyn Street."
"I wonder if Felix is still in communication with Rose Strent?" queried Merrick, half to himself.
"It's not impossible! Whatever Rose Strent was or is, she is not a waiting maid. I believe some guilty bond unites the pair, and that Rose assisted Felix in his scoundrelly schemes out of pure love."
"Hardly," responded Merrick thoughtfully. "If Rose loved Felix, she would not assist him to marry Olivia, and by removing Francis she certainly did so."