Alan shrugged his shoulders.
"I do not wish to see the man again."
"But I know something about him. Promise to pay me some money, and I'll show you a letter written to Captain Lestrange, which came to the inn after he left. I took it and opened it to find out his plans."
"Well, you are a scoundrel!" said Alan, looking Mr. Gramp's portly figure up and down. "By opening another person's letter you have placed yourself within reach of the law."
"I don't care!" cried Cicero recklessly. "I am desperate. Will you pay me for a sight of that letter?"
"Yes," said the inspector before Alan could reply, "if it is worth paying for. On the other hand, you could be arrested for opening it. Come, the letter!"
Cicero produced the document in question, and kept firm hold of it while he made his bargain.
"How much, Mr. Thorold?"
"If it proves to be of use," replied the young Squire leisurely, "I'll pay you well. Leave the amount to me."
The tramp still hesitated, but Inspector Blair, becoming impatient, snatched it out of his hand and proceeded to read it aloud. It was a short note to the effect that if the writer did not receive a certain sum of money "at once" (underlined), he would come down to Heathton and "tell all" (also underlined) to Miss Marlow. These few lines were signed, "O. Barkham."