Alan's expression grew somewhat anxious.
"Surely that describes the man we saw reciting?"
"So it does." Sophy eyed the letter dubiously. "Had he a loud voice, Simmonds?"
"As big as a bell, miss, and he spoke beautiful: but he wasn't gentry, for all that," finished Simmonds with conviction.
"You can go," said Alan. Then he turned to Sophy, who was opening the envelope. "Let me read that letter first," he said.
"Why, Alan? There is no need. It is only a begging letter. Come and read it with me."
He gave way, and looked over her shoulder the elaborate writing.
"Miss" (it began),
"The undersigned, if handsomely remunerated, can give valuable information regarding the removal of the body of the late Richard Marlow from its dwelling in Heathton Churchyard. Verbum dat sapienti! Forward £100 to the undersigned at Dixon's Rents, Lambeth, and the information will be forthcoming. If the minions of the law are invoked the undersigned with vanish, and his information lost.
"Faithfully yours, Miss Sophia Marlow,