Blair looked so jocular, and chuckled in so pleasant a manner that the Squire guessed he had good news. However, he resolved to let Blair tell his story in his own way.
"What took you to Brighton of all places?" he asked tentatively.
"Well, you might guess. Joe Brill took me."
"Joe Brill?"
The inspector nodded.
"I followed him there."
"But I have seen Joe. He tells me he was at Southampton and in London."
"No doubt--a clever fellow Joe. He knows how to hold his tongue. Well, Mr. Thorold, I hope your troubles about this matter of the lost body will soon be at an end."
"Blair!" Alan bent forward in a state of great excitement. "You have found out something about it?"
"Yes, enough to gain me a thousand pounds."