"Call me what you like," was the sullen rejoinder. "I wanted to get money out of Beauchamp myself, and wrote to warn him that I might have a claim on his gratitude. I was afraid to come here. I sent a letter to Lestrange asking him for money, and it got into this policeman's hands. He traced me, and brought me down here. That is all I know; but as Mr. Beauchamp is alive, I ought to have something. After all, it was I who warned him."
"You shall have fifty pounds," said Beauchamp sternly. "But you must leave England."
"I don't know that I will let him," said Blair. "He should have communicated with the police."
"I'll turn Queen's evidence if you like," said Barkham. "I don't care if I am arrested or not. I have had nothing but this fifty pounds--and you call that gratitude, Mr. Beauchamp!"
"Let him go, Blair, if you can consistently with your duty," said Beauchamp.
"I'll see," was the reply. "Hullo! what's that! Gramp, what do you mean by rushing into the room?"
It was indeed Cicero who stood, hot and puffing, at the door. He took no notice of Blair, but addressed himself to Alan.
"Mr. Thorold," he said, "I have information if you will pay me well."
"You shall be paid if what you have to say is worth it."
"Then I must tell you that Lestrange was the Quiet Gentleman. You see this lancet? He stole it out of your desk, and gave it to me to say that I found it in the hut. This proves that he was the Quiet Gentleman, and I believe he murdered Dr. Warrender."